Reflections -Unit Brief

FDSA4004 REFLECTIONS

PROJECT BRIEF 2013/14

An investigation of human/machine memory in the digital age

In this unit you will explore the theme of memory. This could be through its relationship to the archive – the images, films, objects, documents and traces through which we recall and revisit individual and shared memories and histories. You could also consider or imagine possible futures and how these may link to the present and the past. For example you could choose to examine life cycles: replenishment or regeneration, the old constantly being replaced by the new, or even the young usurping the old. From seed to harvest, a cake baked and eaten, the repurposing of old things into new, the passing of genes to new generations and so on. The possibilities are endless.

Through film screenings, presentations, workshops and seminars we will examine the complex and, often conflicted, relationship between memory and its representations. 

1) Working in groups of four you should make a digitally shot and edited video of 5-10 minutes duration. You are asked to make a fact based film using an experimental approach. Meaning should not be overwhelmingly reliant on synch dialogue and other forms of language should be considered such as voice over, think track, overheard voices, body language and so on. You are not encouraged to use a formal narrative structure. You should use this brief as an opportunity to experiment and try to adopt a more fragmented approach to moving image and sound.

2) Each student should produce a set or series of five still images around the themes of the unit. The images could incorporate found images and other media with your own digital stills. The project should also have a textual component and a considered design for presenting the work.

Each student should keep a blog journal that should evidence of a wide body of research using library, internet, newspapers, critiques of films, visits to galleries, museums, and include personal reflection. Technical notes, visual references, permissions sought, storyboards, location notes and so on, should also be included. Instructions have been posted into MyUCA for you to open up a Blogspot and paste the address into a Google Doc. All posts for this unit should be tagged Reflections so we able to access easily for GreenLight Reviews – dates to be announced.

A basic set of shooting equipment will be pre-booked for you and you will be notified of your allocation. You are free to book out equipment at other times if it is available, provided you have completed the necessary training workshops. Edit time will also be prebooked and it is important to work to the given schedule.