Students will explore the creation of non-linear narratives through the integration of video/audio techniques, interactive software, installation and written material. Class meetings will address issues of ideation and process, as well as allowing significant in-class studio time for the students to work on their projects in an instructor-supported environment. Exercises and prompts will facilitate the students project development, and individual conferences and small group workshops will help them hone and deepen their conceptual and technical work. In addition to time spent in the studio, students will work outside, capturing imagery and inspiration from the local built and natural environment, as well as working hands-on with visiting artists from the WALKER ART CENTER and the NORTHERN SPARK FESTIVAL [a world-class event that focuses on Minnesota-based artists, pushes the boundaries of contemporary art, and transforms the urban environment into a city-wide art gallery]. Class will address questions such as the following: How much visual information do you need in order to communicate an idea? How can you communicate in visually indirect ways, without simply showing a literal representation onscreen? What role does the surrounding environment play?
INSTRUCTOR : NATHANIEL H. FREEMAN
is a multi-media artist, designer, and educator presently working in Minneapolis, MN. He received his BFA from the University of Montana, Missoula, in 1998 and his MFA from the School of Art+Design at Alfred University [N.Y.] in 2005. His work can be seen throughout the world - most recently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, HallWalls Contemporary Arts Center [N.Y], the Beijing Film Academy, and The Decemberists music video "Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect". He is the recipient of several grants and awards, including a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and an Archibald Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship, and is co-owner of Freeman Transport - recently featured in the Wall Street Journal and I.D. magazine's New + Notable issues [08 +09]. Freeman is presently a Visiting Artist at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Methodologies: Lectures, technical demonstrations, assignments, individual and group critiques. in-class exercises, readings and reaction (posted weekly on Blackboard)
Materials:
Laptop: Students should have their own laptops, either through the MCAD laptop initiative, or posses a comparable machine
Video Camera: (available through checkout)
You should assume approximately $150 in expenses.
Software Covered:
Max/MSP/Jitter – Resolume - Isadora - Photoshop - Bridge – After Effects- Adobe Premiere – Soundbooth – Garageband - Web-based media applications – open source software
Grading:
The course consists of 5 main Projects - The Document, Time, Character Study, The Event, and Installation - (divided evenly make up 70% of your final grade); and several in-class projects (these, plus class participation and attendance, make up the remaining 30%)
Grades are based upon overall performance (e.g. completed projects, concepts, creativity, craft and presentation, class participation, effort, ability to meet deadlines and class attendance). Throughout the class you are expected to show initiative, commitment and genuine engagement in pursuing your projects. You are expected to be creative and professional; not only in your research and work, but also in how you conduct yourself in the class. Come to each class ready to present your work to date: you should be able to concisely outline how your current projects have advanced each day.
You will also receive several grades in the form of √, √+ or √- . These grades are reserved for Class participation, Class Discussions, and Group Projects. They affect your overall grade in the following way: If you receive all √+’s, your overall grade will increase by 1/3 of a letter grade; If you receive all √-‘s, your grade will decrease by 1/3 of a letter grade; all √’s will keep your grade the same. This can be particularly helpful/hurtful to a grade on the verge of going one way or the other (e.g., a B+ can become an A-. Conversely, a D- can become an F.)
Critques: Critques make up the bulk of your class participation, and all projects must be presented in class to receive a finished grade. Please do not miss critiques. Be prepared. Be respectful.
MEDIA ARTS POLICY
Attendance
1. Students are required to attend all classes
2. Every 2 unexcused absences will result in a drop of one letter grade
3. Every 3 unexcused late arrivals or early departures will result in
a drop of one letter grade
Wait Lists
1. Based on instructors’ discretion - students who do not attend the first day of class may forfeit their registered status in the class.
2. Students wait listed for classes will be admitted on a space available basis determined by instructors’ discretion and over all G.P.A.
Grading Policy for Sequenced Classes
The Media Arts Division has established a policy requiring all students to carry a minimum grade of "C-" in order to advance in sequenced classes. Students who do not attain a “C” must repeat the class if they wish to continue in the sequence.
Grading/Critiques
Students who do not have work ready for two critiques automatically drop one letter grade.
Incompletes
Incompletes are not given by faculty.
In the event of an extreme emergency the Chair of Media Art must review and approve an inc.
This is rarely done.
Media Arts Grading Policy
Grades at MCAD are based primarily on the quality of outcomes. Grades consider students' performance of assignments listed on each course syllabus, participation in class, magnitude of improvement, attendance, level of project difficulty, timeliness of project completion, compliance with class policies, and effort/dedication.
"A"
Excellent work, progress far beyond expectations of effort and outcomes, and full class participation.
"B"
Good work, completion of required assignments, full class participation, excellence in more than one area of class activities.
"C"
Average work, completion of course requirements and preparedness for the more advanced study or next course in a sequence.
"D"
Passing but below average work, some promise of improvement if the class were repeated.
"F"
Work not acceptable or not enough course requirements completed to receive a passing grade.
Plus and minus notations on letter grades communicate to students which side of the grade spectrum their work and performance falls, whether they are above the assigned letter grade but short of the next
is a multi-media artist, designer, and educator presently working in Minneapolis, MN. He received his BFA from the University of Montana, Missoula, in 1998 and his MFA from the School of Art+Design at Alfred University [N.Y.] in 2005. His work can be seen throughout the world - most recently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, HallWalls Contemporary Arts Center [N.Y], the Beijing Film Academy, and The Decemberists music video "Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect". He is the recipient of several grants and awards, including a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and an Archibald Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship, and is co-owner of Freeman Transport - recently featured in the Wall Street Journal and I.D. magazine's New + Notable issues [08 +09]. Freeman is presently a Visiting Artist at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Methodologies: Lectures, technical demonstrations, assignments, individual and group critiques. in-class exercises, readings and reaction (posted weekly on Blackboard)
Materials:
Laptop: Students should have their own laptops, either through the MCAD laptop initiative, or posses a comparable machine
Video Camera: (available through checkout)
You should assume approximately $150 in expenses.
Software Covered:
Max/MSP/Jitter – Resolume - Isadora - Photoshop - Bridge – After Effects- Adobe Premiere – Soundbooth – Garageband - Web-based media applications – open source software
Grading:
The course consists of 5 main Projects - The Document, Time, Character Study, The Event, and Installation - (divided evenly make up 70% of your final grade); and several in-class projects (these, plus class participation and attendance, make up the remaining 30%)
Grades are based upon overall performance (e.g. completed projects, concepts, creativity, craft and presentation, class participation, effort, ability to meet deadlines and class attendance). Throughout the class you are expected to show initiative, commitment and genuine engagement in pursuing your projects. You are expected to be creative and professional; not only in your research and work, but also in how you conduct yourself in the class. Come to each class ready to present your work to date: you should be able to concisely outline how your current projects have advanced each day.
You will also receive several grades in the form of √, √+ or √- . These grades are reserved for Class participation, Class Discussions, and Group Projects. They affect your overall grade in the following way: If you receive all √+’s, your overall grade will increase by 1/3 of a letter grade; If you receive all √-‘s, your grade will decrease by 1/3 of a letter grade; all √’s will keep your grade the same. This can be particularly helpful/hurtful to a grade on the verge of going one way or the other (e.g., a B+ can become an A-. Conversely, a D- can become an F.)
Critques: Critques make up the bulk of your class participation, and all projects must be presented in class to receive a finished grade. Please do not miss critiques. Be prepared. Be respectful.
MEDIA ARTS POLICY
Attendance
1. Students are required to attend all classes
2. Every 2 unexcused absences will result in a drop of one letter grade
3. Every 3 unexcused late arrivals or early departures will result in
a drop of one letter grade
Wait Lists
1. Based on instructors’ discretion - students who do not attend the first day of class may forfeit their registered status in the class.
2. Students wait listed for classes will be admitted on a space available basis determined by instructors’ discretion and over all G.P.A.
Grading Policy for Sequenced Classes
The Media Arts Division has established a policy requiring all students to carry a minimum grade of "C-" in order to advance in sequenced classes. Students who do not attain a “C” must repeat the class if they wish to continue in the sequence.
Grading/Critiques
Students who do not have work ready for two critiques automatically drop one letter grade.
Incompletes
Incompletes are not given by faculty.
In the event of an extreme emergency the Chair of Media Art must review and approve an inc.
This is rarely done.
Media Arts Grading Policy
Grades at MCAD are based primarily on the quality of outcomes. Grades consider students' performance of assignments listed on each course syllabus, participation in class, magnitude of improvement, attendance, level of project difficulty, timeliness of project completion, compliance with class policies, and effort/dedication.
"A"
Excellent work, progress far beyond expectations of effort and outcomes, and full class participation.
"B"
Good work, completion of required assignments, full class participation, excellence in more than one area of class activities.
"C"
Average work, completion of course requirements and preparedness for the more advanced study or next course in a sequence.
"D"
Passing but below average work, some promise of improvement if the class were repeated.
"F"
Work not acceptable or not enough course requirements completed to receive a passing grade.
Plus and minus notations on letter grades communicate to students which side of the grade spectrum their work and performance falls, whether they are above the assigned letter grade but short of the next
