The classroom setting is such that not all needs can be met within it.  I encourage you, therefore, to visit my office often.  It is my pleasure to discuss grades, attendance, notes, lectures, or anything else which will make you a better student.   Your grades can only benefit from regular communication with your professors.  I will gladly work with you to arrange meeting times convenient to us both. Feel free to contact me:

by e-mail at brian.fuller@calvin.edu [good].

by phone or voicemail at 616.498.4336 (49.VIDEO) [better].

in person at room 025D of the DeVos Communication Center [best].  My office hours are listed here.

An introductory course in film-style production in the medium of digital video, with instruction in all of the elements of production, including scriptwriting, videography, sound, lighting and editing. Students will produce a series of exercises and a short finished video. All equipment is provided.

The idealolgical influence of electronic media makes them indispensible and powerful tools of cultural transformation.  It is thus incumbent on at least a few Christians to step beyond consumption and analysis, to acquire the collaborative skills of project management, lighting, audio, camera operation, and editing.

Technical expertise -- framed holistically in a liberal arts context -- prepares people to craft images for a meaningful presence on movie screens, airwaves, cable systems, and the internet.  As its title implies, this class offers the first step toward better media for personal, professional, educational, and liturgical venues.

Through the project-based work of this course, the student will:

support creative collaboration with studio safety (6, 9), protocols (3), and etiquette (2, 9).

demonstrate basic control of lighting properties (3).

demonstrate a knowledge of camera operation, movement, and composition (3).

employ the rudiments of audio recording as it supports video production (2).

demonstrate video editing mechanics and grammar (2, 3, 4, 5).

direct and respond to the direction of others in a framework of servant leadership (9, 11).

learn principles and terminology of media project planning and management (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11).

numbers indicate correlation with competencies and commitments enumerated in Calvin's Expanded Statement of Mission

If you write a good essay or fail a math exam, you do so as an individual.  But the success of a video production is often a collaborative endeavor that begins with attendance.  You jeopardize any group project for which you show up late (or not at all).  Reflecting the emphasis Calvin's Media Production professors place on collaboration, strict attendance is required.  Students will be penalized for late arrivals and early departures.

Classes will not be held on holidays officially recognized by the college. All other days of the term are fair game for lectures, quizzes and assignments. Those students who plan to leave early for or return late from holiday breaks may not reschedule exams or other work.

The professor reserves the right to answer any cell phone call received by a student during class time.

Cameras, lights, microphones and the like may be borrowed from Equipment Loan (Devos 025B).  This room is staffed by Media Production Lab Aides, upper level students in the major who are paid to maintain equipment and to assist other students.  Reserve equipment in advance by e-mailing checkout@calvin.edu (the best method) or visit Equipment Loan during posted hours.

Exceptions to the policy require a note of permission from a faculty member, submitted electronically to Campus Safety at least 24 hours in advance.  To address concerns of personal safety and security, a minimum of two students must remain in the building together.

Students enrolled in CAS 190 are granted card access to the Video Editing Labs (DeVos 055). 

Governed by the following priorities, equipment and facilities are available to those students currently enrolled in Media Production classes:

1) Priority shall be given to equipment loans which support class project assignments and faculty scholarship initiatives.

2) Production equipment will support in-class instruction as well as out-of-class project work. Return deadlines will be carefully monitored.

3) Certain equipment is designated for use by each class. Thus, cameras and lighting equipment set aside for advanced instruction may not be available to students in introductory-level courses (and vice versa). Not even Production Lab Aides should assume free access to all equipment.

4) Understanding that Media Production majors may not be enrolled in production classes each semester, those declared majors are nevertheless encouraged to engage in project work for their continued improvement (video festivals, competitions, a senior capstone piece, even personal projects). Requests for equipment to support such projects must be made in advance via e-mail to the Chief Engineer (jb25@calvin.edu). As a rule, equipment and facilities tend to be more available early in the semester.

5) Communiqués must include:

a. a project summary
b. a detailed equipment wish list
c. crew list
d. desired loan dates

As in the regular semester, instruction, scholarship, and maintenance, regulates equipment use over breaks, vacations, reading recesses, interims, and summer. Exceptions follow the same guidelines enumerated above.