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 words) “Critical Reflection” in which the student will: (1) explain the thought process behind the film’s construction, and (2) discuss the myriad technological and other assorted challenges/opportunities they encountered.
Who: Professor Jay McRoy
When: R 12:00 – 2:00
Where: CA 228
Where Else: www.thejaymcroy.com
How: mcroy@uwp.edu
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 with Video Function. NB: We have multiple camera kits (GH5s) and tripods available for check out via Audio Visual Services (Wylie L 107)
Each student must establish either a YouTube or Vimeo account.
Grading Breakdown:
In-Class Participation (20%)
4 Digital Video Assignments & Critical Reflection (@ 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. Accompanying each video - in traditional hard copy paper format -- will be a brief (no more than 750 word) "Critical Reflection" 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 2/29). "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 3/28). Record a friend answering a question or telling a short personal story and create a dramatic visual "narrative" (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 Three (Due 4/11). “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 Four (Due 5/9). 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.
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.
Content Statement:
This course contains material (including material generated by your peers) that relates directly to things that occur in the world. Not all of these things are pleasant, and some viewers may find certain images, sounds, or ideas upsetting, controversial, or offensive.
This class includes material related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory.
_________________________________
SEMESTER BREAKDOWN
Class One (2/1): INTRODUCTION
Class Two (2/8): DV Aesthetics I
In-Class Viewing: Sleep Has Her House (Scott Barley, 2017)
Class Three (2/15): DV Aesthetics II
In-Class Viewing: They Had It Coming (Jon Jost, 2015)
Class Four (2/22): DV Aesthetics III
In-Class Viewing: Assorted Shorts
Class Five (2/29): In-Class Screenings: ASSIGNMENT ONE
Class Six (3/7): DV Aesthetics IV
In-Class Viewing: "Junior" (Julia Ducournau, 2011) & Teenage Emotions
(Frederic Da, 2021)
Class Seven (3/14): DV Aesthetics VI
In-Class Viewing: The Celebration (Thomas Vinterberg, 1998)
3/21: NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Class Eight (3/28): In-Class Screenings: ASSIGNMENT TWO
Class Nine (4/4): Fieldwork
Class Ten (4/11): In-Class Screenings: ASSIGNMENT THREE
Class Eleven (4/18): DV Aesthetics VIII
In-Class Viewing: Julien Donkey Boy (Harmony Korine, 1999)
Class Twelve (4/25): DV Aesthetics VIX
In-Class Viewing: Assorted Shorts
Class Thirteen (5/2): Fieldwork
Class Fourteen (5/9) In-Class Screenings: ASSIGNMENT FOUR
_____________________________________________
GETTING STARTED – EDITING PROGRAMS:
Windows Video Editors (Windows 10)
_____________________________________________
CLASS VIDEOS:
Maya Gibson [1] [2] [3] [4]
________________________________________
ARCHIVED CLASS VIDEOS (Spring 2023):
Talia Last [1] [2] [3] [4]
____________________________________________
ARCHIVED CLASS VIDEOS (Spring 2022):
Skye Bullin [1] [2] [3] [4]