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 219
Fri: 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.