Dept Of Media Study Undergraduate Fall 2004 course descriptions |
| DMS 101 A Basic Filmmaking Staff MW 9-10:50am CFA 286 REG#459865 DMS 101B Basic Filmmaking Staff TR 3-4:50pm CFA 286 REG#322327 This course is intended to provide a basic introduction to 16mm film production. Classes will include screenings, lectures, and demonstrations. Students will learn basic camera operation, lighting, editing, and sound acquisition. In addition, the course will explore the critical relationship between theory and practice in the context of film production. Students will be required to complete collaborative class projects, individual assignments, and a critical paper. Each student will also be required to complete a short, non-sync, 16mm film project. Class materials will cost approx. $150. Lab fee: $100. Class size is strictly limited |
| DMS 103 A Basic Video Staff MW 2-3:50pm CFA 232 REG#019647 DMS 103B Basic Video Staff TR 9-10:50am CFA 286 REG#364145 This course is a basic introduction to the tools and techniques of video production. Students will become familiar with using video and develop strategies for its application as an alternative medium of communication. Crucial to this project is the concurrent development of a critical perspective on mainstream media culture. Video art screenings and readings in media theory will critically address the relations between viewers, producers, and the media. Students must expect to acquire materials and texts costing approx. $50.00 to be used in exercises in classroom presentations. Access to equipment and editing facilities will be available. Lab fee: $100. Class size is strictly limited. |
| DMS 105 A Basic Documentary Staff TR 11-12:50am CFA 235 REG#072153 This course will present students with the fundamental, theoretical, creative, and technical concerns of documentary and video production. Students will be introduced to methods of research, production design, approach to subject, interviewing and the structuring of information, as well as the technical video skills of camera work, sound recording, and lighting and editing, as they apply specifically to the documentary process. The demands of documentary expression require preparation with a different emphasis from that which applies to the personal and experimental approaches to filmmaking and video making. Materials and texts will cost approx. $50. Lab fee: $100. Class size is strictly limited. |
| DMS 108 Brian Henderson History of Film 2 MW 9-10:50 am CFA REG#131724 American Cinema is an introductory course in film studies, which explores Hollywood films as an art, a craft, an industry, and a system of communication and representation. The course will examine how Hollywood films work, technically, formally, and culturally, to reinforce—and sometimes to challenge—the ideas that Americans can have of themselves, their society, and their nation. You will learn about the functioning of Hollywood institutions like the studio and star systems, about genres like the Western, Romantic Comedy, and Film Noir. The more fundamental goal of the course is to help make you more critical and active viewers, more award of how film achieves its effects and hence its power to influence in ways of which we may not be aware. For information, contact: bhenders@buffalo.edu |
| DMS 109 Film Interpretation Staff MW 9-10:50am CFA 112 REG#178547 |
| DMS 110 Programming for the Arts Tom Leonhardt MW 9-10:50 CFA 242 REG#165757 This course is an introduction to computer programming for intended digital in Media Study only. It is highly recommended that you enroll in this course if you intend to pursue the digital arts in Media Study. This course will give you the necessary background to aid you in DMS 419 and DMS 420, and the Robotics and VR courses. Registration is strictly limited to intended/declared digital arts majors. Graduate students may informally audit the course if they need programming experience. Lab fee $100. |
DMS 121 A DMS 121 B |
DMS 155 A DMS 155 A1 (lab) DMS 155 A2 (lab) |
| DMS 200 Visual Speaker Series Chen M 6-8pm CFA 112 REG#218262 |
DMS 212 WHI DMS 212 X |
| DMS 221 Web Design Staff TR 12-1:50 Reg.#237856 CFA 242 This course will involve the analysis and creation of Web sites and Web-based media for a variety of communication purposes (artform, gallery, information resource, education, business). Topics such as audience analysis, interface design, graphic design, and usability testing will be discussed. Students will build professional-quality Web sites with guidance through all parts of the design and development process. New advancements in Web-based multimedia will be explored. Class time will be divided between practical labs and discussion/lecture formats. Because this is a production-oriented course, students will be expected to spend substantial out-of-class time working on the computer. Prior web design and html experience are not required, although students should be fully comfortable with working on a computer. Basic digital is not a prerequisite, but is strongly suggested. Lab fee: $100 |
| DMS 259 Intro to Media Analysis Dave Pape MW 2-3:50pm CFA 112 REG#443094 This introductory course to Media Analysis examines the rise of especially visual mass media in the 20th century, from photography, television, and film, to new media. It pays close attention to media historical moments, such as fascism and film in post world war II Italy, or the postmodern turn with the event of digitality. Due to the urgency of political events, we will closely analyze the current media-war-coverage considering mainstream as well as independent media discourses. The respective media are analyzed in light of their materiality. Methodologies vary between Ideology-critique, Cultural Studies, Political Theory, Postmodern Theory, and Semiotics. Students will write essay exams based on course lectures and essays from the course reader: Media and Cultural Studies, ed. Meenakshi Gigi Durham/ Douglas M. Kellner, Malden, Mass./ Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2002. |
| DMS 301 Adv. Film & Film Workshop Staff MW 2-3:50pm CFA 286 REG#367751 An intermediate film production course, reviewing and expanding upon concepts of film production learned in Basic Film. This course, however, is exclusively devoted to the technical concerns and aesthetic possibilities of 16mm film production. A variety of approaches to these issues will be explored through 5 structured projects focusing on camera-less films, exposure techniques, film editing, sound recording and editing, and the development of individual artistic "style." Materials for the first four projects will be pre-packaged by the department for required purchased by class participants. Students will be responsible for all materials for the final project as well as film processing throughout the semester. Students can expect to spend a total of approx. $350 for materials and processing for the course, including the cost of pre-packaged materials. Lab fee: $100. This class is strictly limited in size. |
| DMS 303 CON Video Analysis Tony Conrad MW 3-4:50pm CFA 232 REG#414475 This course is about the history and variety of the independently produced media that has become known as "video art." In examining a wide range of works, the course will investigate how the content, form, and critical analysis of video reflect concepts of the representation of culture and self. We will look at the ways that artists’ social and political concerns have called the status of “high class” art into question, and how in the very act of doing so their works have reaffirmed the distinction between video art and commercial television. Since very little video art is shown on broadcast TV, a lot of class time will be devoted to showing and discussing video works. From time to time, students must plan to attend outside video exhibitions in the Buffalo area. In addition, visiting artists or speakers will occasionally be invited to the class. The required course readings will be available as a photocopied compilation, Readings for Video Analysis DMS 303, Fall 2003. In response to the lectures, discussions, viewings, readings, outside activities, and so forth, students will be required to write a series of short essays, often in the form of a critique of the video works and readings. There is no final exam, though there will be occasional short quizzes on the reading material. The final grade will depend largely on the written assignments and on attendance. Regular attendance is irreplaceable (no make-ups are possible!), and is mandatory. |
| DMS 315 Production Management Jamie Enser MW 10-11:50am CFA 112 REG#346541 This course will introduce students to the process of line producing television programming for broadcast and cable networks. The entire process, from treatment to delivery will be examined. Students will learn about the components and tools used by Line Producers and Production Managers that turn visions into reality. Topics will include: production planning; budgeting, scheduling, roles of production departments, staff, crew; production and contract management; union/guilds; rights and clearances and the post production process. Lectures will be focused on sitcom, sketch comedy, narrative and game show formats. Students will learn about the planning and operation of television production. Throughout the semester, students will complete projects that mirror preparation required throughout the industry (i.e. treatments, script breakdowns) and participation in production exercises (i.e. pitch, table read). Assignments include reading, small group presentations, screenings, web research and written reports. jenser@buffalo.edu |
| DMS 341 KNO Intermediate Video Workshop Meg Knowles TR 1-2:50 Reg.# 215463 CFA 286 PR: DMS 103, 104, 105, or 106 This course is a workshop in the tools of video. It offers exercises in intermediate video production for students who have had some previous exposure to video as a creative medium. The course will emphasize the development of technical skills and knowledge which are necessary for the effective use of video as an artistic tool and for documentation or personal expression. The student will buy at least three videocassettes for use in hands-on assigned exercise concerning cameras, lighting, editing, and other aspects of production and post-production. Other topics to be covered are video electronics and staging. Each student will need to spend a substantial amount of time working with studio, portable, and editing facilities outside the regular class hours. In addition, some outside video tape viewing, as well as short papers, will be required. Readings will include classroom handouts in addition to the assigned textbook. Total minimum expenses for each student are $50. Lab fee: $100. Attendance is mandatory. |
| DMS 375 ART Science, Culture, & Media Paul Vanouse TR 10-12pm REG#368456 Contact the Art Department for a course description. Jr./Sr. Standing |
| DMS 402 ELD Advanced Editing Sarah Elder CFA 235 REG#264188 Permission of Instructor Why do cuts work or not work? This production seminar looks at essential principals of editing and explores the theoretical, practical, and creative editing concerns of film and video artists. The class is designed for anyone working in narrative or alternative fiction, documentary, or experimental media either in video or film. Students will study advanced editing techniques learning how to fine cut their own work with some practice in creative editing design assignments. We will explore the nature of an edit, and examples of good cutting. Students will read essential editing theory including classics by Murch, Eisenstein, Cancyger, and Hollyn. The class will study and practice pacing, time cuts, rhythm, dramatic arch, multiple audio tracts, continuity and discontinuity, match cuts, story building, layering sound FX, editing room management, dialogue editing, anti-narrative, and the influence of dreaming. Guest editors will also visit and lecture on their work. Students must have previous editing experience and preferably bring raw footage or an edited rough cut project on which they would like to work during the semester. Each student will have different challenges depending on his/her genre-fiction, experimental, or documentary. Students will work on the Media 100, and students who wish to can also work on the 8 plate film Steenbeck. Class size is limited. Lab fee $100. |
| DMS 412 Brian Henderson MW12-1:50 CFA 235 REG#266033 This class is an exploration of the principle theories of film through a critical reading of texts and a close examination of films. The texts to be perused comprise four groups, beginning with classical film theory, which includes Munsterburg, Kuleshov, Pudovkin, Eisenstein, Balsazs, Arnheim, Bazin, and Godard. The critique of classical film theory includes Burch, Perkins, and Henderson. The course will also explore semiotics, psychoanalysis, and poststructuralism in Barthes, Eco, Metz, Baudry, Heath, and in feminist theory, including Gledhill, Silverman, Modleski, Williams, Doane, Studlar. A section on avant-garde theory and practice will include Vertov, Epstein, Deren, Brakhage, Sitney, and Michelson. These topic areas will be set in interaction throughout; e.g. Soviet editing and antirealism are continued in the avant-garde; rhetorical figures such as metaphor, metonymy, ellipsis, condensation, and displacement can be traced in very different theoretical contexts and in close examination of individual films. |
| DMS 415 ANS Interactive Environments in Art and Entertainment Josephine Anstey MW 1-2:50 CFA 232 REG#007712 Electronic gaming is pervasive, but not the only locus of interactive environments. In this course we will analyze not only popular games but the wilder reaches of interactive installations and virtual reality constructed by artists and researchers. We will discuss the interdisciplinary nature of a media which depends on art, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, interface design, human-computer interaction, psychology, narrative, networking and technical innovation. We will ask why interactive experiences are popular, and try to understand the social and cultural implications of this new media. Games studied will include Black and White, Seaman, and Deus Ex. Artists/researchers studied will include Brenda Laurel, Char Davies and Jeffrey Shaw. Fulfills the digital theory requirement. http://www.ccr.buffalo.edu/anstey |
| DMS 417 Film Speaker Series Lina Reisman REG#238459 |
| DMS 419 SCH Advanced Digital Arts Production STAFF MW 11-12:50pm CFA 244 REG#088026 PR: DMS 121, 155, or Permission of Instructor The objective of this survey-like course is to provide a social framework for the Internet and to point to transient places of resistance within it. Approaching net cultures with both, the due optimism and the necessary doubt, we will then join the love of thinking with the joy of making. We will discuss key issues such as access, privacy, e-letism, history of net art, commodification, identity, Internet standards/ broadband, creation and eradication of public spaces, community building, narration online, and sound. Please note that this is not a web design class. Lab fee $100. For permission, contact: treborscholz@earthlink.net |
| DMS 423 PAP Programming Graphics I Dave Pape TR 10-11:50am CFA 242 REG#203403 This production course will introduce students to the concepts and practice of programming 3D computer graphics and audio using OpenGL and other libraries. The major focus will be on creating interactive art or games experiences by programming both graphics and sound. The course has three goals: to demystify computer code - we get behind the Graphic User Interface to the machine below; to explore the potential of programming - writing our own code means we can create customized computer tools as well as customized visuals; and to teach the fundamentals of graphics programming. Prerequisites are experience in a programming language such as Python, C, C++, or Java (DMS 121, CSE 113/4/5 or equivalent). Permission of Instructor required. Lab fee $100. Contact: dave.pape@acm.org |
| DMS431 3D Character Animation: Modeling in Maya Jesse Fabian M 3-4:50 CFA 242 REG#445869 Permission of Instructor This class is an advanced course that covers simulation and visualization in Alias-Wavefront Maya. Additional software and tools may include 3DStudio, Softimage, Viewpoint software, and various types of data capture. The class is a survey class covering a broad range of technologies, focusing on technical mastery of a Maya 3D animation interface for the purpose of creating a final product. The class is one third lecture and two thirds production. Completion of the class requires successful creation of a visualization or simulation of quality sufficient for general public presentation. $100 Lab Fee. |
| DMS 438/DMS 553 VR Art Project I J.Anstey T 1-3:50 pm CFA 266 REG#058166 This course is designed for students with graphics programming experience and/or experience with 3D modeling packages. Teams of modelers and programmers will collaborate to build immersive virtual reality art experiences over the course of 2 semesters. The course introduces students to Ygdrasil, a high-level VR authoring toolkit and Performer a graphics library. Ygdrasil handles a number of activities common to VR environments, such as assembling 3D models into a world, collision detection, navigation, and detecting events and passing messages in response to them. Modellers will face the challenge of modeling for a real time environment. Prerequisites are graphics programming (DMS 424 or equivalent) and/or advanced experience with 3D modeling packages. Permission of Instructor required. Lab fee $100. Contact: dave.pape@acm.org. |
| DMS 446 DEN Interface Design Vanessa Dennen ARR-ARR CFA ARR REG#179060 ****This is an on-line course**** Why do computer-based products succeed or fail? Many factors play into this equation, but one critical factor is interface of interaction design. Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the study of how humans use computers. Knowledge in this area is essential to producing successful computer programs. This class will explore current topics in HCI and interface design while developing computer-based products in a group environment with a focus on developing a user-friendly interface. Students in this course should have Basic Digital Arts or the equivalent and be familiar with either Web production or Macromedia Director. $100 lab fee. Contact vdennen@mail.sdsu.edu |
| DMS 484 Language Media Poetics Loss Glazier MW 5-7pm REG#272906 |
| DMS 485 Computing for the Arts 1 TR 11-12:50pm STAFF REG#344561 |
| DMS 490 Internship Staff Variable Credit 1-4 Permission of Instructor Media Study majors have the opportunity to gain variable academic credit for internships in local and national media production companies, television stations, cable companies, and media access centers. This is an unpaid internship available to majors. Guidelines are set by an internship supervisor in collaboration with a faculty sponsor to provide hands-on practical experience in an on-the-job training program. For registration info, see Nancy King in 231 CFA |
| DMS 499 Independent Study Staff Variable Credit 1-4 Permission of Instructor Students may arrange for special courses of study with faculty through “Independent Study.” The instructor will set the guidelines for the course on an individual basis. It permits the student to study, independently, in an area where no course is given. Syllabus for Independent Study should be prepared prior to semester, signed by the instructor, with one copy on file with the department. For registration info, see Nancy King in 231 CFA. Lab fee for production work: $100 |