LAB 13: View Final Projects
Section 007:
Kimberly & Myles
Andrew
Steve
Alana & Leslie
Naiche & Asmaa
Mikhail & Nicholas
Aamir & Edgar
Amabell
Section 008:
Anna & Larissa
Amanda, Chris, Adam
Matthew
Rose & Kevin
Suvo, Isabel, & Amanda
Kitty & Tumpa
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Friday, December 5, 2014
LAB 12: Wrap Up Project #3
Project 3 Grading:
When submitting your projects, please write a brief description of the production process and clarify the crew roles. Who came up with the idea, shot the video, who edited, etc. This is the criteria I will be grading you on.
Blogs:
There are 4 blogs due for this class. They are:
1. Artist Statement
2. What I Hear
3. MOMI/Codes & Modes* Reflections
*DOC NYC or Nam June Paik can be used as alternates
All late blogs DUE by next lecture. No excuses!
4. Editing Analysis - DUE Next Lab
Pick a 2 minute film scene to analyze. Discuss the relationship of the image to the soundtrack, and the relationship of each shot to the other. How is the scene edited? What role does the sound or music play? What is the overall meaning/feeling conveyed? Blog = 250+ words
Final Exam: December 17th @ 7PM
The exam is cumulative! It will cover topics/content from entire semester. 60% will be on lectures post sound quiz, 40% will cover rest of semester. Study both lecture notes and the text book.
Project 3 Grading:
When submitting your projects, please write a brief description of the production process and clarify the crew roles. Who came up with the idea, shot the video, who edited, etc. This is the criteria I will be grading you on.
Blogs:
There are 4 blogs due for this class. They are:
1. Artist Statement
2. What I Hear
3. MOMI/Codes & Modes* Reflections
*DOC NYC or Nam June Paik can be used as alternates
All late blogs DUE by next lecture. No excuses!
4. Editing Analysis - DUE Next Lab
Pick a 2 minute film scene to analyze. Discuss the relationship of the image to the soundtrack, and the relationship of each shot to the other. How is the scene edited? What role does the sound or music play? What is the overall meaning/feeling conveyed? Blog = 250+ words
Final Exam: December 17th @ 7PM
The exam is cumulative! It will cover topics/content from entire semester. 60% will be on lectures post sound quiz, 40% will cover rest of semester. Study both lecture notes and the text book.
Friday, November 14, 2014
LAB 10: Project 3 Overview / New cameras / Audio Project Review
1. Quiz Check-in: Grades higher overall
2. Blog Check-in: Please submit any missing blogs (post them on your site) by next Wednesday! They include:
3. Project 3 Check-in:
1. A 2 - 3 person interaction
2. Moving a character through space as they complete a task
3. A chase/follow or meeting sequence
If documentary, you must create a 2 - 3 minute portrait of a person or group, employing interviews and creative visuals.
Due NEXT WEDNESDAY via email:
Your storyboards and story outlines/synopsis if you will be working on a narrative, or your proposal and interview questions if working on a documentary.
Media 160 Examples:
Costume Shop
It's All About the Game
Bathroom Impossible
Other Examples:
Ronnie
Nelson
Boomerang
4. Sony Alpha 3000 Overview
1920 x 1080 @ 60 fps (TV or documentary look; can be slowed down in post to create slow motion effect)
1920 x 1080 @ 24 fps (film look)
1. Quiz Check-in: Grades higher overall
2. Blog Check-in: Please submit any missing blogs (post them on your site) by next Wednesday! They include:
- What I Hear
- MOMI Trip OR Codes & Modes Conference
- Codes & Modes Conference
- Nam June Paik Retrospective
- DOC NYC
3. Project 3 Check-in:
- Partners?
- Narrative OR Documentary?
- Equipment?
- Actors/Extras?
- Locations?
1. A 2 - 3 person interaction
2. Moving a character through space as they complete a task
3. A chase/follow or meeting sequence
If documentary, you must create a 2 - 3 minute portrait of a person or group, employing interviews and creative visuals.
Due NEXT WEDNESDAY via email:
Your storyboards and story outlines/synopsis if you will be working on a narrative, or your proposal and interview questions if working on a documentary.
Media 160 Examples:
Costume Shop
It's All About the Game
Bathroom Impossible
Other Examples:
Ronnie
Nelson
Boomerang
4. Sony Alpha 3000 Overview
- Format Memory Card
- Select Manual Setting
- Select Frame Rate & Aspect Ratio
1920 x 1080 @ 60 fps (TV or documentary look; can be slowed down in post to create slow motion effect)
1920 x 1080 @ 24 fps (film look)
- Set Shutter Speed
- Set ISO
- Set Aperture (F-stop)
- Set White Balance
- What did you learn?
- What surprised you?
- What would you do differently?
Saturday, November 1, 2014
LAB 9: Finish Up Audio Interviews
Your audio interviews are due by the end of lab. Please have your interviews edited and uploaded so that we can begin listening to them in the last 30 minutes of class.
To upload your interviews, please create a Soundcloud account. When you are ready to export your interview from FCE or the program you are using, please follow these steps:
Exporting your audio project
If you have any questions about your edit, I will be walking around and listening / providing feedback to your cuts.
Blog 3 is due beginning of LAB 10!
Your audio interviews are due by the end of lab. Please have your interviews edited and uploaded so that we can begin listening to them in the last 30 minutes of class.
To upload your interviews, please create a Soundcloud account. When you are ready to export your interview from FCE or the program you are using, please follow these steps:
Exporting your audio project
1. Select your IN and OUT points
2. FILE > EXPORT > AUDIO TO AIFF
3. In iTUNES, Import your exported AIFF file to the library
4. CONTROL CLICK on your AIFF file in the library and CONVERT TO MP3
5. Start a Soundcloud account and upload your project to it
6. Put a link to the soundcloud file on your blog so that I can grade it
2. FILE > EXPORT > AUDIO TO AIFF
3. In iTUNES, Import your exported AIFF file to the library
4. CONTROL CLICK on your AIFF file in the library and CONVERT TO MP3
5. Start a Soundcloud account and upload your project to it
6. Put a link to the soundcloud file on your blog so that I can grade it
If you have any questions about your edit, I will be walking around and listening / providing feedback to your cuts.
Blog 3 is due beginning of LAB 10!
Friday, October 31, 2014
LAB 8: Continue Editing Audio Interview
Announcement: Quiz Two on November 12!
The second quiz will be during the first half hour of lecture 10 on November 12. We will go over what you should look at on November 5.
The quiz will be based on the sound lectures, numbers 5, 6, and 7. You should review your notes. And be sure to go over the following parts of the V&V book: Chap 15 pp 329 to 339. and pp 345 – 350. Also Chap 22 p 471-481, Chap 23 491-501.
Free Resources:
Announcement: Quiz Two on November 12!
The second quiz will be during the first half hour of lecture 10 on November 12. We will go over what you should look at on November 5.
The quiz will be based on the sound lectures, numbers 5, 6, and 7. You should review your notes. And be sure to go over the following parts of the V&V book: Chap 15 pp 329 to 339. and pp 345 – 350. Also Chap 22 p 471-481, Chap 23 491-501.
***
The soundwalk: Share your story and experience
- Where did you go?
- Why did you choose this location?
- What did you hear?
- How was this experience (the soundwalk) different from a regular stroll?
***
Audio editing tips:
1. Pay attention to your levels! Ensure that your sound levels fall between the -20 to -12 range on the audio meters.
2. If using music, special effects, or ambient sound on top of your interview ensure that the sounds do not drown it out
3. Use music effectively and sparingly. Try to avoid wall to wall music or effects.
4. If working with MP3 sound files (audio interview, music, effects, etc.), convert them to AIFF files. FCP works best with AIFF. MP3 files can cause clicking and popping sounds, will need to be rendered, and may experience drifting synch during playback. You can convert MP3 files in multiple ways, including using:
- MPEG Streamclip
- Final Cut
- Compressor
- iTunes
Free Resources:
***
Next Week: Interviews & Blog 3 due at beginning of class! Please post your blog and project prior to class. We will discuss your blogs and listen to interviews during lab.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
DUE LAB 8: Blog Assignment 2: “What I Hear”
This exercise has two parts.
Part 1. The Soundwalk
Spend an hour doing a “soundwalk” around a particular neighborhood in NYC.
“Soundwalk” is a term invented by R. Murray Shafer, a musician and professor at Simon Fraser University. Shafer noticed in working with his music students that most of them couldn't remember even five sounds they had heard earlier that day. He created the soundwalk, a kind of walking meditation, as an “ear cleaning exercise,” a way to increase sonic awareness.
In An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson writes, “In order to listen we must stop, or at least slow down – physically and psychologically. We need to try to be human beings, instead of “human doings.” So – during your sound walk, do not answer your phone, text, browse, read or do anything but be, and listen.
The goal of this exercise is to “open your ears”... New York offers a rich sound environment. Close your eyes and listen.
Part 2. The Blog
What is the texture of the sound? What are the specific instruments in the city symphony? What sounds are clues to a specific neighborhood? A different time of day? What are sounds that are unique or meaningful to you? Just unexpected?
Some of Shafer's terminology might be useful to you in writing about your experience on the soundwalk:
Keynotes: background sounds
Sound Signals: foreground sounds that attract attention, often intentionally..
Soundmarks: sounds particularly regarded by a community or its visitors (analogous tovisual “landmarks.”)
This exercise has two parts.
Part 1. The Soundwalk
Spend an hour doing a “soundwalk” around a particular neighborhood in NYC.
“Soundwalk” is a term invented by R. Murray Shafer, a musician and professor at Simon Fraser University. Shafer noticed in working with his music students that most of them couldn't remember even five sounds they had heard earlier that day. He created the soundwalk, a kind of walking meditation, as an “ear cleaning exercise,” a way to increase sonic awareness.
In An Introduction to Acoustic Ecology, Kendall Wrightson writes, “In order to listen we must stop, or at least slow down – physically and psychologically. We need to try to be human beings, instead of “human doings.” So – during your sound walk, do not answer your phone, text, browse, read or do anything but be, and listen.
The goal of this exercise is to “open your ears”... New York offers a rich sound environment. Close your eyes and listen.
Part 2. The Blog
What is the texture of the sound? What are the specific instruments in the city symphony? What sounds are clues to a specific neighborhood? A different time of day? What are sounds that are unique or meaningful to you? Just unexpected?
Some of Shafer's terminology might be useful to you in writing about your experience on the soundwalk:
Keynotes: background sounds
Sound Signals: foreground sounds that attract attention, often intentionally..
Soundmarks: sounds particularly regarded by a community or its visitors (analogous tovisual “landmarks.”)
Friday, October 24, 2014
LAB 7: Recording the audio interview
Audio Inspiration:
True Love's First Miss (well, near miss) (from cowbird.com)
The Ladie's Man (from New York Times One in 8 Million)
Today we will record our audio interviews. If you have already recorded yours, or if you wrap up your recording prior to end of class, you can begin to edit your project.
Those students who are without a partner, will be placed with a partner or in a group of three.
Interview tips:
1. Find a quiet space for your interview
2. Listen with your headphones to hear possible interference or unwanted noise
3. Set your recording audio levels!
4. Test record to ensure you are recording properly and getting good sound.
5. Have a list of pre-interview questions ready, but do not solely rely on them to get the best story our of your interviewee.
6. During the interview, make eye contact and actively listen!
7. Ask follow-up questions.
8. Plan out your ending. Think about how you want to wrap up your interview for your edited project. Consider asking your interviewee if they have anything else they want to add or say.
Story Corps' Great Questions for Anyone:
1. Who has been the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
2. What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest?
3. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
4. Who has been the kindest to you in your life?
5. What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
6. What is your earliest memory?
7. What is your favorite memory?
8. Are there any funny stories your family tells about you that come to mind?
9. Are there any funny stories or memories or characters from your life that you want to tell me about?
10. What are you proudest of?
11. When in life have you felt most alone?
12. If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, what would that be?
13. How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
14. How would you like to be remembered?
15. Do you have any regrets?
16. What does your future hold?
Extra credit opportunity:
Taking place from 11/7 - 11/9 at Hunter College, the conference brings together scholars, makers, curators, and educators in an interrogation of contemporary documentary culture. All program details can be found using the link above. You may attend one panel or screening and write a 250 word blog on your experience and takeaways for extra credit OR if you will be missing the trip to The Museum of the Moving Image on 10/29.
Audio Inspiration:
True Love's First Miss (well, near miss) (from cowbird.com)
The Ladie's Man (from New York Times One in 8 Million)
Today we will record our audio interviews. If you have already recorded yours, or if you wrap up your recording prior to end of class, you can begin to edit your project.
Those students who are without a partner, will be placed with a partner or in a group of three.
Interview tips:
1. Find a quiet space for your interview
2. Listen with your headphones to hear possible interference or unwanted noise
3. Set your recording audio levels!
4. Test record to ensure you are recording properly and getting good sound.
5. Have a list of pre-interview questions ready, but do not solely rely on them to get the best story our of your interviewee.
6. During the interview, make eye contact and actively listen!
7. Ask follow-up questions.
8. Plan out your ending. Think about how you want to wrap up your interview for your edited project. Consider asking your interviewee if they have anything else they want to add or say.
Story Corps' Great Questions for Anyone:
1. Who has been the most important person in your life? Can you tell me about him or her?
2. What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest?
3. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
4. Who has been the kindest to you in your life?
5. What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
6. What is your earliest memory?
7. What is your favorite memory?
8. Are there any funny stories your family tells about you that come to mind?
9. Are there any funny stories or memories or characters from your life that you want to tell me about?
10. What are you proudest of?
11. When in life have you felt most alone?
12. If you could hold on to one memory from your life forever, what would that be?
13. How has your life been different than what you’d imagined?
14. How would you like to be remembered?
15. Do you have any regrets?
16. What does your future hold?
Extra credit opportunity:
Taking place from 11/7 - 11/9 at Hunter College, the conference brings together scholars, makers, curators, and educators in an interrogation of contemporary documentary culture. All program details can be found using the link above. You may attend one panel or screening and write a 250 word blog on your experience and takeaways for extra credit OR if you will be missing the trip to The Museum of the Moving Image on 10/29.
Friday, October 17, 2014
LAB 6: INTRO TO AUDIO
Audio stories:
http://storycorps.org/listen/annie-perasa-update/
https://soundcloud.com/jay-brunson-1/of-iceland-things
How to get good, clean sound
1. Choose a quiet space to record your audio/interview, preferably with no hum or consistent noise like an AC or generator.
2. Choose a space that does not echo like an open staircase. A classroom may work well.
3. Listen with your headphones! This will help you determine the quality of the space.
4. Determine your subject's audio levels. This requires you to "test" their levels by asking them to say something in their natural voice while you look at your Zoom recorder to see if they are too loud or too soft (peaking past -20dB or lower than -20dB). Based on their loudness, you can then set the Zoom record levels.
5. Test record! Do this to ensure you are recording properly and getting sound when you play back.
6. Record your interview!
7. Don't forget to record room tone!
Types of Questions (adapted from Laura Hadden)
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
*elicit more detailed, nuanced responses [Tell me about your favorite sound...].
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
*help you to get more information about a previous answer [Why do you like this sound in particular? OR What is it about the sound that makes it so appealing for you?].
*help to clarify or explain an answer that isn’t clear.
CLOSED QUESTIONS
*elicit yes or no responses, or one word answers [What's your favorite color?...Green.].
*ask the subject of the interview to remember something specific, but don’t usually help us to get full, complete answers.
LEADING QUESTIONS
*contain the opinion or assumption of the interviewer within the question.
*may sway the answer of the interviewee, because they think you want to hear a certain answer.
*an example of a leading question is: “You were in Boston last week, weren't you?” As opposed to, "Can you tell me if you traveled to Boston last week?"
LOADED QUESTIONS
*assume or imply some fact
*like leading questions, they may not elicit a neutral answer
*a loaded question can be "So, you still don't like eating apples?"
*a better alternative would be "How do you feel about eating apples?"
DOUBLE BARRELED QUESTIONS
*contain two questions in one and may confuse the interviewee.
*an example of a double barreled question is: “When did you move to New York and where do you live now?
*it’s better to ask two separate questions: First ask, “Can you tell me when you moved to NYC?” After that question is answered, you can ask, “Where do you live now?”
EITHER/OR QUESTIONS
*allow the interviewee only two options for answering a question.
*an example of an Either-Or question is: “Which is your favorite kind of music, Hip Hop or Rock?”
*it’s better to ask, “What is your favorite kind of music?” because the answer might be Classical!
Other audio resources:
NPR.org and PRI.org - Radio news outlets that often contains great, documentary type stories and interviews
Transom.org – Great technical & creative resources for producers of audio/radio
Interviewers on Interviewing – A YouTube Playlist curated by Transom
PRX – Great library of public radio projects
Cowbird.com - Great, community generated multi-media stories
StoryCorps.org - Check out their great questions list!
Next week in lab: We will record project 2. Please come prepared with your question list and headphones for your interviews.
Audio stories:
http://storycorps.org/listen/annie-perasa-update/
https://soundcloud.com/jay-brunson-1/of-iceland-things
How to get good, clean sound
1. Choose a quiet space to record your audio/interview, preferably with no hum or consistent noise like an AC or generator.
2. Choose a space that does not echo like an open staircase. A classroom may work well.
3. Listen with your headphones! This will help you determine the quality of the space.
4. Determine your subject's audio levels. This requires you to "test" their levels by asking them to say something in their natural voice while you look at your Zoom recorder to see if they are too loud or too soft (peaking past -20dB or lower than -20dB). Based on their loudness, you can then set the Zoom record levels.
5. Test record! Do this to ensure you are recording properly and getting sound when you play back.
6. Record your interview!
7. Don't forget to record room tone!
Types of Questions (adapted from Laura Hadden)
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
*elicit more detailed, nuanced responses [Tell me about your favorite sound...].
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
*help you to get more information about a previous answer [Why do you like this sound in particular? OR What is it about the sound that makes it so appealing for you?].
*help to clarify or explain an answer that isn’t clear.
CLOSED QUESTIONS
*elicit yes or no responses, or one word answers [What's your favorite color?...Green.].
*ask the subject of the interview to remember something specific, but don’t usually help us to get full, complete answers.
LEADING QUESTIONS
*contain the opinion or assumption of the interviewer within the question.
*may sway the answer of the interviewee, because they think you want to hear a certain answer.
*an example of a leading question is: “You were in Boston last week, weren't you?” As opposed to, "Can you tell me if you traveled to Boston last week?"
LOADED QUESTIONS
*assume or imply some fact
*like leading questions, they may not elicit a neutral answer
*a loaded question can be "So, you still don't like eating apples?"
*a better alternative would be "How do you feel about eating apples?"
DOUBLE BARRELED QUESTIONS
*contain two questions in one and may confuse the interviewee.
*an example of a double barreled question is: “When did you move to New York and where do you live now?
*it’s better to ask two separate questions: First ask, “Can you tell me when you moved to NYC?” After that question is answered, you can ask, “Where do you live now?”
EITHER/OR QUESTIONS
*allow the interviewee only two options for answering a question.
*an example of an Either-Or question is: “Which is your favorite kind of music, Hip Hop or Rock?”
*it’s better to ask, “What is your favorite kind of music?” because the answer might be Classical!
Other audio resources:
NPR.org and PRI.org - Radio news outlets that often contains great, documentary type stories and interviews
Transom.org – Great technical & creative resources for producers of audio/radio
Interviewers on Interviewing – A YouTube Playlist curated by Transom
PRX – Great library of public radio projects
Cowbird.com - Great, community generated multi-media stories
StoryCorps.org - Check out their great questions list!
Next week in lab: We will record project 2. Please come prepared with your question list and headphones for your interviews.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
LAB 5: Screening/Reviewing Project 1
Hi everyone! In preparation for Saturday lab, please read and follow the below instructions. I look forward to seeing your work...
If you are having any issues with your edit, please try to have a cut you feel comfortable showing in class. I will try to help you troubleshoot issues at the beginning of class. If you come early, that would be best.
During the second half of class, we will screen everyone's projects and allow for feedback and comments. Come prepared to talk about your project and your aesthetic choices. I would encourage each of you to post an accompanying paragraph on your blog explaining your choices along with your finished video.
Please note that I encourage constructive criticism. Since this is our first assignment, let's use it as a stepping stone to measure our progress at the end of the semester.
By now, everyone should have created either a Vimeo or YouTube account to upload their projects. If you have a Gmail account, your YouTube account will be connected to it. A free account should suffice for this class.
Finally, if you are finished with your project, then you can move on to exporting it for upload. This link provides you with the proper export settings for hosting your video on line. These settings should also work for YouTube. Please note that we will also cover this process in class. When exporting from FCP, you will want to follow these steps: File > Export > Using Media Conversion > Choose your settings according to the Vimeo tutorial.
Hi everyone! In preparation for Saturday lab, please read and follow the below instructions. I look forward to seeing your work...
If you are having any issues with your edit, please try to have a cut you feel comfortable showing in class. I will try to help you troubleshoot issues at the beginning of class. If you come early, that would be best.
During the second half of class, we will screen everyone's projects and allow for feedback and comments. Come prepared to talk about your project and your aesthetic choices. I would encourage each of you to post an accompanying paragraph on your blog explaining your choices along with your finished video.
Please note that I encourage constructive criticism. Since this is our first assignment, let's use it as a stepping stone to measure our progress at the end of the semester.
By now, everyone should have created either a Vimeo or YouTube account to upload their projects. If you have a Gmail account, your YouTube account will be connected to it. A free account should suffice for this class.
Finally, if you are finished with your project, then you can move on to exporting it for upload. This link provides you with the proper export settings for hosting your video on line. These settings should also work for YouTube. Please note that we will also cover this process in class. When exporting from FCP, you will want to follow these steps: File > Export > Using Media Conversion > Choose your settings according to the Vimeo tutorial.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
ASSIGNMENT ONE: Define Your Space
For this assignment you are required to “define a space” somewhere at
Hunter College or nearby by recording 10 shots on your camcorders. For this assignment we will not use the synch “natural” sound from the camera.
Space is defined as much by how people interact with it as by how it looks. Spaces look different from different angles, and with different focal lengths. So think hard about the feeling of the space you've chosen. Is it cramped or open? Speedy or relaxed? Glaring or murky? Devise a strategy to capture that feeling.
Things to keep in mind:
--What kinds of shots and camera angles will you use?
--What kind of movement will you use, tilt, pan, tracking shot?
--How do the shots juxtapose and work with one another?
Once you are done shooting, return to class, download the clips to each partner’s USB drive. Time permitting, we will screen your shots in class.
Space is defined as much by how people interact with it as by how it looks. Spaces look different from different angles, and with different focal lengths. So think hard about the feeling of the space you've chosen. Is it cramped or open? Speedy or relaxed? Glaring or murky? Devise a strategy to capture that feeling.
Consider using an overriding theme:
reflections, the city, seasons, shadows,
voyeurism, and interaction. Think also
of the built environment: machinery, signage, architectural anomalies. Finally another approach is to give your
work dynamism by thinking in terms of polarities of public/private,
interior/exterior, hot/cold, light/dark.
Today:
--Working in pairs/teams, select a space outside of the classroom to film/expressively define through the camera.
--Create a shot list with your partner! Here is a template.
--Once in your location, take turns shooting!
Today:
--Working in pairs/teams, select a space outside of the classroom to film/expressively define through the camera.
--Create a shot list with your partner! Here is a template.
--Once in your location, take turns shooting!
Things to keep in mind:
--What kinds of shots and camera angles will you use?
--What kind of movement will you use, tilt, pan, tracking shot?
--How do the shots juxtapose and work with one another?
Once you are done shooting, return to class, download the clips to each partner’s USB drive. Time permitting, we will screen your shots in class.
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Lab 5
Friday, September 12, 2014
Lecture 2 Review
Key Terms/Concepts:
- Short-range apparent motion
- Early moving picture experiments = Thaumatrope, Zoetrope
- First movie cameras:
- Frame Rate = the number of frames per second of film
- Double system sound
- The "guts" of a film camera
- Anatomy of raw film stock
- Advent of Television and the Cathode Ray Tube
- Broadcast Vs. Taped Television
- Resolution
- Aspect Ratio = ration of width of film frame to its height
- Interlaced Scanning Vs. Progressive Scanning
- Early digital video formats and cameras
- DV camera body
- Film 24fps
- Video 30fps (29.97)
Resolution & Aspect Ratios:
- SD: 480 x 640; 4:3
- HD: 720 x 1280; 16:9 AND 1080 x 1920; 16:9
INTRO TO ARRI-S 16MM FILM CAMERA
Learn more about the camera by reading the manual here.
Learn how to load the camera here.
INTRO TO CANON FS10 CAMERA
P or Program AE (Automatic Exposure): On this setting, the camcorder automatically adjusts the aperture (the size of the hole through which light travels) and the shutter speed (the amount of time a single frame is exposed to light) to obtain the optimal exposure (the quantity of light) for the subject. This is the setting we will be using in class.
TV or Shutter Priority AE: Allows you to set the shutter speed
value and the camcorder automatically sets the appropriate aperture
value. Generally, we won't be changing the shutter speed value in film
unless we are attempting a special effect. You can use faster shutter
speeds to record subjects moving quickly, use slower shutter speeds to
add motion blur.
Exposure: An image can be underexposed (not enough light) or overexposed (too much light). To
manually change exposure, press “SET” and then the arrow down until you
find “EXP”, adjust the brightness left to right. Then press set again.
Manual Focus: Highly recommended and works best on cameras and lenses that allow for manual focus. Camcorders are not built to achieve the best manual focus which can at times be tricky to set, unless you are recording a stationary subject.
Autofocus might not work well on:
-Reflective surfaces
-Subjects with low contrast or without vertical lines
-Fast moving subjects
-Through wet windows
-Night scenes
To adjust focus manually, press “[SET]” button, scroll to “[FOCUS]”, adjust focus left to right. Press SET to lock focus or press arrow up to return to autofocus. To reset, press SET and go back to [FOCUS].
You can use "infinity focus" to focus on faraway subjects (mountains, fireworks). Go back to [FOCUS] and hold it until an infinity loop appears.
White Balance: The white balance function helps you to accurately reproduce colors under different lighting conditions so that white objects will always look truly white in your recordings. You can select [AUTO], [DAYLIGHT], [TUNGSTEN] (for fluorescent lighting) or you can set it yourself!
[FUNCTION] > [SET] > Point the camcorder at a white object, preferably a clean, matte white sheet of paper, zoom into the paper until it fills the whole screen and press [SET]. Wait for the WB icon to stop flashing and stay set. It will keep this white balance setting even if you turn of the camcorder. You MUST reset WB for each environment as you experience lighting changes. Press [FUNCTION] and close menu.
***NEXT WEEK: Bring USB drives to class! We will shoot and transfer footage***
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Lab 2: IN-CLASS CAMERA EXERCISE
Find a partner. Brainstorm with your partner to find a location at Hunter with an activity going on that you can spend a while shooting OR find several locations around Hunter where you can execute the below shot list. Each shot should last between 5-10 seconds. Try and have each of your shots tell (part of) a story, even if it’s a very simple one.
NOTE: You may want to ask permission before beginning to film, depending on what you’re shooting.
TIP: Use a wide angle lens focal length for this exercise!
1. Shoot the activity from at least three very different points of view (various framings, camera angles, etc.).
2. A shot where you zoom in to emphasize an important detail, or zoom out to reveal the context of a specific object.
3. A shot with depth in the frame: foreground, middle and background.
4. A shot where the frame stays still but there is movement within the frame.
5. A camera move that has clear beginning, middle and end destinations for your camera. It is best to find out where the shot will end before you start shooting.
6. The same subject shot with a long lens and a wide lens.
7. If possible with your chosen activity, a shot where you are tracking with a moving subject, maintaining the same distance from the subject. (Be careful doing this one, please use a cooperative subject and rehearse the move). If you can’t do this shot in a way that relates to your chosen activity, just do it separately with a classmate.
Here is an example of the exercise done by a former student.
You should consider and use this exercise as a dry run for your first class project "Define a Space: Hunter College". If you feel conflicted/tortured by the idea of filming in and around Hunter, you may want to read about and watch Jorgen Leth and Lars Von Trier's The Five Obstructions for inspiration and encouragement.
Some inspiration:
Goodfellas tracking shot
Do The Right Thing canted angles
North by Northwest crop duster scene
Rear Window opening sequence
Saturday, September 6, 2014
As we move toward our first camera exercise which asks you to explore a space in and around Hunter College, I wanted to share some works of inspiration with you. Please feel free to send me any other relevant works you like so that we can share with the class.
Romantzo by Iva Radivojevic
Mixba (Mish-Ba)
Pruitt Igoe excerpt from Koyaanisqatsi, Godfrey Reggio
Subway Ballet by Joshua Weinstein
Oh Summer by Benjamin Dowie
Prime by Ben Wu and David Usui
Byun by Ben Wu and David Usui
Also, here are two recommendations from fellow student Chris Trano:
The Sandpit
I Got U
Former MEDP160 student work:
Serenity by Abdul Hashim
Romantzo by Iva Radivojevic
Mixba (Mish-Ba)
Pruitt Igoe excerpt from Koyaanisqatsi, Godfrey Reggio
Subway Ballet by Joshua Weinstein
Oh Summer by Benjamin Dowie
Prime by Ben Wu and David Usui
Byun by Ben Wu and David Usui
Also, here are two recommendations from fellow student Chris Trano:
The Sandpit
I Got U
Former MEDP160 student work:
Serenity by Abdul Hashim
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Blog Assignment 1: Artist Statement
Length: 250 Words
Due: Lab 2
This short statement is to help you and your audience get an initial glimpse of the media maker behind the work. It is an important part both of thinking about yourself as a creator, a producer of ideas, images and more, and of getting the word out about your work.
You should think about your personal motivation as well as about the medium in which you work (or in which you hope to work!) and your background.
Where do your curiosities lie? What have you studied that interests you? What experiences have helped shape your worldview? Try to be specific.
What about influences? Are there certain artists or filmmakers that you admire or appreciate?
Most importantly, think not only about "what you're interested in," but about why something interests you, and about what you're trying to say with your work. What are you truly passionate about? What truths about the world are you trying to express? In other words, it's not enough to say, "I'm interested in Hip Hop." Rather, dig into what Hip Hop might express that you identify with: "I'm interested in showing that Hip Hop lies at the heart of understanding the deep inner inspirations of urban youth in the early 21st century."
For inspiration, here are a few artist statements you can look at:
http://artiststatements.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/claes-oldenburg-i-am-for-an-art/
https://filmproduction160.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/artist-statement-2/
http://www.ambriente.com/about.html
Here are some statement from your fellow Fall 2014 peers:
Naiche Parker http://naichelizzette.tumblr.com/
Zheng Jie Lin http://traviscantaffordink.blogspot.com/
Andrew Kimler http://andrewkimlermedia160.blogspot.com/
Kevin Venkatesh http://kevinvenkatesh.blogspot.com/
Chris Trano http://tranomedia.blogspot.com/
Due: Lab 2
This short statement is to help you and your audience get an initial glimpse of the media maker behind the work. It is an important part both of thinking about yourself as a creator, a producer of ideas, images and more, and of getting the word out about your work.
You should think about your personal motivation as well as about the medium in which you work (or in which you hope to work!) and your background.
Where do your curiosities lie? What have you studied that interests you? What experiences have helped shape your worldview? Try to be specific.
What about influences? Are there certain artists or filmmakers that you admire or appreciate?
Most importantly, think not only about "what you're interested in," but about why something interests you, and about what you're trying to say with your work. What are you truly passionate about? What truths about the world are you trying to express? In other words, it's not enough to say, "I'm interested in Hip Hop." Rather, dig into what Hip Hop might express that you identify with: "I'm interested in showing that Hip Hop lies at the heart of understanding the deep inner inspirations of urban youth in the early 21st century."
For inspiration, here are a few artist statements you can look at:
http://artiststatements.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/claes-oldenburg-i-am-for-an-art/
https://filmproduction160.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/artist-statement-2/
http://www.ambriente.com/about.html
Here are some statement from your fellow Fall 2014 peers:
Naiche Parker http://naichelizzette.tumblr.com/
Zheng Jie Lin http://traviscantaffordink.blogspot.com/
Andrew Kimler http://andrewkimlermedia160.blogspot.com/
Kevin Venkatesh http://kevinvenkatesh.blogspot.com/
Chris Trano http://tranomedia.blogspot.com/
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