Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Advanced Video & Film Production (Face-to-Face)

COMM 4760-01

Course: COMM 4760-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11662

Course Description

Concentrated work in production of on-location television programs. Work will include news, sports, public affairs, and documentary productions. Students will work individually and in groups learning proper preproduction, production and postproduction techniques. Prerequisite: COMM 2200 at SUU, COMM 3504 recommended.

Required Texts

There is no required textbook. A recommended book is “Documentary Storytelling for Film and Videomakers” by Bernard. Other “how to” make videos books and online videos and supplemental in and out of class readings.

Learning Outcomes

Each student will demonstrate individual ability to conceive, produce, shoot and edit broadcast quality programs. Each student will demonstrate the ability to work in a group, completing required tasks while maintaining professional working relationships within the group but also with a possible client. Learning to work with and serve clients (whether for pay or for service) is essential to future success.

Course Requirements

TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES (additional details will be provided):

  • 10-20-second video (“Vine” or Tiktoc short entertainment video) 20 pts p/f
  • Youtube video with “story” 1-2 minutes 20 pts p/f
  • Hitchcock assignment. :30 to 2 minutes 20 pts p/f
  • Video Essay – technical camera shots required with music 1:30 max 20 pts p/f
  • Assist with “class” project(s) 20 pts p/f
  • Individual midterm project involving production of a trailer for your final project or another approved project. 100 pts graded
  • Individual or group final project of a mini-documentary, educational, instructional or promotional content of approximately five to 30 minutes 100 points graded
  • Attendance, take home quizzes summarizing text readings and other in-class written assignments. 20 pts p/f

Associated documentation (proposals, scripts, budgets, etc) for all of the above. (Included in grades above)

Make arrangements to help with the “class” productions.

Course Outline

Week/DateTopic/DiscussionAssignment DueNotes
Week 1Introduction, Who is on the credits? What do you want to do for “Finding Deadwood Coach”, Vertical Video Syndrome.
What is a Director? Narrative theory Treatments,
Shooting scripts
Producers, Practice Youtube shots
Week 2 - MCritique short internet videos6 second “Vine” or 15 second “TikTok” due in class. But must be shot in horizontal format
Week 2 - WProduction Day.Youtube video – 30-60 sec.
Week 2 - FExecutive Producer, Budgets
Week 3 - MMLK Day – No Class
Week 3 - WDirector of Photography
Camera Practice, techniques
Line of access,
Week 3 - FHow to do pitchesHitchcock Assignment due
Mid-term Treatment due
Week 4 - MMid-term Pitch, feedback
Week 4 - WIntro to lighting, Light Characteristics
Week 4 - FLighting in StudioInstructor returns mid-term treatmentsIn-studio lighting demo
Week 5 - MLighting, Lighting Director
Week 5 - WLighting practice Supporting Cast,
Week 5 - FLead Cast, working with actors, Casting Director
Week 6 - M 2/Writer, script development, copyright Multi-camera event coverage/Olympics
Week 6 - W 2/Multi-camera event coverage/Olympics
Week 6 - FProduction Day – work on mid terms
Week 7 - M 2/President’s Day – No Class
Week 7 - W 2/Production Designer, Art Direction
Week 7 - F 2/Evaluate Mid-term projects in classMid-term project due
Week 8 - M 2/Practice with mics, Audio
Week 8 - W 2/Associate Producers
Week 8 - F 2/Continuity Director/Casting DirectorFinal Project Script and Treatment Due
Week 9 - M 3/Special Effects, Music Composer, Music rights, editing to music
Week 9 - W 3/Costume Designer/Make up
Week 9 - F 3/Post Production, Editor, sequencesInstructor returns Final Treatments
Week 9 - M-F 3/-3/Spring Break – no classes
Week 10 - M 3/TBA – film production – PISA doc
Week 10 - W 3/TBA – film production
Week 10 - F 3/TBA – film production
Week 11 - M 3/Video distribution, Streaming
Week 11 - W 3/TBA
Week 11 - F 3/Special Effects, Star Gate, Stock footageRough layout of posters or artwork for webpage
Week 12 - M 3/Ethical Issues/Legal Issues/Access
Week 12 - T 4/Festival of Excellence – Present “Hale”
Week 12 - W 4Legal Issues
Week 12 - F 4Production Day – work on finalRough Edit of Final Due
Week 13 - M 4/TBA
Week 13 - W 4TBA
Week 13 - F 4/TBA
Week 14 - M 4/TBA
Week 14 - W 4/TBA
Week 14 - F 4/Application
Week 14 - T 4/Final Video Screening 11 a.m. -12:50Final Project dueFinal Project Essay on CANVAS

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work handled on a case-by-case basis with professional communication with professor. 

Attendance Policy

Class attendance. Meet during regularly scheduled class times. More than three absences as observed by the professor will lead to a reduction of one letter grade.

Course Fees

Video production equipment provided. You must provide your own memory cards and an external hard drive. You may use your own camera and editing computer if desired.
No course fee but HSS program fees may apply.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.