Fall 2020  |  ARTS 3760 Section 001: Experimental Film and Video (16442)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Laboratory
Credits:
4 Credits
Repeat Credit Limit:
12 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
09/08/2020 - 12/16/2020
Mon, Wed 01:25PM - 03:55PM
UMTC, West Bank
Regis Center for Art E110
 
09/08/2020 - 12/16/2020
Mon, Wed 01:25PM - 03:55PM
UMTC, West Bank
Enrollment Status:
Closed (20 of 20 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
Experimental approaches in producing digital video within a contemporary art context. Using digital media technologies in installation, performance, and interactive video art. Emphasizes expanding personal artistic development. Theoretical issues, critical/historical readings/writings in media arts. prereq: ARTS 1704
Class Description:
Experimental Film and Video is an art-practice course exploring contemporary and experimental approaches to film and video art. The course will provide students with a deeper understanding of contemporary and experimental film and video and with direct experience using digital film and video technologies in the production of individual and collaborative experimental film and video art projects. Using digital media technologies students will have the opportunity to produce a variety of experimental works including screen-based experimental films, media installations and media performance works with an emphasis on developing the individual students' individual art practice and competencies with digital media arts production.
Who Should Take This Class?:
Juniors and Seniors with majors in Studio Art, Cinema Studies, Media Studies, Journalism or interest in how contemporary moving image artists' work intersects with issues of social Justice, environmental studies, social science, and political science.
Prerequisite: ARTS 1704 - Introduction to Moving Images.
Learning Objectives:

We will explore video art in the contemporary art world. Students make video projects developing their artistic voice and point of view. The class screens historical and contemporary single channel and video installation works and films; reads texts on video art and relevant subjects; and visits gallery and museum exhibitions. Students produce video projects and engage in critiques of student work. The creative projects, discussions, works screened, and readings will lead to an understanding of moving image art.

In this class you will be learning how to think and talk about art. In critique, art can be discussed in a casual manner. However, you should always take your work and the work your classmates produce seriously and approach this course with intellectual consideration. Be respectful, constructive, and honest. Establishing a constructive and engaging dialogue with your peers is a crucial element in the development of all artists. Again, the quality and frequency of your participation holds significant weight in your final grade.

Remember that everything is a part of the artistic process. Outside of the classroom I strongly encourage you to approach exhibitions, movies, books, television programs, advertisements, music, store displays, etc. with the same conceptual tools that we will be using in the classroom. I will provide direction in this regard, but you are your own best guide into the art world. It's an enormous world and full of wonder, so explore! These are all relevant to the artistic process and I welcome them being referenced in discussions.

Grading:

Projects 1-4 40% (10% each)

Project 5 20%

Project 6 20%

Participation 10%

Presentation 10%


Projects 1-4 are shorts as described above. Projects 5 and 6 are longer-form as described above.

Participation includes thoughtful and relevant discussion in critiques, about readings and screenings, and written responses as outlined in the schedule. Student projects will be evaluated on the conceptual strength of the work, aesthetic and artistic strength of the work, and technical execution and strength of the work

Class Format:

This is a 4 credit course that meets 2.5 hours twice per week for a total of 5 hours. Class time consists of:

  • Software tutorials

  • Screenings

  • Discussions of assigned readings / screenings

  • Student presentations of project proposals

  • Production of artwork (research plus the filming, editing, post-production, and output of video/audio)

  • Critiques of student projects


Homework will consist of:

  • Reading assigned texts

  • Watching films

  • Research and the production of project proposals

  • Production of your projects

Workload:
Required Course Work

6 Video Projects
4 weekly shorts (1 - 3 minutes) - each worth 10% of your final grade
2 longer form moving image works (5-10 minutes) - each worth 20% of your final grade

The 4 shorts are weekly projects to be done more as gestures and to immerse you in both the creative play and technical workflow of experimental video. The 2 longer form projects are to give you a chance to develop conceptual works, derived from your research and reflecting either your inspiration from the curated screenings in the class or to develop your art practice as works bound for your portfolio after graduation. All 7 videos must be finished and exported as .mov or .mp4 files using the h264 codec prior to critique. Playback from editing software on critique days will not be an option. On the day of critiques, students are required to turn in a finished version of their projects as a .mov or mp4 video file. These will be uploaded to the Google shared drive or via Canvas before class begins. I will go over this in class.

7 Brief Presentations
Approximately 3 minutes per presentation (shorts) and 5-10 minutes (longer form)

These are explanations to the class of each project before production to explain your concept. This is a chance to present your research (source imagery, inspiration, readings, etc.) into the process, idea, or theme of the project. Presentations provide an opportunity for you to test your concept on your colleagues in the class, and to consider and articulate your goals so that our feedback can be as useful to your needs as possible.

Your proposal should address:
What the idea of the project is and why it interests you.
How you will technically accomplish the project. For this you should consider your shooting method, location, cast and production schedule.
Explain how you are considering the project concept and theme. Reference other artists' work.
Bring any visual support materials to further explain your conceptual and aesthetic goal.

In the process of creation it's entirely likely that your ideas and practice will shift, perhaps radically. If this is the case, please be sure to address how and why you changed your project as you prepare for class critiques and in your written critique evaluation.
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/16442/1209
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
1 September 2020

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