Weekly Class
Each week, we will explore a different theme particular to early video art and how it might be transposed into the technological and social world we live in today. We will be watching video art works very intensively in class, as material for fulsome discussions and critiques. You’ll also be making short video works every week with these themes in mind: during the first term, we will not be using any editing, which will only be introduced after reading break. Presence in class is mandatory not only because the viewings are invaluable, but because the opportunity to gain copious feedback on your work will help you understand the terms of your engagement with video on a much deeper level.
Weekly exercises
Each week you will also complete a modest video exercise, tuned to the theme we’re currently working on.
Written responses
Once in a while, you will be asked to respond in a short (200-400) word text to a video work that you have been assigned, or a question appropriate to the topic at hand.
Two Major Projects
While working on the exercises you will also be working on two more intensive projects, that we will look at on Week 6 and Week 12 (final class).
First Project: MONOLOGUE (Week 6)
Second Project: NON-NARRATIVE NARRATIVE (Week 12)
One-on-one
Near the middle of the term, I will Zoom with each one of you individually to check up on your in-progress projects, address questions and concerns, and assess your well-being! At any point during the term, if you feel overwhelmed and want to talk about problematic areas in a project, or general confusion, or… a Zoom session can be set up at the discretion of both parties. I am also extremely responsive via email.
Technological Requirements
For this course, you need a method to capture images. A smartphone can do everything we need to do for this class, but if you have a digital video camera you can of course use it. (Certain exercises are more attuned to the dimensions and weight of the smartphone, however, so you should always have it on hand.)
The second requirement is a tablet or laptop on which you can manipulate video. You don’t need a super sophisticated system. For macs, iMovie will do the trick. For Windows, MovieMaker is sufficient. Given our focus on the early years of video, we will be getting into more intensive editing only in the second part of the class. Of course, if you do have access to Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, you’re welcome to use it!
Grades
First project (MONOLOGUE): 25%
Second project (NARRATIVE): 25%
Exercises: 25%
Written exercises: 10%
Engagement: 15%