This
course is a continuation of FMA 100. It has the dual purpose of
being:(1) an
introductory historical and critical survey of the audio, film and video
media with special emphasis on the aesthetic and theoretical perspectives
important in their evolution and development; and (2) a course which exploits
hands-on production to provide you with a basic understanding of the
unique characteristics and creative potential of these media you will be
studying.The
goals for this course are to help you achieve greater technical
competence, and creative control along with a deeper understanding of the
demands of form and audience issues. It is important for you to understand that, while this course involves the study of production techniques for each medium, the productions themselves are not the end goals of this course. More emphasis is placed on your understanding of the problems, effects and issues related to aspects of the production process highlighted in lecture and class discussion, and that emerge in lab sections during analysis and discussion of the work generated by class members for each exercise and assignment. This course's basic objectives are to trace the evolution of these media as both communication and art forms, and have the student come to an awareness of the basic characteristics and formal values of each individual medium. Equally as important, this course seeks to provide the student with an intellectual framework for examining the functions of criticism and theory in the context of actual production, their integration and influence on the practice of significant filmmakers (such as Sergei Eisenstein, Maya Deren, Jean Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut, and Martin Scorsese) and other media creators, and their application in and to your own work. | ||||
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REQUIRED TEXTS: The following texts will be used this semester: (1) Leo Braudy & Marshall Cohen, FILM THEORY & CRITICISM (5th edition) Oxford University Press (ISBN 0-19-506398-8) NEW: $37.95 USED: $28.50 (required for FMA 100) (2) Herbert Zettl, SIGHT/SOUND /MOTION: Applied Media Aesthetics [3rd edition] Wadsworth Publishing Company [ISBN0-534-07952] NEW: $68.15 USED $51.15
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OTHER REQUIREMENTS: [1] JAZ DISC- is required for Digital Post-production (approximate cost: $100.00- SAC Bookstore) [2] Headphones and mini-1/4 inch adaptor plug [3] INDEX CARDS (RULED 3x5) for class use. Use these to ask questions, react to lectures and discussions or screening material. This is a simple low-tech way to communicate with me.
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ASSIGNMENTS & EXAMINATIONS: The course is intended as a place to develop and express emerging creativity. Assignments will therefore be evaluated as part an evolving body of work over the course of the semester. Good grades must be earned through active participation and continuous effort. (Remember, a B- or higher is required to move on to higher level production courses.) Students in this course are expected to complete the following assignments which are described below:
These will be described in further detail either in separate handouts or verbally by your lab section instructor. While all of these will contribute to your course grade, the major factors affecting evaluation of your work will be your : attendance and participation; how your work reflects concern with the issues and concepts raised by the course; planning, organization, execution of projects; creativity and technical growth. You will be given a mid-term and final examination covering class lectures, screenings, discussions, and your assigned readings along with technical information from your lab section. The final examination will be a comprehensive one for the semester and comprise 30% of your final grade. Both will be objective, multiple-choice tests. Dates for the mid-term and the final will be listed on your course schedule. Good grades have to be earned. Suffice it to say that if all work was submitted, but reflected minimal effort on your part, you could expect a grade of 'D'. Don't expect much in terms of a grade if you are not prepared to invest yourself in this course.
CLASS MEETINGS This course will meet regularly for Tuesday lecture sessions and Monday, Wednesday, or Friday for lab section meetings. A course schedule detailing the activities planned for each class meeting is attached or will be distributed at your next class session. EQUIPMENT Students in this course will be working with portable video cameras and audio recorders supplied by this department. Use of FMA video equipment and editing facilities is covered by your lab fee. Read your equipment responsibility form carefully. Please note that you will be held financially responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen equipment. Also, fines will be imposed by the EQUIPMENT ROOM for late return of equipment. LAB FEES & SUPPLIES THERE IS A $70 LAB FEE FOR THIS COURSE. It has been added to your tuition bill. Late registrants who do not appear on the class list must present a paid lab fee receipt to section instructors before materials or production cards will be issued. After you submit the paid receipt you will recieve the following: 2 reels -VHS Videotape, 2 Audio cassettes,1 Production Card (for access to Audio Studios, 16 MM. Film Editing Lab, Video Editing). SUGGESTION: Always carry a set of index cards with you that can be used to jot down ideas, questions or concerns. I will do my best to respond to any of these you might have and wish to share. It is REQUIRED that you bring one blank card to each lecture session on which you will respond to an in-class question. (No, this is not a quiz!) COMPUTER ACCOUNTS-COURSE LISTSERVE All incoming students should have a computer account for e-mail communication, and list-serve subscription. The Help Desk in the Computer Building will process applications for these accounts, if you donÕt have one, and provide software for using modems. A listserv has been set up for FMA 101 as a forum for further consideration of lectures, discussion of projects, ideas, or anything else you may want to talk about related to the course. This may include films, videos, theater, art, or music you have seen or heard and wish to share, interesting web-sites, current events, etc. While it is an excellent opportunity to further challenge yourself and your classmates, please realize that the listserv is a public forum and the rights and sensibilities of your classmates and instructors need to be respected. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to LISTSERV@VM.TEMPLE.EDU and in the body of your message type the following (using your name): SUB FMA101@VM.TEMPLE.EDU Firstname Lastname
still from FMA 101 work by Richard Cousins |
