ArtDes 310 Sec. 002 -- Fall 2006
School of Art and Design, University of Michigan

Veterans Video Portrait Project
Heidi Kumao, Asst. Professor
Tues/Thurs 1:30-4:30 pm
Rooms: School of Education Computer lab (SEB 3010) or
Art and Architecture Bldg. rm. 2006


Syllabus
Schedule
Links
Class Blog
Contact:
Heidi Kumao
hkumao@umich.edu
Office: Art & Arch 2086
763-0183
SCHEDULE-updated regularly. Look at this often! Updated Sun. NOV. 12, 2006
Week 1 Tues. Sept. 5

Introduction to course, readings, projects, course BLOG, Library of Congress/American Folklife Center basic info, reaching out to Veterans

 
Thurs. Sept. 7 Heidi out of town. No Class.
Week 2 Tues. Sept. 12

1. Bill Vollano, guest speaker, coordinator for local Veterans History Project
2. Discuss Homework #1/readings located on C-Tools/Library Reserves/Resources(Excerpts from "Bloods" by Wallace Terry)
3.Hand out cameras, tapes, discuss interviewing techniques
Thurs. Sept. 14 1. Work with cameras, tripods, microphones, practice interviewing
2. Go to VA Hospital for tour/orientation.
Week 3 Tues. Sept. 19

Discuss Homework #2 & readings located on C-Tools Library Reserves:
Zinn- Chapt. 1: Introduction: American Ideology
Zinn - Chapt. 4: The Use and Abuse of History

Watch "Rosie the Riveter," make observations on construction/content
screening
Thurs. Sept. 21

Discuss:
1) "The Art of the Interview," (download from Resources)
2) interviewing techniques, listen to sample interviews
3) "Bringing it All Back Home," from NY Times (download from CTools)
  Sunday, Sept. 24
4 pm 		"The War Tapes," (USA, 2005, 96 mins.) film at Detroit Film Theater
Director gave cameras to members of US Army Nat'l Guard who shot footage while in Iraq. CLASS TRIP!! LEAVE AT 3 PM FROM A&A
Week 4 Tues. Sept. 26 Listen to Radio excerpts from veterans:
Anthony Swofford-Gulf War I
The Vietnam Tapes of Lance Corporal Michael A. Baronowski
Thurs. Sept. 28 Visit to VA Hospital
Week 5 Tues. Oct. 3 Screening of film, "Berkeley in the 60's" and
Photos from Iraq by Paul Schaap
Thurs. Oct. 5 Finish Screening: "Berkeley in the 60s"
Visit VA Hospital for friendly visits
Thurs, Fri, Sat
Oct. 5, 6, 7

"My Country, My Country" playing at Detroit Film Theater:
A documentary film about the current lives of Iraqis...
Week 6  Tues. Oct. 10

Homework #3: Questions on Zinn reading: "Just and Unjust War" due today

1st Interview info DUE TODAY! See tips and questions here
Present info about your vet:
1) Photo
2) maps of where they were, when
3) Answer questions about their context: what was their life like during the time they served: type of music they liked, tv shows, etc... what job did they have before the war? after the war?

If you can get to this:
4) what do they think of today's war?

Start screening of "Atomic Cafe," about the Cold War

Thurs. Oct. 12

Meet in the School of Education, 3rd floor computing lab

Sample editing 101-using still imagery in video, inserting audio
Editing exercise: both students and teacher bring ingredients and we each edit a "practice" documentary
Week 7  Tues. Oct. 17 No class. Fall Break.
Thurs. Oct. 19 Finish watching "Atomic Cafe"
Visit to VA Hospital
Week 8 Tues. Oct. 24 Work session--editing, MEET AT SEB, 3RD FLOOR COMPUTER LAB
Thurs. Oct. 26 Work session--editing, MEET AT SEB, 3RD FLOOR COMPUTER LAB
Week 9 Tues. Oct. 31 1ST CRITIQUE of your Project: DRAFT due. CHOOSE one story and begin to put visuals with it. For your presentation, show us a 5 min clip (plain interview) AND a 1-2 min. clip with images
Thurs. Nov. 2 Watch "Fog of War" and other interview videos
Work session--editing
Week 10 Tues. Nov. 7 ELECTION DAY! MAKE SURE TO VOTE!
2ND CRITIQUE OF YOUR VIDEO--better version due now
1) Select a different story (approx 5 mins) from your interview (straight footage, cue the tape)
2) Show 2-3 mins with images or effects or animation, etc...
Thurs. Nov. 9 VA Hospital-help out with Veterans Day preparations
Fri. Nov. 10 VA Hospital-Veterans' Day celebrations and program
Week 11 Mon. Nov. 13

Go to Screening of "The Ground Truth" (60 mins)
8 pm, Angel Hall Auditorium B, Free to all

Sponsored by Michiganpeaceworks.org
Tues. Nov. 14 Work session--editing, MEET IN A&A ROOM 2114, VIDEO CLASSROOM, (North Campus)
Thurs. Nov. 16

Work session--editing, MEET IN A&A ROOM 2114, VIDEO CLASSROOM, (North Campus)

BLOG Entry due today
Week 12 Tues. Nov. 21 3RD CRITIQUE of your video
You should have one story fully "visualized," you can also add sound/music for the final version
Thurs. Nov. 23 NO CLASS-THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 13 Tues. Nov. 28 Work session--editing
Thurs. Nov. 30

Due today: Analysis of your video by your veteran
Show your veteran what you've created so far. Write down their feedback and present it to class. BLOG it.

BLOG Entry due today
Week 14 Tues. Dec. 5 Work session--editing 
Thurs. Dec. 7 Work session--editing 
Week 15 Tues. Dec. 12 FINAL DAY OF CLASS-FINAL PROJECTS DUE TODAY