Strategies of Alterity: Sci-Fi, Other Worlds, Space  

COURSE SCHEDULE WINTER 2019

April 3 - June 12, 2018
Office Hours – Thursday 4:00 - 5:00pm at VAF 511

OVERVIEW:
Strategies of Alterity: Sci-Fi, Other Worlds, Space Broadening our definition of “other” to include a science-fiction imaginary of the off-world, the cosmos, and the distant future, this Advanced Production class will explore the images, sounds, and designs of science-fiction. The course presents a critical and historical look at science-fiction ideation and storytelling with an emphasis on rigorous pre-production and image-compositing methodology. Advanced-level media-projects, including short video projects, will be required. Prerequisites: VIS 70N and VIS 174. Open to media majors only. Two production-course limitation.

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
20% - based on progress made as presented during Week 4 Critique
20% - based on progress made as presented during Week 7 Critique
20% - based on progress made as presented during Week 10 Critique
20% - based on average of in-class workshop exercises, production exercises, quizzes, writing, and other coursework.
20% will be based on participation in discussions and critiques.

N.B. To be clear: walking through the door and sitting at your desk is not “participation” in a advanced-level college course; more is being asked of you. Participation requires active engagement in the discourse of our class material. Examples include: provide individual insight into examples shown in class, provide feedback to peers during critique, visiting Office Hours with questions or ideas to discuss, questions and discussions during class-time, prepared material for in-class workshops. If you have discovered other ways to participate, please speak with me to discuss whether or not these variations will meet this high standard

ASSIGNMENTS:
#1: Pre_production portfolio - Due Week 4
#2: Composite/VFX shots & sound-design review - Due Week 7
#3: Finished Sequences- Due Week 10

You will be required to demonstrate the skills you have learned in previous courses (especially at the Intermediate 160/170 level) and prepare work suitable for critique. Incomplete work or work that is not prepared for critique will result in a considerably lower respective grade. These Assignments are not up-for-discussion.

Extra Credit Production-Drills: Throughout the quarter, students will be assigned short, focused "production drills" designed to facilitate practice with the techniques learned in class. Each succsesfully completed production-drill will be awarded ONE point towards your final grade.

LATE-WORK POLICY:
I will only accept assignments late if you have an excused absence from class or in an emergency situation about which you have spoken with me directly. Late assignments will be accepted at Instructor’s discretion.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend all of every class meeting. If you are away-from-class, you will be considered absent, notwithstanding absence due to illness. If you are ill, you may miss class provided you present official documentation indicating your illness (a note from student health-services will suffice).

Two absences = Lower final grade by one letter
Each additional absence = Lower final grade by an additional half-letter

Arriving to class late twice will be noted as an “absence.” Thus, arriving to class late four times will lower the final grade by one letter.

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updated January 2, 2019