Instructor: Katherine Sweetman,
ksweetma@ucsd.edu   

COURSE WEBSITE: http://circusofmisconceptions.com
The week to week outline is subject to change

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
-To understand how form and content are combined to communicate with movement and sound.
-To understand the basic history and theory that is relevant to graphic design and visual culture in the tradition of the moving image.
-To acquire an understanding of conceptual models important in design and visual culture.
- To gain practical knowledge of diverse tools used to develop sequential projects in visual language.
- To produce projects that communicate their messages effectively.

-The student will produce and direct quality, dramatic video productions with a realistic understanding of resources, capabilities and goals.
-The student will gain experience in the planning and execution of professional video production.
-The student will learn about the grant writing, pre-production, production, and post-production processes in video/film production.
-The student will engage in verbal and written critical evaluation of his/her own work as well the work of others.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
3 Professional Quality Projects

1) Narrative project
2) Installtion/"Experimental" project
3) Documentary project

Specific assignment requirement will be given in class and on website.

READING REQUIREMENTS:
All readings will be posted on the website.

WRITTEN REQUIREMENT:
Students will complete a written synopsis of each of their projects, revisions to these synopsis if necessary, one formal proposal as grant writing exercise, and one review on the work of their peers.

RESEARCH PRESENTATION:
Students will give a presentation on a work of video art or film that they find in their own research during this course. This is a sharing presentation about a specific work or scene in historical or contemporary film/video piece. This should include a short talk about the clip, movie, director, and the importance of the work.

CRITIQUE SESSIONS:
Students will present their completed projects to the class at critique sessions on days assigned by the instructor. You are expected to be on time at the beginning of class on your assigned screening day (lateness will carry a penalty to be levied against your score on that project). All students are expected to display an open and positive attitude at these sessions, to participate fully and welcome criticism from their classmates and instructor.

CRITIQUE NOTE:
Students will be required to ask for specific feedback from the class during critique and come prepared to ask questions and carry the critique of their work. Students are expected to demonstrate a positive and healthy attitude at all times. Students must demonstrate a willingness to accept criticism as part of the ongoing creative production process.

GRADING SYSTEM:
Scores on specific assignments will be awarded up to a maximum as follows:

Research Presentation 10 Points
Written Assignments (grant and review) 10 Points
In Class exercises / Participation 15 points
Project one, summary, critique 20 Points
Project tw, summary, critique 20 Points
Project three, summary, critique, and final screening 25 Points

ATTENDANCE:
Every student must attend appropriate lab and class periods. Lateness will be recorded and will be weighed in your final grade. More than three unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final grade ONE FULL letter grade. If you miss a class you must make up the work. All in class exercises, assignments, reading discussions, etc, must be made up.