Seats Still Available for Several Fall 2022 BECA Courses

Foundation Production Courses

BECA has open seats in all three of our foundation production courses. All BECA majors are required to take at least one of these courses, which each introduce fundamental skills needed for a range of advanced production opportunities in the major.

• BECA 231: Audio Production Basics. This course is needed for students interested in advanced courses in radio, voiceover, music recording, and audio for video.
• BECA 241: TV Studio Basics. This course is needed for advanced studio production courses, directing, post-production, or television news.
• BECA 246: Electronic Field Production I. This course is needed for advanced field production courses, sports reporting, documentary production, and media in community service. Electronic Field Production focuses on developing the fundamental skills necessary for compelling video-based storytelling. Students will spend the first half of the semester becoming familiar with camera, lighting, and audio equipment through guided exercises and individual activities. The second half of the semester centers on the storytelling process as students work in groups to apply their technical skills to a culminating video project. No prior experience with video production is necessary to excel in the course.

BECA 330: Audio Production I

BECA 330 gives students the experience of being in a high-end recording facility to prepare anyone interested in audio recording and mixing. SFSU's recording studio is equipped with some of the top recording gear in the audio industry. This includes a 32 channel API console, several outboard signal processors, a patchbay, and an acoustically treated live space for artists and sound designers to work.

The course introduces students to the gear and how they're interconnected, signal flow, utilizing the patchbay, and operating the API console for recording and mixing purposes. By the end of the semester, students will be able to conduct full mixes using the API console, the patchbay, and some of tone shaping/time-based processors found in the studio. In addition, students will be prepared to setup for analog/digital recording sessions.

If you have any questions, you can contact Rajeev Naidu at rajeevn@mail.sfsu.edu.

BECA 341: Aerial (Drone) Imagery Operation and Aesthetics

The emergence of drones as a creative tool has raised the bar for visual storytelling and improved the quality of the work of videographers/cinematographers, media producers and directors.

Through both technical and aesthetics training, now it is time to learn how to safely operate drones and capture stunning aerial visuals.

If you are attempting to spice up your stories' visuals and to stand out from the crowd, take the only drone course available at SFSU.

This Fall BECA 341 offers students the opportunity to learn about drone operations and aesthetics. Students will learn how to:

• Capture high quality and stunning aerial imageries with smooth and creative movements.
• Operate drones safely, register for drone, learn to get permission/certificate to operate, and techniques to become an expert drone pilot.
• The essentials of what is needed to achieve taking epic photographic/cinematic drone shots.

For the course registration permission and questions contact Professor Khani hkhani@sfsu.edu

BECA 370: Writing for Electronic Media

Want to learn how to simplify your writing? Interested in learning more about writing for TV, public relations, advertising, and journalism? This class will show you examples of great writing in each of these categories, and give you a chance to write in each format. Work will be shared with peers, and you'll be given a chance to revise your work to improve your grade.

BECA 390: The Age of Information

ENROLL IN BECA 390 – THE AGE OF INFORMATION (cue tympani drum roll)

What is the next big new communication technology and when will it arrive? Does it matter who owns Twitter? How can I prepare myself for a future of ever-changing technological innovation? These are just some of the questions explored in BECA 390, a course focused on the philosophy, history, and culture of techno-society. Readings are drawn from a variety of sources from the popular (William Gibson & Corey Doctrow) to leading academics in the field of technology studies (Manuel Castells & Sherry Turkle). Grades in the class are based on a series of brief “Information Age Identity Papers” and a final project with multiple options. BECA 390 can be used toward fulfilling requirements for both the BECA Major and Media Literacy Minor.

Consider enrolling in this face-to-face course meeting Wednesday Mornings from 9:30 – 12:00.

Reach out to Professor Patterson (spatters@sfsu.edu) who will answer any questions you may have about the course.

BECA 415: Advanced Television Production Workshop

BECA 415 works together with the BECA 515 (Television Center Crew) class to produce eight episodes of a program in Studio 1. At the beginning of the semester, students in the workshop collectively determine the concept and content of the program they plan to shoot. Once the program idea and design are set, students serve in different roles to ensure the execution of the program: writers, producers, directors, and editors. Any onscreen talent for the program will also be selected from the BECA 415 class. The purpose of the class is to give the students a collaborative experience that simulates more of a “real world” production environment.

To see examples of the programs students have produced, check out the Under SF: SFSYou playlist on the BECA Media YouTube channel.

For questions or an add code, contact Professor Andy Pitman: apitman@sfsu.edu.

BECA 462: The Television Documentary in the United States

BECA 462 considers history, ethics, aesthetics, storytelling, social and political impact, and production concerns for documentary programs on television and web documentaries. We will do this through readings, group discussions, papers, documentary screenings, and close analysis. Documentary samples will be shown in class to illustrate various styles and theories of production. By the end of the course, each student will have completed a proposal for their own documentary idea. This is a Zero Cost Materials Course. All readings and videos are provided via iLearn.

BECA 463: Ethics and Responsibility in the Electronic Media

Fake news, newsjacking, diversity in front of and behind the camera—just three of the topics to be explored in BECA 463, Ethics and Responsibility in the Electronic Media.

What are media ethics? Do they matter? What can we expect if we continue to hurtle toward a world where TRUTH is just another word?

Not only will we learn how to make effective arguments, we will also learn from experts in the field.

For questions or an add code, contact Professor Miriam Smith: miriam@sfsu.edu.

BECA 545: Television Directing

Television Directing is a class focused on basic principles of what a multi-camera television director does: prepare for a shoot and then lead the crew through the production day.

Topics include:

• Different types of multi-camera directing and differences in preparation
• Visualizing a script
• Directing language and control room demeanor
• Working with the assistant director(s)
• Working with a crew to achieve success in production
• Working with talent to properly capture the artistic vision of the script
• Oversight of the production process as director from preproduction to delivery

As this is a production-based course, students will also be involved in the technical aspects of production (control room, lighting, cameras, etc.), however, the emphasis will be on the director and their collaboration with crew and talent. Each student will work as part of a group to produce projects in Studio 1, and all students will have the opportunity to direct their own work. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work with scripts created by one of the writing classes to give more of a “real world” feel and introduce another level of collaboration.

For questions or an add code, contact Professor Andy Pitman apitman@sfsu.edu.

BECA 570: Writing for Electronic Media Genres (Topic: The Short Format)

Want to know how to write a short, effective blog post in under 1,000 words? In this class, you'll learn how to write short but powerful blog posts aimed to entertain and educate the SF State community. You'll also learn how to collaborate with peers, meet deadlines and revise your work.

BECA 580: Media in Community Service

This course uses media for public agencies, institutions, NGOs and community groups. Includes creating and placing public service announcements, developing media programs for agencies, institutions, and community groups, budgeting, and grant-seeking. Specifically, we will collaborate with East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and other organizations to facilitate video workshops for migrants and to document and promote these workshops using various media. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with migrants and community partners in a hands-on learning environment. In the course, students blend theory and practice, through video production as well as critical thinking papers. This blended curriculum will advance students’ creative portfolios while also contributing to the body of knowledge in their field of study.

If you would like to take the course and have not yet taken 246, reach out to Professor Piryaei at spiryaei@sfsu.edu to request an add code.