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”