Assignments

In this class there are four major components to your grade, each worth 25%:

1. Blog posts: During the first half of the semester you will regularly post on a blog that you created on the first day of class. Blogs are an informal space to write down your thoughts on a prompt that I provide on the Course Schedule. I expect blog entries to demonstrate critical thinking and engagement with the subject matter. Minimum word counts are also listed on the Course Schedule. In addition to your post, I expect you to visit three of your classmates (preferably you are not visiting the same three classmates all the time) and leave comments of about 100-150 words.

2. Exam: We will have one exam that covers key terms, ideas, theorists, and artists. Familiarity with these subjects is necessary for success when completing the Media Projects.

3. Media Project 1: This assignment is a combination of a video montage and a creative paper. The assignment sheet will be provided below when necessary.

4. Media Project 2: This assignment is a creative video with a reflective rationale. The assignment sheet will be provided below when necessary.

Media project 2

The driving theme behind this class is the intersection of humanity and technology. While the world is bursting at the seams with new technologies, we have focused mainly on video interfaces and how the combination of moving pictures and sound have continued to define humanity over the last fifty, twenty, and five years. This project is your chance to join in the practice of defining humanity through video.

Note: While I am not requiring this to be a group project, you may elect to make it into one (in groups no larger than four). You may also work on your own and “borrow” the acting talents of your classmates as necessary.

Unlike the assemblage project, this video must contain at least 60% original footage (i.e. still or moving images captured by you). And rather than commenting on a number of theoretical perspectives, you will actively engage in one perspective, delving deep into the question of what it means to be human in a world driven by technology. Your film can be narrative, abstract, a documentary, a music video, etc.—what is key here is that your topic remains focused on Humanities and Technology. As I view your 4-5 minute video, I will be expecting to see the following:

·      A clearly defined position- Your argument should be focused and set up in such a way that an audience of your peers could identify your perspective upon viewing your video.

·      Expertly edited film- You’ve had the chance to hone your editing skills through various projects so far this semester. So I’m expecting to see some really good video editing that displays a thorough knowledge of the grammar of film.

·      Metacommentary- We saw how films can be self-reflexive with The Truman Show and The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. These are films that know they are films. As you construct your films, what camera techniques and filmic traditions can you subvert? Can you mess with your audience? Do you want people to realize they are watching a film? (I would expect this to become clearer in the rationale.)

·      Good content and visually interesting- We like video that is interesting and fun. Utilize the stylistic and design techniques you’ve learned in crafting the video. Your shot footage should demonstrate conscientious filmmaking just as your “found” footage should be selected based on its appeal.

And of course there is a rationale. The rationale should be 1200-2000 words (if you are in a group of 3-4 I certainly expect it to be closer to 2000) explaining your design decisions in composing your video. In writing the rationale, you will need to pick out specific elements from the video (and its production) and outline why you did what you did (or intended to do). Feel free to use the rationale to suggest further revisions you might make to video.

So there’s two parts again: the video and the rationale. Each is effectively worth 50% though it is really hard to write a decent paper if the media doesn’t deliver (and vis-versa). Like the last project, video can be turned in on YouTube and the paper on Google Docs. All materials will be due by December 8 at midnight. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Media Project 1

So far in this course we’ve explored a range of theories, their proponents and some discontents. Now it is time to put them in conversation with each other. For this first media project you will be creating a video assemblage. More important than the assemblage is the dialogue paper that will accompany it.

Your 2-3 minute video assemblage will be created from a catalog of 30-50 videos you will collect via YouTube and screen capture technology. The goal of the assemblage is to advance a certain view concerning the intersection of humanity and technology. In assembling the video, I expect to see the following:

·      Well-selected clips- The video chosen should demonstrate knowledge of the source material as well as an eye for aesthetic design.

·      Attention to video genre- As we will discuss in class, there are many different sorts of assemblages. Your assemblage should adhere (or acknowledge) the conventions of an assemblage genre (i.e. supercut, mash-up, remix, etc.)/

·      Editing/design- Much of this course discusses media manipulation. Whenever you reappropriate a text, you are in a sense reediting it. Sequence, timing, filters, speed, and sound all matter a great deal.

The dialogue paper is a 1,600-2,000 word conversation between you, a critic, and an artist. The format of the conversation is up to you—it can be written as a play, a TV script, a talk show, a short story. Just keep in mind that like the assemblage genre, the genre of your dialogue also matters a great deal. As I am reading your dialogue, here is what I will be expecting:

·      At least three positions- The dialogue needs to contain at least three different parties with three distinct positions on your assemblage. Each should have his/her own voice. (Note: You can select critics/artists we have studied or you can find your own—either way you must identify their positions clearly.)

·      Critique- I realize you are not expert videographers. Any tweaks to the video or suggestions for further revision can be made through the characters’ dialogue.

·      Statements demonstrating familiarity with the subject- Yes, the characters are the ones talking, but you are crafting their conversation. What I am expecting to see is that you can identify the positions multiple parties would take on the media you created.

·      Reflection- Your ability to look back on your work and how this interacts with, adds to, or challenges the theories we’ve been working with should come through in the dialogue. Characters are capable of making statements of introspection that can reflect your sentiments.

While this project is more creative than most academic projects, I do expect to see a works cited page for all of your videos and any written texts that you might use in your dialogue. Videos can be shared via YouTube and dialogues will be submitted via Google Docs.

To help keep organized, I have divided the project up into parts, each with its own due date:

Proposal- A 300-400 word pitch for your idea should be turned in by Sept. 13. A good proposal will identify genre, audience, theme/topic, and some potential film clips.

Video catalog- Using screen capture technology you will need to collect 30-50 videos for an effective 2-3 minute video. By Sept. 20 I will expect to see a catalog of about 20-25 videos with some explanation of how they will be used (common tropes, themes, motifs, etc.).

Blog updates- At least twice during the project I will be asking you to post on your blog about your progress on the video and/or the paper. You are more than welcome—and certainly encouraged—to post more than that. Post drafts, ideas, comments, etc. As I grade the projects (and the blogs) this can only help you.

Dialogue outline- Also due on the 20^th is an outline of the written portion. This will include a character sketch of each of your three main characters with his/her stated position. Research should be evident. I will also expect to see (in bullet point form is fine) how the fictionalized conversation will progress. Remember, the conversation is not a stream of consciousness, but a purposefully written piece.

Drafts- Before Oct. 2, I will expect to see a rough draft of the dialogue paper as well as a rough cut of your video. These should be full-length pieces that need revision. You will use these drafts for solicit feedback from your peers and make the appropriate changes before the final draft is due.

Final Draft- A completed, final draft of both parts of this project is due by midnight of October 5^th. 

This is a lot of work, so make sure you keep up! This can also be a lot of fun—that also depends on if you’re keeping up with the workload. Keep to the due dates and things will go smoothly.