assignments

1 class participation: The class participation marks take into consideration attendance, participation in class activities and completion of homework assignments—reading and research (15%).

2 photo project— The photo project assignment represents an exercise in understanding and reproducing mise-en-scene in cinema. Using a collection of 5 or 6 photographs (found or self-generated), students are asked to describe a physical environment without showing us the place in its entirety or directly; consider both emotional and utilitarian aspects of the space when choosing the subject matter of each image and the graphic and descriptive value of form (10%). Photo projects will be marked considering their ability to clearly communicate the emotional tone of the environment via content and form and for the formal coherence of the images, seen as a whole as well as the care taken in the presentation. Each individual image should be made according to one of the following dimensions:

• if submitting a digital file
  • open and title a new project in Photoshop, dimensions 88 cm (width) and 11cm (height), 72 or 150 pi, transparent background; the title should include your name and the name of the piece
  • digitalize and/or open all the images you’ve collected for the project and manipulate as you want
  • size them to fit into the image file you’ve opened (i.e. 11 cm on the vertical axis and the same pi as the frame)
  • copy and paste the images into the prepared frame
  • crop any extra empty space
  • save as a jpeg and a jpeg for the web
  • send the web image to me: cheryl.simon@gmail.com

• • if making prints:
    • prints should be made to measure 8.5″ x 11″ on the horizontal axis, and the whole submitted in a 9″ x 12″ mailing envelope–
    • or, 5″ x 6″ on the horizontal axis, and the whole submitted in an 8″ x 10″ mailing envelope
    • in either case,
    • you can have the material printed at a photo store (Blacks/Bureau en gros) or produce the work via computer printout or photocopy–at Dawson or Bureau en Gros
    • if you are working with photocopies, please sketch a project before hand to plan for enlargements or  reductions; the final produce should be formally, technically and conceptually consistent

Additionally, students are required to write an artist’s statement discussing the theme and formal considerations of the picture project, to be submitted with the project (250 words, typed and double spaced) (10%). Due September 27.

3 exhibition review--responding to one of the assigned exhibitions (20%), students are asked to write a 750 – 1000 word review, Due October 25 Detailed assignment outline

4 soundscape—the objective is to produce a soundscape that ‘adds value’ to your photo work. use a recording medium of your own choice (answering machine, voice-mail, cell, internet download) to collect sounds that heard together communicate a coherent idea or value about the space described in your image series. the sound collection can include voice elements and musical phrases but is not meant to take form as a traditional musical score. students are responsible for finding, selecting and mastering the recording technology used and finding a means to present it to the class and to me. as with the photo project, students should consider the organization of the sound elements and their formal characteristics—consider amplitude (fullness), direction/space, timbre (descriptive qualities), duration, rhythm. (10%)

once again, students are required to write an artist’s statement describing the theme, and formal considerations of the sound project (250 words each, typed and double-spaced) (10%)  Due November 29.

5 Research Project Students are asked to conduct research on one of the film movements/historical periods listed here.  The results will be presented in a group presentation. (20 %) Presentations begin the week of October 25.  Additionally, EACH student is asked to prepare a brief outline of the presentation describing the part they will play in the group presentation, the film they plan to show and listing the resources to be used. (5%) Due October 11.