COURSE
DESCRIPTION
The seventh
of eight foundation studios covering a range of tools, materials, and
processes, this course focuses on video as an art medium. Students will
create digital video pieces for use in traditional single-channel, cinematic
screenings Students will work with digital Mini-DV cameras and studio
lights, learn audio/video recording and editing, and DVD authoring.
The digital tools used in the class will include: Final Cut Pro, i-DVD,
and Photoshop. We will explore the historical and cultural precursors
to digital video, studying early practices of video art (starting from
about 1965 when video became available to artists), as well as contemporary
electronic art practices including video's use in installation or performance
work, projection artwork, the web, or for incorporation into other digital
pieces.
Class time
will be split between learning the medium from hands-on, in-class demos,
and more conceptual issues related to creating and editing video art.
Some class time each week will be devoted to screenings and discussions.
Students should gain a broad understanding of video art that includes
activist, conceptual, experimental, non-commercial, and interventionary
approaches to video.
Students
will be encouraged to create personal narratives, use unconventional
or appropriated source imagery and sounds, and integrate non-digital,
creative skills into their projects such as performance, music, collage,
sculpture, theater, fiction and poetry, etc. While digital video can
be an overwhelmingly technical field, the focus of this class is to
use video to SERVICE YOUR IDEAS and create your own style. Projects
will be graded on creativity, resourcefulness, invention, not on technical
machismo. All final projects must be between 3 and 7minutes.
Students will be required to complete several short homework assignments
to demonstrate an understanding of the skills necessary to create and
edit video, and 1 final project.
Because video making, like filmmaking, often requires working in teams,
students will be encouraged to work in pairs for their final projects.
ASSIGNMENTS
AND GRADING (UPDATED 9.20.05)
PROJECT
1: In-Camera Edit
Create a 1-minute spot about a
theme in your life edited completely in-camera. |
Due
Thurs.
Sept. 15 |
10% |
| PROJECT
2: Audio and Video RE-Mapping
Edit
a 1 minute clip of video, strip the original audio from it and
replace it with new, humorous, or unexpected sounds.
|
Due
Tues.
Oct. 4 |
20% |
Homework on readings about video technology/standards
|
Due
Sept. 22
&
Oct.6 |
|
Written
exam on Basic Video terms, techniques, language
Based on readings from book by
Lisa Rysinger--download from Coursetools>Resources |
Oct.
11 |
10% |
| FINAL
PROJECT
Using
the tools learned in class, create a single channel video 2-7
minutes long
Technical concerns= 30%
Creativity, invention, concept = 70%
Submit 2 DVDs: a data DVD and a formatted i-DVD
NO COMMERCIAL
MUSIC ALLOWED |
Rough
Draft
due Oct. 13
Due
Oct. 25 |
50% |
| Class
discussions, Attendance (VERY important for a 7-week course!) |
on-going |
10% |
CRITERIA
for grading/evaluation of video projects:
1) Technical control: focus, exposure, sound qualit, image
quality
2) Choice and control of aesthetic elements: composition and
framing, lighting, editing (pacing, continuity, experimental choices),
juxtaposition of sound and image, etc.
3) Creativity: imaginative use and expressive control of the
medium as an ART tool
4) Logistics: Project length, professional presentation of
countdown, titles, credits
5) Content: A serious engagement with ideas and issues and
the ability of the piece to communicate an idea to the viewer
CLASS
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Timely completion of all video projects, homeworks,
and mid-term "Quizzam."
Late work will be downgraded one letter grade from its original grade.
2. Participation in class discussions, critiques.
Full and punctual attendance. Healthy attitude of engagement, self-motivation,
and an interest in learning.
LETTER
GRADE STANDARDS:
A: Outstanding production work on all projects: a demonstrated excellence
in production and editing skills; imaginative and inventive use of
video as an art tool; clear and creative concept that is communicated
to the viewer; all work finished on time; punctual and regular attendance;
an ability to critique the strengths and weaknesses of other projects;
outstanding participation in all aspects of the class.
B: Above average work: a proven ability in production and editing;
project deadlines met; projects have good idea and/or basic editing
but need further refining of either technical or conceptual issues;an
excellent attendance record; strong participation in critiques and
class.
C: Average production work: an acceptable grasp of editing and production
technique; project deadlines met; projects are in need of much tighter
editing control and/or clearer concept;
70% average on written materials; a reasonably good attendance record;
a basic ability to critique productions and average participation
in class.
D: Below average work with significant weaknesses in one or more areas:
meeting deadlines; understanding production concepts; critiquing productions;
60% or lower average on written materials; poor attendance; little
class participation.
E: Below acceptable requirements of the course.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY
Attendance will be regularly checked. Excessive tardiness
will not be tolerated.
To be considered “present” you must:
-Come to class on time,
-Come to class prepared to work, with materials in hand
-Speak at least once in class discussions about work other than your
own.
3 LATES
= 1 ABSENCE, 2 UNEXCUSED ABSENCES RESULT IN AN E GRADE, ABSENCE FROM
CRITIQUES LOWERS GRADE BY ONE GRADE.
CTOOLS
URL:
Much of the business for this class will be conducted on the “Ctools”
site: https://ctools.umich.edu/portal
Click on “My Courses” to navigate to our site. You’ll
need to check this site regularly for important announcements, downloadable
readings, presentation schedules, assignments, calendar events, etc.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the “announcements”
and “schedule” features on the site to confirm what is
due and/or what you need to bring to class. Also, check the COURSE
SCHEDULE part of the web site:
This will be updated regularly.
BASIC
EDITING RULES: (Because the facilities are brand new, rules may
be updated. Please follow any updates).
The following
rules apply to all production studios and equipment:
a. No food or drink in the studios, control rooms or editing suites.
b. Treat all equipment with respect and/or as if it belonged to you.
c. You must be checked out on equipment in order to use it.
d. Leave all studios, and editing rooms clean or cleaner that you found
them.
READINGS
AND BOOKS
Many readings will be available to be downloaded from the
CTOOLS web site in the "Resources" section.
There are 2 required texts for the course. Both are available at the
bookstore in North Campus commons.
1) Final
Cut Pro 4.5 HD for Macintosh – Lisa Brenneis (2004),
Peach Pit Press
2) Exploring Digital Video - Lisa Rysinger
Other recommended books:
