UGLY SWEATER from Awkward Family Photos...

Happy Holidays!

Media Mid Term Documentary Project:

Research a subject (a concept based on a person, place, historical time period) create a short documentary video no longer than 5 minutes by following the following criteria. Turn in a production plan and a video (due dates below)

PART 1:
Due Tuesday December 13th

Write a two page descriptive and detailed production plan based on the production guidelines in your Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide.
The plan should include the following:

1. A thoughtful concept that is based on a person, place, or historical time period throughout history.
2. Introductory research that narrows in on specific aspects of your subject, which the film will attempt to illuminate.
3. A list of reference and research sites from books and the internet.
4. A description of the documentary style/approach which you will be using to create the documentary (narration, animation, found archival footage and/or photos)
5. A detailed description of the structure or editing plan you intend on following. How will you organize your information, edit it, present it.

PART 2:
Due Tuesday December 20th

Using found footage (photos and videos found on the internet) and/or your own recorded sound, video, photos to create a short documentary based on the research you did during the production plan phase.

1. Organizational structure of the film should work to support the main idea.
2. Make sure transitions are seamless, moving smoothly from shot to shot.
3. Sound should be consistent throughout the video without peaking or dramatic jarring shifts that don’t work to improve the video.
4. Edits should be smooth, quick, and not draw attention away from the main idea.


Resources:
The National Archives (link to state archives)
www.archives.gov
Youtube:
www.youtube.com

Introducing Atlas: A Free Blogger Template

Introducing Atlas: A Free Blogger Template

Jonathan Klein: Photos that changed the word on TED

FDV Assignment #4

MATERIALS:

Create an experimental short using a bulk material in an interesting or unusual way. Choose your materials wisely... Consider telling a story, exploring a conceptual or symbolic idea, or sending an important social message.

You will have two weeks to make this video.

DEADLINES:
Monday October 3rd - Write a blog post with a short plan for your video. Include a detailed description of your story, concept, or social message. Describe your material choice (BE RESOURCEFUL!), why you chose what you did and how it will connect with your main idea.

Tuesday October 11 - An experimental short 5 minutes or under EXPORTED TO QUICKTIME. Make sure your video has a strong editing and compositional structure (smooth transitions, cuts that are distinct and appropriate, a structure that fits your idea). Use experimental techniques, in your shooting, editing, and with your materials. Explore your materials, develop your ideas, and by all means experiment!

http://devillecohen.com/index.php?/project/grayscale/
Deville Cohen's short "grayscale" is a FANTASTIC example of an exploration of materials.

FDV Assignement #3

SIMAGE: Microcosm & Macrocosm

MICROCOSM Little/Miniature World MACROCOSM Great World/Universe
For this project you are asked to look at the world in new and different ways through the lens of your camera.

In this video experiment you will work with the Cannon G10 cameras. These cameras will give you the capability to shoot with depth of field, control light a bit more, and to play with your focus to abstract images.

For this project we will look at the experimental videos of artists Charles & Ray Eames.
http://www.eamesoffice.com/charles-and-ray

This video should be a completely abstract study of light, image, color, sound. Similar to the collection project, you should come up with a plan to organize your explorations. This time you are encouraged to play with and edit your footage using Final Cut. You may only use sound that you have collected.

Experiment with:
Repetition & Looping
Light & Color
Obscuring the image using various techniques: shooting objects in water (DO NOT PUT THE CAMERA in the water of course), playing with focus, playing with white balance & camera features, moving the camera or moving the object, come up with your own experiments.

This video must be ABSTRACT. It must be 3 minutes or less. Make sure your cuts are clean and not too long. You have no requirement for the number of cuts in this video, but please don't let a cut linger unnecessarily long.

DUE: Tues. Sept. 27

FDV Assignment #2

OPEN Experimental

Create a short video 2 minutes or UNDER using very basic video AND audio editing. This video may not be a traditional narrative. You may use words without narrative, you may tell a story without words, or you can attempt another experiment of your choice.

Have fun! Videos are due *exported to Quicktime* by Tues.

Taken from: www.mattrainwaters.com

mattrainwaters.com

PHOTO II THEME assignment

Shoot one roll of 35mm film (your choice 125 ISO or 400 ISO) considering a theme.

Theme choices: 

Dichotomy - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dichotomy
POP! - http://www.artlex.com/ (look up Pop art)
Jumpology - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/arts/design/24halsman.html
Wabi Sabi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

OR

Your choice... just let me know your idea

Print 2 images from the roll using all the printing techniques learned in Photo I.

PHOTO II Blog Post Assignment

 Blog Post #1: What I saw this summer. 

Post pictures write a post about any photography/art you saw this summer. Comment on each other’s posts.

Media Assignment #1: Experimenting & Collecting

Week #2 & 3

As an introduction to your video camera, for this assignment you will learn a VERY basic form of editing called an "in camera edit." You will plan and shoot everything (including title and credit roll) in your camera sequentially. You may want to practice once or twice with this method before you go for your final piece. Remember Steina Vasulka's mantra collect lots of video to find a good 30seconds of footage.

THEME: Scavenging & Collecting

SCHEDULE: 

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: Go outside to collect footage together, work with camera, discuss 

Monday/Tuesday: View classroom shorts & group conversation

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: Intro sound.

Questions to ask yourself: 

1. What is collecting to you, what do you collect? OR What is an interesting interpretation on the theme of collecting?
2. What will be your system of collecting?
3. What is your specific roll as a media artist? What is your function?
4. How will you plan for a solid short video that incorporates 60 cuts? 

Homework Assignments:

READ:

This short but sweet introduction of linear vs. nonlinear editing: 

http://www.mediacollege.com/video/editing/linear/linear-vs-nonlinear.html

An explanation of a in camera editing:

http://www.indie-film-making.com/in-camera-editing/

THIS ASSIGNMENT MAY NOT BE A DIRECT NARRATIVE, you are NOT telling/creating a story, you are presenting a collection of finds in video form.

VIDEO: Scavenging/Collecting – Using in camera editing create an experimental video short under 2 minutes with at least 60 cuts. 

GOALS:

1. 1.     Realize through this experiment that 1 minute in a video is MUCH longer than you might think.
2. 2.     When all fanciness is stripped down, how will you use your creativity and careful planning to create an interesting short video without all of the elaborate tools we will be using in the future?
3. Familiarize yourself with the video camera.