VA174- Media Sketchbook
-
Spring 2005
Prof.
Ricardo Dominguez
rrdominguez@ucsd.edu 1-619-322-7571
Course
Meeting Time:
Tues/Thurs
3:30 6:20 MANDEL
B111E
Office
Hours: Wed
3-4 pm & by appt. VAF408
Course Objectives:
Media Sketchbook is an intensive conceptualization &
production course designed to get your creative juices flowing. It is
structured to aid you in developing your personal voice, style and work process
as a media artist. Readings, critiques, screenings and discussions support weekly
production assignments. Taking risks is not only encouraged, but is mandated.
Course Prerequisites: successful completion of VA70N & Media Center
"card"
Course Requirements:
Students are required to attend all course meetings and
participate fully in all discussions and critiques. All assignments must be
completed on time and be labeled, cued and ready to present in class the day
they are due. A process/ideas journal must be kept and is subject to evaluation
twice during the course. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Course Evaluation:
20% attendance & participation
70% weekly production projects
10% journal
A(91-100)=excellent / B(81-90)=above average /
C(71-80)=average / D(61-70)=below average / F(60 & below)=unacceptable work
Required texts:
The Independent/AIVF membership (student membership &
monthly subscription $35)
http://www.aivf.org/resources/join.html
Recommended Texts:
Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz
Shooting to Kill by Christine Vachon w/David
Edelstein
Video Field Production and Editing by Ronald Compesi
and Ronald Sherriffs
Required Materials: DV tapes, backup material, Optional: external HD
Local SD screening venues: Che Café (SD Indymedia screenings),
Voz Alta, The Ken, MOPA, Downtown Library, Media Arts Center SD (open screening
nights), VAF Perf & Gallery space, Price Center Theater, know of something
else??- announce it!
Attendance & punctuality: If you miss more than two class
meetings (without a written medical excuse) your final grade will be lowered by
a full grade. If you have more than three unexcused absences you will be
dropped from the course. Arriving more than 30 minutes late to class without an
approved absence counts as a ½ class absence.
DISCLAIMER
In this class I reserve the right to show a broad range of course materials,
some of which assume the audience to be adult in age and demeanor. Should you
at any time in the course of the class feel offended by something you have seen
or heard, we would appreciate you staying to be part of a dialogue. If you feel
that you cannot stay, please remove yourself from the classroom as discretely
as possible. You may be asked to report on your response.
WEEKLY
COURSE SCHEDULE:
WEEK
ONE:
03/29
Introduction to Course, facilities, each other
Assignment
#1 "Sense of Space"
Create
a 1-2 min video that communicates the essence of a place. Choose one location,
use in-camera editing ONLY. Make use of formal elements of the video medium to
describe the space you've chosen. Pay particular attention to pacing, framing,
transitions, and closure. Sync sound only.
03/31
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #1
Assignment
#2 "Sound as Structure"
Select
or compose and record a piece of music 1-2 mins in length and use it as a
structural spine on which to edit found video images. Utilize found footage
ONLY and juxtapose the sound & image in order to create an entirely
different meaning or mood from that evoked by the original source materials.
WEEK
TWO:
04/05
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #2
04/07
Assignment #3: Secrets and Lies
Make
a 2-3 min video in which you reveal a deep dark secret, something you've never
told anyone before. The secret can be fictional, but in either case, you must
use the unique qualities of video to help in promoting intimacy & trust
between you and your viewers.
WEEK
THREE:
04/12
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #3
04/14
Assignment #4 "Documenting San Diego"
Make
a 2-3 min video documentary that tells the class something about San Diego or
San Diegans that we didn¹t already know. Include interviews, research on the
subject
WEEK
FOUR:
04/19
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #4
04/21
Assignment #5 "Visceral
Response"
Create
a 1-3 min video that provokes a physical sensation on the part of the viewer.
Think about the senses, but also physical states such as vertigo, racing heart,
etc.
WEEK
FIVE:
04/26
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #5
04/28
Assignment #6 "Not my P.O.V."
Construct
a 1-3 min video that is "told" from a point of view radically
different from your own. (different, age, species, model #, etc.).
WEEK
SIX:
05/03
NO CLASS Production DAY
05/05
NO CLASS Production DAY
WEEK
SEVEN:
05/10
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #6
05/12
Assignment #7 "Considering Genre"
Create
a 5-15 min video with a group of 3-4 people in which you recreate a
recognizeable genre or style of filmmaking. Use lighting, cinematographic
techniques, acting, and other conventions to create a convincing work in your
chosen idiom (e.g. film noir, western, TV news, sci-fi, horror, telenovela,
etc.)
WEEK
EIGHT:
05/17
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #7
05/19
Assignment #8 "Single Shot"
Create
a compelling 3-5 min video which unfolds during the course of a single shot.
The shot can be still or moving (or both!) but must have NO cuts or transitions
and must include elements that you direct or organize to occur on camera in
advance of the shoot.
WEEK
NINE:
05/24
SCREEN & CRITIQUE: Assignment #8
05/26
Assignment #9 "Translation/Adaptation"
Choose
a short story, one-act drama or poem on which to base a video. Script,
storyboard, shoot and edit a 5 min adaptation or translation of the writing.
Story must get Prof's approval before production
WEEK
TEN:
05/31
- Individual meetings with Prof (bring scripts & storyboards for approval)
06/02
Production Day
FINALS
WEEK- TBA
SCREEN
& CRITIQUE: Assignment #9
DEADLINE
TO TURN IN FINAL JOURNALS
DEADLINE
TO TURN IN IMPROVED ASSIGNMENT (optional)
Note: course schedule subject to change according to Prof's assessment of
student development