F E M I N I S T V I D E O P R O D U C T I O N M a k i n g M e d i a & M a k i n g C h a n g e

F E M I N I S T V I D E O P R O D U C T I O N M a k i n g M e d i a & M a k i n g C h a n g e Course Instructor: jesikah maria ross WMS 195 Fall 2003 CRN 92951 Class sessions: Wed. 4:10 7:00 & Fri. 1:10 3:00, 262 Everson Hall Office hours: Wed. & Fri. 3:00-4:00, 262 Everson Hall E-mail: jmross@ucdavis.edu COURSE OVERVIEW: This course explores the history and practice of feminist film and video production. In particular, we will examine how feminist media makers use film/video to promote social transformation. In terms of history, we will read about and view a variety of feminist work that deals with the complex issues surrounding the construction of identity, the politics of visual representation, and the empowering nature of self-representation through media production. On the level of practice, we will cover how to produce alternative video including camera operation, sound recording, and basic digital editing. Students will create a series of short videos informed by course readings, discussions, and their own personal goals. Students will then present their video work at a public screening. Combining history and practice provides students with an opportunity to learn how to make videos that address gender issues and effect social change. COURSE GOALS: This course intends to increase students' Understanding of feminist film/video history Familiarity with feminist film/video production strategies Skills in media production Capacity to collaborate on team projects Capacity to link university studies to personal and community life REQUIRED READING & SUPPLIES: WMS 195 Reader, available at Navin s Copy Shop on Third & University Streets. You will also need three 60 minute mini-dv tapes (available at the UCD bookstore). COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice each week and combines lectures, video viewings, equipment demonstrations, small group exercises, and student presentations. COURSE EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to: consult the course schedule regularly and manage your time and deadlines attend all class sessions and arrive on time come to class prepared to discuss assigned readings, writings or videos contribute ideas to class discussions and video critiques collaborate on video projects and in promoting a public screening WMS 195 Syllabus - page 1 - Fall 2003

ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING: Class Participation (assignments, discussions, proposals, presentations) 15% Video Assignment 1 (due Oct. 22) 15% Video Assignment 2 (due Nov. 12) 20% Video Assignment 3 (due Dec 3) 25% Final Take-Home Exam (due Dec 8 by noon) 25% Videos need to be cued up to the beginning of the piece when they are turned in. The final exam needs to be typed and double-spaced. Production Proposals can be typed single spaced. Writing assignments and videos that are not turned in on time will not receive full credit; one half of a grade will be deducted for each day the paper or video is late (e.g., B will become a B-). A D D I T I O N A L C O U R S E F E A T U R E S WMS 195 LISTSERV: An "WMS 195" automated electronic mailing list has been created for members of this class to use in commenting on course readings and assignments, requesting assistance from each other or from the instructor, and otherwise communicating about the course. All students with e-mail accounts at UC Davis are automatically subscribed to this mailing list when they enroll in for the course. To send an e-mail to the "WMS 195" mailing list, address it to <wms195-f03@ucdavis.edu>. Come see me if you d like an email address other than you UCD address added to the list. MEYER MEDIA LAB: This campus unit provides editing equipment and production assistance to students working on WMS 195 video projects. The lab allows students to use equipment up to two days in a row and requires students to reserve equipment in advance. The Meyer Media Lab is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM. For more information on equipment offered through these the lab, their reservation and use policies, our current hours call 752-5215. PUBLIC SCREENING: Early feminist media practitioners organized community screenings as women's film festivals in order to circulate their work. Many feminists today continue this practice since precious few venues exist for such work and because a social transformation agenda necessitates public interaction and dialogue around issues or innovative ideas. As part of this course, students will engage in planning and promoting a public screening of their videos during the final week of class. The screening will create a forum for students to present and discuss their work as well as receive public feedback on their ideas and projects. The screenings will likewise serve to encourage community dialogue regarding feminist issues and artwork. WMS 195 Syllabus - page 2 - Fall 2003

C O U R S E A S S I G N M E N T S To promote active learning and participation in class discussions and projects, you will be asked to do several brief out-of-class assignments in relation to either the course readings or the video production process. These assignments are noted in the course schedule. In addition, you will be required to complete the following work: Video # 1 The objective of this assignment is to build your basic production skills. For this assignment, you have two options: A) to create a video concerning a feminist issue of importance to you or B) to create a video depicting a person in your life (it can be yourself) illustrating how s/he approaches a gender issue such as visual representation, identity construction, discrimination, violence, social norms, etc. Following upon early feminist goals for media making, your video topic or subject should serve to foster discussion or action regarding social transformation. i encourage you to draw upon the themes, ideas, images, and discussions from class sessions. In this video, you need to do four things: 1) utilize three different camera movements, 2) employ at least five different shots, 3) include two different sounds elements [e.g., voice over and music, two different voices, music and sound effects] and 4) end your video with credits. Remember, all of your production choices need to support and/or reinforce the main message of your video. The video should be between 2-3 minutes long and edited in camera. (If you are already familiar with digital editing you are free to edit your piece on a computer instead of in-camera.) i ask that you work on this project in pairs. Each member of the pair will receive the same grade for her/his work on the project. Video # 2 The objective of this assignment is to build your pre-production and post-production skills while developing your ability to use video to convey a message. For this assignment, create a video portraying a feminist or feminist concern. This might be an interview-based piece, an artistic rendering of a particular topic, a comic look at daily social practices, a performance, or some other avenue to creatively express your ideas. i ask that you work on this project in groups of 3. Each member of the group will receive the same grade for her/his work on the project. When possible, class time will be set aside for individuals to form teams and to work on their project. For this video, you need to do three things: 1) use at least two different shot transitions (e.g., fade, dissolve, cut), 2) include three different sounds elements, and 3) creatively use text during and at the end of the video (e.g., credits). Again, your video topic or subject should serve to further discussion or action regarding social change. And all of your production choices should support and/or reinforce the main message of your video. Your video should be approximately 5 minutes long and digitally edited. Video # 3 The objective of this assignment is to hone your preproduction, production, and postproduction skills to create a video that illustrates a feminist issue or subject. For this assignment, you may work individually or in groups on the following options: Rework a previous video. For this piece, you can choose to significantly rework a previous video to improve and refine an earlier effort. Significantly rework might consist of reshooting, re-editing, adding new sound or text, or including new material within the old piece in some way. If you plan to select this option you and any teammates must consult with me to determine what significantly rework would look like for your video, who will be involved in reworking the piece, and how long you think the video will be. If you work in a group, each member will receive the same grade for her/his work on the project. This video should be between 4-7 minutes. WMS 195 Syllabus - page 3 - Fall 2003

Create a new video. For this piece, you can choose the format (e.g., talking heads, interview, performance, narrative) and employ whatever production strategies (camera shots, movement, transitions, sound, text, style/pace of editing) you feel best support the goal and message of your video piece. You must, however, meet with me during the planning stages of your video to discuss your ideas, present your draft content outline, storyboard, or script. For this final video, you can choose to work alone or in a group. If you work in a group, each member will receive the same grade for her/his work on the project. This video should be between 4-7 minutes. Grading criteria for videos: In assessing your video work, i will use the following criteria ability to meet the requirements of the assignment application of principles and practices of feminist film/video making to creative project ability to preproduce videos (plan, organize, structure video w/ content outlines, storyboards, etc.) technical proficiency (production and post-production) effectiveness of production techniques and choices capacity to use video as a means of conveying messages to promote social transformation originality, creativity TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM The final is designed to help you reflect on your production experiences and course work as well as evaluate how your video endeavors fit within the trajectory of feminist film/video history and practice. In this final, I want you to cover three areas: Production Experiences: Discuss why you selected the topic/subject of each of your videos. Thoughtfully consider what you feel are the strengths and weaknesses (if any) of each video and comment on what you would do differently in the pre-production, production, or post-production of each video if you had the opportunity to rework them. Course Materials: Draw upon the course materials (readings, videos, class discussions) and your own philosophy to discuss what makes each of your pieces a "feminist video". For example, how would you relate your topics or subjects to the history and practice of feminist film/video? How do your production goals align with feminist mediamakers' attempts to use film/video as a tool for social transformation. What production strategies did you employ and why? How do these strategies echo or stand apart from feminist production strategies we have covered in course material. Cite at least five sources from the Reader in your paper and five videos shown in class. Note: you can put written sources in parenthesis, e.g., (Geever, p. 42) after the citation instead of creating a works cited section at the end of your paper. Key Learnings: Reflect on your key learnings in making and presenting feminist videos. In your discussion, identify what you learned, discovered, or realized and the catalyst for these learnings (Teamwork? Technical work? Production challenges? Definitions of feminism? Community screening?). Discuss how you might apply these learnings in future academic, community, or personal work. Your final should be 5-7 pages (approximately 2 pages for each section). Grading criteria for final exam: In assessing your take-home exam, i will use the following criteria: ability to meet the requirements of the assignment capacity to engage thoughtfully with course material (readings, videos) and discussions WMS 195 Syllabus - page 4 - Fall 2003

use of clear, well-organized prose, proper grammar, and citations WMS 195 Syllabus - page 5 - Fall 2003

W M S 1 9 5 C O U R S E S C H E D U L E OCT 1 OCT 3 INTRODUCTIONS & COURSE OVERVIEW EARLY FEMINIST PRODUCTION STRATEGIES Readings: Reader Section 1 Bring to class a quote (written down) that you found particularly illuminating or significant from each of the articles you read for this session. Be prepared to discuss your selected quotes. OCT 8 CAMERA OPERATIONS & COMPOSITION / EARLY FEMINIST PRODUCTIONS Readings: Reader Section 2 Turn In: Find a partner to work with on video assignment #1, review the assignment, and come to class with some ideas on a topic for your video. Equipment Use Form OCT 10 MICROPHONE OPERATIONS & AUDIO / EARLY FEMINIST PRODUCTIONS Readings: Reader Section 3 Work with your partner to develop production ideas for your first video. Also discuss with your partner some groundrules or guidelines for being an effective team and be prepared to share your ideas with the class. OCT 15 PREPRODUCTION & LIGHTING GUEST LECTURER LISE SWENSON Readings: Reader Section 4 Work with your partner to refine production ideas for your first video. Check out a field kit and practice shooting images and recording sounds for your first video. Be sure and experiment with different camera angles, movements, and shots as well as recording voice overs and wild sound. Bring a sample of your practice work (cued up!) to class to share. OCT 17 SHOOTING INTERVIEWS & SEQUENCES GUEST LECTURER LISE SWENSON Readings: Reader Section 5 Work with your partner to complete the production proposal for your first video. Recommended: check out a field kit and continue to practice shooting images and recording sounds for your video. Turn In: Production Proposal for Video #1. WMS 195 Syllabus - page 6 - Fall 2003

OCT 22 VIDEO 1 VIEWING & CRITIQUE / INTRO TO FEMINIST VIDEO ART Complete video assignment # 1. Bring video labeled and cued up to class to present to the group. Meet with your partner and prepare a 5 minute presentation to accompany your video that draws on course material (readings, videos, discussions) and your own philosophies to address the following questions: 1) What makes your piece a "feminist video". 2) What message did you intended to convey and what production strategies did you use to support your goal and/or message. 3) What did you feel was successful about your video and what would you change. NOTE: both team members must make part of the presentation. OCT 24 FEMINIST VIDEO ART PRODUCTION STRATEGIES Readings: Read the articles on feminist video art you have been assigned from Section 6 and make notes (written down) of the key ideas, feminist mediamakers, and videos discussed by the author. Be prepared to present and discuss your notes with the class. Review the assignment for video # 2. Start talking to 2 people you d like to work with on your next video (video #2 will be done in teams of three). Bring in 1-2 ideas (written down) for video # 2 to share with your potential video group. OCT 29 INTRO TO DIGITAL EDITING & EDITING AESTHETICS Readings: Section 7 Form a group of 3 people to work with on your next video. As a team, establish your group s groundrules or guidelines for being an effective team. Develop a production proposal for video # 2. OCT 31 DIGITIZING & PREPARING VIDEO CLIPS Readings: Section 8 Meet in your video # 2 group to complete the production proposal. Begin videotaping for your second video. Come to class with at least 5 minutes of footage (between 10 & 20 shots) to digitize and work with. Turn In: Production proposal for video #2. NOV 5 DIGITAL EDITING: CREATING A TIMELINE Continue to videotape, digitize, and prepare clips. Try and have at least half of your video shot, digitized, and prepped. NOV 7 DIGITAL EDITING: ADDING SOUND & TEXT / EXPORTING TO TAPE OR DVDS WMS 195 Syllabus - page 7 - Fall 2003

Readings: Section 9 Continue to videotape, digitize, and prep clips. Develop the timeline for your piece. Decide on and record any additional sound (music, sound effects, wild sound) that you need. Bring a CD to class with music appropriate for your video to practice adding sound to your timeline. Also generate information that might be added through text (title, lower thirds, ending credits) and bring to class to practice adding to your timeline. NOV 12 VIDEO #2 VIEWING & CRITIQUE / CURRENT FEMINIST PRODUCTION STRATEGIES Complete video assignment # 2. Bring video labeled and cued up to class to present to the group. Meet with your teammates and prepare a 10 minute presentation to accompany your video that draws on course material (readings, videos, discussions) and your own philosophies to address the following questions: 1) How would you relate your topic or subject to the history and practice of feminist film/video? 2) How does your production goal align with feminist mediamakers' attempts to use film/video as a tool for social transformation. 3) What production strategies did you employ and why? How do these strategies echo or stand apart from feminist production strategies we have covered in course material 4) What did you feel was successful about your video and what would you change. NOTE: all team members must make part of the presentation. Turn In: Video #2 NOV 14 CURRENT FEMINIST PRODUCTION STRATEGIES / VIDEO # 3 PLANNING Readings: Section 10 Review assignment for video # 3. Decide which option your prefer and come to class prepared to discuss your ideas. Plan to stay for office hours to in case we need additional time to discuss your production plans. NOV 19 CURRENT FEMINIST PRODUCTION STRATEGIES / SCREENING PREPARATION Work on your video as appropriate (shoot/reshoot, log, paper edit, edit) Turn In: Production proposal worksheet for video # 3 NOV 21 PRODUCTION WORKDAY NOV 26 VIDEO # 3 ROUGH CUT VIEWING & CRITIQUE / SCREENING PREPARATION Complete a rough cut of video assignment # 3 (e.g., an almost final draft for feedback and polishing). Bring video cued up to class to present to the group. WMS 195 Syllabus - page 8 - Fall 2003

NOV 28 DEC 3 Turn In: HOLIDAY PUBLIC SCREENING PREPARATION Do any additional polishing that needs to be done on your final video. Meet with your teammates and prepare a 3-5 minute presentation to accompany your video that draws on course material (readings, videos, discussions) and your own experiences to address the following questions: 1) why you chose the subject, 2) How would you relate your topic or subject to the history and practice of feminist film/video 3) what you learned through making the video, and 3) why you feel this video is an example of a feminist video production. NOTE: all team members must make part of the presentation. Completed video #3 labeled and cued up to present for screening DEC 4 PUBLIC SCREENING 4-6:00 Come prepared to introduce your video and address the questions noted above. DEC 5 Turn In: DEBRIEF SCREENING, WRAP UP COURSE, EVALUATE CLASS Video # 3 (if I don t already have it). DEC 8 TAKE HOME EXAM DUE IN WMS OFFICE 2222B HART HALL BY 12:00 PM. YOUR VIDEOS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP IN THE WMS OFFICE 2222A AFTER 1:00 PM. WMS 195 Syllabus - page 9 - Fall 2003