Art 4893 | Video Art

Video Art addresses the use of an approved digital camera, computer, and video editing software for digital video input and editing of video in a fine arts context. 

Below are descriptions of some of the assignments in the course with student work examples.

Project 1

For this assignment you will use your DSLR (or other approved digital camera capable of recording video) to create an aesthetic experience based around ideas of “the everyday”. In doing so, you will bring poetics to the everyday for your viewer as you depict your chosen subject matter.

You will create one video project using multiple clips put into a sequence in Premiere Pro. The project should be no shorter than 2 minutes and no longer than 2.5 minutes. It will be silent, black and white, and edited in Premiere Pro for contrast, levels, trimming clips, sequencing, adding transitions and a title. The project will be exported as a video file according to the specifications listed below.

Please see the sections of this page titled "Technique" for more information about what techniques to use in this project.

Please see the section of this page titled "Concept" for more information about the subject of the video.

Before you begin shooting, please make a storyboard to help you pre-visualize your project.

Project 2

Your assignment is to create a montage video depicting an interruption.

According to Eisenstein, a montage is combining shots that are depictive – single in meaning, neutral in content – into intellectual contexts and series.

• Eisensteins’ 5 methods of Montage:
• Metric Montage: Cut according to exact measurement
• Rhythmic Montage: Cut according to content of shots
• Tonal Montage: Cut according to the emotional tone of the shots
• Overtonal Montage: Cut according to the main tone and the overtone(s) of the shots.
• Intellectual Montage: Cut according to intellectual concepts and ideas.

A montage is a way of playing with juxtaposition. For example, you can have two separate parts, when combined they create a third unpredictable thing (meaning).

A montage does not tell a narrative and you should not think of this project as a narrative.

Your video will be 160 seconds in duration, black and white, with sound, and you will use abrupt cuts.

In doing so, you will expand on the idea of the Kuleshov Effect (please see the example further down on this page) by creating a clip you will return to throughout the project.

Project 3: Fall

Conceptual Parameters: The Upside Down - a visual juxtaposition of two opposites to create a contemplative comparison of similar yet different “things”.

Technical Parameters:

• Split screen video 
• Both sides in color
• Length of video is 3-minutes in duration
• You will need to trim each clip to remove camera shake or other unwanted technical errors. Edit the color, levels, curves, and exposure of each video clip in the sequence. Please use adjustment layers to do this.
• You are allowed to use any of the motion, opacity, time remapping effects, or other effects that we covered throughout the semester.
• On October 21 and 28 we will cover recording and editing audio. The audio track will be 3 minutes in duration and play over the entire duration of the video. You will use one of the handheld audio recorders provided for the class to use. The audio will be added to the split screen video in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. The audio does not have to come from the place(s) you are recording. You can create an abstract soundscape, an audio collage, or noises that correspond to the video footage. You will edit the audio and pay attention to the input and output levels. Clean the audio and use effects and transitions when needed. You are not permitted to use songs or music in the video. You are not allowed to sample audio from a copyright protected source. You must create original audio for the project. 
• You will use video transitions and audio transitions in the sequence. Create the videos sequences before you add transitions. Add the transitions as the last step. 
• Possible formal video split screen formats to use in this project (this is not an exhaustive list):
  • two corresponding narratives
  • two corresponding montages
  • a narrative paired with a montage
  • one static shot paired with a montage or a narrative
• Create a plan. Create a story board, a sketch of shots you need, or simply make a list of shots in the order they should appear in the video. Regardless how you create a plan - put your thoughts in order so you have an idea of what you need to create and where it is going to fit into the sequence. 

Project 3: Spring

For this assignment you will use your DSLR (or other approved digital camera capable of recording video) to create a 2.5-minute long experimental film based around the idea of "hope”.

In doing so, you will create a visual experience for your viewer as you depict your chosen subject matter.

An experimental video usually does not tell a traditional narrative and lacks dialogue, characters, and plots.

Please see the sections of this page titled "Technique" for more information about what techniques to use in this project.

Please see the section of this page titled "Concept" for more information about the subject of the video.

You may checkout the video tripods and over-the-shoulder rigs we have available.

Project 4

Create a video project from a self-proposed concept and set of techniques.

The project will be between 3 - 4 minutes in duration.

The video can be in black and white, color, or both.

Sound you record and edit will accompany the video project. Sound can be a voice over, a sound collage, or ambient noises.

Please include text at the beginning of the video project with your name and the title of the project.

The project is due on the day of the final.