TEACHER EVALUATIONS

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Blog #4 MoMI Visit

FILMP/MEDP 160 – Field Trip / Museum of the Moving Image
SPRING 2016 – Visit and Blogging Assignment


The Museum of the Moving Image is in Queens, on 35th Avenue at the corner of 36th Street
in Astoria. The Museum has fairly recently re-opened and has a variety of exciting new
exhibits. See www.movingimage.us for more information.

There will be no lecture on April 18. Instead we will be going to the museum during
Dean’s hours that week as a class. We will meet at the museum on Wednesday, April 20
at 1:00 PM, and we have booked tours with museum guides. You will be finished by
2:30pm.

You are welcome to stay afterwards. Please give your lab instructors $6.50 cash ahead of
time, but if you haven’t done that please bring it to the museum. This is the discount rate
for tours (normally it's $10.)

From Hunter, you take the 6 train to 59th Street (or walk down). Then take the M or R train
to Steinway Street (Do NOT take the N train). Use the 34 Avenue exit near the end of train.
Walk south along Steinway Street; turn right on 35 Avenue. Proceed three blocks to Museum
entrance just past 37th Street. Check www.movingimage.us for other options.

At the museum you will find exhibits and demonstrations relating to many aspects of media
production. Your assignment is to go to the museum and, with your group, experience at
least one of those demos, and report on your blog about that participation. In this blog you
should make an effort to explain what you discovered about a specific aspect of media
production, what you learned that you didn’t know before, in a way that might
communicate to the non-initiated. How have the changes in moving image technology
changed the way moving images are created, how they look, and how we experience them?

This blog is 250 words in length. NOTE: Attendance is required.

If your work schedule does not permit, you can find the Museum open most days, although
you will not get either a tour or a discount.

Blog is due in Lab 11

Final Project: Continuity Scene

FILMP/MEDP 160
Spring 2016
Prof. Anderson, Prof. Thakur
Final Project
Continuity Scene

Storyboard due: Lab 10
Filming: Lab 11
Editing: Labs 12 and 13
Completed video due: end of Lab 13

Create a scene with a clear beginning, middle and end, using one actor. Your storyboard
will have no more than 6-8 panels. Remember, each panel equals one shot only.

You MUST include a change of direction. You can fit a POV in the
sequence, it's optional. You will base this on the shooting and editing principles
you have learned for continuity editing.

There will be no dialogue. You may add music or sound effects in Premiere.

You will work with a partner, each person will submit his/her own idea. You will
storyboard, shoot and edit your own video. Your partner will act in your scene. Both
you and your partner will shoot both your videos in the same location on the Hunter
campus, during one lab period. The editing will be completed in one lab session, and
uploaded to vimeo or youtube.

Before shooting, you will workshop your storyboard with your lab instructor the week
before.

If you wish to shoot in the library, you’ll need clearance beforehand.

You’ll use the school’s video cameras and editing stations. Using outside equipment is
not permitted.

Blog #3 Relationships Between Shots

MEDP/FILMP 160
SPRING 2016

BLOG POST #3: Relationships Between Shots

For this assignment, you will pick a section of linear media (any genre) and examine the way it is constructed. Pick an example where you think the editing has made a significant contribution to the storytelling and the feel of the piece. What is the relationship of the sounds to the images? Of the images to one another? How are the shots organized in terms of their content, composition, color,
movement, etc.? What determines how long the shots are and what order they are placed in? It there a “right” place to cut or not to cut? Are the cuts seamless or obvious? Why?

You should choose a short piece of media (2-3 minutes) you can watch several times, so preferably it will be available online or on DVD. Providing a link within your blog to the media, or embedding a clip (if you are able to – analyzing a piece of media allows you to reproduce it under the Fair Use aspects of Copyright Law) would be great but is not required.

250 Words
Due in Lab #10

Inspiration for Soundwalks

Interesting and informative words by influential composer John_Cage.  Think about some concepts he discussed in this video when you go out on your soundwalks.

More on Soundwalks...

http://soundwalk.com/#/TOURS/bronxhiphop/

Inspiration for audio storytelling

Podcasts are a relatively new medium that builds off of the form of radio.  These can be a great source of inspiration for new ways of telling a story with audio only.

Here are some examples of podcasts that you may find inspirational for your Audio Interview piece:

This American Life - this is kind of the standard bearer for radio/podcast journalism these days. Hosted by Ira Glass.

RadioLab - another heavy hitter in the audio world - they generally have one theme per show and explore it in various different ways. It started out as more science based topics, but they definitely have expanded and explore lots of different "big" topics. They are known for their extensive sound design (Host Jad Abumrad even won a MacArthur Genius grant for it).  Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. 

Serial - You probably have at least heard about this one in passing last year when Season 1 was blowing up late 2014. Hosted by Sarah Koenig, it is a long form journalism piece told week to week investigating the murder of a high school student Hae Min Lee in Baltimore in the late 90s.  But it's really a study of memory and ideas of subjective truth.  This season looks into the story of officer Bowe Bergdahl who walked out of camp in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held as a prisoner by the Taliban for 5 years. 

99% Invisible - hosted by Roman Mars, this show is all about the things we see all the time but don't think about. It's really great.

Started in mid-2014, Gimlet Media is a new specifically podcast based company. They have been producing top notch audio ever since.  They even got super meta and created a podcast about starting a podcast company (which is actually really good. It's called Start Up) Here are some of their other shows:

Mystery Show - Hosted by Starlee Kine, she solves a mystery week to week of varied subjects. Lots of fun and takes you in many unexpected directions. 

Sampler - each week host Brittany Luse chooses some parts from her favourite podcasts and talks about them.

Reply All - Hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman, it's a podcast about the internet. But really interesting weird stories.

Surprisingly Awesome - Hosted by Adam McKay and Adam Davidson (of Planet Money fame), they look at something that on the surface seems boring and find the ways that it is surprisingly awesome. (i.e. adhesives, broccoli, interest rates)

Places to go for good interviews:

Another Round - Hosted by Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton (from Buzzfeed), this is a kind of variety show that includes commentary on pop culture and politics and really great interviews with writers, thinkers, artists, creators etc.

Women of the Hour - Hosted by Lena Dunham, it's only five episodes but there are some gems in here. I particular like the episode about work and Dunham's interview with Zadie Smith

WTF with Marc Maron - Started as a series of interviews with comedians in his garage, Marc Maron is now nearing 500 episodes of longer form interviews, with tons of different people (including President Obama).  He's a bit obnoxious, but can get some real great stuff out of people. Also great for shop talk if you're a comedy nerd.

Longform - these are generally with writers and scholars, but some of their conversations are really great.  If you are into books and reading, you will probably find your favourite writer on here talking about their craft. 

Death, Sex and Money is hosted by Anna Sale (of WNYC fame) and she does interviews with cultural icons and regular folks about "the things we think about most but need to talk about more" - death, sex and money.

She Does is hosted by  Elaine Sheldon and Sarah Ginsburg.  It is more shop talk with women who are media makers and asks them how they got to where they are. It can be incredibly insightful and interesting.

Thanks to Lab Instructor Kaija for compiling this list!

Project #2

FILMP/MEDP 160
SPRING 2016

Assignment 2: Audio Portrait of a Person

Your second assignment for the semester is based on an interview with one of your
classmates. First, you will pre-interview a classmate in order to define a theme for your piece. As you listen to your classmate, try to identify something unique about their story that “grabs” you. The following week, you will interview the person using questions you have written up before the interview, recording the interview with the Zoom recorder. Finally, you will create a multi-track audio piece in Premiere Pro based on the interview.

When you do your recording, record ample material, but try not to go overboard. 15 minutes worth should work. The final piece should be 3 to 4 minutes in length. Your audio portrait should mix elements including the voice of the interviewee, your voice (if you choose to include it), ambient background sound, music, and other sound effects as you see fit. When you have a finished piece you will upload it so it can be accessed through your blog site.

Remember to identify a theme that will make your piece say something special about the
world, or the “human condition.” A story becomes compelling when it communicates
something unique that others can relate to.

DUE: Lab 9 (April 4)

Blog #2

FILM/MEDIA 160
Spring 2016
Thakur/Anderson

Blog Assignment #2: “What I Hear”

This exercise has 2 parts.

Part 1. The Soundwalk
Spend an hour doing a “Soundwalk” around a particular neighborhood in NYC.

“Soundwalk” is a term invented by R. Murray Shafer, a musician and professor at Simon
Fraser University. Shafer noticed in working with his music students that most of them
couldn't remember even five sounds they had heard earlier that day. He created the
soundwalk, a kind of walking meditation, as an “ear cleaning exercise,” a way to
increase sonic awareness.

In An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson writes, “In order to listen we
must stop, or at least slow down – physically and psychologically. We need to try to be
human beings, instead of “human doings.” So – during your sound walk, do not answer
your phone, text, browse, read or do anything but be, and listen.

The goal of this exercise is to “open your ears.” New York offers a rich sound
environment. Close your eyes and listen.

Part 2: The Blog

What is the texture of the sound? What are the specific instruments in the city symphony?
What sounds are clues to a specific neighborhood? A specific time of day? What are
sounds that are unique or meaningful to you? Expected or unexpected?

Some of Shafer's terminology might be useful to you in writing about your experience on
the soundwalk:

           • Keynotes: background sounds
           • Sound Signals: foreground sounds intended to attract attention.
           • Soundmarks: sounds particularly regarded by a community or its visitors
             (analogous to visual “landmarks”)

250 words. Due in Lab 7.

Project #1 Define a Space

FILM/MEDIA 160 • SPRING 2016
Professors Anderson and Thakur

PROJECT #1: DEFINE A SPACE In this exercise students are required to “define a space or location” through visually controlled and expressive shooting.

Begin by choosing a location either on campus or close by.

Before shooting anything, observe the space for a while. What is happening there? What details exist that can tell a story about the space (signs, activities, objects, etc.)?

Now, make a mental “shopping list” of shots. Think about what camera position, shot size and composition will work best for each shot. Try not to move the camera unless your move has a clear beginning and end. Remember that a still frame with movement going on in the frame can be more powerful than a moving shot.

Each team member will conceive of and shoot 10 shots and then all the shots will be pooled for editing.

Think carefully about what you wish to convey. It could be an emotional tone you feel in the location (claustrophobia, fear, energy); or it could be that you are interested in the quality of light in the space; or perhaps what intrigues you is what goes on there; or maybe you like the architectural details, or the colors; you could also contrast interior with exterior, light and dark, movement and stillness ... it’s up to you! You don’t need to make a huge statement, but you must find some specific angle on the space and reveal that visually.

Also consider how your shots might eventually come together in the editing. Do you want your images to lead us into the space from the outside? Or do you want to create a question as to where we are before you reveal the larger space? There are many different ways to approach this.

Students will edit in their groups to create one piece. Although the material should be silent (no natural sound) footage can be cut to an appropriate music track.

THIS IS A GROUP PROJECT. You must both agree on the location and the concept. Each person can design their own shots or you can agree together on each shot. Everyone must handle the camera and shoot.

HAVE FUN WITH THIS!

DUE: End of lab 5 (March 7)

Blog #1

Blog Assignment #1: ARTIST STATEMENT FILM/MEDIA 160
SPRING 2016

LENGTH: 250 Words

This short statement is to help you and your potential audience get an initial glimpse of the media maker behind the work. It is an important part both of thinking about yourself as a creator, a producer of ideas, images and more, and of getting the word out about your work.

You should think about your personal motivation, as well as about the medium in which you work (or in which you hope to work!) and your background.

Where do your curiosities lie? What have you studied that interests you? What experiences have helped shape your worldview? Try to be specific. Questions of memory? Family relationships? Identity? Music? Theater? Politics?

What about influences? Are there certain artists or filmmakers that you admire or appreciate? TV Shows? Websites? Games?

Most importantly, think not only about “what you’re interested in,” but about why something interests you, and about what you are trying to say with your work. What truths about the world or your life are you trying express in your work? What are you truly passionate about? In other words, it's not enough to say, “I’m interested in cartooning.” Rather, dig into what cartoons might express that you identify with: “I’m interested in showing that humor can help people broach the most difficult ideas and feelings.” 

Spring 2016 FM Syllabus

FILMP/MEDP 160: Media & Film in a Digital Age Pt. 2 Spring 2016

Prof.Kelly Anderson O​ffice hours Mondays 11:30am-1pm and Tuesdays 4:30-6 Rm 508 HN (kellyjmanderson@gmail.com)

Prof. Shanti Thakur​Office hours Mondays and Thursdays 5­6 Rm 501A HN (sthakur@hunter.cuny.edu)

Lectures: Mondays, 7:10-9pm Room: HN 510

Lab Sections: Room HN 432

Labs

LAB 01 Monday 9:10­-11:00AM Monday 9:10­-11AM (Rachel Brown,oikofugic.rchl@gmail.com) LAB 02 Monday 11:10AM-1PM (Rachel Brown, oikofugic.rchl@gmail.com)

LAB 03 Monday 1:10AM-3PM (Betty Yu, b​ettyyu21@gmail.com)​

LAB 04 Monday 3:10-­5PM (Betty Yu, ​bettyyu21@gmail.com)​

LAB 07 Monday 5:10-7PM (Mathew Galindo, mathewgalindo@gmail.com)

LAB 08 Wednesday 7:10-9PM (Mathew Galindo, mathewgalindo@gmail.com)

LAB 09 Thursday 1:10­ 3:00PM (Kaija Siirala, kaijasii@gmail.com)

LAB 10 Thursday 3:10­5:00PM (Kaija Siirala, kaijasii@gmail.com)

Course Description:

MEDP/FILMP 160 introduces students to the practical fundamentals of film, video, and digital media production in a lecture/lab format. It is a foundations course in time­based media. Students are introduced to a range of media production equipment and techniques, including:

• ●  Time­based visual storytelling
• ●  Film, video and audio technologies
• ●  Basic editing techniques
• ●  Image composition and framing for motion pictures
• ●  The use of digital video cameras and digital audio recorders

This course is a prerequisite for all film majors. For media majors, both 150 and 160 are required.

Students will be required to host a blog that will be linked to their individual portfolio websites. In their blog entries, they will write about their class experiences and analyze the media around them, using analytical tools gained in the class. Blog entries are due on the date indicated in the syllabus and should be 250 words in length.

The required text for this class is ​V​oice & Vision: A Creative Approach to Narrative Film and DV Production ​b​y Mick Hurbis-­Cherrier, Focal Press: 2​nd Edition. 2011​(​available at Shakespeare & Co. across from Hunter on Lexington Avenue). Additional readings will be posted on Blackboard and are also required ​reading.

Students are required to purchase a media storage device. We strongly recommend an external drive with at least 80GB of storage, with either a USB­3 or thunderbolt connection (NOT USB­2). You can find these drives for about $60 at B&H Photo/Video or online. This investment will pay off as you will need storage for files throughout your career at Hunter College and beyond. You must also purchase 8 AA batteries.

Blackboard Site: W​e will be using Blackboard as an integral part of the class. You will be required to download readings from Blackboard and to check Blackboard for general course announcements. We are using a Master Course (2​016 SPRING Term FILMP / MEDP 16000 Media And Film In A Digital Age Pt.2)​ so make sure you use that for course access instead of your particular section. If you need help accessing Blackboard please contact SNET help desk at 212­-650-­3624 or email snet@hunter.cuny.edu.

Labs: ​In order to complete required assignments, you will likely have to work on assignments outside of class time. Weekly open lab hours will be available in 432HN, and the ICIT Mac lab on the 10th floor of the North Building.

Video and sound equipment will not be able to be used outside of class time (there are limited exceptions)

Lateness and Absences:​ Attendance to both lecture and lab sections is mandatory. Three missed classes (either lab or lecture) will result in the reduction of your grade by one full letter grade on top of the 10% for attendance! Medical emergencies must be documented to be excused. Being late to class negatively impacts your attendance record and will damage your grade. Late assignments that are not excused by your section leader will have their grades reduced at the rate of one letter grade per week.

Please note that you must notify your section leader a​head of time​if you cannot attend class on the day of a quiz or exam, so we can arrange an alternate time for you to take it. This will only be done in cases where there is a w​ell­-documented reason ​for missing the exam date.

OMG! NO PERSONAL ELECTRONIC NETWORKING DURING CLASS (incl. cell phones, web surfing, email, tweeting, texting, instagram or any new networking technology yet to be discovered.)

Grading Breakdown:

Attendance and participation (including in lecture): 10%

Blogs (4) 10%

Assignment #1 (Define a Space ­ Shoot together, edit together): 10%

Assignment #2 (Audio Portrait): 15%

Assignment #3 (Continuity Project ­ Shoot together, edit alone): 15%

Quiz #1: 10%

Quiz #2: 10%

Final Exam: 20%

Accessibility: I​f you have a disability that will affect your coursework, please notify your lab instructor within the first two weeks of class to ensure suitable arrangements and a comfortable working environment. I​n addition, if you need to take a quiz or exam at the Office of AccessABILITY, you need to fill out a form 2 weeks in advance. C​ontact : The Office for AccessABILITY, Hunter East 1119; Phone (212) 772-­4882 or 4891, TTY (212) 650­-3230.

Academic Integrity

Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.

CLASS SCHEDULE SPRING 2016

Lecture 1 (Feb. 1)

Intro to time­-based visual storytelling. Semester overview. Intro to the creative process, artist statement and blogging. Media as a Collaborative Art. Intro to B​log 1 : Artist Statement. ​

Lab 1:​ SEC 001, 002, 003, 004, 007 and meet Feb. 1 and Feb. 8; SEC 008 meets Feb. 3; 009 and 010 meet Feb. 4. Set up student accounts, set up blogs, create and share artist statements.

Lecture 2 (Feb 8)

History of the moving image. The Camera: focus, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance . Depth of Field. Intro to P​roject 1: Define a Place. ​

Read for today: V&V 221­232.

Lab 2:​ SEC 001, 002, 003, 004, 007 meet Feb. 22; SEC 008 meets Feb. 10 & 17; SEC 009 and 010 meet Feb. 11 & 18.

Camera workshop and exercise.

Due in lab 2: Blog #1

FEB 15 No Class­-President’s Day

Lecture 3 (Feb. 22)

Framing and composition. Camera movement. Shot relationships. Graphic matches.

Read for today: V&V pp. 48­61, 190­191, 241-­242.

Lab 3:​ SEC 001, 002, 003, 004, 007 meet Feb. 29; SEC 008 meets 24; SEC 009 and 010 meet Feb. 25.

Shoot P​roject 1: Define a Place. ​

Lecture 4 (Feb. 29)

History and technology of video, intro to non­linear editing

Read for today: V&V pp. 193­200,​Reading from D​ocumentary Voice & Vision​(on Blackboard).

Lab 4: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004, 007 meet March 7; SEC 008 meets March 2; SEC 009 and 010 meet March 3.

Intro to Premiere Pro. Edit Project 1 together.

Lecture 5 (March 7)

Quiz 1

Interview Techniques & Approaches. Intro to B​log # 2: What I Hear a​nd A​ssignment 2: Audio Portrait. Read for today:​ Rabiger, Michael, “Conducting and Shooting Interviews,” from D​irecting the Documentary​(on Blackboard); Storycorps’ “Great Questions” at h​ttp://storycorps.org/great­questions/

Lab 5: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet March 14; SEC 008 meets March 9; SEC 009 and 010 meet March 10.

Finish editing Project 1, link to blog.

Due in Lab 5 by end of lab: Project 1.

Lecture 6 (March 14)

Audio theory, recording equipment, sound recording techniques. Intro zoom recorder.

Read for today: V&V Ch. 15, pp. 351-­358.

Lab 6: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet March 21; SEC 008 meets March 16; SEC 009 and 010 meet March 17.

Pre­-interview for A​ssignment #2: Audio Portrait. ​Review Assignment #1.

Lecture 7 (March 21)

Sound Design and Editing. Review Quiz 1 and Project 1.

Read for today: V&V pp. 471­486.

Lab 7:​SEC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet March 28; SEC 008 meets March 30; SEC 009 and 010 meet March 31.

Record project 2.

Due in lab 7 : B​log Entry #2 : What I Hear . ​

Lecture 8 (March. 28)

Quiz 2

How images fit together. Visual storytelling conventions in fiction and non­fiction moving image media. Intro to A​ssignment #3 : Final Project. ​

Read for today: V&V 65­-86.​

Lab 8: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet April 4; SEC 008 meets April 6; SEC 009 & 010 meet April 7.

Edit Audio Project.

Lecture 9 (April 4)

Visual Storytelling Pt. 2. Storyboarding. Intro to B​log #3: Editing Analysis and Blog #4: MOMI Visit Reflections

Read for today: V&V pp. 106 ­108.

Lab 9:​SEC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet April 11; SEC 008 meets April 13; SEC 009 & 010 meet April 14.

Finish audio projects and upload.

Lecture 10 (April 11)

Lighting Concepts and techniques. Review Quiz 2. Listen to audio projects.

Read for today: V&V pp. 269­275, 281-­290.

Lab 10: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet April 18; SEC 008 meets April 20; SEC 009 & 010 meet April 21.

Listen to Project 2 & Workshop storyboards.

Due in Lab 10: Storyboards for Assignment #3, Blog #3: Editing Analysis

Lecture 11 (April 18)

MOMI Visit

Lab 11: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet May 2; SEC 008 meets May 4; SEC 009 & 010 meet May 5.

Shoot Project #3

Due in Lab 11: Blog #4: MOMI Visit Reflections.

April 25 Spring Break ­ no class

Lecture 12 (May 2)

Screening : Visions of Light . ​

Lab 12: S​EC 001, 002, 003, 004 and 007 meet May 9; SEC 008 meets May 11; SEC 009 & 010 meet May 12. Edit Project #3.

Lecture 13 (May 9)

Finishing and distribution.

Intro to B​log #3: Editing Analysis and Blog #4: MOMI Visit Reflections

Lab 13: Open lab: Monday May 16, 9:10am­-7, Wed. May 18, 7:10­9pm

(Lab instructors be there to assist)

Lecture 14 (May 16)

Screen Final Projects

Lecture 15 (May 23)

Final Exam (cumulative)

For e­book readers: V​oice and Vision​ 2nd edition pages correspond with the following section headers:

pp. 221­234

Chapter 10: The Lens,​from beginning of chapter to end of 3 bullet points in “​Controlling Depth of Field”

pp. 48­61

Chapter 3: The Visual Language and Aesthetics of Cinema, from “The Frame and Composition” to Figure 3­37.

pp. 190­191

Chapter 8, from “Gauge/Format” to end of section on aspect ratio.

pp. 241­242

Chapter 11, from beginning of chapter to up to (but not including) “The Tripod”

pp. 193­200

Chapter 9: The Digital Video System, from beginning of chapter up to (but not including” “Color Ecoding”

pp. 351­358

Chapter 16, from beginning of chapter up to (but not including) “Boom Technique”

pp. 471­486

Chapter 22, from beginning of chapter up to (but not including) “Sound Design Strategies”

pp. 65­86

Chapter 4, from beginning of chapter up to (but not including) “Parallel Action Sequence”

pp. 106­108

Chapter 5, “Storyboards” up to (but not including) “The Director and Previsualizing: A Method”

pp. 269­275

Chapter 13: Basic Lighting for Film and DV, beginning of chapter up to (but not including) “Camera Filters and Lighting Gels”

pp. 281­290

Chapter 13: Basic Lighting for Film and DV, “Light and Directionality” up to (but not including) “Exterior Lighting”