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 introduction to the aesthetic principles that govern the production of media programs, focusing on sound.  Students produce a variety of short audio programs in lab situations.  The course also introduces students to the process by which media programs are produced, the aesthetic and ethical challenges that this process demands, and how Christians working in the media should respond to such demands.

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 understand the principles and acquire the skills governing the reproduction of dialogue, sound effects, and music.  Technical expertise -- framed holistically in a liberal arts context -- prepares people to exert meaningful influence on movie screens, airwaves, cable systems, and the internet. 

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

acquire principles governing and vocabulary describing the tasks and goals of audio production.

practice techniques for recording, mixing, and editing three forms of sound for media: music, dialogue, and effects.

support creative collaboration with safety, protocols, and etiquette in both field and studio

direct and respond to the direction of others in a framework of servant leadership.

demonstrate skills of media project planning and management.

If you write a good essay or fail a math exam, you do so as an individual.  But the success of a video production demands a New Testament fraternity that begins with attendance.  You jeopardize any group project for which you show up late (or not at all).  Because I believe the ability to collaborate trumps most others in media production, strict attendance is required.  Students will be penalized for late arrivals and early departures.

This class will usually meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m. in Room 025 of the DeVos Communication Center.  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.

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 249 are entrusted with card access to the Audio Labs (DeVos 045).  Access to the Audio Studio (DeVos 030) is available by appointment with chief engineer Jake Bosmeijer or the Media Production Lab Aides.

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.