March 2013
Sound 1
This is a required course for the F/V major. Students are introduced to studio and field recording and post production for audio through a series of workshops. Subjects covered include the basic physics of sound, digital and analog audio formats, microphones, and understanding how to use audio recorders, amplifiers and speakers. The basic structural properties of sound and their relationship to the listener are explored through sound editing, effects processing and audio mixing using digital audio editing software. Emphasis is placed on the consideration of sound as a medium in its own right with a study of acoustic principles and effects. Whether working on soundtracks, musical compositions or sound art, this class provides the student with a solid foundation in audio production.
Documentary to Mockumentary
This video production course charts the territory between documentary and mockumentary, looking at the history of truth in media. We begin by examining the history and production techniques of documentary filmmaking, then move into the genre of mockumentary, examining everything from reality TV to fake news. We examine how mockumentaries use sophisticated editing techniques to present work that is truthful in form, yet falsified in content. Over the course of the semester we analyze the fine line between media manipulation and editorial representation through production activities that critically engage the ethics of truth in the documentary form. Throughout the semester students will produce short documentaries and mockumentaries. They complete a series of assignments including on-the-street interviews about real and fake news items, fake biographical videos, mockumentaries and class presentations on the issue of trust between the director and viewer. The goal of the class is to build a complex discourse around issues of representation, trust, and responsibility by examining how the technological advancement in media production has altered our perception of the “real” and how it is often manipulated for emotional and political impact. We approach the material as both critical media makers and devoted viewers.