Independent Study Plan (2nd Draft)

(incomplete)

Individual Study Plan for Tara Swenson (FALL 2009)

48 Hours of work per week will be divided as follows (hours are approximate):

10 hours of reading per week
10 hours of writing per week (research results, film critiques, scripts, notes, ideas, etc.)
10 hours per week experimenting with and learning about equipment (test shoots with cameras, playing around with lighting, testing filters, practicing recording audio, watching lynda.com tutorials for use with equipment, proficiencies at Media Loan, etc.)
10 hours/week researching (using database at library, location scouting, contacting knowledgeable resources)

Plus any of the following:
0-4 hours of Workshops
0-4 hours of class time/discussion/brainstorm
6-8 hours screening films

Learning Objectives (for Fall):
- develop cinematography skills
- gain experience working with film (8mm, 16mm, or 35mm)
- prepare for production of one documentary, one art/visual piece and at least one narrative to be shot in the winter
- improve efficiency with camera equipment and software
- complete research regarding films to shoot in Winter (location scouting, contacts, production schedule, etc.)

Outcomes/Products (for end of academic year):
- One documentary (5-10 minutes) Polyamory
Modern Love Landscapes:
Polyamory, "Free Love", open relationships. What do they mean? What do they represent to those who believe in them? How does jealousy (or lack thereof) affect a relationship? How does our society compare to others? Why do we treat each other the way we do? What biases do we have towards individuals who choose not to partake in a "traditional" relationship? What can we learn from Polyamorists?
Theme: Modern relationships
Format: SD
Stylistic approach: ?
Location: ?

- One narrative (5 - 10 minutes) Loneliness
How do different people deal with loneliness? What makes people lonely? What different ways do people interact with one another? Can loneliness be a good thing, and how?
Theme: Loneliness
Location: Cascades, Seattle? ??
Format: 8 mm? SD?
Stylistic approach:

- One visual piece (5-10 minutes) shot on super high def for maximum slow motion
"I Blossom Out and the Peace is Gone"
Theme: Rebirth
Location: Mima Mounds, WA (early morning or sunset)
Format: HD Slow motion, music, deep bass audio
Filters: red? (vibrant)
Stylistic Approach: vibrant w/shadows and direct sunlight or misty w/green and heavy fog- contrast to dresses/flowers

- Collection of research writing
- Research Journal
- Blog/Webstie
- Online portfolio/reel

Existing skills/Advanced Work (Skills will be demonstrated in film projects)

Research for Creative Work:
- proposal writing workshop
- location scouting (as listed above)
- building production schedule
- research for "Research Projects" 1 & 2

Research Project 1:
- Contemporary Media Artist of choice: Michel Gondry

Research Project 2:
- Old/New Technologies: green/blue screen, HD slow motion or editing (old vs new)

Timeline: (Calendar of projects/events completed w/approximate hours)

Week 1 (Sept 27- Oct 3):
MAS class time (3 hours)
Began reading Loneliness and Love (10 hours)
Viewed 5 films: 500 Days of Summer (Marc Webb), Ratcatcher (Lynn Ramsay), Gasman (Lynn Ramsay), Kill the Day (Lynn Ramsay), Small Deaths (Lynn Ramsay),
(6 hours)
Wrote one film critique of 500 Days of Summer (2 hours)
Narrowed down ideas, wrote up schedule plan #1, blog, etc. (10 hours)
Total: 31 hours

Week 2 (Oct 4 - Oct 10):
MAS class time (3 hours)
Schedule writing/organization/research (10 hours)
Super 8 Proficiency @ Media Loan (2 hours?)
Read proficiency manuals, fill out questionaires for Super 8 proficiency (4 hours)
Finish reading Loneliness and Love (10 hours)
Begin research for "Research Projects" (10 hours)
Viewed 7 films: Wasp (Andrea Arnold), World of Glory (Roy Andersson), Je t'Aime John Wayne (Toby Macdonald), Gasman w/commentary (Lynne Ramsay), Nocturne (Lars Von Trier), Morvern Callar (Lynne Ramsay), A Woman Under the Influence (John Cassavettes (6 hours)

Week 3 (Oct 11 - Oct 17):
MAS class time (3 hours)
Begin reading Documentary book (10 hours)
Work on Academic Portfolio (4 hours)

Week 4 (Oct 18 - Oct 24):
MAS class time (3 hours)
Finish reading documentary book (10 hours)
Work on academic portfolio (4 hours)

Week 5 (Oct 25 - Oct 31): ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO DUE
MAS class time (3 hours)
Begin reading Story (10 hours)

Week 6 (Nov 1 - Nov 7):
MAS class time (3 hours)
Finish reading Story (10 hours)

Week 7 (Nov 8 - Nov 14):
MAS class time (3 hours)

Week 8 (Nov 15 - Nov 21):
MAS class time (3 hours)

Week 9 (Nov 22 - Nov 28):
MAS class time (3 hours)

Week 10 (Nov 29 - Dec 3):
MAS class time (3 hours)


Documentation and Accountability:
- Writing and research will be kept online on blog bleachedandstatic.com and also printed out on Tuesdays

Research Journal:
- Also will be kept on blog

Academic Portfolio:
Due Oct. 20 and Dec. 3