FILM 116

[FILM 116] Deadline Reminders

2009-04-30T21:03:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

A reminder that your Audio/Video Hardware/Software Responses are due
tomorrow, Friday, May 1, 5 PM, as a comment to this post on the Course Blog:
http://tinyurl.com/c587ud

Also, Reading Response #3 is due Sunday, May 3, 5 PM, as a comment to
this post on the Course Blog:
http://tinyurl.com/dj3asu

Have a great weekend.

Best,

Glenn

--
Glenn Bach, Adjunct Assistant Professor
UWM Department of Film
Mitchell Hall B-60
3203 N. Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53211
_______________________________________________
Film-116 mailing list
Film-116@uwm.edu
http://listserv.uwm.edu/mailman/listinfo/film-116

Reading Response #3

2009-04-30T20:47:00.003-05:00

Reading response #3 is due Sunday, May 3, 5PM, as a comment to this post. Your response should consist of a three-paragraph statement that answers the following three questions (one paragraph per question):

1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

2. What are the main points of the essay?

3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

Pick one of the following readings: Delehanty, Miller, Oliveros, Russolo, Spirn, Toop, Trachtenberg, Ximm; and post as a comment to this post by Sunday, May 3, 5 PM.

[FILM 116] Final Screenings

2009-04-28T19:21:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow in B91 for the first round of Drift 2 Final Screenings.
Attendance is MANDATORY!

See everyone tomorrow.

Best,

Glenn

[FILM 116] Production Kits due tomorrow

2009-04-26T18:09:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

Remember, Production Kits are due tomorrow (Monday, April 27) at 1 PM.
The equipment room is in Mitchell Hall B-54.

Also, if you want to get a head start, post your Audio/Video
Software/Hardware response as a comment to this post on the Course Blog
by Friday, May 1, 5 PM:

http://tinyurl.com/c587ud

Final Screenings begin Wednesday the 29th, and so Drift 2 blogs should
be wrapped up soon.

Best,

Glenn

Individual Crits, Production Kits

2009-04-21T16:13:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

A reminder that if you have not signed up for an individual, one-on-one
crit with your Lab Instructor, you need to do so immediately. The
signup sheets are on my office door, MIT-B60. There are only a few
slots left for Wednesday and next Monday, while some labs have no slots
left at all. In that case, you will need to confirm with your Lab
Instructor about a visit during regular office hours.

Monday, April 27, 1 PM, is the deadline to turn in your Production Kits.
At this point in the semester you should be well into editing mode
rather than data gathering mode. A reminder of the Late Policy
concerning Production Kits:

"You will be docked 10 points from your Participation grade for every
day the kit is late. If the Equipment Room does not receive your kit by
the end of the semester, you will receive a 0 on your Drift 2 grade, the
Film Department will put a hold on your records, you will be billed for
the cost of replacing the kit, and you will be forbidden from checking
out equipment in the future."

Don't let this happen to you. Be a good Film Department citizen and get
those kits in. (You can turn your kits in earlier, if you wish.)

Audio/Video Hardware/Software Response

2009-04-21T15:43:00.001-05:00

Audio/Video Hardware/Software Response

Reflect on your experiences working with the audio/video hardware and software in this class. Answer the following in a word processor or text editor:

1. Discuss your experiences with building your microphones. Was this process more or less what you thought it would be? How did your microphone rig work on your Drift walks? Were you able to capture both overall ambiance and extreme closeups? Describe your ideal microphone and recorder setup, with unlimited time and money.

2. How was your experience with operating the MiniDisc recorder? How does this recorder compare to other audio equipment you've used? In an ideal world, how would your recorder of choice function?

3. Discuss the audio-editing software you chose and your history with this application. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?

4. How was your experience with the digital/video camera you chose to use in this course? How did it compare with other still or video cameras you have previously used? Were you able to successfully implement your Image Capturing Strategies using the features of this camera? In an ideal world, how would your still/video camera of choice function?

5. Discuss your choice of video-editing software and describe your history with this software. If you used this software for the first time, explain why you chose this particular application and how you think it helped you to accomplish your creative goals (or proved detrimental). Will you use this software again for future projects?

Copy/paste/publish as a single comment to this post by Friday, May 1, 5 PM.

Past Drift Examples

2009-04-16T10:01:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Just a reminder that links to past Drift projects are available on the
Tutorials page, second heading down:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_tutorials.html

Announcement: Interesting Concert this Thursday

2009-04-15T19:34:00.002-05:00

FYI: upcoming concert of interest:

An evening of 21st-century works for the electro-acoustic medium:
surround compositions by Charles Nichols, Asha Srinivasan, and Chris
Mercer played back over an eight-loudspeaker system, plus Kristine
Burns's Copper Islands for video and tape, and a new interactive
audiovisual performance by Christopher Burns.

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7:30 pm, UWM Fine Arts Recital Hall
Tickets: $7 students

Final Help Session for Drift 2

2009-04-14T11:56:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 15) is the final Help Session/open lab for
Drift 2. Take advantage of this valuable class time to come in for
feedback or assistance.

Next week we begin Individual Crits, and then after that are the Final
Screenings. Only 3 1/2 weeks remain in the semester, so be smart about
your time. Remember to sign up for your Individual Crit on the signup
sheet posted on my office door, MIT B60.

Drift 2 In-Progress Crit

2009-04-12T21:14:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow, Monday, April 13, in the Lab rooms for the Drift 2
In-Progress Crits. Please have something ready to show and talk about.

Wednesday the 15 will be our final Drift 2 Help Session in B18.

Sign up for your individual, one-on-one appointment with your Lab
Instructor. The sign-up sheets for each Lab section are now posted on my
office door, B-60. Pick your slot by Monday, April 20, 12 noon.

Your rough cuts must be posted by the time you are ready to meet with
your Lab instructor, and you should have strong ideas about where your
final-cut sound video is headed.

See everyone tomorrow.

Reading Response #2

2009-04-04T11:11:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

I hope you are progressing well on your Drift 2 walks, and that you've
gathered a lot of great material. We didn't see many of you at the last
two help sessions, and I hope this is because you were all out walking.

This Sunday at 5 PM is the deadline for the second Reading Response.
Pick one of these articles (Cuper, Daniel, Hansen, Hill, Lippard,
Lopate, Peterson, Pinkowish, Self, This American Life) and write your
response as a comment to this post on the Course Blog:
http://film-116.blogspot.com/2009/04/reading-response-2.html

We hope to see many, many more of you on Monday, April 6, in B18 for the
third help session.

Reading Response #2

2009-04-01T12:08:00.002-05:00

Reading responses on assigned readings will be due throughout the semester as comments to selected posts on the Course Blog. The responses will consist of three-paragraph statements on the readings or screenings, answering the following three questions (one paragraph per question):

1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

2. What are the main points of the essay?

3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

Pick one of the following readings (Cuper, Daniel, Hansen, Hill, Lippard, Lopate, Peterson, Pinkowish, Self, This American Life) and post your response as comment to this post by Sunday, April 5, 5 PM.

Drift 2 Help Session

2009-03-31T22:14:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1) in B18 for the second Help Session
for Drift 2.

One quick tip for adjusting the size of the thumbnail images in your
blog posts: if you click once on the thumbnail, the image will be
surrounded by a line with small boxes in the corners. Click on the
lower box in the right corner and drag the box upward, shrinking the
thumbnail to whatever size you wish.

See you tomorrow.

Drift 2 posting; Help Session

2009-03-29T14:25:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

Today at 5PM is the deadline for you to have your initial Drift 2 blog
created and posted, along with your Production Strategy and Drift 2
Starting Point.

We meet tomorrow in B18 for the first round of Help Sessions for Drift 2.

Drift 2 Overview

2009-03-24T21:31:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25), in B91 for an overview of Drift
2. If you would like to get a head start, review the Drift 2 page:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_2.html

See everyone tomorrow.

Drift Assessment and Ten Questions

2009-03-24T20:45:00.004-05:00

Make sure your answers to the following questions exist as self-contained statements.

1. Describe two situations that aggravated, bothered, shocked or otherwise stressed you during Drift 1. (Please note that the situation CANNOT be technology-related.)

2. Describe, with details, two situations during Drift 1 in which you felt unusually peaceful, at ease, or contemplative.

3. Describe three surprises or unexpected situations you encountered on your Drift and in the days that followed. The surprise could stem from your expectations that conflicted with "on the ground" realities, cultural or social issues of which you were previously unaware, feelings and reactions that you did not expect to have, appearances and soundings of things you did not expect, good or bad outcomes of "on the spot" decisions you had to make, or the discovery of "deeper" realities in the materials you brought home. (Again, skip anything technology-related!)

4. Describe your favorite experience, situation, place, or recollection from your Drift. Be specific about what happened, how you felt, how you reacted, and why you think this particular experience affected you so much.

After writing and reflecting upon your assessment answers, come up with ten questions that best address the aspects of your Drift process you are most interested in pursuing further in Drift 2.

These questions must be related directly to your experiences walking the specific landscapes of your Drift 1, and should be specifically worded enough to generate possible strategies and solutions for executing Drift 2. Note that you will not be ANSWERING these questions right away. They will serve as inspiration for areas to explore on Drift 2.

Here are some examples:

1. Are there any back roads that lead to something interesting?
2. Is there a house that has a very unique and interesting architecture?
3. Are there any places where sound takes on a strange quality?
4. Where can I find the strangest sight within my Drift area?
5. What differences are there on Lake Michigan between night and day?
6. Are there any places where one can make a complete 180 degree turn and only see nature?
7. Are there any buildings that will give me access to a high and panoramic view?
8. Is there some kind of elaborate garden in the area?
9. Are there any kind of monuments in the area?
10. Are there any bodies of water (other than Lake Michigan) in the area?

You may want to copy and paste the Drift Assessment questions into a Word or TextEdit/Notepad document, and then copy/paste into the comment field when you are done. Publish as a comment (click on the "comments" or "Post a Comment" link below).

Drift 1 Final Crit

2009-03-22T20:49:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

Welcome back! I hope Spring Break treated you all well.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, March 23rd) in the Lab Rooms for the Final
Crit for Drift 1. Attendance is mandatory.

Please make sure that everything is up and running on your Drift 1
Blogs, and that your sounds are linked via PantherFile. Remember, we
should be able to view your Drift 1 Blogs from ANY computer, not just
the one you are using.

We will be viewing your blogs from the Course Directory, so please make
sure the link next to your name correctly direct us to your blog:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Here are the Lab Rooms:

* Lab 1, B-91, Emir Cakaroz
* Lab 2, B-18, Sean Kafer
* Lab 3, B-75, Joe Sacco
* Lab 4, B-68, Heidi Spencer

See you all tomorrow.

Final Drift 1 Help Session

2009-03-10T19:21:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 11) we meet for the last Drift 1 Help Session
in B18. From what I heard, only a few of you had much posted on your
Drift 1 blogs for yesterday's In-Progress Crit, which tells us that you
are still editing your sounds. At least, we hope you are in the editing
stage and not the walking stage!

Tomorrow will be the last opportunity you will have to get access to the
PC desktops in B18 for SonicStage transfers. It will also be the last
time all FILM 116 instructors will be available for one-on-one help for
Drift 1.

Drift 1 is due Monday, March 23rd.

Hopefully we will see many of you tomorrow.

Drift 1 In-Progress Critique

2009-03-08T19:25:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, March 9) in the Lab Rooms for an In-Progress
Critique for Drift 1. Here are the Lab locations:

* Lab 1, B-91, Emir Cakaroz
* Lab 2, B-18, Sean Kafer
* Lab 3, B-75, Joe Sacco
* Lab 4, B-68, Heidi Spencer

Make sure you have your Drift 1 blogs as complete as possible, and that
all of the information on your blog is visible to the general public.
Also, many of you are still embedding your maps/images directly into
Blogger. Any imagery on your blogs must be linked via PantherFile.
Check steps 15-17 on the Blogger Tutorial to make sure you are posting
your images using the correct procedures:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_blogger.html

Some of you are having problems with SonicStage, mostly dealing with
locating your WAV files. Remember, any file that has the .OMA (or .HMA)
file extension is worthless and should not be copied. When you transfer
recordings from the Hi-MD using SonicStage, it automatically converts
the files to WAV format. The trick is finding those WAV files on your
computer after the transfer is over.

Check the SonicStage Tutorial, especially steps 2-6, to set the exact
folder where these WAV files will be placed by SonicStage.

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_sonicstage.html

If they don't show up there for whatever reason, remember that you can
do a Search on your computer for the name (using the characters that
appear in the My Library part of SonicStage). Remember these WAV files
will probably be called "2009-03-09 23:17:79" or something similar, with
the "2009-03-09" representing the date you did the transfer.

You can also do a search for recently added or updated files, and your
computer should list all the files that were created on a particular day.

Okay. See everyone tomorrow.

Drift 1 Help Session/Open Lab continued

2009-03-03T19:22:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We meet again tomorrow (Wednesday, March 4) for another open lab/help
session for Drift 1. Attendance has been sparse for the past two
sessions, and so I hope that you are all enjoying a trouble-free Drift 1
editing experience (rather than waiting to go on your walk).

All instructors will be there tomorrow, so please take advantage of our
time and let us help you troubleshoot technical issues or give you
feedback on your recordings or blog structure.

Drift 1 Help Session

2009-02-28T14:21:00.002-06:00

Hello,

I hope you all are making good progress on Drift 1. We will meet again
Monday (March 2) in B18 for another round of Open Lab/Help Session.
Bring your laptop and work in class, get your recordings transferred on
SonicStage, scan your maps, or get help on any aspect of the Drift 1
process.

Drift 1 Help Session

2009-02-24T21:09:00.002-06:00

Hello.

We meet tomorrow in B18 for the first of a series of Open Lab Help
Sessions for Drift 1. If you have ANY questions or technical issues, or
need assistance in scanning or using SonicStage, please drop in and we
will be glad to help out. You are also welcome to bring your laptop and
work during class, or use one of the computers in B18. Or you can work
from home.

If you have yet to go out on your Drift 1 walk, you can use class time
tomorrow to get out and explore your Drift 1 area.

In any case, please use your time wisely.

Audacity Demo

2009-02-22T19:50:00.002-06:00

Hello.

We meet tomorrow in B91 for a demo of Audacity and an overview of
SonicStage. I'll also go over some Blogger and PantherFile issues.
This is a key lecture, and is not to be missed.

We'll see everyone tomorrow.

Reading Response #1 due Sunday, February 22, 5 PM

2009-02-19T18:02:00.004-06:00

Hello, again.

The first Reading Response is due this Sunday, February 22, at 5 PM.
You will post your response as a comment to the post linked HERE.

Reading Response #1 will consist of a three-paragraph statement on one
of the readings from the list below, answering the following three
questions (one paragraph per question):

1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

2. What are the main points of the essay?

3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your
own practice as a media artist?

Choose one of these readings: Cosgrove, Cresswell, Cross, Debord,
Ferrington, Hall, Hart, Hiss, Peterson, Sant, Westerkamp.

Check the Research page for direct links to these readings:

Again, the deadline is Sunday, February 22, 5 PM.

Drift 1 walk this weekend!

2009-02-19T17:49:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

I strongly suggest you complete your Drift 1 walk this weekend so that
you will have plenty of time to complete this assignment. Drift 1 is
due the Monday after Spring Break. While that may seem a long way away,
you will be surprised at how much time you will need for this assignment.

We all are guilty of underestimating how much time things will take, and
even after you transfer your field recordings off your MD recorder, copy
the WAV files to a CD-R or flash drive, import and edit the recordings
in Audacity, and export them as clean MP3s, you still have to upload
them to PantherFile, link to them on your Drift 1 blog, add your site
maps, document everything on the Drift Map, and write eloquent
descriptions of what you've done. This is not something you can do the
night before. Trust me.

I will say it again: please go out on your Drift walk this weekend. Be
safe, be creative, be warm, and have fun.

I am including the Drift 1 Walking Points found on the Drift 1 page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Have a great weekend, and we'll see you all on Monday.

Best,

Glenn

+++++

Drift 1 "Walking Points"

Wear appropriate clothing. Bring your Hi-MD digital sound recorder and
DIY mic rig, a MiniDisc (pre-formatted), headphones, at least six
fully-charged AA batteries, pens, note pad, watch, water, snacks, and
cell phone. Use the buddy system if it will make you feel safer.

Travel to your designated starting point and go, on foot, for a
four-hour long investigative walk. Use the Drift strategy you selected
for this Drift. If the weather gets too cold or wet, consider
interesting indoor places to continue recording while you recover
(indoor locations are acceptable for this project--to an extent). Pay
attention to your surroundings, be safe, and watch for cars (especially
those inconsiderate drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians).

If you are taking a digital camera with you (or your cameraphone), try
to do only one activity at a time. Don't take snapshots while you're
trying to hold your recorder and mics and headphones at the same time.
This is not the time to multi-task!

Turn on your sound recorder and place it into Record-Pause (blinking
numbers) and then into Manual Gain mode. Dial the number to 9 or 10.
Listen very attentively (either through the headphones or with your
naked ears).

Whenever you detect that you have entered into a different soundscape,
record the following information and examples:

(a) On your pad of paper take notes describing where you are. Give
the location a name. In addition to drawing prominent features in the
location, write down street names, exact addresses of nearby buildings,
and names of nearby interesting streets. When no address is available,
make note of distances like "100 yards north of green #4 at Lincoln Park
Golf Course." Make sketches, diagrams, and/or snapshots. You will use
this information to make your maps.

(b) Start your sound recorder and verbally speak the name you have
given this location, the date, and the time.

(c) Make at least three "ambience" recordings from three different
stationary positions in the location. See if you can find "sweet spots"
where the stereo image is interesting. Study the space for surfaces and
partial enclosures that could be reflecting and shaping the sounds. For
stereo, try "balancing" two aspects of varied interest between the two
mics. Ambience changes over time, so be sure to let each of these
recordings continue for at least three or four minutes, preferably
longer. Do not move the mics when recording stereo ambience because it
blurs subtle clues about the space and its acoustics.

(d) In the same location walk around and listen for as many
distinct local sounds as you can find and isolate with extreme close
micing. In urban setttings, these sounds can possess high and/or low
pitches, textured rhythms, phasing drones, and blends of tones in
harmonic chords. In natural habitats, local sound effects can include
different animals and a large variety of natural events. In both cases,
sound effects should be mic'd close. Experiment with different mic
positions to affect balance and stereo image. These recordings should
also run for several minutes each, preferably longer. Remember, storage
space is cheap. Better to record more often than you think you need, and
for longer than you think you need.

Continue on your Drift. Stop to create both ambient and close-up
recordings whenever you enter a new sound environment. Don't forget to
make a map of each new location. You should try to to document at least
8-12 sites during your four-hour walk. If you don't come across a
location that sounds different after 15 minutes of walking, stop and
record anyway. You may be surprised to discover that something that
seemed boring in the field turns out very interesting upon playback.
Your goal is to have well over an hour of stereo sound recorded by the
end of your Drift (remember that your Hi-MD discs can hold up to 7 hours
of CD-quality uncompressed audio). You can walk for longer than four
hours if you wish.

MINIDISC SETTINGS

Here are the basic settings for preparing for MD Recorder. Copy or print
out and carry them with you.

Make sure you are in Advanced Mode:
* Press and hold Menu for 2 Seconds.
* Rotate jog wheel until "Option" appears.
* Press "Enter" (middle button).
* Rotate to "Menu Mode," Enter.
* Rotate to "Advanced," Enter.

Make sure your discs are in Hi-MD mode (this will be set automatically
if you are using a 1 GB Hi-MD disc):
* Menu
* Option
* Disc Mode
* Hi-MD

Make sure your discs are in Hi-SP mode:
* Menu
* REC Set
* REC Mode
* Hi-SP

Make sure you check your Mic Sensitivity:
* Menu
* REC Set
* Mic Sens
* "High" for general ambience
* "Low" for loud situations or very close mic

Make sure you are in Manual Gain mode while recording:
* Hold down Pause (II) and press REC (+>) ("Record Pause")
* Menu
* REC Set
* REC Volume
* Manual
* You have to do this each time you hit STOP or power up your recorder.

Make sure you keep the Manual Gain setting at 9 or 10 for most
situations. You can scroll up to 11 or 12 for quieter situations, but
anything above 13 or 14 stands a good chance of overmodulating and
distorting.

Field Recording Practice Sessions

2009-02-17T18:55:00.002-06:00

Hello.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18) we meet in the Lab Rooms for the Field
Recording Practice Sessions. Attendance is mandatory. Remember to
bring your recorder and mics, along with your headphones, blank
minidisc, and fresh batteries.

See you tomorrow.

Final Mic Building Session

2009-02-15T20:51:00.001-06:00

Hello.

Tomorrow (Monday, February 16) we will have our final mic-building
session. We should be able to consolidate all of the activity in B18,
and we should have everything set up by 2 PM, if not sooner.

If you have finished building your microphones and windscreens, and
everything works fine, then you do not have to attend class tomorrow.

The Labs will then meet Wednesday in the Lab rooms for the mandatory
Field Practice sessions.

Reading Response #1

2009-02-15T20:32:00.005-06:00

Reading Response #1 will consist of a three-paragraph statement on one of the readings from the list below, answering the following three questions (one paragraph per question):

1. Identify the article you have selected and why you chose it.

2. What are the main points of the essay?

3. How are the ideas or arguments in this article relevant to your own practice as a media artist?

Post your Reading Response #1 to one of the following readings as a comment to this post: Cosgrove, Cresswell, Cross, Debord, Ferrington, Hall, Hart, Hiss, Peterson, Sant, Westerkamp.

Check the Research page for direct links to these readings.

The deadline is Sunday, February 22, 5 PM.

Upcoming Deadlines

2009-02-13T09:52:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We have a deadline today, Friday, February 13. By 9 PM you should have
published your Drift 1 Blog, with a title, a Drift Strategy, and a Start
Point (possibly included in an early version of your Drift 1 Map).

Remember to check the Course Directory to copy the exact URL you will be
using for your Drift 1 Blog:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Review the Drift 1 page for instructions, requirements, and suggestions
for your Drift Strategy:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

You can also review the Drift 1 PowerPoint lecture:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_1.pdf

+++++

The other deadline is Sunday, February 15, 5 PM: post your Drift Atlas
Blog, which at this point will contain your Soundwalk Response. This
includes the answers to the Soundwalk questions, your overall Soundwalk
area map, your Sound/Body map, and your original notes/log.

Just like the Drift 1 Blog, the URL for your Drift Atlas can be found on
the Course Directory. Remember that the Course Directory is the
mechanism by which we review and audition your work for grading and
class critiques, so it's critical that the locations of your blogs are
correctly linked on the Course Directory.

Review the Drift Atlas page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_atlas.html

You can also review the Drift Atlas PowerPoint lecture:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_atlas.pdf

Okay, have a great weekend.

Peter Liechti's "Kick That Habit"

2009-02-10T10:14:00.001-06:00

Hello, all.

Sean Kafer suggested a short film that may be of interest to you as you
begin your exploration of sound and image. Peter Liechti's film "Kick
That Habit" is playing for one week only at Pitchforktv:

http://www.pitchfork.tv/week/kick-that-habit

Production Kits, Mic Building, Drift 1

2009-02-10T10:06:00.003-06:00

Hello, all.

Thank you for your patience yesterday with the microphone building. I
wish we had an unlimited supply of soldering wands and other equipment,
but we have to do our best with what we have. Remember that we will
have most of Wednesday and all of next Monday to finish your microphone
rigs.

We meet Wednesday, February 11, at 3 PM sharp in B91. Brooke Swelstad,
Equipment Room Manager, will visit our class to distribute the FILM 116
production kits. Bring new or freshly charged batteries so you can test
out the MD recorder and camera. After the kits are distributed and all
of the contracts are signed, we will return to the Lab rooms to continue
building microphones.

Between now and Friday, you will need to make some decisions about your
Drift 1 walk. Pick a starting point and a Drift Strategy and post to
your Drift 1 blog. The deadline for this is Friday, February 13, 9 PM.
Check the Drift 1 page for more information:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Check the Course Directory to make sure you have the correct URL for
your Drift 1 blog:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Okay, we'll see you all on Wednesday.

Microphone Building begins tomorrow!

2009-02-08T16:09:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Monday, February 9) we meet in the Lab Rooms for the first
round of the Microphone Building sessions. Please note that Lab 4 with
Heidi Spencer has moved to B-68:

Lab 1, B-91, Emir Cakaroz
Lab 2, B-18, Sean Kafer
Lab 3, B-75, Joe Sacco
Lab 4, B-68, Heidi Spencer

You can confirm your Lab by checking the Course Directory:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Remember to bring these supplies you purchased at Riverwest Film and Video:

* two Rapid 35-0190 Mic Capsules
* one stereo mic cable with 1/8" stereo plug
* two alligator clips for attaching windscreens
* one pair of enclosed headphones for testing mics
* Optional: swatches of faux fur for a fancier windscreen
* Optional: soldering wand

You can review the mic building demo, if you'd like:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/soldering_demo.pdf

Also, if you are interested in constructing a fancier windscreen, watch
this instructional video from a former 116 student:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rkv0P40rt8

Remember that I have extended the deadline for posting your Soundwalk
responses (including your answers to the 11 questions, overall Soundwalk
map, sound/body map, and sound log/notes) to next Sunday, February 15.

But, you should probably get started now on creating your Drift Atlas
and posting your materials. Remember to use the Drift Atlas URL that is
linked beside your name on the Course Directory. You will be copying
just this portion of the URL: flast116 (first initial, last name, 116)
and pasting it into the URL box on Blogger.

Please review the Blogger Tutorial for assistance:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_blogger.html

And the link to the Drift Atlas page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_atlas.html

I've added links to the Course Directories from previous semesters to
the Tutorials page, so you can review the work of past students:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_tutorials.html

Also, here are specific examples of Drift 1 blogs:
http://egrycan11601.blogspot.com/
http://kprobst116drift1.blogspot.com/
http://mmorton11601.blogspot.com/
http://lsmith11601.blogspot.com/
http://bdavey11601.blogspot.com/
http://www.jamesstukenberg0711601.blogspot.com/
http://www.tobystaffanson0711601.blogspot.com/

And here is a nice treatment of Drift 1, even though his map thumbnails
link to MP3s rather than to larger versions of the maps (remember, each
field recording must be linked through a separate line of text, not by
clicking on the image thumbnail):
http://www.samkarow0711601.blogspot.com/

Okay, we will see all of you tomorrow.

Cast Your Vote! Shape the Film Department at UWM!

2009-02-05T17:09:00.003-06:00

Hello, all.

Here is a message from the Film Department, with a link to the
Differential Tuition survey. Please take a few minutes, if you haven't
done so already, to complete this survey. Your participation is
critical to the Department's efforts to effectively distribute
Differential Tuition funds.

+++++

Cast your Differential Tuition vote!

Help to shape the Film Department at UWM!

Differential tuition, $20 per credit, is applied to most undergraduate courses in the Peck School of the Arts.

The fees collected in Film are used to benefit students by providing resources to support curriculum, programming, equipment and facilities improvements.
Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think should be done with next year's funding to support a creative environment and educational experience in the Film Department.

You only need to complete this survey once - if you have filled one out in class or online there is no need to do it again.

It's short and online: http://tinyurl.com/cqzw9j

Mapping Lecture

2009-02-03T21:43:00.002-06:00

Hello all.

We meet tomorrow (Wednesday, February 4) in B91 for a lecture on
mapping. I will talk about artistic and experimental cartography, and
show examples of maps and images I hope will inspire you when you are
creating and editing your Soundwalk and Drift maps. I'll also go over
the structure of your Drift Atlas blogs.

I also hope to give you a preview of what to expect next week when we
start building our microphones. Needless to say, by now you should have
paid a visit to Riverwest Film and Video to pick up your supplies. If
not, go there soon!

See you all tomorrow.

Soundwalk preparation

2009-02-01T16:44:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow, (Monday, February 2) in the Lab Rooms for the
Soundwalk. Remember that you can find your lab by checking the Course
Directory:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Note that the lab rosters have shifted a bit, so please double-check the
Directory to make sure you have the right lab.

Lab 1: Mitchell Hall B-91, Emir Cakaroz
Lab 2: Mitchell Hall B-18, Sean Kafer
Lab 3: Mitchell Hall B-75, Joe Sacco
Lab 4: Mitchell Hall B-65, Heidi Spencer

To prepare for the Soundwalk, make sure to dress warm and wear good
walking shoes. The Soundwalks will probably take place mostly indoors,
but you will spend some time outside walking from one site to another,
and possibly completing one of the Soundwalk exercises.

You will need to bring a notepad or sketchbook and a pencil/pen. You
will be taking notes and drawing maps during the Soundwalk. You
can/should clean up these drawings later, but during the Soundwalk you
will need to be actively sketching and taking notes. You may want to
keep your notebook no larger than 8.5" x 11" so that you can easily scan
your notes and maps on a standard flatbed scanner (available in B18 or
in the campus labs if you don't have your own).

Here are the visual elements that you will need to complete for this
assignment:

* Soundwalk Area Map: a map of the overall area of the Soundwalk,
including start and end points, the route walked, and stops along the way;

* Sound Body Map: a map of the sounds you heard, visually depicted as a
swarm or cluster of events surrounding you (your presence will be
depicted as a dot or symbol or figure situated in the middle of the map);

* Sound Log: your original notes listing the names of the sounds you heard.

I have included some examples of these maps and notes on the Drift Atlas
page:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_atlas.html

Also on the Drift Atlas page is the list of questions that you will need
to answer as part of your Soundwalk Response (your maps, notes, and
responses must be posted to your Drift Atlas blog). Here is the list of
questions:

1. Were you able to find places and spaces where you could really
listen?
2. Was it possible to move without making a sound?
3. What happened when you plugged your ears, and then unplugged them?
4. What types of sounds were you able to hear? List them.
5. Were you able to differentiate between sounds that had a
recognizable source and those sounds you could not place?
6. Were you able to differentiate human, mechanical, and natural sounds?
7. Were you able to detect subtleties, changes, or variations in the
everpresent drone?
8. Extremely close sounds? Sounds coming from very far away?
9. Were you able to intervene in the urban landscape and create your
own sounds by knocking on a resonant piece of metal, activating wind
chimes, etc.?
10. Do you feel you have a new understanding or appreciation of the
sounds of our contemporary landscape/cityscape?
11. How do you think your soundwalk experience will affect your
practice as a media artist, if at all?

Remember that your responses to the Survey are due at 5 PM today. You
also must register on the Technical Forum by 5 PM as well.

We'll see you tomorrow.

Lost & Found, Course Blog

2009-01-29T07:56:00.001-06:00

Hello, all.

A couple of quick things.

Someone left a small notebook and pen in B91--I placed them in my
mailbox in the Department office.

Also, some of you mentioned that it was difficult to locate the "Post a
Comment" link on the Survey post. Here is a screenshot of where to find
the link: http://tinyurl.com/d5t948

Your response to the Survey is due Sunday, February 1, 5 PM. Here is
the link:
http://film-116.blogspot.com/2009/01/film-116-survey.html

Sunday the 1st is also the deadline to register for the Technical Forum:
http://tinyurl.com/bsbnbg

I'll send another note this weekend in preparation for Monday's Soundwalk.

Prep for Wednesday, January 28

2009-01-26T22:16:00.001-06:00

Hello, all.

Welcome, again, to FILM 116. We have a busy semester ahead of us, and
a productive one as well, I hope.

Some reminders:

We meet again on Wednesday, 3 PM, B91, for a demo on Blogger and
PantherFile. We will also listen to previous examples of Drift 1
recordings, as well as go through a preview of microphone building.

Remember to post your Survey answers as a comment to this post on the
Course Blog by Sunday, February 1, 5 PM:
http://film-116.blogspot.com/2009/01/film-116-survey.html

Also, register for the Technical Forum, also by Sunday:
http://www.freeforum101.com/forum/index.php?mforum=06116filmforum

Here is the link to the list of required supplies that you will need to
purchase by Monday, February 9:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_syllabus.html#supplies

All of these supplies (except for the optional faux fur and soldering
wand) are available from Riverwest Film and Video, 824 East Center St.,
Milwaukee, WI 53212, Hours: 3-11pm daily, 414-265-8433)
http://tinyurl.com/36avvt

Remember to keep up on your reading. To prepare for Monday's Soundwalk,
make sure you've gotten through Hart, Westerkamp, Debord, and Sant.

Note that my updates to the syllabus and schedule are ongoing, so please
be patient!

See you all on Wednesday.

FILM 116 Survey

2009-01-24T11:53:00.001-06:00

1. What is your name (first, last)?

2. Do you have a preferred name or nickname you would like us to use?

3. Do you own your own computer? If so, what platform (Mac, PC), and what operating system (Windows XP/Vista, Mac Tiger/Leopard, Linux, unsure)? If not, have you had experience with Mac or PC or both?

4. Do you own a digital camera and/or video camera? If so, describe your gear, and talk a little bit about your experience capturing still and moving images.

5. Have you ever edited a video before? If so, what software did you use?

6. Have you worked with sound (or music) before, either performing, recording, or processing? If so, please describe.

7. Who are your favorite filmmakers?

8. What are some of your favorite films?

9. Who or what inspired you to pursue studies in Film?

10. What kind of career do you imagine for yourself in Film or other Media Arts?

11. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

Differential Tuition

2008-12-08T14:28:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

In order to dedicate the entire class Wednesday to the screening of
Rivers and Tides, I humbly ask all of you to fill out the Differential
Tuition survey online between now and Wednesday. It should only take a
few minutes, and your input will help influence how the Differential
Tuition money is spent.

Following is the text of the letter from Rob Yeo.

Best,

Glenn

++++++

In order to better support your production and studies in the Film
Department, we are asking that you complete a 2009-10 Differential
Tuition Survey Form.

For the first time, you now have the option of doing this
electronically, by going to
<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WhftHnVSFCyHH4kQWJMkIg_3d_3d>

Paper forms will also be provided in classes this week, but if you make
out the form now, you will not have to do it again during class time.
One form, either electronic or paper, is all that we need from you.

I do understand that you are very busy now, but the survey form is
short, so please take a few minutes to fill it out. Each of the
questions has room for additional suggestions & comments.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

Rob Yeo
Associate Professor & Chair
Department of Film
Peck School of the Arts
UW-Milwaukee

Drift 2 Screening, Research Blogs

2008-12-07T18:45:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Monday, December 8) we meet in B91 for the final round of
Drift 2 screenings.

By now you should be all finished with your Research Blogs, which I will
finish grading this week.

Our final class meeting will be Wednesday, December 10, when we will
screen "Rivers and Tides," a documentary on the artist Andy Goldsworthy.

And, if you have sent me an e-mail recently, I hope to respond to you soon.

Drift 2 Screenings, Video Hardware/Software Response

2008-12-02T18:02:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We meet again tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3) for the second round of
Drift 2 Screenings. Attendance is required, even if we have already
screened your video.

Tomorrow (by 3 PM) is also the deadline for your Video Hardware/Software
response to be posted to your Research Blog.

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

See you all tomorrow.

Reminder: Student Film and Video Festival

2008-12-02T08:21:00.002-06:00

Forwarded Message:

The submission deadline for this semesters Student film and video
festival is almost here! You can pick up admission forms in the MIT B70
film office, or print out the one attached to this email...

The Student Film and Video Festival at the Union Theater is an important
tradition here at UWM, and along with the Senior Screening makes for an
exciting weekend at the end of each semester.

This year's festival will be programed by a panel of five judges:

Renato Umali
Melissa Musante
Jonathan Jackson
Ross Nugent
Brent Coughenour

Please submit your work on mini-DV or plug 'n play DVD in the Film
office (Mitchell B70) by 5pm on December 5th (This Friday!)

You can submit as many works as you like, as long as they have were
completed after the start of the Fall 07 Semester, i.e. projects
produced during past semesters (since August 2007)are also eligible, as
long as they have not been screened as part of a prior Student F&V
Festival....

Forms are available in the office... if you have any questions you can
email Tim Sienko at twsienko@uwm.edu

Screening information:
Friday, December 12 - 7pm - Free Screening
Student Film Festival
A juried showcase of the best short films and videos from the students
of the pioneering UWM Film Department.

also,
Saturday, December 13th, 7 pm
Senior Screening
Completed projects from advanced and graduating film students, from Film
509/510 class.

Drift 2 Screenings, Production Kits due

2008-11-30T18:06:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday, and that food, family, and
weather are treating you well.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, December 1) in B91 for the first round of
Drift 2 screenings, so make sure your final cut sound video is posted
and plays correctly from your blog. Attendance is mandatory.

Also due tomorrow are your production kits; turn them in to the
Equipment Room by 3 PM. If your kit is late: you will be docked 10
points from your Participation grade for every day the kit is late. If
the Equipment Room does not receive your kit by the end of the semester,
you will receive a 0 on your Drift 2 grade, the Film Department will put
a hold on your records, you will be billed for the cost of replacing the
kit, and you will be forbidden from checking out equipment in the future.

So, avoid all of that grief and turn in your kits on time.

We'll see you all tomorrow.

Aaron Ximm visits FILM 116

2008-11-18T16:01:00.003-06:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 19) we meet in B91 for an appearance by
visiting artist Aaron Ximm. Ximm will join the Midwest Phonographers
Union in a live, improvised performance using field recordings. We'll
have a Q&A following, so make sure you read the Ximm article or visit
his website so that we can have a lively discussion:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/ximm_soundartmusic.pdf
http://www.quietamerican.org

See you all tomorrow.

Individual Crits continue

2008-11-16T19:24:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We continue the second round of Individual Crits tomorrow (Monday,
November 17). Unless otherwise noted, you will be meeting your Lab
Instructor in your lab room. If you are not scheduled for a crit
tomorrow, then use class time to work on Drift 2. I will be in my
office (B60) during class hours.

I will be presenting a brief overview on the work of Aaron Ximm in Carl
Bogner's FILM 202 class tomorrow, 11 am in the UWM Recital Hall (MUS
175). I'll also be performing a live, improvised mix of Ximm's field
recordings. All are welcome.

I moved the deadline for the third Reading Response to December 7 in
order to give you more time between now and the Final Screenings to
finish your Drift 2 blogs:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_schedule.html

I also added a link to an iMovie Guide on the Tutorials page. This
includes tips on how to remove the default "Ken Burns" effect on your
still imagery (page 42):

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_tutorials.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3111952/iMovie-08-Getting-Started

Individual Crits begin tomorrow

2008-11-11T19:23:00.001-06:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 12) is the first day of Individual Crits,
20-minute one-on-one feedback sessions with your Lab Instructor. There
are still lots of empty slots on the sign-up sheets. Remember that this
is a REQUIRED crit.

Unless otherwise noted on the signup sheet, you will be meeting your Lab
Instructor in your normal lab room.

We will not be meeting as a class during these crit sessions, so if you
don't have a crit that day, you are free to work on your Drift 2 blogs.
Use your time wisely!

I will be holding open hours (in addition to my regular office hours)
during class time for each of the three days of Individual Crits, so
please feel free to drop in for some technical/logistical/aesthetic
feedback.

Final Drift 2 Help Session

2008-11-09T12:41:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, November 10) in B18 for the last remaining
Help Session for Drift 2. We hope to see you there to talk about any
technical, logistical, or aesthetic issues you may be having with Drift 2.

Wednesday, November 12, is the first round of required Individual Crits
with your Lab Instructor. The sign-up sheets are posted on my office
door, B60.

Today at 5 PM is the deadline for posting your Reading Response #2 to
your Research Blog. Choose one of the following readings: Cage,
Delehanty, Hill, Hiss, Lopate, Peterson, Self, Spirn, Wrights & Sites, Ximm.

Visiting Artist Aaron Ximm will be appearing in our class on Wednesday,
November 19, as a guest performer with the Milwaukee Phonographers
Union, who will perform a live, improvised soundscape comprised entirely
from unprocessed field recordings. We will have an informal Q&A
following the concert, so, even if you choose not to write your Response
on the Ximm article, please read it so that all of us will be ready to
engage in a good discussion.

See you tomorrow.

Call for Works: Edinburgh Festival

2008-11-06T19:27:00.002-06:00

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Pip Chodorov"
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 6:57:39 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Edinburgh Festival (forwarded message from Kim Knowles)

Dear Frameworkers,

I curate the experimental section of the Edinburgh International Film
Festival and would like to invite submissions (see below). If you
have any questions/queries you can contact me on
kim_knowles1@hotmail.com or K.Knowles@ed.ac.uk.

Looking forward to receiving your works.

Kim Knowles

63rd Edinburgh International Film Festival - 17 - 28 June 2009

Submissions for the 2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival is now
open. EIFF invites experimental short and feature projects for
consideration in our Black Box Section. Submissions to Black Box are
free.

You can submit online through the EIFF website or download a form and
post it to us. www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions

The 63rd EIFF will take place from 17 28 June in Edinburgh. The
Festival aims to stand internationally as a festival of discovery, a
celebration of cinema, a centre of debate and a catalyst for new
films.

Submissions Deadlines for Black Box - open NOW - final deadline
Monday 16 February 2009

For full details, and to read our FAQs please go to
www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions

Drift 2 Dates, Deadlines, and Examples

2008-11-05T20:31:00.002-06:00

Hello, again.

Some upcoming dates and deadlines to consider:

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Post your Reading Response #2 to one of the following readings as a
self-contained post on your Research blog: Cage, Delehanty, Hill, Hiss,
Lopate, Peterson, Self, Spirn, Wrights & Sites, Ximm. The deadline is
Sunday, November 9, 5 PM.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Final Drift 2 Help Session in B18, 3-4:50 PM.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Individual, one-on-one, 20-minute Critique Sessions with your Lab
Instructor. Sign-up sheets are posted on my office door, B60. Your
rough-cut sound sketches should be posted so that you can get feedback
on sound/image relationships before you head into your final-cut sound
video.

And, finally, here are some current Drift 2 Blogs that you may want to
look at. While I haven't had a chance to review the clips themselves
for content, these blogs feature good, solid STRUCTURE:

http://mmorton11602.blogspot.com/
http://ehughes11602.blogspot.com/
http://nschneider11602.blogspot.com/
http://dgorchynsky11602.blogspot.com/
http://mkeller11602.blogspot.com/
http://sleto11602.blogspot.com/
http://kschwarz11602.blogspot.com/
http://jgreytak11602.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend.

Post-Crit Thoughts for Drift 2

2008-11-05T20:30:00.003-06:00

Hello, all.

Some things to keep in mind following this afternoon's Crit:

* Edits are different from effects. When we said "no effects" on the rough-cut silent sketches, we meant no wipes, dissolves, overlays, slowed/accelerated footage, oversaturation, color imbalances, contrast changes, added noise/speckles, etc. This does not mean we are looking for completely untouched footage straight from your camera; this is RAW footage, and should be kept private. We ARE looking for footage that has been assembled with thoughtful and precise edits: what happens when one clip ends and the other begins? Are you cutting at exactly the right moment? Is the tail end of clip #1 visually compatible with the beginning of clip #2? Are there rhythmic properties of a clip that you can highlight by juxtaposing similar rhythms in a second clip? The same with graphic qualities? Can repetition of a particular image or clip throughout the sketch be used to heighten a sense of drama or movement?

* Your two rough-cut sound sketches may feature whatever special effects (image and sound) that you wish to use. Here is your chance to try out some ideas to see if they may work for your final-cut sound video. More often than not, you will discover that you do not need special visual effects after all. You can almost always say something better using a well-considered edit than a wipe or dissolve or overlay. But, that's what the rough-cut sound sketches are designed to do: allow you to experiment with ideas in a shorter clip where the stakes are not as high, working out the bugs before you spend precious time and sweat on your final-cut sound video.

* The sounds you use for your rough-cut sound sketches can be realistic or abstract, long continuous takes or highly edited sonic adventures. What we will be listening for, however, is that these sounds are DIFFERENT from the sounds you posted for Drift 1. And, of course, that they function in a well considered image/sound relationship with the visual footage.

* We are looking for four rough-cut clips, two silent and two with
sound. These four clips should all be derived from your Drift 2 walks,
but should be different enough from each other that we can see that you
have considered the innumerable directions your work can take. We DO
NOT want to see you simply adding sound to one of your posted silent
sketches to make it a sound sketch. We want you to choose the BEST four
clips among all of your footage, not the ONLY four clips you have.

* Avoid portrait mode in your still photographs at all times. As you
peruse videos on the web, you will find very few, if any, videos
composed of portrait (vertical) shots. Landscape (horizontal) shots are
preferred because they best correspond to the standardized dimensions of
film and video. (We will not downgrade rough-cut silent sketches that
feature vertical imagery as long as you do not continue this practice in
your rough-cut sound sketches or in your final-cut sound video.)

* If you are setting up a long take where the camera is stationary and
the footage shows movement across or within the frame, then you must use
a tripod or otherwise secure your camera. A shaky camera undercuts your
carefully composed long take and distracts from your message.

* The ideal format for the web is detailed in the QuickTime Tutorial:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_quicktimepro.html

Compression: H.264
Quality: Medium
Frame Rate: 15
Encoding Mode: multi-pass
Dimensions: 320x240
Prepare for Internet Streaming: Fast Start

By all means, work on your video in the largest, highest quality format
possible in order to best view your footage in the studio, but EXPORT A
COPY of lower quality exclusively for web distribution on your Drift 2
Blog. Everyone knows that viewing a video on the web is different than
viewing a video in a movie theater or on television, so don't worry that
your work is being seen at a lesser level of quality than you would
prefer. Go ahead and save full-resolution top-quality versions for your
own archive and for other purposes, but, FOR THIS CLASS, we only want to
see WEB-COMPATIBLE videos posted to your blog. If a video takes too
long to download (or if I look on your PantherFile and see a 300 MB clip
instead of an 8 or 10 MB clip), then you have uploaded an uncompressed
video. If a video takes too long to load, then your viewer will
definitely move on to another website.

* If your clip is widescreen or does not strictly adhere to the 320x240
dimensions without distorting, then use black bands (if appropriate) and
try to shrink your playing window as closely to 320x240 as possible.

* Only MOV format videos are allowed. We do not want to see any AVI,
WMV (which don't play at all), MPG, MP4, W4V, or any other format other
than MOV. If you are editing in Windows Movie Maker or other Windows
app, then you MUST download a separate piece of freeware to convert your
WMV or other formatted file to MOV. See the syllabus for links to
conversion apps:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_syllabus.html

* Rough-cut sketches are edited clips that best illustrate some of the
ideas and directions you wish to pursue in your final clip. No longer
than 30 seconds, these rough-cut sketches are not meant to be perfect,
finished works of art (although they certainly can be well-made and
remarkable). If you post a fabulous, tight, breathtaking and
fully-realized rough-cut sketch, do not think that your work is done.
We will then expect to see an even more fabulous, tighter, more
breathtaking, and more complex final cut video. We are on the lookout
for recycled clips, and we will spot them right away.

* If you have posted a rough-cut sketch that you or your Lab Instructor
or your peers think is missing something or violates one or more of the
rules mentioned above, then you can simply post a revised version of
that rough-cut sketch in a new post. Remember that your Blogs are
online evidence of your work-in-progress, and stand as portraits not
only of you as a person but of you as an artist. Don't spend too much
time trying to perfect a rough-cut sketch. Fix what needs to be fixed
and move on to your rough-cut sound sketches.

* The final-cut sound video is longer than your rough-cut sketches (no
longer than 2 minutes) and should be a development of, and an expansion
upon, the ideas you explored in your sketches. We DO NOT want to see a
rough-cut sketch recycled (or simply lengthened with similar material)
into a final-cut sound video. We DO want to see a final video that
fully realizes the ideas and promise shown in the rough-cut sketches.
We DO want to see a final-cut video that emerges from your Production
Strategy (which, in turn, is derived from your Drift Assessment and Ten
Questions).

* Your Drift Map for Drift 2 may be the same GoogleMap you used for
Drift 1 with additional "soundmarks" and "imagemarks" added for Drift 2
(preferably color coded so that the two Drifts can be identified) or an
entirely new map altogether. If this is the case, we will want to see a
MASTER MAP that shows the areas you explored in BOTH Drift 1 and Drift
2. We also want to see linking going on between your Research Blog and
your Drift 1 and Drift 2 Blogs.

* Some of you have expressed a desire to make a straightforward
narrative film. We say, "go for it," as long as your image and sound
materials come from your WALKS OUT IN THE WORLD. Rather than execute a
screenplay or fully-formed idea (a perfectly valid exercise, and one
that is covered in other classes), we ask that you go out on a WALK in
or through a particular site or sites, gather material from those
locations, and then sift through your footage in the studio to assemble
your final video. If you design your Production Strategy carefully
enough, you can place yourself in a situation where the material you
gather is perfectly suited for a narrative video. Sound and imagery
that reveals the inside of your dorm room, however, is not the result of
a WALK, no matter how you try to spin it. Gather that footage if you
absolutely need to, but save it for another class or project.

Okay, that's enough for now!

SCAN Student Film and Video Festival

2008-11-05T12:11:00.002-06:00

UWM Student Film and Video Festival 2008
sponsored by SCAN

Guidelines and submission form here:
http://tinyurl.com/55adx2

* The submission deadline is Dec 5th at 5:00pm.

* Judging will take place on Dec 7th.

* Students can submit as many works as they like, but only one film and
one video from each student can screen in the festival itself.

* Students can submit any works completed after the start of the Fall 07
semester...as long as they have not been screened at the festival
before. This means if a student submitted a work last year that did not
get in, he/she is allowed to submit it again, with or without changes.

* The festival will take place on Friday, December 12th in the Union
Theatre.

Drift 2 Crit: Rough-Cut Sketches

2008-11-04T21:19:00.002-06:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Wednesday, November 5) in the Lab Sections for a
Critique Session of your Drift 2 blogs in progress--we will be reviewing
your silent rough cut sketches (and your sound sketches as well, if you
have them ready).

Some of you asked for some examples of previous Drift 2 blogs to serve
as examples. Please note that these blogs are from Spring 2008 when
there were three Drift projects rather than two. (Also note that back
then students were asked to include their Drift Assessments and Ten
Questions on their Drift Blogs rather than on a Research Blog.)

http://davidortiz0811603.blogspot.com/
http://davidcollins0811603.blogspot.com/
http://gregsurges0811603.blogspot.com/
http://charlesdickmeyer0811603.blogspot.com/
http://chloearbiture0811603.blogspot.com/

For those of you who have e-mailed me recently about particular issues,
I will be getting to you as soon as I can.

We'll see you all tomorrow.

Drift 2 Help Session

2008-10-26T18:48:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, October 27) in B18 for the first Help Session
for Drift 2. Bring what you have on your laptop or drive so that we can
help you troubleshoot whatever technical issues you may be having.

See you tomorrow.

Drift 2 Practice Crit, Editing Discussion

2008-10-21T19:18:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow in B91 for a selection of past Drift videos and
discussion of Drift 2 procedures.

Remember that your Drift Assessments and Ten Questions are to be posted
to your Research Blog by 3 PM tomorrow.

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

This is to (hopefully) inspire you to go out on your Drift 2 walks this
weekend. As you realized during Drift 1, the more time you have to
review and edit, the better.

Many of you have already used your digital cameras to add imagery to
your Drift 1 blogs, but if you need some reference on how to use any of
the features of your camera, check the FAQs and manuals on the Tutorials
page:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_tutorials.html

See you tomorrow.

Drift 2 Overview, Drift 1 deadline

2008-10-19T14:02:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, October 20) in B91 for an overview of Drift 2,
along with a review of upcoming deadlines.

Drift 1 is due tonight (Sunday, October 19) at 10 PM (moved up from
5PM). Review the grading criteria to make sure you're not missing anything:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_1_criteria.pdf

See you tomorrow.

Drift 1 Final Crit

2008-10-14T20:32:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Wednesday, October 15) in the Lab rooms for the final
Drift 1 Crit. Make sure your Drift 1 blog is finished and fantastic so
that when your Lab Instructor clicks on your link, we go straight to
your amazing Drift 1 blog to listen to your field recordings.

Please take any feedback/suggestions you receive to improve and
fine-tune your blog. The drop-dead deadline for making changes to your
Drift 1 blog will be this Sunday night. Your Lab Instructor will not
start grading until Monday, so you have lots of time to get it done and
get it right.

Again, here is the Drift 1 grading criteria:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_1_criteria.pdf

One thing that seems to be happening with Mac users is using the wrong
version of Audacity. If you have an Intel Mac (to check, click on the
Apple icon in the uppermost left, then click on "About this Mac"), you
need to be using Audacity 1.2.5 and the libmp3lame-osx-universal-3.97
(zip) Lame Lib.

If you have an older PowerPC, you will need Audacity 1.2.6 and the
LameLib-Carbon (sit) Lame Lib.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/

Okay. See you all tomorrow.

Final Drift 1 Help Session, Ximm is coming

2008-10-12T19:58:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow (Monday, October 13) in B18 for the final help session
for Drift 1. Take advantage of this session, since it will be the last
opportunity to get one-on-one time with us (other than office hours)
before the Drift 1 Final Crits on Wednesday, October 15. At those crits
we expect complete Blogs, with Drift Map, Drift Strategy, and five field
recordings posted and working properly.

Check the Drift 1 Grading Criteria to make sure you're on the right path:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_1_criteria.pdf

I've sent an e-mail to UITS requesting that your PantherFile allotments
be increased to 2 GB. In the meantime, if you're running out of space,
remember to empty the trash in your PantherFile to free up extra room.

We'll see you tomorrow.

P.S. Sound artist Aaron Ximm will be visiting our class in November, so
let's get a head start by reading his article:

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/ximm_soundartmusic.pdf

Here is his website, for further perusal:

http://www.quietamerican.org

Found: microphones in MIT 353

2008-10-07T17:44:00.002-05:00

If you lost a pair of mics after visiting MIT 353, send me an e-mail.

Drift 1 deadline change, Help Session #2

2008-10-07T17:42:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

After reviewing all of the Drift 1 Blogs yesterday, I calculated that
2/3 of the class had not created a Drift 1 Blog (47 of you), or had
initiated a Drift 1 Blog with no posts. This tells me (loud and clear)
that most of you are not far enough along on your Drift 1 projects, for
whatever reasons.

Therefore, I am pushing back the Drift 1 Final Crit until Wednesday,
October 15. Monday, October 13 will be dedicated to an additional Help
Session in B18.

As you realized during the Crits on Monday, it is hard to get a good
dialogue going about your work if there is no work to discuss. The
Crits are designed to give you twenty sympathetic viewers who will be
looking and listening to your work with a fresh perspective (which is
critical after you've been cooped up in your studio for so long, bonding
closely with your Drift 1 Blog and recordings).

So, make sure that your Drift 1 Blog is finalized, complete, perfect,
shiny, and brilliant by 3 PM on the 15th so that your Lab Instructor and
classmates will be able to properly experience your work and give you
feedback.

We meet tomorrow for another Help Session in B18. We can look at your
work from your Drift 1 Blog (or PantherFile), or you can bring your
materials on a CD-R or external drive. All of us will be there to help
you with scanning, SonicStage, Audacity, Blogger, PantherFile, and
GoogleMaps. We are also available to listen to your field recordings
and help you make smart editing decisions.

[Note that I did not mention microphone issues. That's because we
expect you to have already completed your Drift walk and captured plenty
of raw recordings by now. If that isn't the case, you are way behind,
and you will need to scare up some serious hustle to get up to speed.]

See you tomorrow.

First Year Film Students: Art-A-Thon and free pizza!

2008-10-07T08:09:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder to all first-year Film students that Art-a-thon is
Friday, October 10 from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm. Registration is at 10:45,
MIT 323.

Please sign up for the various workshops. Choose two workshops, one from
11-12:15 and the other from 12:30-1:45. (If you have a class and can
only make one, please come anyway.) The sign up sheets are posted
outside Undergraduate Advisor Allison Cooke's office, MIT 323. Your
studio instructors will bring your class over to sign up.

Accepted Workshops for the 8th Annual Art-a-thon:
"Image Transfer and Collage"
"Creating Patterned Cloth"
"CS3 Extended Animation"
"Bookbinding"
"Drawing into Printmaking/Mail Art"
"WearableArt"
"Character Development and Stop Motion Animation"
"Exquisite Digital"
"Flex Wax Casting"
"Andrew Goldsworthy"
"The Figure: Fractured, Collaged, Drawn, Painted"
"Trace Monotypes: Printmaking without a Press"
"Post-It Project"
"Exquisite Corpse"
"Animation Station (Phenakistoscopes)"
"Mapping Milwaukee: Drawing and Collective"
"Kinetic Drawing"
"Cardboard Habitat"

Bring your drawing boards with clips, paper, and drawing supplies.
(Almost all of you are in drawing this semester, but if you are not and
do not have these supplies, we will provide them.) Some workshop require
that you bring some images or research with you, so please read the
workshop description carefully. We will furnish all the other materials
needed. We have several different workshops, everything from life
drawing to image transfer to iron on t-shirt transfers to printmaking to
cardboard habitats and more. The first workshop is from 11:00 - 12:15
and the second is from 12:30 –1:45. The workshops are followed by a huge
exhibition and pizza party (with a drawing for prizes galore!). There
will also be an Art Fair during the pizza party with information about
Graphic Design, Art Education, the Laptop Initiative, PSOA Advisors,
Artist and Display and Utrecht Art Supply Stores, and more.

Also, bring music cds/ ipods if you want. We like music in all areas and
will have some cd players.

Plan to arrive at 10:45 to register in MIT 323.

This event is just for all of you. It will be a fun day to meet other
art students and instructors and to make art that is different from the
classroom assignments. Best of all: it is FREE!

Check out our posters around MIT and ART. They were created by Kathryn
Kemmis and Marie Finke, both former Pre Art Student now in Graphic Design.

We all look forward to making art with you that day. See you there.
Frankie Flood
(fflood@uwm.edu)

Frankie Flood
Assistant Professor
Director of Foundations
Department of Visual Art
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
414-229-6127

Drift 1 Rough Crit

2008-10-05T18:17:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow (Monday, October 6) we meet in the lab rooms for in-progress
critique sessions led by the Lab Instructors. Make sure that your Drift
1 blog is up and running, and that you have enough material posted to
talk about in class.

I'll be sending out preliminary Research grades (Soundwalk Response and
the first Reading Response) beginning tomorrow. Keep in mind that the
PDF copy of the spreadsheet you receive will indicate the Research point
total so far--I will send updates throughout the semester following
other Research deadlines. Note that if you haven't yet scanned your
Soundwalk maps/notes/sketches, please do so and let me know of the
changes to your Research Blog.

We'll see you tomorrow.

Drift 1 Help Session

2008-09-30T18:14:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow, October 1, is dedicated to an open Help Session for any and
all technical, procedural, and aesthetic issues arising from your Drift
1 experiences. We will be available in B18 to help you troubleshoot
SonicStage, Audacity, PantherFile, Blogger, and map scanning. We can
also review your materials and give you feedback on how to make the best
decisions in editing your work.

Please note that this is a Help Session dedicated to troubleshooting,
and we are happy to help in whatever ways we can, but we ask that you
come prepared: we will assume that you've already attempted to transfer
your recordings via SonicStage, completed some editing in Audacity, and
had some experience with PantherFile and Blogger after posting your
Research Blogs.

We hope to see you tomorrow.

Drift 1 Practice Crit

2008-09-28T17:45:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

I hope you had a good and productive weekend, and that your Drift walks
were successful.

I've seen Reading Responses from a little less than half the class, so I
hope that I'll see more trickle in tonight and tomorrow.

Tomorrow we meet in B91 for a Drift 1 practice critique session, where
we will look at Drift 1 blogs from previous semesters and listen to some
field recordings.

See you tomorrow.

Drift 1 this weekend!

2008-09-24T19:09:00.003-05:00

Hello all,

Thanks again for your attendance and patience today. We have a lot of
material to cover in this class, and I know that it's a lot to absorb,
but the hard part (building mics) is over, and now the fun part can begin.

I strongly suggest you complete your Drift 1 walk this weekend so that
you will have plenty of time to transfer and begin editing your
recordings.

The first step in editing is to listen. Listen, listen, listen, and
then listen some more. Drop the raw recordings into your iPod and have
them playing in the background when you're working on something else.
Get to know the sounds you've recorded so you can make smart decisions
when you really get deep into Audacity (or whatever audio app you are
using).

I will say it again: please go out on your Drift walk this weekend. We
all underestimate how much time things will take, and even after you get
your recordings off your recorder, convert them to WAVs, edit them in
Audacity, and export them as clean MP3s, you still have to upload them
to PantherFile, post them in your Drift 1 blog, add visual elements, and
write eloquent descriptions of what you've done. This is not something
you can do the night before. Trust me.

So, go out, be safe, be creative, and have fun. I've included the Drift
1 Walking Points found on the Drift 1 page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Have a great weekend, and we'll see you all on Monday.

Best,

Glenn

+++++

Drift 1 "Walking Points"

Wear appropriate clothing. Bring your Hi-MD digital sound recorder and
DIY mic rig, a MiniDisc (pre-formatted), headphones, at least four
fully-charged AA batteries, pens, note pad, watch, water, snacks,
sunscreen, and cell phone.

Travel to your designated starting point and go, on foot, for a
four-hour long investigative walk. Use the Drift strategy you selected
for this Drift. If the weather gets too hot or cold or wet, consider
interesting indoor places to continue recording while you recover
(indoor locations are acceptable for this project--to an extent).

Pay attention to your surroundings, be safe, and watch for cars
(especially those inconsiderate drivers who fail to yield to
pedestrians). If you are taking a digital camera with you (or your
cameraphone), try to do only one activity at a time. Don't take
snapshots while you're trying to hold your recorder and mics and
headphones at the same time. This is not the time to multi-task!

Turn on your sound recorder and place it into Record-Pause (blinking
numbers) and then into Manual Gain mode. Listen very attentively (either
through the headphones or with your naked ears).

Whenever you detect that you have entered into a different soundscape,
record the following information and examples:

(a) On your pad of paper take notes describing where you are. Give the
location a name. In addition to drawing prominent features in the
location, write down street names, exact addresses of nearby buildings,
and names of nearby interesting streets. When no address is available,
make note of distances like "100 yards north of green #4 at Lincoln Park
Golf Course." Make sketches, diagrams, and/or snapshots. You will use
this information to make your maps.

(b) Start your sound recorder and verbally speak the name you have given
this location, the date, and the time.

(d) In the same location walk around and listen for as many distinct
local sounds as you can find and isolate with extreme close micing. In
urban setttings, these sounds can possess high and/or low pitches,
textured rhythms, phasing drones, and blends of tones in harmonic
chords. In natural habitats, local sound effects can include different
animals and a large variety of natural events. In both cases, sound
effects should be mic'd close. Experiment with different mic positions
to affect balance and stereo image. These recordings should also run for
several minutes each, preferably longer. Remember, storage space is
cheap. Better to record more often than you think you need, and for
longer than you think you need.

Technical Precautions: Remember to press "Stop" and let the "Saving to
Disc" routine continue to completion with the recorder perfectly still.
Have fresh batteries on hand . . . you don't want your recorder to go
dark just when you're about to save your recordings.

SonicStage Overview, Audacity Demo

2008-09-23T18:54:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow, September 24, we meet in B91 for a SonicStage overview and
Audacity demo. I also hope to give a brief demo on GoogleMaps, if we
have time.

Speaking of maps, remember that your Drift 1 blog must contain (or link
to) a Drift Map of some sort that includes:

* the outermost boundaries of your walk (including an overall
reference to City and State)
* the line(s) of your walk as determined by your Drift strategy
* key soundmarks / landmarks pinpointed with markers or symbols
* descriptions of these soundmarks / landmarks
* date/time you explored this site

The Drift Map may be a drawing, painting, collage, comic, manipulated
photo, or GoogleMap, and will be the first post on your Drift 1 Blog
(followed by your Drift Strategy). Each of the five field recordings
you post on your Blog must be accompanied by some visual element: a
detail from your Drift Map, a photo of the site, a sketch, or whatever.
Be creative, and have fun.

If you haven't gone on your Drift walk yet, you should this weekend.
Drift 1 is not due until October 13, but it's important that you gather
your raw recordings now (and a lot of them!) so that you will have
plenty of time to listen, edit, post, and troubleshoot. Record more
than you think you need, and for longer than you think you need. You'll
be glad you did.

All of this information can be found on the Drift 1 page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Remember to keep up with your readings. The first Reflective Response
must be posted to your Research blog by Sunday, September 28, 5 PM.
Pick one of the following articles for your Response: Cresswell, Cross,
Debord, Ferrington, Hart, Lippard, Russolo, This American Life, Toop,
Westerkamp. The questions, and links to the readings, can be found on
the Research page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

We'll see you tomorrow.

Field Recording Practice Session, Monday, September 22

2008-09-21T18:44:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

Thanks, again, for your patience with the microphone building sessions.
I hope that most of you are ready to go, and that the rest of you will
be on Monday.

We will meet tomorrow, Monday, September 22, at 3 in the Lab rooms for
the Field Recording Practice Session. I will be in B-18 for the
duration of class with the soldering gear for any last-minute adjustments.

Remember to bring your production kits, headphones, and some fresh
batteries. And, of course, your dazzling new microphones.

Check the Directory for your lab rooms:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Remember to keep up on your readings (Toop, Russolo):
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_schedule.html

I hope that you had a great weekend, and we'll see you tomorrow.

Best,

Glenn

P.S. Here are the Minidisc menu shortcuts we will be going over tomorrow:

Make sure your discs are in Hi-MD mode (this will be set automatically
if you are using a 1 GB Hi-MD disc):
* Menu
* Option
* Disc Mode
* Hi-MD

Make sure your discs are in Hi-SP mode:
* Menu
* REC Set
* REC Mode
* Hi-SP

Make sure you check your Mic Sensitivity:
* Menu
* REC Set
* Mic Sens
* "High" for general ambience
* "Low" for loud situations or very close mic

Make sure you are in Manual Gain mode while recording:
* Hold down Pause (II) and press REC ("Record Pause")
* Menu
* REC Set
* REC Volume
* Manual
* You have to do this each time you hit STOP or power up your recorder.

Microphone Building, Production Kits

2008-09-15T20:46:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Thanks for your patience with the microphone building sessions. We're
trying to make the best of the equipment that we have, and our goal is
to get as many of you finished with your microphones by the end of the week.

We will meet Wednesday as a class in B91. At 3 PM sharp, Brooke
Swelstad from the Equipment Room will give a short presentation, and
then you will receive the Production Kit you will be using this
semester. After that is done, then the labs will reconvene and the
microphone building will continue.

On Monday, September 22, the lab instructors will lead their sections on
a Field Recording Practice Session, while I will remain in B18 with the
soldering gear for any last-minute adjustments. Of course, you are
welcome to go out on your Drift 1 walk(s) this weekend if you feel
ready, but if you want to wait until we go over the use of the Minidisc
recorder on Monday, then that is fine as well.

Thanks, also, for the Soundwalk responses on your Research Blogs. I
checked them all, and even though I haven't yet been able to read
through each one carefully, I was impressed with what I saw so far.

Also, remember to keep up with your readings (please note that I've
corrected the bad links to some of the articles). The reading schedule
is posted on the Course Schedule:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_schedule.html

And the list of readings is covered on the Research page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

That's it for now. I'll be out of town the rest of the week, but I will
be keeping up with my e-mail, so drop a line if you have any questions.

Soundwalk Response

2008-09-14T16:19:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

Just a reminder that your Soundwalk Responses are due today at 5 PM, and
are to be posted to your new Research Blog, and NOT as a comment to a
post on the course blog.

Here is the Research page with the Soundwalk questions:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

And the Course Directory:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Tomorrow (Monday, September 15) we begin our microphone building, so
plan on going directly to your specific lab room so that we can make the
best use of our time. Check the Course Directory if you still don't
know which lab you are in. There is a copy of the directory posted on
my office door (MIT B-60). (Remember to bring all of your supplies!)

See you all tomorrow.

Soundwalk Follow-up

2008-09-10T17:29:00.002-05:00

Hello, all.

Thanks for your participation in what I'm hearing (pun intended) was a
successful series of soundwalks.

The next step is to get your Research Blog up and running so that you
can document your soundwalk experience and upload your maps, sketches,
and notes while the experience is still relatively fresh.

The Blogger tutorial is here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_blogger.html

And the updated PantherFile tutorial is here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_pantherfile.html

Answer the Soundwalk Response questions in a post on your Research Blog.
The questions are here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_research.html

I will be checking that your Research Blog is live and that you've
answered the questions by this Sunday, September 14, 5 PM.

I'd also like to see your notes and maps, but, since I won't be grading
your finished Research Blog until the end of the semester, don't worry
if you're having problems scanning or uploading imagery at this point.
We will have help sessions on this issue and other topics associated
with Drift 1 on October 1 and October 8, although we can certainly help
you individually if you visit us during office hours. You can then
upload your soundwalk images when we finish troubleshooting the problem.

Okay, that's it for now. I'll probably send another note this weekend
to remind you about the Research Blog deadline.

Have a great rest of the week.

Soundwalk tomorrow

2008-09-09T17:23:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

Just a reminder that we will be meeting in B-91 at 3 PM before breaking
out into our lab sections for the soundwalks. Remember to wear
comfortable shoes and clothing, and don't forget your notepad and pen.

See you tomorrow.

Associate Producer / Researcher Job on WHAT WE GOT: DJ SPOOKY'S QUEST FOR THE COMMONS

2008-09-08T12:11:00.002-05:00

Please pass this along. 371 Productions is hiring an associate producer/researcher for my new film, What We Got: DJ Spooky's Quest for the Commons. The film is a documentary/fiction hybrid that features DJ Spooky on an invented journey to discover "the commons"; or all the stuff that belongs to all of us but it threatened by overzealous privatization, from the sky, to water, to public space to the internet and art&culture. The film will follow Spooky's journey in many forms: documentary, live-action scripted scenes, Zelig-like appearances with historic footage, and animation. Our goal is to not only create awareness of the notion of the commons, but to provide audiences with the experience of the commons. To this end, we'll share our media as we make it and offer audiences the opportunity to remix and repurpose our media while we work on our version of the film. The centerpiece of our outreach strategy is a set of 125 screenings of 125 different versions of the film hosted in commons(es) by groups aligned with our concerns for the enclose of commons. This will kick off a theatrical run and broadcast on PBS.

The job is based in Milwaukee, though the personnel are based in Milwaukee, San Francisco and New York. The job is roughly 6 months during a writing and pre-production phase, with the possibility of extension into production.

Core Creative/Production Team:

- Brad Lichtenstein (producer/directork, MKE)

- Vernon Reid (music supervisor / co-director, NYC)

- Brian Glazer (producer, NYC)

- Civic Actions, internet strategy firm based in San Francisco.

Job Description:

- Conduct research to support the soon-to-be-hired writer and the core creative/production team

- Conduct research to support the internet strategy team

- Conduct research to support the production team

- Support all teams with technical and administrative work

- Supervise interns

- Work in conjunction with office coordinator for all support funcitions

Some travel will be required.

Resumes should be emailed to Brad Lichtenstein at iblich@uwm.edu. Please use the subject line "AP Job". Application period is open, though we will make a hire very quickly so the sooner you submit the better.

Thanks,

Brad

________________________

I blog about What We Got: DJ Spooky's Quest for the Commons

http://onthecommons.org/profile.php?user_id=243#contributions

The old blog is here:

http://blog.myspace.com/iblich for WHAT WE GOT (the DJ Spooky Commons film)

Check out POETRY EVERYWHERE animated short films

http://almosthomedoc.org for ALMOST HOME DVDs and more

____________

Brad Lichtenstein

371 Productions and docUWM

Peck School of the Arts

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Department of Film

PO Box 413

Milwaukee, WI 53201.0413

414.229.2890 w

414.229.5901 f

917.721.3131 m

http://371productions.com

http://doc.uwm.edu

Blogger Demo, Rain Delay, Class Still Meets!

2008-09-08T12:10:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

Yes, it's raining. Yes, we will postpone the soundwalk until Wednesday.
Yes, you still need to attend class this afternoon.

I will demo Blogger and how to get your Research Blog up and running,
and I will also go over the new and improved PantherFile and how to post
images to your blog. [We meet at 3 PM in B91.]

We will also screen some examples of previous student work, as well as
listen to some field recordings.

Because the soundwalk has been moved to Wednesday, that pushes the first
soldering session to Monday, September 15. I heard from Xav at
Riverwest Film and Video, and the audio cables should be back in stock
within the next day or two. So we should be good to go for Monday.

Audio Cables and Soundwalk Prep

2008-09-07T16:55:00.003-05:00

Hello, all.

I've had a report that Riverwest Film & Video ran out of audio cables,
and I'm waiting to hear back when they might be in stock again. You can
get them elsewhere, but you have to be careful to buy the right kind.
They are 6 ft, stereo mini plug to RCA, and they should look like this:
https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/bachg/course_files/mini_to_RCA.jpg

If the RCA ends are not red and white, don't buy it. If the cable is
being marketed as a high-end professional audio cable, don't buy it.

These should be stocked by our UWM bookstore, and are also available at
Best Buy, Fry's, Circuit City, Sears, etc. Be careful shopping at Radio
Shack, since they tend to carry higher priced cables that may or may not
be appropriate for this project.

We will meet in B-91 at 3 PM for a Blogger Demo before we break out into
our lab sections for our soundwalks. Remember that the lab sections are
listed on the Course Directory:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Don't forget to wear good shoes and comfortable clothing for the
soundwalk, preferably clothes that don't make a lot of noise (avoid high
heels or hard-soled shoes, nylon sweat pants, windbreakers, anything
with big zippers, etc.). Also, remember to bring a notepad and pen.

Supplies, Survey, and Readings

2008-09-04T13:43:00.002-05:00

Hello all.

Welcome, again, to FILM 116. It's going to be a busy semester, but I
hope that we can make it interesting and fun.

Here is the list of supplies you'll need to get by Tuesday, September 9:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_syllabus.html#supplies

You can get all the supplies from Riverwest Film and Video, 824 East
Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53212, Hours: 3-11pm daily, 414-265-8433):
http://tinyurl.com/36avvt

If you haven't filled out and posted the Survey, do so by Sunday,
September 7 at 5 PM. This requires a Google account:
https://www.google.com/accounts/Login

So far I've received one request for 24/7 access to B18. I actually
need to submit this list earlier than I thought, so please e-mail me by
Monday, September 8, 3 PM, if you will be using B18 for this class.

Remember to keep up with your reading. There are three articles you
should read before we go out on our soundwalks on Monday:
Hart: http://tinyurl.com/6mr8cj
Westerkamp: http://tinyurl.com/6hoffh
Ferrington: http://tinyurl.com/5c49ge

We will meet Monday at 3 PM in B91 to watch some examples of student
work from previous semesters. I'll also give a brief demo on Blogger so
you can start work on your Research blogs. We will then break out into
the lab sections for the guided soundwalks. Wear comfortable clothes
and shoes, and bring a notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes and
sketches.

Remember that the lab assignments are posted on the Course Directory:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Okay, have a great weekend, and try to stay dry. We'll see you next week.

FILM 116 Survey

2008-08-08T16:20:00.001-05:00

FILM 116 Survey

1. What is your name (first, last)?

2. Do you have a preferred name or nickname you would like us to use?

3. Do you own your own computer? If so, what platform (Mac, PC), and what operating system (Windows XP/Vista, Mac Tiger/Leopard, Linux, unsure)? If not, have you had experience with Mac or PC or both?

4. Do you own a digital camera and/or video camera? If so, describe your gear, and talk a little bit about your experience capturing still and moving images.

5. Have you ever edited a video before? If so, what software did you use?

6. Have you worked with sound (or music) before, either performing, recording, or processing? If so, please describe.

7. Who are your favorite filmmakers?

8. What are some of your favorite films?

9. Who or what inspired you to pursue studies in Film?

10. What kind of career do you imagine for yourself in Film or other Media Arts?

11. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

Post your responses to this survey as a comment to this post by Sunday, September 7, 5 PM.

Final Crit Tomorrow!

2008-07-16T17:27:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone.

We meet tomorrow at 1 for our final crit. Make sure that your Drift 2 blogs are complete and that your final sound video plays correctly from your blog. You should check this from a different computer than the one you are using to make sure we all can see it, not just you.

Since there are so few of us, don't worry about the potluck. By all means bring your lunch if you're hungry, but no need to feed anyone else!

I'll try to grade everything by early next week.

See you tomorrow.

In-Progress Crit, Production Kits

2008-07-14T20:31:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow we meet at 1 PM for another in-progress crit for Drift 2.

Production kits are due tomorrow, as well. So, make sure that you have all of your raw material gathered by now.

After the crit, and after you turn in your kits to Brooke in the Equipment Room, the rest of the afternoon is dedicated to open lab.

Wednesday will be the final open lab, and Thursday is our last class meeting! We'll have our final crit, and hopefully leave a bit early.

See you all tomorrow.

In-progress crit

2008-07-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

I hope that you're making some progress on Drift 2. Remember that we meet tomorrow for an in-progress crit. We will look at whatever you have, preferably from your blog, but we can also view footage from your PantherFile or from disc.

The rest of class will be dedicated to open lab, and so I'll be available if you would like to go over footage or strategies or whatever.

Drift 1 In-Progress Crit

2008-07-01T10:48:00.000-05:00

Hello, all. I was glad to see you most of you today, and that you're working hard on your recordings. Tomorrow we'll meet in B-18 for a crit session, where we will look at (listen to) your recordings in progress. Ideally we will play them as they appear on your blogs, but, if you don't have them posted yet, we can play them from your PantherFile or from a CD-R. This will be an opportunity to get some feedback on what you have so far.

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to open lab, so you can do that in B-18, 353, or at home.

See you tomorrow.

Drif1 1 Work Session, Monday, June 30

2008-06-29T19:19:00.001-05:00

Hello all.

I hope you had a productive weekend, and that you were able to get some good material on your walks.

Review the Drift 1 page here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Also review the PantherFile and Blogger tutorials:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_pantherfile.html
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_blogger.html

Remember to use the Course Directory to check the URL you will use for your Drift 1 blog:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_directory.html

Here are examples of Drift 1 blogs from previous semesters:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/07116_directory.html
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/08116_directory.html

And, finally, if you get a chance, read (or listen to) the following articles:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/cresswell.pdf
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=110

Tomorrow (Monday, June 30) is a work session, and I will be in B18 all afternoon to help out with whatever issues you may be having with editing/uploading recordings and building your blogs.

Drift 1 walk

2008-06-25T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

Good luck tomorrow with your Drift walks. The weather looks good for tomorrow afternoon, so please take advantage of the open class time and get those walks done.

A clarification on the Drift Maps. Remember that you have to make a master Drift Map that shows the outermost shape of your Drift area, a tracing of the line(s) of your walk as determined by your Drift Strategy, along with date/time/location/description of the soundmarks that you encountered on your walk. The Map should also indicate that you are exploring Milwaukee, Wisconsin (or whatever town).

The Drift Map may be hand-drawn, collaged, painted, Photoshopped, or GoogleMap . . . your choice.

http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_drift_1.html

Tutorials page (Blogger, PantherFile, Audacity, etc.)
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_blogger.html

Have a productive walk, a great weekend, and I'll see you on Monday.

Preparation for Drift 1

2008-06-24T19:26:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We did really well today by getting our microphones built in only an hour-and-a-half. That frees up our schedule quite a bit, which means that Thursday will be dedicated entirely to your Drift walks. Tomorrow, then, features an overview of Drift 1, along with demos of SonicStage, Audacity, PantherFile, and Blogger. We have a lot to cover, but bring your kits just in case we have some time to review your recordings.

Tonight, review the manual for the Minidisc recorder:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/Sony_MZ-NH700_manual.pdf

Review the Field Audio section of the Tutorials page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/116_tutorials.html/#field_tips

If you are working on a laptop or a computer at home, download and install SonicStage 3.4:
http://tinyurl.com/fjmdm

If you are using Vista, you must use version 4.3:
http://support.sony-europe.com/DNA/sonicstage/sstage_dl.asp

Download and install Audacity, including the LAME MP3 encoder:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3

If you have time, read Debord, Guy. "Theory of the Dérive," and Ferrington, Gary. "On A Clear Day I Can Hear Forever."
http://www.bopsecrets.org/SI/2.derive.htm
http://tinyurl.com/5c49ge

And, finally, remember to register for the Technical Forum by tomorrow at 1 PM, and post your survey by Thursday at 1 PM.

See you all tomorrow.

Getting Ready for Microphone Building

2008-06-23T18:57:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

We hit the ground running tomorrow. Riverwest Film and Video is open until 11 PM tonight, so if you haven't yet picked up your supplies, do it soon.

Remember to sign up on the Technical Forum by Wednesday, June 25:
http://www.freeforum101.com/forum/index.php?mforum=06116filmforum

In order to post your responses to the Survey, you will need to create a Google account. Complete the survey and post it as a comment to this post on the Course Blog by Thursday, June 26, 1 PM:
http://film-116.blogspot.com/2008/06/film-116-survey.html

Please review the Soldering Demo. Since we have such a small class, I can demo while you follow along with your own mics. If all goes well, we should be able to finish and test everyone's mic rigs by the end of class tomorrow.
http://tinyurl.com/ych42s

If you have a chance, read: Hart, Joseph. "A New Way of Walking."
http://www.utne.com/2004-07-01/a-new-way-of-walking.aspx

I'll see you all tomorrow.

FILM 116 Survey

2008-06-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

FILM 116 Survey

1. What is your name (first, last)?

2. Do you have a preferred name or nickname you would like us to use?

3. Do you own your own computer? If so, what platform (Mac, PC), and what operating system (Windows XP/Vista, Mac Tiger/Leopard, Linux, unsure)? If not, have you had experience with Mac or PC or both?

4. Do you own a digital camera and/or video camera? If so, describe your gear, and talk a little bit about your experience capturing still and moving images.

5. Have you ever edited a video before? If so, what software did you use?

6. Have you worked with sound (or music) before, either performing, recording, or processing? If so, please describe.

7. Who are your favorite filmmakers?

8. What are some of your favorite films?

9. Who or what inspired you to pursue studies in Film?

10. What kind of career do you imagine for yourself in Film or other Media Arts?

11. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

Post your responses to this survey as a comment to this post by Thursday, June 26, 1 PM.

Summer 2008 Supplies

2008-06-16T15:24:00.000-05:00

Hello.

As the instructor for FILM 116 Experimentation With Media this Summer, I write to give you advanced notice of the supplies needed for this class. I will dedicate some class time on Monday, June 23 to buy supplies, but if you would like to get a head start . . .

All supplies are available from Riverwest Film and Video, 24 East Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53212, hours: 3-11pm daily, 414-265-8433. Just tell them that you are taking FILM 116 and they will set you up.

A GoogleMap is here:
http://tinyurl.com/36avvt

Here are the supplies you will need by the start of class time Tuesday, June 24:

* Two (2) Rapid 35-0190 Electret microphone capsules for your DIY stereo mics ($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) (if it's not red and white, don't buy it!)

* Two (2) alligator clips

* One 1GB HD MIniDisc (~$7 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 (~$12) (feel free to use your own headphones if you already have a pair)

* Eight (8) AA size regular or rechargeable batteries (+ charger).

* You don't need these right away, but you will need them eventually: 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).

I look forward to meeting all of you and working with you in class. It's going to be a fun four weeks!

Final Class Meeting!

2008-05-06T21:59:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

This is it. The final class meeting of the semester. We meet tomorrow in B18 for a screening of "Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time," a very inspiring documentary on Goldsworthy and his process. I love this film, and it changed how I thought about my work and life as an artist, particularly how failure (and patience!) should be considered a natural part of the creative process.

Tomorrow is a potluck, as well, so bring something yummy to eat or drink. We'll start the film right at 3, so we should be done by 4:30.

See everyone tomorrow.

Drift 3 Screenings, Course Evals, Drift Maps Due

2008-05-04T20:16:00.004-05:00

Hello, all.

I can't believe we are now at the final week of instruction! We meet tomorrow in B91 for the last of our Drift 3 screenings. Attendance is mandatory, even if you've already screened your work.

We have also been asked by the Film Department to make sure that as many of you complete the course evaluations as possible, so, please, please, please, if you didn't fill out a course eval last week, show up tomorrow and help us out with that. It's really important.

Drift Maps are due tomorrow at 3 PM, so make sure you've documented all three of your Drifts.

On Wednesday in B91 we will have our final class meeting, a potluck and screening of Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time. This should be a fun and relaxing way to end the semester, so think of something yummy to eat and share.

See you tomorrow.

Drift 3 Screenings, Round 2

2008-04-29T17:59:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow in B91 for the second round of final screenings. Attendance is mandatory, even for those whose videos were shown on Monday.

Tomorrow is also the deadline to turn in your production kits. Do so by 3 PM.

We'll see you all tomorrow.

Drift 3 Screenings, Production Kits due

2008-04-27T19:10:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We meet tomorrow in MUS 180 for the first round of Drift 3 screenings. We will be selecting sound videos at random, so make sure your Drift 3 blogs are posted and finished by 3 PM. Attendance is mandatory.

Check the grading criteria for Drift 3 here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_3_grading_criteria.pdf

You must turn in your Production Kits by this Wednesday, April 30, 3 PM, to the Equipment Room. Please don't be late on this. You will be docked 10 points from your Participation grade for every day the kit is late. If the Equipment Room does not receive your kit by the end of the semester, you will receive a 0 on your Drift 3 grade, the Film Department will put a hold on your records, you will be billed for the cost of replacing the kit, and you will be forbidden from checking out equipment in the future.

Looking forward to screening your work!

Individual Critiques, Drift Maps

2008-04-21T09:53:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We continue today with Individual Critiques. If you haven't signed up for an appointment with your Lab Instructor, do so right away. The sign-up sheets are on my door, B60. These sessions are critical for you to receive feedback on your work-in-progress before we begin officially screening your final sound videos on Monday, April 28th. Please check the Drift 3 grading criteria to make sure you are hitting all the necessary marks.
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_3_grading_criteria.pdf

A reminder that the Drift Maps are a graded feature of this course (50 points), and that your GoogleMap must include documentation of all three of your Drifts. I've been going through the Drift Maps throughout the semester, and I thought I'd point out some things to look for when fine-tuning your Drift Maps:

Jonathan L. and Dave M. color coded their Drifts.
http://tinyurl.com/yvk3q2
http://tinyurl.com/32b2oy

Jordan S. included descriptive Drift experiences on various placemarks, and included links to the MP3s.
http://tinyurl.com/yssnbg

Justin T. used looser, thicker lines that look hand-drawn and give his Drift Map a lighter feel; his description of steps he had to take to faithfully execute his Drift Strategy made me think that I should remind you all not to risk your lives for your Drifts!
http://tinyurl.com/2ofhkd

Andy S. included his Drift Strategy in the placemark description for his Starting Point.
http://tinyurl.com/yqpbxc

William O. and Michael C. both inscribed shapes on the map according to their Drift Strategies (although I wish Michael had chosen larger areas to explore!).
http://tinyurl.com/yupdw6
http://tinyurl.com/2ubr9s

The Drift Maps are due Monday, May 5, so you still have some time to fill in some blanks. You can review the Drift Map grading criteria here:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/drift_map_criteria.pdf

Okay, we'll hopefully see you soon.

Drift 3 Structure, Individual Critiques

2008-04-14T21:14:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We saw a few of you during the Help Sessions, and we hope the rest of you are making good progress on your Drift 3 blogs. A reminder that your Drift 3 videos must be the end result of a process that begins with a careful reflection on your previous Drift experiences, as illustrated in your Drift Assessments, Ten Questions, and Production Strategy. This process is important in order to strengthen the connections between all the work you make in the class, and to gain a better understanding of the relationship you have with your work.

The structure of your Drift 3 blogs is covered on the Drift 3 page:
http://www.glennbach.com/film_116/08116_drift03.html

When I left campus this afternoon, there were still plenty of slots available for the Individual Critique sessions with your Lab Instructors. Remember that this is a required appointment, so sign up by Wednesday at 3 if you haven't done so already.

Final Drift 3 Help Session

2008-04-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

Tomorrow is the final Open Lab Help Session for Drift 3. Here is the schedule:

B-18, Steve, Lilly, and David
B-56, Seth, Julie, Alex, Glenn

We will be available to help you troubleshoot technical issues or to give you feedback on your work in progress.

Individual Critiques begin on Wednesday, April 16, and the sign-up sheets are on my office door, B60. Sign up by 3 PM on the 16th (first-come, first-served).

Best of luck with your editing, and we'll see you tomorrow.

Foundations Exhibition Participating Artists

2008-04-09T16:06:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

The FILM 116 instructors have made their selections for artists to represent the Film Department in the Foundations Exhibition, April 11-18, 2008, Union Art Gallery (reception April 11, 5-8 PM). While there were many worthy videos to consider, we had to make some tough choices to fit the work into a manageable program.

The list of participating artists:

Bryan Cera
Shane Connolly
Corey Finnigan
Eric Fritz
Joe Gilliland-Lloyd
Quinn Hester
Desten Johnson
Sam Karow
Colleen Kwok
Elly Liebsch
Christopher Mainland
Derrick Markowski
David Ortiz
Andrew Page
Lydell Peterson
Eddie Roberts
Emily Sherman
Brandi Stone
Meg Strobel
James Stukenberg

Congratulations to those selected (a list of specific works selected is posted on my office door, B60). We hope to see some of you at the reception.

Individual Critiques: Sign Up Sheets

2008-04-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

The Individual Critiques are scheduled for April 16, 21, and 23. The sign-up sheets are posted on my office door (B60), and slots are first-come first-served. You must see your Lab Instructor on one of these days at one of the designated times; any alternative arrangement must be made with your Lab Instructor.

Remember that we are having open lab help sessions today and Monday, April 14.

Open Lab Help Sessions, Wednesday, April 9

2008-04-08T23:18:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

The Reflective Responses are trickling in, and I hope to see more come through tomorrow before 3 PM.
http://tinyurl.com/3oomz5

Tomorrow is the first of two open lab help sessions for Drift 3, so we'd love to see you all there for help with troubleshooting or to get some feedback on your work in progress. Here is the schedule:

B-18: Steve, Lilly, and David
B-56: Seth, Julie, and Alex
B-65: Glenn

See you tomorrow.

Research Screenings, April 7, B91

2008-04-06T22:17:00.001-05:00

Hello, all.

I hope that you all had a great Spring weekend, and that your Drift 3 walks were productive.

We meet tomorrow, Monday, April 7, in B91 for a series of screenings we hope will further illuminate some of the image and sound strategies we have been discussing in class.

The Reflective Response #4 (Screenings) is due Wednesday, April 9, 3 PM.
http://tinyurl.com/3oomz5

See you all tomorrow.

Reflective Response #4 (Screenings)

2008-04-06T18:58:00.006-05:00

Pick one of the following films that we've seen in class:

Baillie, Bruce. Castro Street.
Baillie, Bruce. Valentin de la Sierras.
Brakhage, Stan. Cat's Cradle.
Bush, Paul. Incidents from the Life of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Clarke, Shirley. Bridges-Go-Round.
Connor, Bruce. Breakaway.
Gerhard Holthuis. HKG.
Jennings, Jim. Close Quarters.
King, Joe and Rose Pedlow. Sea Change.
Marcellvs L. Man.Road.River.
Menken, Marie. Glimpse of the Garden.
Pierce, Leighton. Pink Socks.
Richardson, Emily. Aspect.
Riedelsheimer, Thomas. Touch The Sound: A Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie
Smith, John. Worst Case Scenario.

Write a three-paragraph statement answering the following three questions (one paragraph per question), as a comment to this post:

Please state your name (First and Last)

1. Identify the film you have selected and why you chose it.

2. What are the some of the key characteristics, images, scenes, transitions, events, edits, ideas, connections, etc., in this film?

3. How has this film inspired you (or frustrated you) in your practice as a media artist?

The deadline is Wednesday, April 9, 3 PM.

Environmental Short Film Festival

2008-04-03T08:09:00.003-05:00

Environmental Short Film Festival

In conjunction with the Share the Earth Environmental Film Series and Earth Week 2008, the Union Theatre invites UWM film students to submit shorts (under 40 minutes) related to the environment. Films may be narrative, documentary, experimental, or animation. Awards ($150, $100, $75) will be given for Best Student Environmental Short, Second Place and Third Place, will be juried, and based on a combination of or strength in the following areas: outstanding topics, entertainment value, technical merit, inspirational or spiritual impact, superior filmmaking and/or artistic expression. Films will be screened in the Union Theatre at an environmental shorts program on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm, during Earth Week 2008. Winners will be announced at that event.

Entries can be dropped off at the 3rd floor, UWM Union, Room 321 or call 229-3111 for more information.

Foundations Exhibition

2008-04-02T13:13:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

This year, Film majors (and potential Film majors) are eligible to participate in the Visual Arts Foundations Exhibition, opening Friday, April 11, 5-8 PM, Student Union Art Gallery. As students enrolled in FILM 116, you are automatically eligible to have work submitted for consideration. You don't have to apply . . . the FILM 116 instructors will jury the work to be included in the show and compile the selected clips onto a DVD that will loop on a monitor in the gallery.

We will review your Drift blogs (primarily Drift 2 silent videos, although we may include some field recordings from Drift 1) and download the selected work from your PantherFile accounts, so make sure your clips are up to date.

I will announce the results of the jury selection sometime next week.

Image/Sound Lecture, Wednesday, April 2, B91

2008-04-01T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hello, all.

We could not get the VCR to work in MUS 180, so we will meet tomorrow in B91 instead. Lilly will demo and lecture on various image/sound relationships to consider when you are editing your Drift 3 sound videos, and she will also show examples of interesting image/sound solutions. This is a key lecture, and not one to be missed.

Also, it looks as if we may (finally!) have some spring-like weather this weekend, so it's a good idea to get out on your Drift 3 walks sooner rather than later. You never know if/when a glitch or two will pop up, so it's better to have plenty of material early in the game than to scramble at the last minute.

See you all tomorrow.