Syllabus | Schedule | Assignments | Essays | Links | Tech

Description:

ARS/MUS/THR 318 is a multi-disciplinary production class that explores the relationship between music and moving images in video. Students will participate in all aspects of video production, from scripting and storyboarding to shooting video and recording audio to editing and post-production. All editing and postproduction will be done digitally. All production for this course is within a fine arts context, and is graded accordingly. Throughout the semester students will be exposed to video, audio and installation works from a variety of artists. Learning and thinking about contemporary video and audio practices will be a key component of the class in both production and critique. Participation in the discussion of these works is required, as is participation in critiques of your works.

A strong background in one of the arts or cinema and cultural studies is suggested. No prior experience with computers is required although recommended as the scale of information with video is enormous and brings with it many trouble-shooting and file management issues across several complex software tools and computer labs. If you do not have this background, you should go to office hours early in the semester for hands-on tutorials to make sure you feel comfortable doing basic things.

Video and audio production are fun and demanding endeavors, and will involve several complex and time-consuming technologies. Students will have access to Macintoshes in the SINC site, LTA, and Video Editing Suite and will be able to check out shared equipment (DV cameras, tripods, MiniDisc recorders, microphones). Students will use a variety of input/output devices and software (primarily Final Cut Pro, Logic, Reason as well as some Motion, Maya, Photoshop, and Flash) to create works. Video and audio production can be a multi-person affair. Please crew for each other, and list the people who help you in the credits of your work.

Everyone needs to be prepared to plan for the inevitable technical difficulties; do not wait until the last minute. Access to equipment and editing suites will be shared; for this reason, and because of the time-intensive process of video and audio production and editing, you will need to be very organized and conscientious in planning and managing project work time. Be patient, both with the tools and each other.

Requirements and Grading:

NOTE: Attendance is MANDITORY. Any unexcused absence will count against you. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of all classes and is required. Your FINAL grade will be dropped ONE LETTER GRADE for every 3 absences. Two late arrivals or early departures or early arrivals will count as one absence. We are NOT kidding.

Grading is based on conceptual and aesthetic merit as well as technical execution and effort (as in any arts course); just doing the assignment is not enough. Late assignments will be significantly downgraded, so get them done on time.

A	Excellent work exceeding expectations. Outstanding participation, attendance, and assignments. A student producing work in the top 20 % of her or his class.
B	Above average assignments and mastery of tools and concepts, participation and attendance.
C	Average execution of assignments, participation and attendance.
D	Well below average work, participation and attendance.
F	U nsatisfactory work, participation and attendance.

 

Participation	20 %
Assignments (7)	28 %
Project #1	20 %
Final Project	32 %

Students will complete two major video with sound projects throughout the course. They will also do 5 technical assignments, 1 written reading response, 1 proposal write-up with a script or storyboards, and numerous readings and screening discussions.

Each project will be presented during group critique sessions in the format appropriate to the assignment or the project's conception: single-channel screenings, installations, performances, or another experimental form.

The class will have the opportunity to screen one project as part of the Shirley Strum Kenny Arts Festival, and one or more at our end of the semester screening during finals.

Lab Access:

The emedia SINC site, LTA, and Video Editing Suite are accessible 24hrs a day with your personal codes (all different ones - sorry). People interested in installation may also have access to the Art Lab. The security systems record entrances and exits and you are responsible for the equipment while you are present.

The emedia SINC site does not allow food or drink at any time. Bringing food or drink into the SINC site will result in loss of access. Access to these labs is a privlage for 318 students only. DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR CODE(S) TO ANYONE ELSE OR YOU WILL LOSE ACCESS.

Equipment Checkout:

Equipment may only be checked out (and in) by Lance Chong (Staller 4th Floor) during posted checkout office hours ONLY. You will be expected to sign a form taking full replacement responsibility for equipment until it is returned. Signup sheets are available in a notebook in the checkout office each week to reserve something. You may reserve equipment one week in advance. Equipment is due one week after it has been checked out, and you are encouraged to hand equipment in early if you no longer need it.

Supplies:

You will need videotapes (MiniDV), and potentially minidisks or audiotape (cassette or DAT), and other materials appropriate to your projects. You may want to purchase DVD-Rs (4.7 GB), a Firewire harddrive (80GB+) rated for video for storage, or CDs (600MB). The most expensive options (a firewire drive [$100-300] or DVD-Rs [$2-4 each]) are really the most practical for video work. These can be purchased at any computer store or online at macsales.com or B&H .

Recommended Materials:

The following books (or many others according to your interests) might be helpful for additional technical assistance and context for assignments. Try the Campus Bookstore, the library, amazon.com, and most other bookstores with a computer section. 

NOTE: All our software has help available on the Internet through the HELP menu.

Technical Video: Digital Filmmaking 101: An Essential Guide to Producing Low Budget Movies - Dale Newton, John Gaspard
The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age - Steven Ascher
Final Cut Pro 3 and the Art of Filmmaking - Teague and Teague
Final Cut Pro 3 Visual Quickpro - Peachpit Press
Maya 4.5 Fundamentals - Jim Lammers, Lee Gooding
The Low Budget Video Bible - Cliff Roth

Critical Video Books: Resolutions - Ed. Renov and Suderburg
Illuminating Video - Ed. Hall and Fifer
A History of Experimental Film and Video - Rees
Video Culture - ed. John Hanhardt
Virtualities - Margaret Morse
Video Art - Michael Rush

Art and Culture: The New Media Reader - Edited by Noah Wardrip-Fruin and Nick Montfort
The Language of New Media - Lev Manovich
Postmodern Currents: Art and Artists in the Age of Electronic Media - Margot Lovejoy
Snap-to-Grid: A User's Guide to Digital Arts, Media, and Cultures - Peter Lunenfeld
Information Arts - Steve Wilson
Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture - Marita Sturken, Lisa Cartwright

Music: The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century - Alex Ross
Noise, Water, Meat - Douglas Kahn
Audio-Vision - Michel Chion, Claudia Gorbman, Walter Murch

Digital Imaging: Photoshop Visual Quickstart.

Macintosh: The Little Mac Book or an OS X for Dummies style book

Course Website:

emedia.art.sunysb.edu/amt318
In addition to this syllabus, the site includes an updated schedule, and links to information about current exhibitions and events, technical resources on the Web, and video artists. Check the website regularly for changes to the schedule.

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NOTE:

Academic Integrity Statement, as approved by the Undergraduate Council: Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person’s work as your own is always wrong. Any suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, please refer to the academic judiciary website at: http://naples.cc.sunysb.edu/CAS/ajc.nsf.

If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room 128, (631)632-6748.They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site. http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu/fire/disabilities/asp

Stony Brook University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution; to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, and/or inhibits students’ ability to learn.

FEE NOTICE: As noted in the Undergraduate Bulletin, there is a LAB FEE for this course; Studio Art Fees are charged to the student's account at registration, and removed only if the student drops the course before the end of the first week of classes. Anyone who drops the course after the first week of classes will be CHARGED THE FEE.

Cell Phones must be turned off during class, period.