E N G L I S H 4 3 3 0
Class Hours:
Discussion: W 1:05-2:55 (1:30 select days), Room 343
Practicum A: W 3:05-4:55, Skiles 369
Practicum B: F 1:05-2:55, Skiles 369
Instructor Contact Info:
ellen.strain@lcc.gatech.edu
894-8923 for voice mail
office hours by appointment in Skiles 301
TA, Sherry Strickland, sstrick@mindspring.com, TTH
Course Description
Combining practice and theory, this class uses video as a medium to explore a topic within visual culture studies. More specifically, we will analyze traditional modes of viewing older media forms and the challenges that new media present to these understandings of spectatorship. Beginning with theorizations of visuality and cinema, the readings trace out reconfigurations of the gaze and new conceptualizations of space within digital media forms, with a primary focus on digital video as a media form. Practice will illuminate theory as we use a variety of software environments (Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, Flash, Strata VideoShop 3D, Media 100, and Director) to explore the nature of digital artifacts and create video texts that comment upon modes of new media involvement.
Course Organization
Although theory and production issues are initially explored separately through the division of class time into discussion periods focusing on the readings and hands-on practicum sessions focusing on specific technical tasks, students are expected to bridge the two in their final project. Although the entire class will meet for the discussion periods, the class will be broken down into two groups with each group attending only one of the two practicum sessions hosted each week. During three of the 10 weeks, studio sessions (drawing on an art school model of sharing work in progress) will be held in place of discussion sections.
Required Reading
A course reader will be available for $35 from the Engineers Bookstore.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Although knowledge of the camera and analog editing (typically acquired within ENGL 3330: Video Production I) is not essential to the class, those who have such knowledge
will be able to apply it to projects completed within the class. Essential prerequisite knowledge includes:
• competence within Adobe Photoshop;
• knowledge of the basic interface of Adobe Premiere and Media 100;
• ability to digitize and compress video;
• ability to scan images into digital form using a flatbed scanner.
Students without such knowledge may choose to either not take the class or to attend a supplementary workshop cursorily covering these basic skills.
Course Requirements
The course grade will be based on three brief writing assignments, two technical mastery projects, one final project involving both a video and a written component, and participation in class discussions. The writing assignments or contemplation papers as well as the technical mastery projects may be preparatory work for the final project. In other words, you may use these smaller assignments to further explore theoretical and visual material that you are developing for the final project. The grade breakdown is as follows:
• 3 X 10% CONTEMPLATION PAPERS. Students are required to write 3 half to full page (single-spaced) papers summarizing, applying, or elaborating upon issues introduced in one of the articles. Students should concentrate on articles they find particularly interesting in order to further their analysis of subjects that will feed into the final project.
• 2 X 15% TECHNICAL MASTERY PROJECTS. In the form of an abbreviated project, students should exhibit their mastery over one or more of the techniques introduced in the practicum sessions. One of these projects may be a mini-prototype for the final project. The content of these projects will not be evaluated, only the use of the software tools.
• 30% FINAL PROJECT. The final project may be a video or other digital artifact that elicits or comments upon a particular mode of involvement characteristic of new media. The final project will also include a 1-2 page, single-spaced design rationale that positions the project within the issues brought up by the readings.
• 10% PARTICIPATION. Students are expected to attend every discussion period and to participate in discussions of the readings. Students should discuss their own work in progress and provide feedback to other students during studio sessions. Occasional reading quizzes may be used to encourage completion of the reading assignments.
Course Calendar.
January 6/8. Practicum: Photoshop into Premiere
WEEK TWO
January 13/15. Practicum: Digitizing, Compression, and Media Cleaner Pro
WEEK THREE
January 20. Discussion: The Virtually Mobile Subject in Immersive EntertainmentJanuary 20/22. Practicum: After Effects Basics
WEEK FOUR
January 27. Discussion: From Television to Video: Medium and ContextJanuary 27/29. Practicum: Using Filters and Color Effects in After Effects
WEEK FIVE
February 3. Discussion: Politics of Interactivity in Video Art and Digital MediaFebruary 3/5. Practicum: Depth and Perspective in After Effects
WEEK SIX
February 10. Studio Session: Final Projects–Theory Informs Practice
February 10/12. Practicum: Time Remapping in After Effects
WEEK SEVEN
February 17. Discussion: New Paradigms for Media InvolvementFebruary 17/19. Practicum: Flash Animation
WEEK EIGHT
February 24. Discussion: Virtual Reality
Readings due:February 24/26. Practicum: Animation in Director
WEEK NINE
March 3. Studio Session: Final Projects–Work in ProgressMarch 3/5. Practicum: Controlling Video within Director
WEEK TEN
March 10. Studio Session: Screening of Technical Mastery ProjectsMarch 10/12. Practicum: 3D Objects within Video
* * * SCREENING OF FINAL PROJECTS: Thursday, March 18. 11:30-2:20. * * *