Saturday, November 26, 2011

TCF 312 :: REEL & ARTIST STATEMENT

This week I want you to consider what makes a good Director and DP reel. Watch lots of reels and determine which Director or DP you would hire? Why?

Blog Post Prompt:
What makes a good DP / Director of Photography / Cinematographer's reel? Search reels online (google, vimeo, youtube, etc) and visit the links below to see what work is out there. Embed or link your favorite and your least favorite reels and explain what is compelling (and not so compelling) in the reels that you viewed.

For our final class meeting: Edit all of your footage into a reel (short 1-2 minutes, 3 min MAX) representation of who you are as an artist (at this stage in your career - even if that means you are at the very beginning, or if you having been filming for some years)...

Keep in mind lots of folks have many different reels for different kinds of jobs they pitch for but for this assignment, choose your favorite shots and put them together in a way that represents your style and skills.

You are encouraged to browse old 312 sites and see what your peers have put together. Here are a few:









Additionally post a short ARTIST STATEMENT (at least 350 - 500 words) with your embedded video clip, see below for some examples of reels and artist statements.

Some sample DP reel links:






































Sample Director Reel Links:

















ABOUT ARTIST STATEMENTS:

When faced with a blank page, the best thing to do is write down words that you would use to describe your work. Do the same for the process(es) you use to make your work- list out the processes you use. The next step is to start to link the words into sentences. After you write the sentences, see if you can put them together into paragraphs. If you have several bodies of work you might do this process for each body of work.
- from the Artist Foundation on how to write an artist statement

THINK ABOUT:
your vision
your visual style
your influences
the impact you desire to make with your work

When you want to apply for grant money for filmmakers, you will often be asked to submit an artists statement.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to
Provide a written discussion of no more than one page describing your creative journey as an artist and your creative filmmaking process and vision.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to See here.

Here is documentary filmmaker Chuck Olson's artist statement
Amazing filmmaker Yvonne Welbon's artist statement
Filmmaker Dominic Angerame's artist statement
Painter, poet and filmmaker Rajaa Gharbi's artist statement
Filmmaker Tara Krause artist statement
Filmmaker Ronit Bezalel artist statement
Filmmaker Valerie Soe calls her artist statement her manifesto
Keith W. Cunningham shows his influences in his artist statement
Feminist Filmmaker Alex Juhasz artist statement
Scott Snibbe's is here


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Inspiration: Examples for "Portrait of a Place" Assignments



Here are a few by former 312 students:









Here's one by Spike Lee:



Here is the short doc about the barber that I mentioned in class:

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Visit this link (won't work in our sidebar)

Blogger and tumblr don't seem to like each other.

So please visit: http://thephotographersdomain.tumblr.com/tagged/TCF312 to see Xavier's inspiring things.

Please and thank you.

These are a few of my inspiring things...

My favorite photographers:

Brian B+ Coleman





View more of his portfolio here

Erin Patrice O'Brien





These portraits are from a collection on teenage Moms in New York. http://mamasadolescentes.com/


Lately I have been a little bit obsessed with capturing people and places in silhouette. Here are a couple that I found that inspire me (at least today, I like them).




Monday, August 29, 2011

It's a new semester!

Ten Things About Me.

1. Already I am swamped this semester. But if I am not busy, please be worried about me. I am very excited for all the upcoming amphitheater shoots that we have on our schedule.

2. I LOVE my job. We are so much TCFeffin fun that I can hardly stand it.

3. I am TEAM DAMON.



4. I also am TEAM JACOB.



5. My favorite book is The Prisoner's Wife by asha bandele.

6. My favorite woman behind the camera is Ellen Kuras, ASC but I love anyone who works behind the camera.



7. If my high school self could date a movie character it would definitely be Lloyd Dobler.



8. If my 20 year old self was a movie character, I'd be Star from Lost Boys. (People used to mistake me for Jami Gertz when I was younger and thinner LOL)



9. I know a lot about hip-hop through 2005 I'd say, maybe too much. Some even consider me a hip-hop pioneer as the first woman to make a film about women in hip hop. Here's the Japanese version of the DVD:



10. I have two kids and if you spend any time around our offices, you'll certain see (or hear) them. They LOVE my students. Here's my daughter Tiana (left) when she first learned to paint at an event I co-founded:


... and now she LOVES country music and wants to be a country singer. (Guess kids naturally rebel against their parents. I love rap so of course she loves country, right?)... that's life. Makes for interesting car radio battles... Anyhow...

I'm really excited for this class... here we go!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

TCF 312: REELS and ARTIST STATMENT (due Monday, May 2 at 11:30 am)


For this week's blog post, I want you to consider what makes a good Director and DP reel. Watch lots of reels and determine which Director or DP you would hire? Why?

This Week's Blog Post Prompt:
What makes a good DP / Director of Photography / Cinematographer's reel? Search reels online (google, vimeo, youtube, etc) and visit the links below to see what work is out there. Embed or link your favorite and your least favorite reels and explain what is compelling (and not so compelling) in the reels that you viewed.


POST BEFORE OUR FINAL CLASS MEETING: MONDAY, MAY 2nd from 11:30 to 2 pm!

Assignment: Edit all of your footage into a reel (short 1-2 minutes, 3 min MAX) representation of who you are as an artist (at this stage in your career - even if that means you are at the very beginning, or if you having been filming for some years)...

Keep in mind lots of folks have many different reels for different kinds of jobs they pitch for but for this assignment, choose your favorite shots and put them together in a way that represents your style and skills.

Additionally post a short artist statement (1 page max) with your embedded video clip, see below for some examples of reels and artist statements.

Some sample DP reel links:






































Sample Director Reel Links:


















When faced with a blank page, the best thing to do is write down words that you would use to describe your work. Do the same for the process(es) you use to make your work- list out the processes you use. The next step is to start to link the words into sentences. After you write the sentences, see if you can put them together into paragraphs. If you have several bodies of work you might do this process for each body of work.
from the Artist Foundation on how to write an artist statement

THINK ABOUT:
your vision
your visual style
your influences
the impact you desire to make with your work

When you want to apply for grant money for filmmakers, you will often be asked to submit an artists statement.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to

Provide a written discussion of no more than one page describing your creative journey as an artist and your creative filmmaking process and vision.
IFP Center for Media arts asks you to See here.


Here is documentary filmmaker Chuck Olson's artist statement
Painter, poet and filmmaker Rajaa Gharbi's artist statement
Filmmaker Valerie Soe calls her artist statement her manifesto
Keith W. Cunningham shows his influences in his artist statement
Feminist Filmmaker Alex Juhasz artist statement
Scott Snibbe's is here




and for your viewing enjoyment, here are some reels from TCF majors & former 312 students:

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

TCF 155: EXTRA CREDIT EVENT

If you attend this event and post a reflection on your blog, 
you will earn up to 5 extra credit points!


Hot Topics: Social Media vs. Real Life (Ferguson Center)
The Ferguson Center at The University of Alabama will host the first Hot Topics event of the semester entitled “Social Media vs. Real Life” on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Game Room.This popular discussion series allows students to talk about a controversial topic in a neutral setting. A moderator will facilitate the discussion. The Hot Topics discussion is free and open to all UA students. Free food and refreshments will be provided at the event.
 

 @ Ferguson Center Game Room | February 08, 2011 - 07:30 pm 



Tuesday, February 1, 2011

TCF 312: Portrait of A Place (Person or Event) - Due 2/10


TCF 312 :: Assignment :: Portrait of a Place, Person or Event
Due 
Thursday, February 10th 


You will direct a 2-minute VISUAL portrait of a place, person or event and edit your piece for screening on Thursday, Feb. 10th in class. Rely on aestheticscraftvision, and technical skill to tell your story... no dialog, no interviews, absolutely no talking heads!

This piece can be any fiction or non-fiction, any genre, any style.

Rules:
  • You will DIRECT one, 2-minute visual portrait (3 min MAX!)
  • You will be DP/Camera Operator for one 2-minute piece for someone in your production group
  • NO dialog (talking heads) in your piece, but voice-over, production sound, sound effects, and music are permissible
  • Your final edit must include titles crediting the Director and the D.P.
  • Must be filmed on SONY HDV or JVC HMU100 Only!
Please post your piece as embedded video on your blog before class on   Thurs. 2/10
 TCF has vimeo account you may use to Vimeo... 5GB/week limit.
You must also submit authored DVD (no menu required) to Dr. R on 2/10!

RESERVE YOUR EQ at least 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE! Email your eq reserves.

Your email should include the following:
TCF 312
Your Name
Pickup Date:
Return Date:
EQ desired (BE SPECIFIC!)

Examples:

Please note: We will watch some of these examples in class, but I encourage you to watch as many as you're able. When you watch consider WHAT is the story or stories being told (what do you think is the filmmaker's message, or what do you take from his/her piece?), and HOW is the story told visually. What are the levels of filmmaking - technical skill, aesthetics/style, color, camera work, etc... being deployed to work in service of the media message?

The Professional (we watched this for visual storytelling example... just think minus the dialog)
Opening sequence of Dexter
Opening sequence of City of God (chasing the chicken opening sequence)
Brian B+ Cross "KEEPINTOKYO" and "TEEBS"
pouringdown.tv - "of all the things that can happen" and "the skies uptown"

and here's an example from student work last year:

Director: Cody Abbott, DP: Marcus Tortoricci



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

TCF 444: Video Treatment Case Study - "Beautiful People"

Since we have the treatment for Manson's "Beautiful People" video, let's watch the video!



Video: "Beautiful People" (1996)
Artist: Marilyn Manson
Directed by Floria Sigismondi

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Blog Entry #1: TCF 155 + TCF 312 + TCF 444

So if you are a student in my class, you know that the first post is some sort of "who are you" assignment. This assignment does two things. #1 - It tells me that you know how to post, embed and image or video clip, and can accomplish an assigned task on time #2 - It tells me and your classmates a little about who you are, what you enjoy, what you are thinking about, and so on...


So for TCF 155 - "Personal Screens: Media and Identity in the Age of YOUtube, ME Media, and MYspace," my students have to post a "Ten Things About Me" kind of post with some sort of self-portrait (a long portrait, a photograph, a collage, artwork... anything!). Here goes mine:



I can't sit still. Music is always playing on my office computer. I can't help but nod my head to the beat, and crack a smile. My hair is wild. My eyes look exhausted because I can't stop, won't stop (but really need to take some time off.) I have a lot of freckles. My forehead is big. I am looking pale. I love my eyes - so deep and brown. I have my abuela's face. My favorite color is purple and I had my office chair custom made for me. I am not your average professor.

I have been thinking a lot about our ego surfing fun in class. When I google myself, I see 1900 results in 45 seconds. I wonder how many of those links are actually about me. Am I really that important, or is that just my work leaves deep digital footprints? When I click on Images, I see my face (and many ways that I wear my hair - big and curly, pressed out, in braids), and even when there is some "random" image, if I click on it, there is some link to one of my life as a college professor, one of my films, a book that I edited, or somebody writing about me on a blog... it's kind of weird, actually. To think my thoughts and actions are archived for possibly forever here, on the Internet.

My life is online.

I have a facebook page. It's set to "private," but what's really private online? I know everyone on my page (well, maybe like 5 or 10 people are people who requested my friendship and I accepted because they are friends with 30+ of my friends in my "real life," but there are strange interactions between my students and my prom date, my mentees, my peers, and my friends from high school. I've thought about creating groups to try to compartmentalize this profile, but really, why? I think crashes, cracks, leaks, and spaces can show you where you need to build connections and bridges, or accept the gaps.

I have a very old myspace profile that  I go on a few times a year (to reach out to a friend who loves music and is actively there meeting 20 year old girls.) 

I tweet but find my twittering kind of boring. I don't have too many deep thoughts in 150 words or less. I use it to spread news or retweet something clever someone else I know has said. I also got weirded out when some of my heros started following me. I didn't know they even knew I existed. 

I have a website rachelraimist.com that is in desperate need of content. I just don't have time to get everything on there... maybe some point this semester. We'll see...

I am so online. Do I need to be? What does all of online material say about who am I, what I am about, what I do, and what I leave imprinted in the digital world? Maybe this semester will help me think it through... I'm looking forward to it!

For TCF 312 - "Advanced Videography," my students have to share another version of "10 Things" --- maybe favorite films, line from films, or just random fun facts. So here goes my list of favorite films to watch in reverse chronology of viewing:

10. Exit Through the Gift Shop



9. Central Station

8. Manny & Lo


7. Nobody's Business



6. The Piano




4. Dexter



3. The Vampire Diaries (Team Damon!)



2. Say Anything


1. The Professional



For TCF 444: "Producing & Directing the Music Video," my students have to share random facts and/or 10 (or more, in my case) favorite videos. I have to admit I love to watch videos but have so many different kinds of favorites for different reasons. I remember when MTV launched; I was watching TV with my Dad. When I was a teenager we used to keep VHS tapes ready to record music videos because there was no guarantee that you would ever get the chance to see it again. Now a quick YouTube search and you can find archives of old videos and every kind of video you could imagine (mainstreams, indie and all sorts of local groups)... it's an exciting time for music videos!


So for my random list, there are so many reasons why these videos made this listing... In some cases it's the technique like the use of silhouette, air pumping into black trash bags (because what else do you do with a "fat" artist but to accentuate her size, or the use of green screen, and in others, it is about what it is about (particularly when I saw it on Yo MTV Raps, and my life was forever changed... Ladies First!), and sometimes its how beautifully it illustrates the music (Maxwell is also Puerto Rican!!!). Here's a selection in totally random order... in class we will talk in more detail about why I love these videos so much. Can't to see your lists!


The Pharcyde "Drop" (1995), Directed by Spike Jonze 





Fiona Apple "Criminal" (1997), Directed by Mark Romanek




Mos Def "History" (2010), Directed by Coodie-and-Chike



Queen Latifah "Ladies First" (1990), Directed by ?



Lauryn Hill "Everything is Everything" (1999), Directed by Sanji



Jay-z "99 Problems" (2004), Directed by Mark Romanek



Chris Brown "Deuces" (2010), Directed by Colin Tilley



Maxwell "This Women's Work" (1997), Director: Sanji





Dead Prez "Hell Yeah" (2003), Directed by ?



Blind Melon "No Rain"(1993), Directed by Samuel Bayer



The Red Hot Chili Peppers "



Missy Elliot "The Rain(Supa Dupa Fly)" (1997), Directed by Hype Williams


MISSY ELLIOTT'the rain'
Uploaded by banatchec. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Common "Go"(2005), Directed by Kanye West, MK12, and Convert





I like the ending green screen shot... the rest of the video is ok, nothing amazing, but still I do love Common and the beat of this song is the score to my above long portrait.