Hope Tucker

This course provides an opportunity for you to build your skills in research methods and practice as you discover what research can look like for those working in film, photography, video, installation, and related media. By looking within texts by artists, filmmakers, photographers, performers, poets, and journalists such as Joan Beifuss, Pearl Bowser, Linda Goode Bryant, Duncan Campbell, Ximena Cuevas, Susana de Sousa Dias, Kevin Jerome Everson, Jill Godmilow, Sharon Greytak, David Hammons, Christine Sun Kim, Spike Lee, John Lewis, Rosalind Nashashibi, Mike Nichols, Isamu Noguchi, Mika Rottenberg, Doris Salcedo, Dread Scott, Joel Sternfeld, Chick Strand, Rea Tajiri, Peter Watkins and Travis Wilkerson, the class will examine research-based approaches to developing, creating and realizing new works. Readings, screenings, creative exercises, and artist talks that address conceptual approaches, working methods, and a range of research strategies will allow you to deepen your skills in research as you develop and create a project of your own. All members of the class are required to present their work in various stages throughout the semester. The members of the class will provide critical, technical and production support for one another. Active verbal and written contributions to all sessions are required of each student under the guiding principle that tracking each other's intellectual and creative process will help each person develop their respective project and understanding of research practices. This course provides a structured context in which to do research intensive work at the Division l and II level. Enrolled or waitlist students who do not attend the first class session risk losing their place on the class roster. (keyword: film, video, photography, installation, art)

Animation can be used to illustrate the unspoken, document the unseen, and interpret the everyday. This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of frame by frame filmmaking and handcrafted cinema. Prior experience is not necessary. Camera-less techniques, stop motion, cut-out and alternative approaches to image design and acquisition are introduced as well as camera work, hand-processing, and editing. The development of personal vision is stressed. Our class periods will be used for discussion related to the production of animation; historical screenings to give you a sense of how other makers have approached the topic at hand; demonstrations, exercises and workshops to familiarize you with concepts, processes and equipment; and critiques of your work. (keywords: film, animation, art, video, drawing)

In this media production workshop, we will study historic and contemporary examples of campaigns produced for political groups and movements as we make media for change and transformation. Students will analyze works created by corporations, collectives, citizens and artists and use this knowledge to create work of their own. The course will reinforce or introduce production and design skills. Our workflow will incorporate research and development of an idea, production, editing, revision and exhibition. The final work of the course will be created in response to the upcoming US presidential election, an international, national, or local issue or movement such as gun control or environmental justice or reproductive justice or net neutrality or Black Lives Matter. Required weekly screenings will include international ads, feature films, and video art. Print, radio, performance, and social media will also be examined. Readings will include historical, critical, and literary texts. No previous production experience is necessary. (keywords: film, video, activism, arts)

This production workshop is open to all students in their first or second semester of Division III who are working with moving image. The class will integrate the procedural and formal concentration requirements of the College with the creative work produced by each student. Pre: Pro: Post will assist each student in identifying, developing, and advancing each project's pre-production (e.g. research, writing, and project development), production (e.g. recording and creation), and post-production (e.g. editing and installation) workflows. Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process will be used to guide critique and discussion. Attendance and participation in all sessions and activities is required. Enrolled or waitlist students who DO NOT attend the first class session risk losing their place on the class roster. (keywords: film, video, animation, arts, Div III)