Back to Nanoramas

CINEMATIC MULTIMEDIA • CFV 426
Grand Valley State University
Winter 2009
Professor Jennifer Proctor  

*Please treat emails as professional communication, including a salutation, proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.   

Required Texts:
Manovich, Lev, The Language of New Media, MIT Press: Cambridge, ISBN:9780262632553
Assigned tutorials on Lynda.com
Additional readings posted to Blackboard as assigned

 

Course Description 

As moving-image technology shifts, so do the possibilities for storytelling and creative expression.  This course will focus on expanding conceptual and technical skills in emerging forms of cinema, such as interactive narrative, collage, and database cinema, with a special focus on online video and the opportunities presented by online cinema.  While this course will implement several kinds of software and interfaces, the emphasis is on the conceptual and creative implications of these tools, and on innovating new forms, ideas, and stories as a result of their implementation.  In addition, throughout the course we will interrogate the notions of “new media” and “cinema” in an effort to arrive at our own working definitions of these concepts.

Important Note

Some of the programs we will use in this course, especially AfterEffects, can have a steep learning curve.  However, the end results are very rewarding, and will benefit you outside of your college career.  You will be expected to spend time practicing with these tools on your own, outside of the assignments asked of you, to achieve proficiency.  Your own initiative in learning will be essential.

Grading Breakdown

Exercises (in-class and at home)                                    10%

Quizzes                                                                            5%

Report                                                                            10%

Assignment #1: Remix/Mashup                                     15%

Assignment #2: Interactive video                                   15%

Assignment #3: Collage                                                 15%

Final Project                                                                   20%

Participation                                                                   10%

TOTAL:  100 points

*Please note that while I am happy to discuss your grade, my policy is that you must wait 24 hours after receiving a graded assignment back before approaching me with questions or concerns.

 

PROPOSED SCHEDULE

(subject to change – student is responsible for keeping up with any changes)

WEEK ONE
1/6
What is Cinematic Multimedia?
Introductions, computer logins
Skills survey

1/8 Screen examples of cinematic multimedia and discuss. Introduce vocabulary.
Discuss blogs and Blogger.
Assign exercise: Blogger webpage

WEEK TWO
1/13
Begin Compressor tutorials on lynda.com
Introduction to online video tools: Blogger, video hosting, feeds

1/15
Create account on video host of your choice and submit URL
Video compression for the web - Quicktime
Remix/mashup – goals, meanings, watch examples
Assignment #1: Remix/mashup

WEEK THREE
1/20
Exercise: Blogger webpage with compressed and embedded video post due.
Complete Compressor tutorials.
Read: “Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video” (Blackboard)
Video compression for the web – Compressor
Copyright and fair use on the web

1/22
Video compressed using Compressor due on blog
Read: Manovich, Ch. 1
Discuss reading
More on remix/mashup
Enhancing your blog/stats

WEEK FOUR
1/27
In-class edit day/troubleshooting

1/29
Assignment #1: Remix/Mashup due
Screen and discuss examples of interactive and multi-channel video
Assignment #2: Interactive video

WEEK FIVE
2/3
Begin Final Cut Pro tutorials on lynda.com
Read: Manovich Ch. 3
Discuss reading
Interactive Video Assignment: Concept Development

2/5
Continue FCP tutorials
Interactive Video Assignment: Pitches
Assignment #1 Critique Discussion

WEEK SIX
2/10
Continue FCP tutorials Final Cut Tips and Tricks
Creating mattes in Photoshop
In-class work day

2/12 Complete FCP tutorials
Interactive Video rough cuts:
View and Critique

WEEK SEVEN
2/17
Rough cuts continued
In-class edit day/troubleshooting
Assign multimedia report

2/19
Assignment #2: Interactive video due
Screen examples of collage and discuss
Assignment #3: Collage

WEEK EIGHT
2/24
Begin AfterEffects tutorials on lynda.com
Read: Manovich Ch. 4
Discuss reading
Assignment #3: Collage
View collage examples

2/26
Continue AfterEffects tutorials
Multimedia reports due
Assignment #2 critique discussion
Share reports/discuss findings

MARCH 1 - 8 ::: SPRING BREAK ::: NO CLASS

WEEK TEN
3/10
Continue AfterEffects tutorials
Assignment #3 proposal due
In-class AfterEffects exercise

3/12
Continue AfterEffects tutorials
Net neutrality, regulation of the internet, and Freedom of Speech

WEEK ELEVEN
3/17
Continue AfterEffects tutorials
In-class AfterEffects exercise

3/19
Read: Manovich Ch. 5
View rough cuts
Discuss reading
Assign Final Project
Assign kinetic typography tutorial

WEEK TWELVE
3/24
Continue AfterEffects tutorials
Continue rough cuts
In-class edit day/troubleshooting

3/26
Assignment #3: Collage due
In-class exercise: TBA

WEEK THIRTEEN
3/31
Continue AfterEffects tutorials Assignment #3 critique discussion
Final Project proposals due
Guest speaker Andy Dragt

4/2
Guest speakers: David Wenzel and Santino Stoner from Dot + Cross

WEEK FOURTEEN
4/7
Complete AfterEffects tutorials
Read: Manovich Ch. 6
Discuss readings
So what is new media? What is cinema?

4/9
In-class work day

WEEK FIFTEEN
4/14
Rough cuts/In-class work day

4/16
Rough cuts
Introduction to Mogulus/ live video switching

WEEK SIXTEEN
Tues
4/21 at 4pm
FINAL PROJECTS DUE
Comment on others’ final projects

Thurs
4/23
4 – 5:50 Projects uploaded to Mogulus DUE
Online screening via Mogulus