Art 394
Time Based Digital Media
Syllabus Fall 2011
3 credits
Course number: ART 394-01
John Valentino
Associate Professor
Office 549-5377
Monday, Wednesday 8:00 - 10:45am
Rm. East Stadium Rm 131

Office Hours:

Monday/ Wednesday: 2:00-3:30pm
Tuesday: 11:30 -1:30pm
Additional office hours available by request
E-mail: jvalentino@selu.edu
http://www.Johnvalentino.com

This is a general guide and is subject to change!

Description:
Time Based Media Art is a studio course focusing on the production of digital video within a fine art context. Students will be introduced to basic video shooting skills, non-linear digital video, motion graphics production and the creation of multielement imagery for video. Students will create their own digital video works, with an emphasis on artistic expression and experimentation in the use of the video medium for projection, or performance/installation works. Students will become familiar with the history of the video medium and contemporary art practice through screenings of works by various artists, discussions and readings.

Synopsis
Art 394 time based media is a studio course focusing on the use of video within a fine art context. Students will be taught skills in video production and non-linear digital video editing, sound and motion graphics to create their own digital video art works. With an emphasis on experimentation students will explore narrative, non-narrative/experimental forms as well as video installation. Each form will be taught in the context of an assignment. Students will be introduced to the history of the medium and to different styles through lectures and screenings of major artists working in film and video throughout the past 100 years.

Computer applications and equipment
Videography will be done primarily using the Mini DV format but older VHS can also be used. The Digital Arts Center is equipped with two FireWire media converters to convert analog videos for editing so students are encouraged to use their own video cameras. DV or VHS cameras will be available for checkout use for anyone who does not own a camera or who does not wish to use their own camera . We will use Apple Final Cut Express for video editing, Adobe After Effects for motion graphics production and Peak DV for sound editing.

Every effort will be made to make assignments relative to the current situations facing us as artists. We will be looking at examples of short films, listening to clips from NPR radio programs as well as looking at television, film and music to inform our work. We will be reading and discussing writings of Michael Rush, Dave Hickey and Margot Lovejoy as well as looking at a variety of artists who use video as a means for facilitating their work. In this class you will be using the computer, one of the most potent image making devices ever created (at least since the invention of the opposable digit, i.e. your thumb). This is not just a video editing class! The computer is the place where still images, sound, video, television, radio, post office, library, and office collide. To help you survive that collision there will be several readings in conjunction with video assignments. We will be reading essays that will form the theoretical framework for assignments. A reading response posted on the class web site (http://www.johnvalentino.com) is required for each reading. We will be using all of the readings in creating and critiquing images during this class.

Prerequisite: Art 151, Art 190, Art 290

Art 394 Course Goals and Objectives:
• To teach video, and motion graphics as art forms.
• To introduce critical theory as it relates to digital imagery.
• Students will learn video camera operation and movements, sound production and editing, basic lighting and non-linear editing techniques.
• Students will develop an understanding of narrative in ways that are responsive to technological, social, and cultural systems.
• Students will develop craftsmanship skills appropriate to time based media.
• Students will learn the history of video and film.
• Student will learn various time based art forms including narrative, non-narrative, and installation.
• Students will learn to critically analyze video and film.
• Students will learn to critique their artworks and the artwork of others in both a verbal and written form.
• Students will develop craftsmanship skills appropriate to Time Based Media.

Note: If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self-identify with the Office of Disability Services, Room 111, Student Union. No accommodations will be granted without documentation from the Office of Disability Services.

Note: The last day to resign from the University or withdraw from classes, without a grade penalty, is Friday October 21.

Note: Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of communication devices, or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as “crossing the civility line.” In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a communication device to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required.” Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty member may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code of Student Conduct which may be found at http://www.selu.edu/admin/stu_affairs/handbook/.

Please, no cell phones or beepers during class - check your E-mail and your cell phone messages before or after class.

DAC Facility Use Policy:
With this newly equipped facility, the Digital Arts Center is a state-of-the-art complex. Students who enter and study within this environment are expected to treat its many electronic facets with complete respect. There will be no storage of projects on the hard drives of work stations. You will be instructed on the policies with regard to the proper storage procedures within each class. Each work station has been set-up for the needs of students within this center and there will be no altering of hard drives, systems, changes in font listings or software programs. If changes within these configurations are found, increased security will be implemented.

Lab, Lecture, Exams, Absences:
Attendance is mandatory. Important information given during each lecture so be prepared to take notes both in lecture and during the lecture period in lab. There will be time during class for you to work on assignments. These sessions are not "free periods" but are a chance for you to work on a one on one basis with the instructor and an opportunity for you to learn from your fellow students. You may not work at home during this time. If you miss class, it is up to you to get notes and/or handouts, and you are responsible for all assigned work regardless of attendance in class.

Texts:
Optional: Hollyn, Norman "The Lean Forward Moment". New Riders, CA. 2009

Supplies:

• 320GB USB (Firewire is better) External Drive or larger.
• 4 DVD-R Disks

Assignments:
In addition to the reading assignments you will have three Video assignments. Most of the assignments will require that you shoot new video footage. Previous work or appropriated video footage can only be used with my approval. All assignments must be submitted onto the coursework server in the DAC. You are required to keep backup copies of all of your files which means you will need at least four DVD-R disks

Evaluation
• Students are evaluated regularly in one-on-one and in groups through verbal and visual critiques and are evaluated on their ability to participate in the critiques.
• Students will address content, problem solving, craftsmanship, and creativity, during critiques.
• Students are evaluated by the instructor in a one-on-one review of works assigned for that review.
• Students are given a written evaluation of each assignment. The evaluation assesses the following items: Concept, technique, problem solving, and challenging personal limits.
• Students’ digital portfolio of artworks are evaluated at the end of each semester in a final group critique.

Evaluation (testing and grading):
Assignments - 60%
Work in progress Critiques/Participation in Critiques - 30%
Exams/Reading responses - 10%

Assignment grades will be based on the following criteria:

• Concept
• Technique
• Problem Solving
• Challenging Personal Limits

Final Exam Week: Dec 5-9.

Project Requirements
Specific project requirements will be outlined as each project is assigned, however some guidelines will remain constant for all projects. A storyboard is required for all projects. Storyboards can be found at the following link:

All video projects must include a storyboard!!
Storyboard Link

Critiques:
For every scheduled group critique students must present to the class their solution to the visual problem presented in class in a state of completion suitable for discussion. Work presented at critiques, and the students effective visual and oral presentation will be assigned a grade. Final submissions are then due on your web site the Friday after critique by 4:00pm (or by a time specified by the instructor).

Submissions:
Student work must be submitted on your personal YouTube site (unless otherwise specified by instructor) and on DVD-R. Students MUST make prior arrangements with instructor for submissions if they will be absent when a project is due and are responsible for arranging a critique and submission of work with the instructor.

Course Notes:
CourseNotes and other resource materials for this course can be found on the Coursework server in the DAC and on-line at <http://www.johnvalentino.com/Art394/394Notes.htm>. Please download a copy of the notes from the web site, and keep them on your USB drivefor future reference.

Software:
The software tools we will be exploring will include:

Final Cut:
This software is quickly becoming an industry favorite for the creation and editing of digital video..

Adobe After Effects:
This software allows almost limitless capabilities for motion graphics and visual effects for film, video, DVD, and the Web. We will be using After effects to composite and animate in 2D or 3D space using multiple cameras and lights.

Soundtrack:
Soundtrack lets you edit the audio from QuickTime movies and DV clips with better-than-frame accuracy.

Projects and Exercises

• Project 1: Two minute miracle (Cinematography/Editing)
  An exploration of sound and images. Students will be asked to select a piece of poetry and "interpret" the piece using sound, motion and interactivity.
  
• Project 2: Personal Narrative
  Narrative is he structured series of events, linked by cause and effect, that provide the film's plots. A Short Personal Narrative Video. 3 to 4 minutes.
  
• Project 3: Motion graphics
  Using After Effects students will create a title sequence and a personal video logo for your production company.
  
• Project 4: Experimental film (Abstract, Associational, Animation)
  Experimental films are created to challenge traditional notions of what a movie is. Experimental filmmakers may wish to express personal experiences, a mood or a physical quality. Some experimental films tell no story, instead taking on a poetic quality. In short experimental films challenge the viewer and the filmmaker.
  

Exercises:

• Exercise 1: Video Basics. Basic camera operation. Log and Capture, Four point editing
  
• Exercise 2: Transitions, Video effects.
  
• Exercise 3: Audio Processing
  This exercise will involve the layering and manipulation of supplied sound tracks with Peak DV. Sample rate and size, compression and file format will be addressed.
  
• Exercise 4: Final Cut Pro. (Compositing & Special effects)
  This exercise will cover compositing video and combing video with media elements created in other software packages such as Cinema 4D and Aftereffects.
  
• Exercise 5: After Effects: Layers, time, motion, alpha channels
  
• Exercise 6: After Effects: Transparency, masks and traveling masks.
  
• Exercise 7: Soundtracks
  This exercise will cover the basics of creating music using Apple Soundtrack.
  
• Exercise 8: Lighting
  This exercise will involve lighting basics, including key, fill and back lighting, intensity and falloff.
  
• Exercise 9: DVD Studio Pro: This exercise will cover the creation of DVDs using the professional DVD authoring software DVD Studio Pro.
  

Class Schedule: