(from Scott Barley's Sleep Has Her House [2017])


TOPSY'S CINEMATHEQUE
(Where Our Class Videos are archived)

Course Description: In this course, students will study digital video as a technology that is materially, economically, and aesthetically distinct from film. Through viewing works of digital cinema, students will encounter a multitude of formal and stylistic approaches intended to inspire creativity within their own work.  In addition to serious in-class discussions of select digital video features and shorts, each student will assemble a video portfolio (either on youtube or vimeo). This portfolio will consist of four video works, each accompanied by a brief (no more than 750 word) "Critical Reflection" in which the student will: (1) explain the thought processes behind the film's construction, and (2) discuss the myriad technological and other assorted challenges/opportunities they encountered.    

Who: Prof. Jay McRoy

When: W 4:00 - 5:30

Where: CART 228

Where Else: www.thejaymcroy.com

How: mcroy@uwp.edu 

(from Jon Jost's Coming to Terms [2013])

Highly Recommended Tools:

• Memory Card - Recommended Card: SanDisk 128 GB Extreme Pro UHS II SDXC Memory Card
• External Hard Drive: 2 TB or more
• DV Camera/DSLR Camera with Video Function/Cell Phone Camera with Video Function. NB: We have multiple camera kits (GH5s) and tripods available for check out via Audio Visual Services (Wylie L 107)
• A Youtube or Vimeo Account

Grading Breakdown:

• In-Class Participation (20%).
• 4 Digital Video Assignments (@ 20% each for a total of 80%). Each student will assemble a video portfolio (either on youtube or vimeo). This portfolio will consist of four video works accompanied by brief (no more than 750 word) "Critical Reflections" in which you: (a) explain the thought processes behind the film's construction, and (b) discuss the myriad technological and other assorted challenges/opportunities you encountered.
• Assignment One (Due 2/27): "Video Finger Painting." Take out a camera and shoot, shoot, shoot. Use all of its functions and features both "correctly" and "incorrectly." Pretend that you are a child with a brand new box of finger paints and explore your camera as a creative tool. Don't be afraid to make a mess; there is no right and wrong. Once you have enough footage, select the three best minutes worth and craft a short "film." 
• Assignment Two (Due 3/12): "Portrait of a Person or Place." Create a video portrait (3-5 minutes) of a person or place. The portrait must consist of 10 shots. In nine of these shots, the camera must remain static. In one of these shots, the camera may move. How the camera moves - and how much the camera moves - is up to you. You may manipulate the image during shooting or in post-production, so long as such manipulation serves a distinct aesthetic or thematic purpose. No non-diegetic score music - though you will want to create harmonies and rhythms through image and editing.
• Assignment Three (Due 4/9): Record a friend answering a question - serious or non-sensical - and create a dramatic story (3-5 minutes) from the audio. The film should consist of 10-15 shots that complement the voice over. You can move the camera all you desire, so long as it isn't "hand held" (aka no "shaky cam"). As you construct your film, try to avoid being too literal in your imagery. Rather, allow your images to provide a thematic or metaphorical compliment to the audio track.  
• Assignment Four (Due 4/30): Create a 5 minute short film. This film can conform to any genre(s) and embrace any aesthetic approach that you feel works best for the project.  

(Julien Donkey-Boy, 2000)

Plagiarism Warning:

There is nothing wrong with using other people's words and thoughts as long as you acknowledge your debt. In fact, you can frequently strengthen your writing by doing citing other critics' arguments. However, if you represent other people's words or ideas as if they were your own, then you are plagiarizing. Plagiarism includes: 1) paraphrasing or copying (without the use of quotation marks) someone else's words without acknowledgment; 2) using someone else's facts or ideas without acknowledgment, and, 3) handing in work for one course that you handed in for credit in another course without the permission of both instructors.  

When you use published words, data, or thoughts, you should note their use. We will use MLA Guidelines throughout this course. When you use the ideas of friends or classmates, you should thank them in an endnote (e.g. "I am grateful to my friend so and so for the argument in the third paragraph").  If friends give you reactions but not suggestions, you need not acknowledge that help in print (though it is gracious to do so). Collaboration and using the work of others is the backbone of academia. Plagiarism and academic dishonesty destroys the possibility of working together as colleagues. Therefore, all instances of plagiarism in this class will be addressed with the utmost severity. If you have any questions as to whether something you have written for this class constitutes plagiarism, please see me before handing it in for credit.

Class-By-Class Breakdown:

Class One (2/6): Introduction

Class Two (2/13): DV Aesthetics I
In-Class Viewing: Sleep Has Her House (Scott Barley, 2017)

Class Three (2/20): DV Aesthetics II
In-Class Viewing: Julien Donkey-Boy (Harmony Korine, 2000)

Class Four (2/27): DV Aesthetics III & Assignment One Due
In-Class Viewing: Assorted DV shorts (Portraits of People and Places)

Class Five (3/5): DMAP/Sky Hopinka Public Screening in CART 131
In-Class Viewing: Sky Hopinka's Video Work

Class Six (3/12): Assignment Two Due
In-Class Screenings - Assignment Two

Class Seven (3/19): In-Class Screenings - Assignment Two (cont.)

Class Eight (4/2): DV Aesthetics V
In-Class Viewing: Assorted DV shorts

("Show & Tell - The Movie Voiceover" Pt. 1)

("Show and Tell - The Movie Voiceover" Pt. 2)

("Act Da Fool" by Harmony Korine)

Class Nine (4/9): Assignment Three Due
In-Class Screenings - Assignment Three

Class Ten (4/16): In-Class Screenings - Assignment Three (cont.)

Class Eleven (4/23): DV Aesthetics VI
In-Class Viewing: TBA

Class Twelve (4/30): Assignment Four Due
In-Class Screenings - Assignment Four

Class Thirteen (5/7): In-Class Screenings - Assignment Four (cont.)

Getting Started - Editing Programs

Windows Movie Maker

Apple iMovie 

Adobe Premiere

Final Cut Pro X