Video Art

Video Art Art 147/ComS 157 Email: jenstark@csus.edu Phone: 916-278-6285 Office Hours Tuesday 1:30-3 Wednesday 11:30-1 Mend 5012
Course Description The creation and analysis of video artwork; including techniques of video production, post-production manipulation and critique, within the context of art and communication.The techniques and theory of producing and editing video will serve as a foundation for the pursuit of individual, creative projects. Students may produce single channel video art works or video art installations. In addition, students will become familiar with video art practice. Video screenings of artist’s video works will occur throughout the class, and a required field trip will offer students the opportunity see relevant exhibits and screenings in the Bay Area* (*trip location will very per semester depending upon locations of suitable screenings and exhibits)
The class will include group discussions of video and experimental film, readings from the assigned text (Video Art: A Guided Tour) and class critiques of student video work, which will include work in progress and final videos. Video art/ video installations discussed or screened will include works by artists such as Naim June Paik, Sadie Benning, Miranda July, Animal Charm, William Wegman, Joan Jonas, Jim Finn, Pipilloti Rist, Anri Sala, Shirin Neshat, Steve McQueen, Douglas Gordon and Sam Taylor-Wood.
Objectives To create expressive artwork using the medium of digital video Further development of and competency in Video Production To further or achieve a solid working knowledge of video editing software, web uploads, and DVD authoring To learn and practice critical analysis Understand video art practice through the exploration of video art and artists This class will accommodate various skill levels. Pre-Requisites: Art 97 OR ComS 27 Camera Package 1: Kodak ZI8 Lavalier Mic Tripod SD Card suggested by Amazon There are also some really cheap cards that can be purchased from Walmart: Camera Package 2: Canon Vixia Lavalier Mic Tripod SD Card suggested by Amazon There are also some really cheap cards that can be purchased from Walmart: Assignments and Grading Grading will be assigned in the following manner: Students will produce three complete video artworks throughout the semester: Video 1: 20% Video 2: 20% Video 3: 20% Field Trip 10% Video Artist Review 10% Quickwrites: 20% (4 points each) Turning in assignments: Once your project is completed in Final Cut Pro Go to File>Export>Quicktime Movie Make sure that "Make movie self contained" is checked Name the project the number of the assigned video, your last name and first initial For example: (For assignment 1) 1starkj.mov Go to your Mac finder window click on Go>Connect to Server and type in the folllowing: afp://files.al-lab.csus.edu Click on Groups ComS 157 Drag file to Dropbox Remember: Project files don't work, you must drag an exported movie to the server Final Cut Pro Tutorials Lynda.com Final Cut Pro Handout 1 Final Cut Pro Handout 2 Each video assignment will be evaluated equally on these four criteria: Concept Creativity and Innovation Composition Craftsmanship Videos should be turned in to the Dropbox this way: In Final Cut Pro: File>Export>Quick Time Movie>Make sure "Make Movie Self Contained" is selected Title the movie this way: projectnamestarkj.mov Upload Files: Go>Connect to Server Enter the following address afp://files.al-lab.csus.edu Click on Groups ComS157 Drag file to Dropbox Remember: Project files don't work, you must drag an exported movie to the server A Note About Grading: If you turn in all your work on time (and if it is satisfactorily completed), attend class and participate, you are ensured a C. A’s and B’s are reserved for students who excel beyond average and competent work. Classroom/Lab Etiquette: Cell phones should be turned off in classrooms or in the labs. If a cell phone is mistakenly left on, please turn it off as soon as possible. Under no circumstances should the student pick up the cell phone and speak while that student is a classroom or lab. If a student continues to use their cell phone during class for any purpose (even texting) they will be dropped from the class. Students are not permitted to use the Internet during lectures or student presentations. Any work on computers in class should relate directly to classroom activities. Internet messaging, games, etc are not permitted during class. Unfortunately this eliminates the possibility of students looking up subjects that arise in the lecture. This is only permitted if I invite the class to do so. All of the above activities are extremely distracting to the instructor as well as the other students. There should be no talking during lectures and student presentations.

Schedule: Weekly Schedule 1/23 1. Introduction to class, introduction to video art Assign first reading from text Questions for next class Eweles Text Freeland Text (Brillo Boxes) Final Cut Pro test-out for students who are proficient in editing 1/25 Quickwrite/Quiz on Ewles and Freeland Lecture: From Brillo Boxes to Performance Discussion of Readings Presentation 1 What is Video Art? Ant Farm Screening Questions for Next Quiz Freeland Text Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction 1/30 Screening of Student Work Assignment 1 Create a 30 second to one minute video dealing with issues prevalent in Television, Advertising and Media. Topics can include, but are not limited to body image, consumption, politics, spectacle and beauty. The length of the video will reference commercials, so you do not have to be literal in your video representation of them. It can be difficult to work in such a short format, so be careful to edit your ideas carefully. Quiz 2 on Freeland Text and Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Questions for Next Quiz: Reading 1 and 2 Reading One Reading Two 2/1 Screening of William Wegman, Eileen Maxson Quiz 3 (maxson/wegman) Questions for Quiz 4 on Reading 1 Reading 1 Lab: Basic introduction to using a video camera: tripod, focus, white balance, depth of field, Shooting demo and practice, focus on Framing and Shots. Any students who have taken 27a and b or equivalent from a JC can leave. All others are required to complete the lab. 2/6 Quiz 4 on Bill Viola reading Video screening Bill Viola Questions for Quiz 5 on Reading 1: Peter Tscherkassky Reading 1 Discussion Discussion of Project 1 Beginning Final Cut Pro Lab Video 1 Lab Video 2 2/8 Quiz 5 Screening of Peter Tscherkassky's Outer Space Discussion of Project 1 Continued Editing Theory and Practice (terms and techniques) Final Cut Pro, editing techniques Continued Titles and Basic Compositing Open Lab 2/13 Video screening and Lecture (Media Critique of the last 20 Years) Animal Charm and Naomi Uman (Sign Up Sheet for Screening--3 Points subtracted from grade if you miss presentation and discussion) Open Lab 2/15 LIghting Terms and Techniques Three Point Lighting (Students who have taken 27a and b are excused from this lab)Graphics and Compositing in Final Cut Pro Continued Superimposition Titles Wireframe Open Lab 2/20 Superimposition Titles Wireframe Open Lab 2/22 Screening: interesting uses of audio Sync vs Non Sync Audio Layering Audio Working with mp3 Tracks Audio Production (Levels) Audio Editing (Levels) It is OK to complete these projects on a home computer, but I highly recommend taht you show me what you are working on at some point during this Open Lab. 2/27: Open Lab for Assignment Completion 2/29: Open Lab for Assignment Completion 3/5: Critique Assignment 1 3/7: Cindy Sherman Photography Cindy Sherman Cindy Sherman Gallery Cindy Sherman 2 Continued Critique of Assignment 1 Written research paper (video artist) assignment given Student Screenings Story Assignment Given: Storytelling is the basis for dramatic narrative film, comedies, and even news reporting. I would like you to use stories, storytelling, or narrative structure as inspiration for your next project. I am not suggesting that you make a traditional narrative film, but that you use elements of story to create something that comments on the form. 3/12 La Jetee Screening and Lecture Miranda July Screening and Lecture Verbal Workshopping of Assignment 2 in Groups Discuss the difference between story as a structure and as a concept Sign up sheet will be handed out at the end of class discussion 3 Points will be taken from your Overall grade if you are not present 3/15 Sadie Benning Sadie Benning Screening and Discussion Sign up Sheet will be handed out after discussion and before open lab. 3 Points will be taken off of your final grade if you are not present Soundtrack Pro Demo Open Lab 3/19 Screening (TBA) Apple Motion Demo LAB PSD MOTION LAB DOCUMENT Open Lab 3/21 Open Lab 3/26 Spring Recess 3/28 Spring Recess 4/2 Overview of Final Cut Pro Techniques (Review) Continuation of Motion Demo Open Lab 4/4 Open Lab 4/9(Critique Assignment 3) Assignment 3 Given: 30 seconds-3 minutes in length Make a video that starts with a Place. This can either be a place as a subject for the video or one that would be an interesting location for an installation. It is not important that the place has personal significance to you, but it can. Installation: Can either consist of a blueprint or an actual installation. If you go with the blueprint option you must submit a paragraph describing the installation space, a diagram of the space and how specifically the video element would be used. You must also bring in a video to be viewed as part of the presentation.Virtual space is also an option. Single channel video should be 30 seconds to 3 minutes. 4/11 Screening: Place Electronic Earth by Doug Aitkin Barry Mcgee and Margret Kilgallen Walk over to Library and look at show Video Screening: The Subconscious Art of Graffiti Removal Sign up Sheet will be handed out after discussion and before open lab. 3 Points will be taken off of your final grade if you are not present Com positing in Motion 4/16 Presentation by TA--Followed by: Individual Meetings with Professor or TA You can discuss your upcoming project, technical issues or questions about your grade (Sign-up sheet will be handed out at the beginning of class) 4/18 Street Art (Screening) Advanced Editing and Compositing Open Lab 4/23 Advanced Editing and Compositing Open Lab Individual Meetings with Instructor 4/25 Paper on Video Artist Due Discusssion of Papers Screening Open Lab 4/30 Soundtrack Pro Demo Individual Meetings with Instructor 5/2 Individual Meetings with Instructor 5/7: Open Lab 5/9: Begin Critiques Critiques continue during scheduled final time (TBA)