Course Number: Art 267
Course Name: Introduction to Video Art
Meeting Time and Room: M/W 1p.m. - 3:29p.m. AB 300
Instructor: Mr. Woodstrup
Office Hours: M/W 11a.m. - 1p.m. AB 319 (by appointment)
Semester: Fall 2004

Course Synopsis:
This class serves as an introduction to the use of video and time as media for artistic statement. Technical aspects of the medium will be covered, including lighting, proper camera use, editing, and use of sound. Students will also receive lectures on the historical and contemporary issues relating to the Video Art movement. The student will be expected to create work that exemplifies both the technical knowledge gained as well as the conceptual/aesthetic practices of Video Art.

Upon completion of this course, you should be expected to:

Perform basic video camera operations.
Describe basic video equipment types, formats, and functions.
Demonstrate basic lighting skills, including sources of light and lighting theory.
Set up three-point lighting.
Explain Kelvin temperatures, color corrections, color cast and light balancing.
Perform basic editing, including editing for continuity
Understand current and historical issues relating to Video Art

Student Evaluation:
Projects will be graded using a point system. Attached to each assignment sheet will be a grade rubric that specifies how points will be awarded for each project. The chart below describes the point distribution for each project and exam. The total of these points will conform to the 90 (A), 80 (B), 70 (C), 60 (D) grade scale.

Alternative view - long take - 10 points
Visual Narrative (continuity) - group project - 5 points
Editing Tutorial - Titles and Effects - 5 points
Quiz 1 - 10 points
Montage - Culture Study (portfolio) - 25 points
Final Project (portfolio) - 25 points
Final Exam - 20 points
Total = 100

Note: A brief, written documentation MUST accompany each assignment!

Recommended/Required texts:

Cinematography Theory and Practice - Blain Brown
Digital Video Camerawork - Peter Ward

Assignment 1 - Long Take Assignment
Due Week Three

Objective:
Upon completion of this project the student should be able to perform the basic operations of the camera: use of tripod, white balance, focus (depth of field), sound recording, lighting, etc. Conceptually, the student should begin to explore time as a tool for expression and thought. Visually the student should achieve good visual composition - elements from your foundations of design will be reviewed.

Assignment:

1. Create a two-minute (approximate) video using one solitary, stationary shot (un-edited). The shot should be visually interesting and unique.

2. Conceptually the video should address the audience's perception of time and reality. These concepts will be discussed in class.

3. The video will be shot on MiniDV tape and presented to the class where it will be graded. Make sure that your tape is cued to the proper location and that you are prepared to show your video on the day it is due. Failure to have a cued tape will result in a grade penalty.

4. The video MUST observe the following rules:

a. The shot must be stationary - you must use a tripod.
b. There can be no edits of any kind for the entire two-minute video.
c. The camera must be properly lit and white-balanced.
d. Make sure the camera’s auto focus is set to manual (or off).
e. You must not act in front of the camera in any way. You may not cause any action to occur for your filming - you are instead documenting a natural, unaffected passage of time.
f. You should visually compose your shot in an interesting way - which exemplifies good visual balance and depth.
g. You must pay special attention to the audio of the environment in which you are filming - audio is a critical part of any video (50% of video is audio). The use of music will not be allowed - the documentation of the environment’s audio should follow the same rules as the visual component.

Documentation:
Written documentation is required for each and every assignment given in this class. You must clearly state your intentions for your work - doing so may very well ensure a higher grade. This documentation is required when handing the assignment in. It should be in sentence form, using terminology explained during lectures.

Assignment 2 - Visual Narrative
Due Week 5

Objective:
The class will learn to construct and film a short story. Through this exercise the students should have a better understanding of how continuity is achieved through shooting and editing. After discussing the basics of visual continuity the class will be divided into teams. Each person will have a specific responsibility for creating a story with dialog. All editing will be done in camera.

Assignment:

Tell a story with dialog
Create a production log for all activity
Use 10-15 shots total
All editing is done within the camera
No wide or establishing shots to be used at all
The class will be divided into production teams.
Responsibilities are:

Director: storyboards, script, concept, and rehearsal
Videographer: lighting, executing camera with proper focus, white balance
Gaffer: distribution of power, lighting set ups
Talent: learning the script, dressing appropriately
Art Direction: props, set

Story to include the following shots (maximum):

8 Static shots on a tripod
2 Handheld POV shots
2 Panning shots
3 Extreme close-ups using macro
4 Close ups
Minimum of 5 shots using a narrow depth of field
2 shot using rack focus
1 Zoom shot

Incorporate at least one of each of the 5 camera angles:
low, high, bird’s eye, canted and eye level

Assignment 3 - Titles and Effects
Due Week: 7

Objective:
Class is given access to movie files and assigned to edit into a completed video project. Student must demonstrate knowledge of title creation, transitions, effects, and still imagery.
Assignment:

1. Make copy of the movie files (provided by instructor) to a CD. Bring in a Zip to save all Premiere Projects.
2. Review footage in Premiere, and formulate a paper edit that will be turned in with assignment.
3. Edit movie. Create a rhythm and pace. 10 cut minimum. (see below)
4. Create a title for the piece and place at the beginning of the video.
5. Use color bars, countdown, test tone, and production title at the beginning of film (provided by instructor).
6. Export with appropriate Architecture and Codec: Quicktime 320 x 240 sorenson video

Requirements:

You must use the following in your video:
4 transitions
2 video effects (minimum)
1 backwards effect (using speed)
1 speed/duration change
2 video track transparency using rubber bands (similar to opacity in Photoshop)
1 motion/rotation of still image (provided by instructor) using alpha channel

Turn in a compact disc with both the finished Quicktime .mov file and the Premiere .ppj file.

Assignment 4 - Cultural Montage
Due Week: 10

Objective:
The class will learn to relate video (sound and imagery) to a larger conceptual idea.

Assignment:

1. How do you identify your culture? Spend a week trying to answer this question and document your answers with images, text, and video.

2. Acquire new images/video that relate to your concept.

3. Create a montage of images that relate to your concept. Edit this into a 2-3 minute piece with rhythm and pace.

4. Utilize effective cuts, fades, video layers, transitions, video movement.

5. Use original audio and imagery. All appropriated work must first be cleared with your instructor.

6. Utilize titles. As indicated and demonstrated in your previous assignment.

7. Output to DVD. Note: You should edit your work with the DVNTSC 48 kHz standard.

Final Project - Visual Style (Nursery Rhymes)
Due Week 16

Objective:
The class will learn to construct and film a short story. Through this exercise you should have a better understanding of how continuity is achieved through shooting and editing. Several historically significant cinematic styles will be introduced. You will be required to imitate elements of these styles in your work. Keep in mind that this is an art film and as such should not appear to imitate Hollywood or Television. Consider the ways that photographs and painting tell stories without the element of time. Use time as a tool and with intention. The conceptualization of this project will constitute a large portion of your final grade.

Assignment:

1. Choose one of the five nursery rhymes assigned by your teacher.

2. Conceptually make an interpretation of the rhyme that serves as a metaphor for another idea of your choosing or use the rhyme as the framework for a concept that you originate.

3. We will be covering visual styles in class, but you will want to do your own research to better understand how to shoot for that style.

4. Create a simple storyboard and shot script for your video (due week 13)

5. Create props, employ actors, use lights/color, use titles and use still photography to make your video. Work within your limitations to make the best video that you are able to. Experiment with setting and camera angles. Remember you will be graded on lighting and composition. You will be required to use audio.

6. Considering that you will not have time or finances to work with professional actors, make an attempt to use actors in a way where they do very little acting (this will be explained). You may also find that you will not need to use human actors at all. It is strongly recommended that you avoid using dialogue.

7. Appropriation of other’s audio or video will not be allowed for this project.

8. Shoot and edit your film. It should be between two and four minutes in length. It should be output to DVD using DVNTSC standard: 720 x 480, pixel ratio (.9), 29.97 fps. Audio: 48kHz 16bit Stereo

Nursery Rhymes:

Crooked Man
German Expressionism (Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) Abstract/artistic scene and setting - very much like a painting - urban and industrial - painted shadows. (Metropolis, Lang)

Round the Mulberry Bush
Classic Hollywood (DW Griffith) Continuity Editing, 180-degree rule, match cuts (cut on action), coverage (wide, medium, and close up shots), and rule breaking kept to a minimum.

A Tisket A Tasket
Film Noir - dramatic/directional lighting - Long Take/Mobile Frame (Graduate, intro to Birdcage, Rope - Hitchcock, Goodfellas) 3 shots total - must use Depth of Field (rack focus suggested)

Cocks Crow
Italian Neo-Realism - real people real setting - like a documentary (Open City, Rossellini; Bicycle Thief)
Point of View (The Birds, Hitchcock, Dances with Wolves) with a Non-diegetic insert (Apocalypse Now - Slaughter of Bull)

Star Light Star Bright
French New Wave (Breathless - Godard) Discontinuity, Jump Cuts, Shot Reversal - casual looking cinematography (like neo-realism) - narrative film but discontinuous story

Documentation:
When you turn-in your project also hand in a type-written version of your treatment and statement of intention.