The course covers the fundamentals of field recording (camera, sound, lighting, logging), basic approaches to editing (logging/organizing footage, constructing a program, refining it), and conceptualization. Preparing synopses, treatments, scripts, shot lists/storyboards, production schedules and budgets are all addressed. By the end of the semester students are expected to complete a grant proposal for the production of a 20-to 30-minute ethnographic documentary that includes the documents typically required by granting agencies, such as the Independent Television Service, ITVS.

For students in the Masters in Visual Anthropology (MVA) program, this course is part of a two-semester sequence in ethnographic video production taught in collaboration with USC's Institute for Multimedia Literacy (IML). The first semester of the course is focused on the fundamentals of video production and their application to a broad conception of ethnographic and documentary approaches. Assignments raise representational, methodological, and ethical issues in approaching and working through an ethnographic and documentary project.

Students in the MVA program are expected to come into this class with fairly well developed ideas about their thesis projects. Ideally, you will use course assignments to begin field recording and research for your MA project. Those who won't have access to field sites during the fall semester are expected to find local subjects for the 576L projects. These may relate to your MA research, or may not. By the end of term all students are expected to present a final video project demonstrating competence in conceptualizing, shooting, and editing a short (5-to 10-minute) ethnographic documentary.

• Attendance and participation in seminar, lab, and screening session; and in class and online critiques, discussions, and readings is required.
• Students are expected to check their USC email accounts regularly and are responsible for keeping up with course announcements.
• Coursework cannot be submitted late without a medical excuse
• This course requires active participation. Collaborative engagement with the production process is fundamental to both individual performance and success of the class as a whole.
• Students who have not completed the work assigned in 576L will not be allowed to register for 577L, the second half of the course sequence in which students develop and produce MA thesis projects.

Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to your instructor (Jennifer Cool) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The DSP phone number for (213) 740-0776.