VA174- Media Sketchbook
-
SPRING 2007
Prof.
Ricardo Dominguez
rrdominguez@ucsd.edu
1-619-322-7571
Course
Meeting Time:
Tues Production /Thurs Critique
3:00 to 6:00
MANDEL
B111E
Office
Hours:
Wed 1-2 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:
50% attendance &
participation
50% weekly production
projects
A(91-100)=excellent /
B(81-90)=above average /
C(71-80)=average / D(61-70)=below average / F(60 &
below)=unacceptable work
MON = PRODUCTIO N DAY
WED =
PRESENTATIONS/CRITIQUE DAY
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:
APRIL 4th - 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.
APRIL 11th - 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.
APRIL 18th - NO CLASS
Assignment #3: Secrets and Lies
Make
a 1 -2 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.
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
APRIL 25 - SCREEN & CRITIQUE:
Assignment #4
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.
MAY 2nd - SCREEN & CRITIQUE:
Assignment #5
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.).
MAY 9th - SCREEN & CRITIQUE:
Assignment #6
Assignment #7 "Considering Genre"
Create a 3 - 5 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.)
MAY 16th - SCREEN & CRITIQUE:
Assignment #7
Assignment #8 "Translation/Adaptation"
Choose a short story, one-act drama or
poem - Storyboard
WEEK NINE- NO CLASS (JUST PRODUCTION )
<>DEADLINE TO TURN IN IMPROVED ASSIGNMENT (optional)
Note: course schedule subject
to change according to Prof's assessment of
student development