58113 Exploring Media Arts

Handbook description

This subject explores creative media arts practices across moving image, audio and participatory forms. It introduces students to relevant media arts histories and contexts in addition to a range of technologies, media practices and production techniques. Each semester is based around a specific theme, such as time, speed, place or memory, which is explored through creative play. Working on creative exercises, students are introduced to core skills and understandings in media arts practice. They gain basic skills in synopsis writing, production planning, content gathering in image and sound, mixing and editing, safety issues, and collaborative work practices. Students publish and reflect on their creative practice online, a process which is continued in subjects throughout the major.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

1. discuss historical and theoretical approaches to Media Arts across a variety of forms
2. gather video and audio material
3. mix and edit video and audio material
4. publish online
5. collaborate with co-workers
6. reflect on the creative practice of themselves and their peers

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject makes a major contribution to the students' capacity to apply their knowledge and skills in media production, evaluate their own work and work collaboratively. It also contributes to their capacity to think analytically.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject is delivered in lecture/tutorial/workshop mode.

The lecture program provides a focus for examining ideas, concepts and creative practices in the Media Arts.

The tutorials are the venue for discussion and critique and the development of projects. They are also the place for debriefing and feedback on work produced and are used to introduce technical and workshop activities. The workshops allow students to gain basic technical proficiency with camera/recorder technology and convergent media softwares through short academically directed activities.

Content

• Principles of composition and collage.
• Introduction to media arts histories.
• Introduction to locative and participatory artforms.
• Individual work on short audio exercises.
• Individual work on online publishing, discussion and reflection.
• Group work on short moving image exercises.
• Principles of collaborative process.
• Introduction to moving image design.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Audio Exercise

Assessment item 2: Locative Exercise

Assessment item 3: Moving Image Exercise

Assessment item 4: Online Documentation Exercise

Minimum requirements

Attendance is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach which involves workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students are required to attend a minimum of ten classes.

Indicative references

Bull, Michael and Back, Les eds. The Auditory Culture Reader, Berg: Oxford 2003

LaBelle, Brandon, Background Noise: Perspectives on Sound Art (New York and London: Continuum, 2006)

Gillezeau, M., & Parsons, N. (Eds.). (2004). Hands on: a practical guide to production and technology in film, TV and new media. Sydney: Currency Press.

Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. (2007). Film art: an introduction (8th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill. MacDonald, S. (2007).

Kuljuntausta, P.; Pellman, S.; DeLaurenti, C.; Drummond, J.; Ximm, A.; Hooper, G.; Corringham, V.; Thoma,P.; Proy, G. & Nagai, M, 2003, The garden in the machine: a field guide to independent films about place. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Hearing Place: Sound Art Exploring Place from Around the World. Melbourne: Move Records. (2004).

Bachelard, Gaston. The Poetics of Space, The Orion Press, 1964.