Video Essay Atelier

Prerequisites

This is a Masters level course. Students should have access to video editing software, specifically Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

Course goals

This course provides students with a practical and critical engagement with the video essay as a mode of audiovisual research and scholarship, thereby familiarizing themselves with a media form that has applications for numerous courses and professional contexts.

Course relevance

In the 21st century, the video essay has become increasingly prominent as an audiovisual form of writing, using images and sounds to explore diverse topics and disseminate information in ways that are not possible with text. By taking a hands-on approach, students will conceive, develop and produce their own analytic video essays, while developing skills with editing software. Through weekly assignments, viewings and group critique sessions, students learn to express themselves more effectively and creatively in audiovisual media. Students will also reflect critically on the relationship between knowledge and audiovisual aesthetics in producing different rhetorical effects and states of spectatorship for their audience.

Teaching approach and methods

This course is a mix of lectures, viewing and discussion (30%) and practical application through video editing and post-production (70%). Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and spend a reasonable ;me outside of the class meetings working on their video essay projects.

Enrollment and attendance

This course is structured around practical activities carried out in class. Attendance is required. Absences have to be justified in writing (to [email protected]).

Assignments and exams

Throughout the course students will be engaged in a series of practical exercises and assignments. These exercises will initially be carried out in teams to maximize the exchange of learning during a critical phase. These exercises will be carried out partly in class and partly outside class. These exercises prepare students to take on the individual assignments leading to their final project. Teams will share in class the results of their work during presentations. Students are expected to actively participate in the discussion to practice the skill of giving feedback. There is no exam for the course. The final project is a video essay on a topic of the student’s own choosing, which should demonstrate many of the principles and techniques covered in the class. Additionally, there will be two short written assignments: a midterm reflection essay and a final self-evaluation essay.

Evaluation and grading

Each student will be evaluated on the following criteria.

• Final video essay project - 70%
• Team exercises and individual assignments - 20%
• Class participation - 10%

Teaching material and required readings

Computers with editing equipment are essential to the production of video essays. Personal computers are an advantage, but not required. Computer stations with editing equipment will be available to students on campus. Classes will be presented on screen projection in classroom or via screen share in Zoom. Materials consist primarily of websites, video essays and other digital resources. There are no required books for the course. Readings and videos will be provided as online links or files, and will be made available in the syllabus, via email or in class.

Enrollment required. Limited number of participants.