About These Documents
The Course
This course will be organized around introducing students to a wide range of methods in constructing screen and projection based media. A class will typically commence with an introduction and discussion of a concept and its related applications followed by a group exercise in learning a new technology, tool, or methodology.
Weekly assignments will be given. They will typically relate to a worksop and will usually extend into longer projects. Critiques will take place at the end of every project, and students’ active engagement forum discussion will play a vital role in establishing an atmosphere of collaboration and shared learning.
More information can be found on the Course Syllabus page, which should be provided to students.
Module Design
This set of coursework is designed for educators and students to learn about the techniques being used to create live visual performances and investigate how these same skills can be applied to innovate on traditional forms of video production.
The lesson plans provided are broken up into separate modules that can be followed in order or put together in sub-collections that best fit with the focus for your class.
About the Modules
- “Live” Visuals
- Input to Output
- Responsiveness
- Introduction to Montage
- The Cut
- Rhythmic Sequence
- Cinéma Pur
- Introduction to Motion Design
- Stills to Motion
- Color and Choreography
- Visual Music
- Abstract Visualization / Color Organ
- Audio Visualizers and the Shape of Sounds
- Generative Patterns
- Aesthetic Overview
- Styling Your Look
- Mood board / Storyboarding
- Show and Event Production
- Pre-Production and Show Design
- Technical Riders and Contracts
- Getting gig ready, Rehearsals and Performances
Student Handouts
For each module a student handout is provided that includes overview notes and useful reference links from each lesson in the section.
Teacher Lesson Plans
For each module, broken up by, lesson you will find the following resources:
- Lesson description: A short introduction describing the concepts, exercises and goals associated with the lesson.
- Handout: A link to the matching student handout that can be provided to the class which includes notes and useful reference links from the lesson.
- Lecture notes: Starting points for material that can be used to explain lesson topics in the form of a lecture or presentation.
- Demonstrations: A list of suggested in class lessons that you, the teacher, should walk-through as demonstrations for the students to observe or follow along.
- Exercises: A list of suggested tasks that students can work on in class individually or in small groups. Often these are variations on the demonstrations, with the idea that students repeat the techniques that were just explained by the teacher.
- Discussion: Ideas for guided group conversations based on topics related to the lesson.
- Special equipment: In some cases it can be useful to have some special equipment to perform an in class demonstration or exercise. Where included these notes can serve as a reminder to acquire these items.
Depending on the time constraints and limitations of your demonstration equipment, some of the demonstrations and in class exercises may not be possible. Use your best discretion when it comes to which parts best fit with your classroom capabilities.
It is recommended that you go through the materials from each module yourself, including the student handouts, in advance of each lesson as a refresher.
Additional Resources For Teachers and Students
Along with the handouts for each module, this course guide includes several other useful resources, such as:
Creating Your Own Version Of These Pages
These course materials are totally free to re-use for educational purposes. The related files can be found and branched on GitHub.