Videographics Mixtape

UG - Undergraduate

In the Videographics Lab, it's easy to zone out and jam endlessly, vamping on a couple of techniques for hours as a tape plays through. It's a great way to gain proficiency and amass material. But what about using the lab in a more compositional way? In this workshop we will plan and execute simple but rich short films and videos that might hinge on just one or a few ideas and techniques done well.

Technical concepts we will learn to implement in our films will include color shifting, optical illusions using cameras, superimposing multiple images, keying, using noise, wavefolding, audio synthesis, and wiring feedback networks into all of the above to introduce chaotic and noisy elements.

As we get comfortable with the equipment and screen existing works, we will brainstorm and develop short films/videos. We'll think about compositional matters such as beginning and ending a piece, planning and executing deliberately timed live gestures, chance operations, and collaborating with people at different stations. Short assignments may include still image manipulation, haiku structure, contradictory narration, political cinetracts, and more.

The class will culminate in a compilation containing multiple short works by each student, to be donated to the Film Library.