Spring 2010
Tuesdays 4:00Ð7:00 PM, SF Lab 130
Thursdays 4:00Ð7:00 PM, SF Lab 130
email contact: bhinton@cca.edu
web: www.brookhinton.com
Class Website: www.brookhinton.com/cca/ma2b
Media Arts 2: Post Production provides a thorough immersion in the use of digital post production tools and techniques for the creation of cinema, video art, installation, and other art forms that incorporate moving images and sound. Through in-class exercises and assigned projects, the course covers editing, sound design, effects, motion graphics, and related traditional and experimental processes. Intensive technical instruction is provided alongside a dynamic exploration of historical and contemporary techniques, aesthetics, and conceptual issues, within a supportive critical environment focused on the continued development of the studentÕs own work.
Students completing the course
should achieve the following:
An understanding of and capacity to effectively use and manipulate audio/visual grammar at an intermediate to advanced level in their work, achieved through direct work in their own projects as well as critical consideration of theories and practices.
An understanding of historical and contemporary critical, theoretical, and aesthetic issues surrounding editing and other post-production practices.
Technical proficiency in the use
and understanding of digital video and audio post production techniques.
Demonstrated ability to use a range of post-production strategies and techniques that facilitate production of compelling work in its most ideal and effective form.
Software
The primary software tool used for this course is Final Cut Pro Studio, with a primary focus on Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, and Compressor. Additional tools, such as After Effects and ProTools, will be used to supplement these where appropriate.
If you will be working primarily on your own system rather than CCAÕs workstations and studios, you will need, at a minimum, Final Cut Studio as well as the freeware and open source software used in class, including Celtx, Mpeg Streamclip, Perian, and VLC.
Reading Materials
No books or readers are required for this course. Lecture notes with attached readings will be posted as needed online.
USB and USB2 are not adequate for video editing purposes. Be careful when purchasing a drive as many drives include these interfaces and do not include firewire.
External hard drives require special handling, particularly when connecting and disconnecting. While some firewire drives last as long as 5 years or more, even the best brands will occasionally fail during the first year. While this is rare, remember that an external drive is not a substitute for backing up your project files to another storage medium.
NOTE: If you use source material that is not on tape Ð
e.g., footage from cameras that use hard drives, flash drives or P2/SDHC/Other
card based media, you should have either TWO media drives, as you will have no
tape backup for your media in the event of a drive failure or loss, or a full
set of card/disk-based media containing all of your footage. In most cases it
will be less expensive to use two external drives for storage and re-use your
capture media in the field.
Students who have not taken the first section of Media Arts 2 or who have not been trained on the Media Arts programÕs cameras, sound recording, and lighting equipment should make arrangements to be trained on the appropriate equipment in the Cage.
Many class sessions will begin promptly with screenings. The
work screened will often be the basis for a significant portion of class
discussions and exercises. It is essential that you arrive on time for class to
view these screenings. In addition to compromising your grade (see Attendance,
below), coming in late to screenings will compromise your ability to
effectively participate in the course. Screenings of short work will rarely
be announced in advance: do not assume that you can sneak in late during a
screening because you think youÕve seen the work being shown!
Your final grade will be
determined based on an equal weighting of your exams, assignments, and final
project. These will be scored on a 100 point scale and averaged:
Below 60 = F (fail)
60-69 = D (unsatisfactory
performance)
70-79 = C (satisfactory
performance)
80-89 = B (above average / notable
performance)
90-100 = A (excellent / superior
performance)
Your grade may be reduced based on
any of the following criteria:
Repeated, unexcused late arrival to class
Unexcused Absences
Coming to class sick
Late Assignments
Lack of meaningful participation in class activities and discussions.
Assignments and Due Dates
Detailed requirements for each assignment will be given in class. Additional reading or viewing assignments will be given to supplement lectures and class screenings.
Found Footage/Montage Project
Written Editorial Analysis Project
Final Project Proposals
Midterm Exam
Take-home exam provided
February 23, due via upload by midnight March 1
Sound and Motion Project
File copy handed in (via disk, tape, or upload) and work
screened in class March 9
Final Project Rough Cuts
Final Presentations
Final Exam
Final Media Materials and Written Statement due In-Class April 29