Course Description:
Students in MCF-87 learn and apply the concepts and skills needed at the entry level in both the public affairs and visual information specialties. They learn and apply design thinking principles to question effectively, identify problems and provide a solution-based approach within a communications framework, applying the fundamentals of news writing, still photography, videography, and graphic design in their products.
Location: 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md.
Beginning with an introduction to non-fiction writing, students apply the fundamentals of English and journalism to news stories, caption writing, and video scripts for use in both internal and external communication products. They also learn the purpose and use of internal and external communication products, media and community engagement, social media best practices, media literacy, and preparing information for public release in accordance with applicable policy. Using the principles of interviewing, interpersonal communications skills, and the interview process, they conduct interviews, communicate with media, and apply the purpose and guidelines for writing general news stories to writing adverse news reports. Using their knowledge of the functions of news, including the elements of mass appeal and their understanding of responding to requests for information, they gather initial available facts from credible sources, applying their writing skills and the guidelines for release to write initial and follow-up news releases. In a simulated media exercise, students will record a media query; conduct research; prepare a subject matter expert (SME); develop a response to the query, including a minimum number of command messages; and escort & facilitate media.
Students are introduced to narrative writing as an expansion of their writing skills. Through practice and coaching, they learn the writing process, story structure, elements of a narrative, and storytelling techniques, and apply these skills to write a non-fiction narrative story used to support a theme and message. In an introduction to photography, students learn and apply photographic theory, including optics, light and color theory, and the use of good compositional techniques, proper exposure, on- and off-camera lighting using a DLSR/Mirrorless camera to capture still imagery of both controlled and uncontrolled action, and use storyboarding and storytelling techniques to produce a photo storytelling package. Student use of proper posing and the use of and application of portable lighting techniques is evaluated in official portrait and environmental photography. In accordance with Section 508 regulations, contemporary web standards and user centered navigation conventions, each student will design, create and package original visual products for use in various internet-based and 2 social media platforms. These include vector- and raster-based graphic they also incorporate with other file types into mixed media products they integrate into desktop publishing products they package accordingly for use in print, browser- and social media-based platforms.
Students use data visualization tools to create infographics, applying all of their knowledge of graphic design principles and elements, they experience the practical application of incorporating a variety of visual information file types and text into cohesive designs to communicate a theme or message in visually, interesting and engaging ways, with consideration for the user experience and communication mediums.
Application of basic layout principles, design best practices, copyright laws, and knowledge of optimizing source file types to output medium constraints are emphasized in all tasks.
Students further their camera skills by using a DLSR/Mirrorless camera to learn and apply videography fundamentals to capture motion imagery of both controlled and uncontrolled action. Students scout and identify interview locations, select equipment to properly light and prepare an interview environment, and microphone placement to collect quality audio. Using digital audio capture methods and editing techniques, they use recording tools to capture audio they edit and integrate into video sequences and other products. Students write scripts, perform voice over narration, create and use storyboards and shot lists while planning video products. Applying both video and audio editing techniques, students produce a video news story. Students assemble a digital portfolio of their work, representative of the variety of written and visual products created throughout the course.