Film Workshop II: Frame by Frame

This course is for students who have completed Film/Video Workshop I and are prepared to continue developing their own individual projects. While the film industry uses optical printing to create special effects and animation to make cartoons, this course instead, will emphasize work that uses these tools for expressive or exploratory purposes. The course will center on the use of the optical printer and the animation stand and will provide detailed instruction on planning and executing projects using these tools. The course assumes a basic knowledge of 16mm filmmaking and students are expected to independently extend their knowledge and mastery of basic production and post-production techniques. Films will be viewed in class presenting a variety of approaches to optical printing and animation as a medium for artists. Students will be expected to complete weekly exercises and a semester long independent project. While computers may be a part of a student's working process, this course does not cover computer animation and students will not be allowed to do computer animation projects for their semester project. Each student will be expected to research an artist and/or analyze a film, write a 5-8 page paper and make an oral presentation to the class. A $50 lab fee entitles students to use camera and recording equipment, transfer and editing facilities, plus video and computer production and post-production equipment. Students must purchase their own film and animation supplies and pay their own processing fees.Instructor permission required.