FILM 116: Experimentation with Media
Fall 2007
“Each time we enter a new place, we become one of the ingredients of an existing hybridity,
which is really what all ‘local places’ consist of. By entering that hybrid, we change it;
and in each situation we may play a different role.”
--Lucy Lippard
Syllabus in progress . . . please refresh. Updated:
12/3/07
CLASS MEETINGS
Lecture Section 401 (#49086) Monday 3-4:50 PM, MUSIC 180, Glenn Bach
Lab Section 801 (#53877)
Wednesday 3-4:50 PM, Mitchell Hall B-91, Lilly Czarnecki
Lab Section 802 (#54368) Wednesday 3-4:50 PM,
Mitchell Hall B-65, Scott Foley
Lab Section 803 (#54369) Wednesday 3-4:50 PM,
Mitchell Hall B-91, Julie Murray and Alex Torinus
Lab Section 804 (#54370) Wednesday 3-4:50 PM,
Mitchell Hall B-68, Steve Wetzel
Lab Section 805 (#54371) Wednesday 3-4:50 PM,
Mitchell Hall B-18, David Witzling
Film Department Office: Mitchell B-70, phone: (414) 229-6015
INSTRUCTORS
Glenn Bach (Lecture)
bachg@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Location: Monday and Wednesday 10-11 AM, 5-6 PM by appointment, MIT B-60.
Lilly Czarnecki (Lab 1)
lillyjc2@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Location: Monday 1:30-2:30 PM and Wednesday 11-12 noon, and by appointment, MIT B-55B.
Scott Foley (Lab 2)
sfoley94@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Locations: Monday and Wednesday 11-12 noon, MIT B-55B.
Julie Murray (Lab 3)
jamurray@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Locations: Wednesday 1-3 PM, MIT B-53.
Alex Torinus (Lab 3)
atorinus@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Locations: Tuesday 1-3 PM, MIT B-55B.
Steve Wetzel (Lab 4)
swetzel@csd.uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Locations: Monday and Wednesday 2-3 PM, MIT B-83A.
David Witzling (Lab 5)
davidrw3@uwm.edu (please include the string, "[07116]" in the subject line of all e-mails pertaining to this class)
Office Hours and Locations: Wednesday 5-6 PM, or by appointment, MIT B-55B
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course embraces the DIY (do it yourself) philosophy in the creation of original works of sound and video art. Students will develop contemporary media art skills by employing freeware and open source software to capture, edit, and compose works of audio and video. Course content will include, but not be limited to, self-competent computing (operation of system facilities, software installation, media file management, server file uploading), perceptual engagement, audio field recording, recognition of sound qualities, event description, digital audio editing, MP3 file exporting, blog posting/authoring, familiarity with graphic and motion perception, video and still shot logging, video editing, rhythmic editing, Quicktime movie exporting, personal experience assessment/questioning, and a variety of technical and creative competency skills associated with media production.
ASSIGNMENTS OVERVIEW
There are four graded assignments (along with the general category of Class Participation):
TREK 01
A blog of selected sound pieces recorded on an investigative walk.
TREK 02
A blog of moving and still imagery collected during another walk.
TREK 03
A blog featuring a short, sound video inspired by issues arising from Treks 01 and 02.
Research Groups
As the semester proceeds, there will be technical and aesthetic questions and fascinations that will surface beyond those we can pursue generally as a class. These may be software and hardware compatibility issues, equipment modifications you want to try, new software options, DIY equipment projects, research areas specific to your Treks, and other topics involving the improvement of your self-competency as an artist.
Class Participation
It is essential that you come prepared for class (bring required materials and any due work), be actively engaged in learning (listening to instructions and observing demonstrations), and participate in critiques, discussions and studio maintenance (setting up, sharing space with peers, and cleaning up).
GRADING POLICY
Trek 01: 20% (200 points)
Trek 02: 20% (200 points)
Trek 03: 35% (350 points)
Research Groups: 15% (150 points)
Class
Participation: 10% (100 points)
TOTAL: 1000 points
A = 1000-900
B = 899-800
C = 799-700
D = 699-600
F = 599-0
A Excellent and Superior Work. Performance of the student has been at the highest level, showing sustained excellence in meeting all course requirements and exhibiting an unusual degree of intellectual initiative.
B Above Average. Performance of the student has been at a high level, showing consistent and effective achievement in meeting course requirements.
C Average. Performance of the student has been at an adequate level, meeting course requirements.
D Below Average. Performance of the student has been less than adequate, meeting only the minimum course requirements.
F Failing. Performance of the student has been such that minimal course requirements haven’t been met.
CLASS TECHNICAL FORUM
The class Technical Forum is the place to take all of your questions about using the software and hardware required for this class.
Rules of Technical Forum Participation
1. Complete your Profile as outlined--especially the information about your computer platform (Mac or PC) and the operation system and version you have. This saves Forum users a lot of time, and improves your chances of getting help.
2. Check the topics to see if the question you have has already been asked (posted). If there are fairly unique terms (like a part number, an error prompt or program command name), you can search the terms in the forum's search tool (magnifying glass icon at the top of the Forum Index). For example, if you are getting "-5000 errors," enter "-5000 error" in the "keyword" cell. All posts with the same string will be collected into one query window.
3. If you find another user has posted the same or similar question but it was not answered, don't give up. Scroll down to the bottom post and post a reply to it. State that you are seeking similar assistance and briefly describe whether our situation is similar or slightly different. Add details that you have encountered that might add to the evidence.
4. When posting a question, place it under the most relevant topic you can find. Use the subject line effectively by providing a brief description of what you are trying to do or the problem that persists. If you received a warning or error message, copy the exact wording used, character for character, and include this with your question. Describe exactly what you were doing on the computer when the problem happened. Describe any actions you have taken to resolve the problem even if they didn't work. Include links to the problem if it is online (like a blog) or upload a sample file and include a link to it.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENT
The Film Department has no "Laptop Requirement." Having access to an online computer at home is very helpful, but it's critical that the whole package (computer, software, and a fast internet connection) is within your budget. We are currently in a a time of considerable changes in all of the platform and software options. There are several Mac and a few PC platforms in MIT 353 and MIT B-18 on which you can do everything you need for this class. If you do not yet own a computer and would be interested in buying an inexpensive PC to use during your study at UWM, check out the "Inexpensive PCs" topic in our class Forum.
Campus Computer Labs (locations and hours)
Film Department Labs
Mitchell Hall, Room B-18
24/7 access. Use your student ID card for access after the third week in class. Use the two black PCs for SonicStage sound transfers and AvidFreeDV. Some of the Macs also have AvidFreeDV. (To get 24/7 access to Mitchell Hall, visit the PSOA Box Office in the Zelazo Center Monday through Friday, 10 AM - 4 PM. The door with the hand scan unit in Mitchell Hall is the basement entrance by the loading dock.)
Mitchell Hall, Room 353
Two PCs for SonicStage transfers, Audacity, AvidFreeDV
Seventeen Mac platforms with Audacity, some Macs with AvidFreeDV (Note: In this lab they wipe the scratch space every night, so you can ONLY use AvidFreeDV with your own external hard drive, both for creating the Avid session and for storing your own media.)
FREEWARE INSTALLATIONS FOR YOUR HOME COMPUTER
If you are planning to work at home, you are required to download and install the following freeware applications for your Mac or PC computer. Note: AvidFreeDV and many other applications work considerably better on PCs with Windows XP Professional (not "Home"). You can buy Windows XP Professional for $79 through Wiscsoftware. Note: Mac Intel/OS X 10.4.7+ users, download and install the free version of Stuffit Expander before you attempt to download and install the following software.
WEB BROWSER
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 for Mac OS X and Windows XP (use as your web browser for this class).
AUDIO
Sony SonicStage v3.4 [.zip] for Windows XP, for transferring Hi-MD sound recordings from your NH700 Sony digital recorder. [For those willing to test SonicStage v4.3, download here.] There are black PCs in MIT B-18 and MIT B-353 with SonicStage CD-DVD burners equipped for SonicStage transfers. You must bring your Hi-MD recorder and the USB transfer cable. Note that SonicStage transfers from a Hi-MD recorder cannot be done on a Mac running OS X unless it is a Mac Intel, which requires running Boot Camp and Windows XP.
Audacity Download Options: We are trying to maintain our own chart with recommended downloads for particular platforms and operating systems here. Begin with these recommendations. There are stable and Beta versions, and, depending on what you will do with the application, the Beta versions can be fine or not so fine. You can download and install both and save your work often. The developer's list of current versions and download links is here.
LAME MP3 encoder for Audacity.
VIDEO
WINDOWS
QuickTime 7. (Optional: QuickTimePro as an alternative to AvidFreeDV, download and purchase for $30.)
MPEG Streamclip v1.01 (QuickTime movie converter/editor for Windows XP).
VideoLan Player for Windows XP (plays H.264 Mpg4 QuickTime movies).
Avid Free DV has been discontinued, but remains installed on the PCs in MIT B-18 and 353.
Because of compatability issues, we only recommend Windows MovieMaker as A LAST RESORT.
Options for PC-based video editors (freeware, open source, and/or shareware). Please consult with your section instructor before choosing which of these apps to download:
Jahshaka (please note that we do not recommend Jahshaka at this time)
Avidemux
Avitricks Classic
ZweiStein
AVS Video Editor
Video Edit Magic
AVIedit
MAC
QuickTime 7 (Optional: QuickTimePro as an alternative to AvidFreeDV, download and purchase for $30.)
Download MPEG Streamclip v1.7 for Mac OS X.
VideoLan Player for Mac OS X (plays H.264 Mpg4 QuickTime movies).
Avid Free DV has been discontinued, but remains installed on the Macs in MIT B-18 and 353.
Because iMovie is no longer being offered "free" as part of Apple's OS, we do not recommend iMovie at this time, and only as A LAST RESORT.
Options for Mac-based video editors (freeware, open source, and/or shareware). Please consult with your section instructor before choosing which of these apps to download:
Jahshaka (please note that we do not recommend Jahshaka at this time)
SimpleMovieX (alternative to Quicktime Pro)
HyperEngine-AV
OS X Freeware List (contains links to many freeware applications that you can use).
PHOTO/GRAPHICS EDITORS
WINDOWS
ImagePlay (free editor for Windows and Mac)
Picasa (free editor for XP/Vista)
MAC
ImagePlay (free editor for Windows and Mac)
ImageScale (html compliant editor/resizer)
ImageWell (free editor, add graphics like arrows, circles, etc.)
MotionMaker ("animates" a still by slicing it, export to QT Pro)
PictureNamer (name stills in a folder, preserve shot order)
Seashore (open source editor based on GIMP)
SnapNDrag (screen capture, export jpegs for assembly in QT Pro)
COURSE FREEWARE ON CAMPUS LAB COMPUTERS
On PCs in Campus Computer Labs:
Audacity 1.3.0b (audio editing, stereo and multi-track)
MPEG Streamclip
VLC Media Player 0.8.5 (can play some movie formats that QT can't)
ImagePlay (image layering and effects)
Mozilla Firefox 1.5
GifSplitter 1.00
Scrolling LED Bitmap Generator 3.2.0
SonicStage 3.4 (sound transfers from Sony Hi-MD audio recorders, in MIT 353 and B-18 only)
On Macs in Campus Computer Labs:
Avid Free DV video editing application
Audacity 1.3.0b
MPEG Streamclip 1.7
VLC Media Player 0.8.5
ImagePlay
Mozilla Firefox 1.5
Gif Fun v3.8 (create html moving image .gifs from still photos)
Gif Builder v1.0 (create html moving image .gifs from still photos)
Soundhack v.893 (sound manipulation and processing)
ArtRage 1.1.1 (drawing application)
ImageWell v.2.25 (still photo processing)
ImageScale (changes the size of still images)
PROHIBITED COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE
This class focuses on ingenuity, self-competency, field work, and developing unique ideas from scratch with the barest of production tools, preferably freeware and/or open source. Therefore, the use of commercial software or shareware programs costing over $30 each will not be allowed for projects made for this class--even if you already have them installed on your computer (this does not apply to operating systems). Prohibited software includes: Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Vegas, After Effects, Corel Draw, Logic Audio, Pro Tools, Photoshop, Aperture, Dreamweaver, Flash, and many others. The rule is: if the academic price of the software is over $30, the software is off-limits for this class. An under $30 program that is highly recommended is QuickTime Pro, a very powerful tool that will save you a lot of time--it's a great, long-term software investment to make.
WHEN THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT THE SOFTWARE USED
If you present work with qualities that appear to have been made with a commercial application, be sure to explain how you achieved the results with permitted freeware in your blog. If a teacher senses that you may have used commercial ware, he/she will let you know by e-mail. You will be given a period of time to explain the techniques/application(s) you used. If you do not respond, you may receive a significantly lower grade.
E-MAIL POLICIES
You will need to check your e-mail daily for class information and correspondence with your instructor and other students in the class. If you have not already done so, use your UWM user name and password to log on to, and become familiar with, your PantherMail e-mail account. If you have not used e-mail before, a good way to get started is to go to a computer on the second floor of the library or Bolton Hall and go through the Getting Started Guide. The staff there can help you with the usual questions. There are also Short Courses through University Information Technology Services (UITS) about using Panthermail, the Internet, and Windows/Mac operating systems. If computing is a new experience for you, take them all.
If you want to continue using an e-mail application that is already on your personal computer, you can probably configure it to access/download your UWM e-mail every time you check mail (look here for information on how to set up your e-mail client).
We ask that you use your UWM e-mail address for identification purposes and all correspondence in this class. If the e-mail application on your computer (or the one you use online) does not support "multiple identities" (being able to send e-mail "from" several different addresses), install and learn to use one of the free e-mail apps that do. Some popular options are Thunderbird (Mozilla/Firefox), Mac OS X Mail, Outlook Express (Windows), and Eudora Lite (Eudora will soon be fully open source). Note that installing the e-mail application on your computer as with those listed above is safer and more robust than using a browser supported online application like PantherMail.
E-MAIL NETIQUETTE
You will be expected to learn how to use politeness when using e-mail:
1. Enable the receiver of your e-mail to use a "mailbox" to store e-mails from an ongoing discussion with you. In this class, accomplish this by always including the string [07116] in the Subject Line of all new e-mails you create pertaining to the class. This can greatly aid you and the
instructor in getting to your important e-mail quickly without having to sort through numerous unlabled e-mail messages. You can set up mailboxes in most e-mail apps, including Panthermail.
2. Use "Reply" to reply to an e-mail, not "New Message."
3. Make sure your e-mail application is set to automatically "include (or quote)
the original message" in the body of the e-mail when you reply. The "include the original message" may not be the "default setting" in your e-mail application, and may have to be changed in the applications Preferences. If you respond to an e-mail by creating a new e-mail, the prior correspondence will not be included--this practice should be avoided.
4. If you have good habits about using the Subject line in your e-mails, congratulations! If not, this class will probably improve them. Instructors go through many e-mails and need some sense of the content in order to work through them efficiently. The rules are simple: if you have changed the topic, change the subject line. If you emphasize a new aspect that was added to the discussion (as when a discussion splits into several discussions), change the subject line and include a "was" phrase like this:
You received:
Subject: Where Can I Find SonicStage v3.4?
You return:
Subject: SSv3.4 & XP Home edition (was Where Can I Find SonicStage v3.4?)
5. Do not forward or "cc" anyone's e-mail to anyone else without the original author's knowledge that you are doing so.
6. Read the whole e-mail before you start responding to any part.
7. If you are frustrated with the way a communication is going, consider writing a draft reply and sleep on it before sending it.
8. Without the clues of face-to-face communication, humor, irony, sarcasm, and wit can be easily misinterpreted, but don't let that stop you! (Seriously.) Try including a smiley icon, wink icon, or a brief conditional phrase like "ha-ha" in parentheses when you think there is a chance the receiver might not know that you are laughing, joking, etc.
USE OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
This class is all about developing your abilities to generate materials and engaging ideas. There are some courses on campus that allow students to copy and sample material from the web and other sources; to do so in this class is a distraction and is not allowed. All materials in your blog reports, performance, or installation must be 100% original. This applies to charts, graphs, images, or sounds of any kind. If an instructor has a question about the source of material, he/she will ask you to supply evidence that the material is yours, or you can choose to replace it and let the instructor know via e-mail. If you don't respond promptly to your instructor's inquiry, the grade on the assignment could be very adversely impacted.
PROVIDED PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
Students will receive a digital sound recorder with accessories and a digital still/video camera. The digital camera kits have 1 GB flash memory cards. All of this equipment is very fragile and in most cases will not withstand dropping at all. Get in the habit of holding/gripping your tools with awareness of their fragility. For example, do not attempt to hold or use your camera or recorder and another piece of equipment at the same time (like a cell phone).
EQUIPMENT POLICIES AND LIABILITIES
Carefully read the terms to which you are
agreeing before you check out the gear for this class. You are 100% responsible for its safe return by 3:00 PM on Thursday, December 6. Note that your final project will not be graded if all of your equipment has not been returned by this deadline. Contact Brooke Swelstad in the Equipment Room IMMEDIATELY if your equipment is lost, broken, or fails to function as it should (Mitchell Hall B-54, 229-4643). Do not replace or repair any item that has been checked out to you. If you ignore this policy your grade will be affected and you may lose the privilege of checking out equipment. The form you signed when checking out the kit has procedures to follow when the equipment isn't functional or accessories are lost.
WEB HOSTING SPACE
A portion of your student fees goes towards providing you web space for uploading pictures, sounds, and movies for sharing with anyone through the web. You can acccess your personal PantherFile resource from any computer that is connected to the net. Here's a movie that introduces Pantherfile's basic functions and a list of tutorials with essential PantherFile and server practices for this class.
REQUIRED CLASS SUPPLIES
There are no required books to buy. Class supplies are less than $100 if you don't need to buy an external Hard Drive to edit in the labs. The bulk of the money is for items you can use for many years, even if you don't go on to major in Film.
One 1GB HD MIniDisc, available from Riverwest Film & Video, 824 East Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53212, Hours: 3-11pm daily, 414-265-843) for ~$7 each (or you can buy Four 74-minute or 80-minute Standard MiniDiscs, available online for about $1.50 each).
One (1) pair of enclosed-ear design headphones, such as Maxell HP-550 MXA Full-Sized Digital Headphones, or JVC HA-G101 Stereo Headphones (available online or from Riverwest Film & Video for ~$12).
Eight (8) AA size rechargeable Ni-MH batteries with 4 AA cell charger (available online from Riverwest Film & Video for ~$15).
Four (4) additional AA size rechargeable Ni-MH batteries (available online or from Riverwest Film & Video for ~$1.50 each / $6 total).
Two (2) Rapid 35-0190 Electret microphone capsules for your DIY stereo mics.
These are only available from Riverwest Film & Video, ~$1.25 each / $2.50 for two.
One (1) stereo audio cable with dual RCA male to single stereo mini (1/8") plug, 1.5m (4 feet, 11 inches) about $5 (available online from Riverwest Film & Video, or from Radio Shack or other electronics stores)
Two (2) alligator clips (available from Riverwest Film & Video)
Ten (10) blank CD-R discs or five (5) blank DVD-R discs for transporting your sound back and forth from the lab PCs, and for making back-up copies of your still photo, audio, and video files (available anywhere, less than $1.25 each, and less if you buy in bulk).
All supplies, except for the mic capsules, can also be found at stores such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, or any electronics store.
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE REQUIREMENT
To edit your projects in the MIT-353 computer lab you will need a fast external hard drive (a USB "flash" drive is not enough). Students who go on to pursue study in the Film Department will be required to purchase a similar drive on which to store their video and audio recordings.
If you plan to work at home on a computer that will run the necessary software, you can use data CD-Rs to bring your media to class on days this is required. (See the Hi-MD handbook [pdf] for instructions on how to make a data CD-R with Nero (Windows). Use the "New Burn Folder" process to make data-format discs with a Mac.)
500 GB external hard drives are now available for about $130, and 160GB drives for $100 or less. You can purchase USB or Firewire drives at Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, Milwaukee PC, Other World Computing, or Amazon.
All external hard drives must be initialized before using them on a Mac! Using a drive on both Mac and PC greatly increases the chance of directory corruption and data loss.
FACILITY ACCESS AND WORK PERMITS
Students using department facilities must have an updated Work Permit (handed out in class). Film Department facilities are normally open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday. The MIT B-18 lab/classroom has card-swipe access which usually is set up in the second week of class. Access to Mitchell Hall exterior doors on weekends or late in the evenings will be by hand-print ID.
COURSE SAFETY
There are two main areas of the class where we need to pay closer attention to specific safety issues: microphone soldering and walking around in the city. Check here for some basic soldering safety tips (which we will also cover in the demo and workshops). When navigating city streets on the various Treks, please be attentive to your surroundings. This is covered in greater depth in the Trek 01 page.
DATA LOSS POLICY
The Film Department is not responsible for lost data or the ramifications of lost data. The tutorials show how to make back-up copies of your media files, as well as your Avid DV Free and Audacity "edit" files on removable CD-R and/or DVD-R discs. It's not a matter of IF you will lose data, but WHEN. Protect yourself against this unnecessary setback.
SPECIAL NEEDS AND QUESTIONS
If you need special accommodations
to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact me as soon as possible. Feel free to visit me at my office during office hours to discuss assignments or any questions or requests you have. The Department of Film follows UWM academic policies which are posted on the departmental bulletin board and available online as a PDF.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Late projects will be accepted, but will automatically be lowered one letter grade for each 24-hour period past the due date. Meeting deadlines is a major part of being a professional media artist. Technical problems, computer issues, lost data, or job/personal conflicts are not legitimate excuses for not meeting deadlines.
ILLNESS AND ABSENCE
If you are absent and need help with make-up work, you will need to provide
a letter from a qualified professional explaining why you could not attend class. If your illness or situation takes you away from your class work for more than a day or two, have the professional explain in the letter why you could not access and perform the class work that is online. We expect students to read the syllabus and take instruction from the syllabus and provided instruction guides very carefully. Aside from required in-class presentation dates, we don't take attendance because it is the quality of the artwork that counts most for artists. Not attending class tends to affect the quality of the artwork produced for this class pretty rapidly, and part of your class participation grade (10% of your final grade) is based on your attendance and participation in required workshops.
DROPS AND INCOMPLETES
No drops will be permitted after the fifth week of the semester. An incomplete may be given if you have managed the class successfully ("B" or better) until near the end of the semester, but, because of illness or other unusual and substantiated cause beyond your control, you have been unable to take or complete the final examination or to complete some limited amount of term work. An incomplete will not be given unless you can prove that you were prevented from completing the course requirements for just cause as indicated above. A course marked incomplete must be completed during the first eight weeks of the next succeeding semester of enrollment, excluding summer sessions. Access to department facilities for the purpose of completing course requirements is extended five weeks into the next semester. More on the policy here (UWM documents #1558 and #1602).
COURSE SCHEDULE