23 April 2009
Today's Topic: video capture and soundtrack creation
Tonight- a demonstration of how to capture your digital video and an overview of garageband.
16 April 2009
Today's Topic: Storyboard 2 Critique
PART I: CRITIQUE
The storyboard for project 2 is due at the beginning of class.
PART II: LIGHTING
The distinction between seemingly low and high production value has much to do with how the subject is lit. Tonight we demonstrate the tools you have at hand for lighting: main, secondary and back lighting, diffuse and straight on, it makes a big difference.
9 April 2009
Today's Topic: Mash Up
Found Footage Video
Your first project will have two components:
* A storyboard (10%) DUE March 29, BEGINNING OF CLASS
* A 1-5 minute video (20%) DUE APRIL 9, BEGINING OF CLASS
* *Both the storyboard and project will be viewed for critique on the their respective due dates
The project will be created using found footage - that is footage created by others. The underlying sound may also be from other sources.
STORYBOARD CRITERIA:
The storyboard should have enough detail to indicate the storyline. All viewers should understand the narrative, variety of shots used, and have a notion of pacing. (Long lingering shots vs. quick edits). Grading criteria for the storyboards will be based upon: (a) clarity (b) variety and appropriateness of shots used and (c) craftmanship (layout should be neat, each image a minimum of 3 x 5 inches.
Fine art not required, but a sense of scale is. Craftsmanship counts. Create panels that are a 3:4 ratio. Make them straight.
PROJECT CRITERIA:
Can you use your own work? Absolutely.
The point is something called "recontextualization". That is giving new meaning to things by placing them in different contexts.
What I will be looking for in the grading is evidence of thoughtful composition, integrity, meaning, syncopation, and clear point of view.
Composition - the work should demonstrate a cognizance of various types of shots (close up, medium and long) and how variety is used to tell a story.
Integrity - there are different styles of moving image storytelling. Some are almost formulaic. A rap video has a certain editing style, and sequencing of shots. Over-the-top cheesy advertisements, self-conscious in their bombardment of the viewer in hyperbole is another. Fight sequences have their own rhythm and editing style. It is possible to create tension by taking one style and applying it to a different genre. (What would happen if you treated a car commercial like a horror movie?) Regardless of style, the work should hold together as a cohesive unit reflecting its intended effect.
Meaning - What is the purpose of the video? To educate? To entertain? To make one laugh? To ponder? Your intent should be clear. What the viewer gets should be the same as your intent.
2 April 2009
Today's Topic: Editing continued, Work session
We Edit Life, and Filters
"Experimenters in visual perception are using computers to create weird and random patterns that never occur in real life to find out what and how people see when these patterns are shown to them. The art of computer graphics is only in its infancy yet it is already stimulating creative thought in far out areas where research is likely to get complex and unwieldy. If offers not only the means to quicken the pace of discovery but an ideal of communicating what we may discover" - We Edit Life.
Today we will view more video examples, review trimming (fine tuning rough edits), and allow some class time for working on the upcoming project.
Thus far, we have worked with simple edits.
Segues from one image to another can be done a variety of ways - each with a different effect.
Not only do we have the capability of changing scene to scene, we can temper the clip itself with the use of filters.
And check this out:
http://hillmancurtis.com/hc_web/film_video.shtml#
26 March 2009
Today's Topic: Storyboard Critique and Work Session
The storyboard for your found footage video is due today.
We will critique the boards.
19 March 2009
Today's Topic: Tell Me a Story
It is best to begin any endeavor with a clue.
Today we will discuss narrative, and genres in preparation of the first project.
In terms of found footage creation, there is a process of composition and seeing how segments interact. There is construction. For each, the planning process is very different.
Determining what you want to say...
Juxtaspositioning
Point - moral of the story
Theme
Genre as vocabulary
The storyboard becomes the basis of your shot list. What kinds of shots? The long shot, the medium shot, the close up, the extreme (any of the preceding)...the detail, the macro, the fish eye.
There are moving shots: pans, zooms and dollies.
We'll look at each of these. The shots provide your visual language. If the narrative is your story, then your shots are your sentences.
12 March 2009
Today's Topic: Course Overview
In this first lecture, we'll do general housekeeping. We'll discuss the course syllabus, the course outline, and this weblog.
We'll discuss my expectations of you, and also what you may expect of me.
Additionally, it would be good to begin any endeavor with a clue. Today we talk about what digital video means on the web; its constraints, how that effects production and narrative.
