Description

Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. Tell me a story and I’ll remember it forever. - Gail Matthews-DeNatale Science and technology have infinite potential for solving local and global concerns. However, many scientists are unable to convey their research in a meaningful or moving way for a general audience. This communication gap can prevent important scientific advances from reaching target audiences. By teaching young scientists to be compelling communicators, we can inspire the next generation, not just to inform a general audience about KAUST research, but also to engage the viewers in a memorable way. Film can be a powerful instrument for conveying even the most technical message. This course will not only demonstrate how to effectively communicate science through film, but to emotively portray a scientific discovery’s implications on society, drawing out their value and use in a social context. Students will learn how to tell a compelling story about complicated scientific or technological research in a concise and engaging way, while acquiring new communication skills in videography. Students will attend 5 lectures that cover the importance of communicating science, crafting a story, storyboarding, digital filmmaking, composition, lighting and digital video editing techniques. Students will work in groups during and outside of class (lab hours will be provided) to create a 2-3 minute digital video including either current KAUST research, an interview with a WEP 2014 speaker or a story about a WEP 2014 event. Teamwork between defined roles will be urged so that each student has an equal opportunity to contribute. Course speakers will be available for group questions and technical assistance during class and lab hours. The final product of the course will be five 2-3 minute student videos produced by each 5-party student team. During the WEP 2014 Film Festival, student groups will introduce their work, screen their work and participate in a Q&A at the KAUST Visualization Laboratory (KVL). After WEP, student videos have the potential to be used by KAUST as recruitment media. Upon completion, this course will create a set of KAUST students with new communication, collaboration, filming, and media production skills. Their work will generate new media to showcase KAUST research for conference presentations and international collaborations. Students who take this class will benefit from their new skill set of technical communication proficiencies that they can apply to their research, lab documentation and future endeavors. 5-day half time workshop 25-30 students working in groups of 5 Day 1 (3 hours) Introduction to Workshop: Syllabus, Attendance, Lecture 1: The Importance of Communicating Science by Michael Berumen Lecture 2: Crafting a Story by Kathryn Furby Lab Session: Students write a short proposal for their science video production ideas. The workshop presenters provide one-to-one support for video proposals that the students will pitch at the next class. Day 2 (3 hours) Lecture 3: Compelling Digital Filmmaking by April Bailey and Kathryn Furby Lab Session: Students pitch their ideas and topics are chosen. Production groups are created. Students begin to create the storyboard for their production. Homework: Students work together to develop their storyboards. Day 3 (3 hours) Lecture 4: Composition & Lighting Techniques by April Bailey Breakout Session: Hands-on Lighting and Composition Practice, Lab Equipment Assigned, Equipment Testing, and Q&A Homework: Student groups record their video footage Day 4 (3 hours) Lecture 5: Editing and Compositing Techniques by April Bailey Breakout Session: Hands on editing with one-to-one technical support Homework: Student groups edit their video footage. Day 5 (3 hours) WEP 2014 Science Festival Student Film Screening Presentations with Q&A