Courses
Making Media & the Development of a Global Feminist Movement
University of Massachusetts STPEC 492H Fall 2001
Monday 6 - 8:30 pm / Tuesday 7:30 - 9:30 (screening)
Liz Miller, Five College
Assistant Professor of Film/Video Production
Course Objectives: This course will explore how women's organizations internationally are using media technologies such as radio, film, video, and the internet to advance their work against diverse forms of discrimination. In Latin America, we will examine models ranging from feminist web casting in Costa Rica, to the development of a politically correct soap opera in Nicaragua. Internationally, we will compare a range of strategies — from organizations that arm citizens with video camcorders to defend their human rights to the production and distribution strategies of independent feminist filmmakers. Drawing on the work of theorists such as Charlotte Bunch, Trinh T. Minh-Ha, and Coco Fusco, we will contextualize these international projects within a theoretical, historical, and political framework. In addition to readings, screenings, and written assignments, the class will collectively create a media project.
Introduction to Video Production
Smith College V 280 / Spring 2003
Tuesday 1-4:50 pm / Wed. 7:30 – 9:30pm
Class room and Screenings: Seelye 201 or at U.Mass, part of the five-college
film festival.
Liz Miller, Five College Visiting Assistant Professor of
Film/Video Production
Course Objectives and Methodology: Video One is an introductory video production
course. The class will provide a survey of video art and documentary video
and will provide the technical
and conceptual skills to complete creative video projects in small groups
and individually. Over the course of the semester students will gain
experience
in pre-production, production, and post-production techniques. Projects
are designed to develop basic technical proficiency in video production
as well
as conceptual skills to create and critique video projects. Different forms
and genres of video making will be explored through screenings and readings;
early guerrilla video, documentary, mixed genre/experimental, video performance
art, and installation. In-class screenings and critiques will provide a
context for discussing a range of contemporary video practices. Class
will meet twice a week. Tuesday class will be divided into three parts: in-class
workshops, screening of student work, and discussions of
the assigned
readings/films. Classes on Wednesday evening will be devoted to screenings
several of which will be at U.Mass as part of the Massachusetts Multi-Cultural
Film Festival.
Citizen’s Media
Rethinking the Americas
Description: The focus of this unit is to explore the meaning and impact
of citizen’s media and its potential to challenge and transform individuals
and their communities. Mainstream media is guided by a corporate mandate
to generate profits while “Citizen’s Media” can be defined
as projects that provide individuals the opportunity to create representations
outside of the mainstream media. An examination of “Citizen’s
Media” permits us to explore definitions of democracy, citizenship,
power, and political action. In considering how citizen’s media distinguishes
itself from mainstream media, we will look at the following kinds of media:
documentary video, “social soaps”, media interventions, gay youth
cyber culture. We will explore terms to evaluate the efficacy of such projects,
the shifting sites where these projects have impact, and the challenges they
face.
Production Seminar in the Moving Image
Amherst College, Spring 2004, English 89
Tuesday, 2 – 5pm, Barker
Wednesday Screenings, 7 - 9pm, Barker / Multi-Cultural Film Festival.
Liz Miller,
Five College Visiting Assistant Professor of Film and Video Production
Course objectives:In
a seminar/studio environment, students will have an opportunity to explore
advanced aspects of the medium including proposal
development/ fundraising,
digital editing (Final Cut Pro), sound recording, advanced cinematography,
and distribution for finished work. Through in-class critiques and the viewing
and discussion of film and video, students will look and think critically about
the construction of the moving image and the creative use of sound. Weekly
screenings and readings will be geared towards documentary work but will also
explore a range of visual strategies and aesthetic approaches to production.
Non-Fiction Video
Art 297 V Fall 2001
Liz Miller, Five College Assistant Professor of Film/Video
Production
This course will provide you with the technical and conceptual skills to
complete non-fiction video projects in small groups and individually. Over
the course
of the semester students will gain experience in pre-production, production
and post-production techniques. Projects are designed to develop technical
proficiency in the video medium as well as practical skills for the completion
of a non-fiction project. A history of documentary film and video from 1960
to the present will be explored through weekly screenings and readings. Class
will meet twice a week and class time will be divided into three specific
activities; in-class workshops, discussions of weekly readings and screenings,
and critiques
and screening of work produced for this course.
Miradas Contestadas / Contested Visions: Latin American/Latino/a Film and Video
Hampshire College, HACU 328
Thursday: 12:30 - 3:30
Liz Miller, Five College Assistant Professor of Film/Video
Production
Course Description: For many Latin American and US Latino/a artists, documentary video and video art are as much an artistic challenge as a political act. A documentary, an experimental self-portrait, even politically charged telenovelas have the potential to counter imperialist versions of history by raising critical questions such as "Who constructs history?" and "What is identity?"
In
this class, we will explore documentary works and video art that have contested
mainstream representations of Latin American/US Latino/a identities
to reclaim
the multiple histories, identities and visions of a diverse region. We will
study the development of New Latin American cinema and look at current work
that contributes to a culture of resistance. Discussions of screenings will
be framed with an analysis of the particular social and political context
in which the work was produced, and we will explore how questions of audience,
genre and culture distinguish a wide range of contemporary visions.
Critical Links: Advanced Video Production & Community Engagement
University of Massachusetts, COMM 497J
WED: 1:25 to 5:25. &
FRI: 1:25 to 3:20 - Mach E30A
Five College Assistant Professor of Film/Video Production, Liz Miller
Course Objectives and Methodology: Community media when linked to various trends in cultural theory provides an opportunity for artists and educators to make connections between their work and critical issues such as identity, power, agency, and democracy. By analyzing concrete examples of media activism, media literacy, and community art this course will strengthen the praxis of theory and practice within a framework of critical pedagogy. In addition to readings, class assignments will focus on collaborations with local community organizations.
The objectives of the
class are to: 1. Familiarize students with past and present models of community
media projects. 2. Introduce theoretical readings
on cultural
studies and critical pedagogy 3. Facilitate an applied experience working
on a community media project. 4. Teach digital editing production skills
on Final
Cut Pro.
Class time will be divided by: discussion of the reading, production workshops & screenings
and discussion.
Critical Thinking and Community Media
Hampshire College, HACU 219Fri: 9:00 – 11:50 pm.
Visiting Professor, Liz Miller
Course Objectives and Methodology: Community media when linked to various trends in cultural theory provides an opportunity for artists and educators to make connections between their work and critical issues such as identity, power, agency and democracy within a specific community. By analyzing concrete examples of media activism, media literacy, and community art practice and referencing the work of theorists such as Stuart Hall, Paolo Freire, bell hooks and Wendy S. Hesford, this course will strengthen the praxis of theory and practice within a framework of critical pedagogy. In addition to readings, class assignments will focus on collaborations with local community organizations.
The objectives of the class are to: 1. Familiarize students with “case studies” or models of community media projects both past and the present. 2. Introduce you to theoretical readings on critical pedagogy and media projects to help inform your participation and methodology in carrying out community media projects. 3. Facilitate an applied experience to work with a community on a specific project. 4. Provide you with practical technical skills such as grant writing and digital video editing, or web skills that will enhance your role in a community project 5. Introduce students to a range of resources – local and international.
Class will be divided into three sections. In the first section we will discuss the reading, the second session we will screen work, and the third session will be devoted to in-class presentations, workshops and or update on internships. In addition to regular class meetings, you will be expected to work with the community organization at least once a week, attend outside screenings and attend production workshops scheduled outside of regular class time.