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Editing (372-0-20)

Instructors

Abbigail Vandersnick

Meeting Info

Louis Hall 118: Mon, Wed 1:00PM - 2:50PM

Overview of class

This course focuses on the foundations of creative editing, including editing theory and history, basic technical proficiency, the importance of workflow as the foundation of the artistic process, refining editing intuition, and understanding editing choices and film form as historical and political. In addition to course readings, discussions, and screenings, students will experiment with a series of small projects that will refine their editing skills and help them learn more about their own artistic voice.


"In my films I always wanted to make people see deeply. I don't want to show things, but to give people the desire to see." or "This is all you need in life: a computer, a camera, and a cat."

-Agnes Varda, filmmaker

Registration Requirements

completed RTVF 190

Learning Objectives

Students learn the basics of using non-linear editing software, implement standard editing cuts
in their work, develop their artistic voice as future film/video editors, and gain a functional
perspective on how to conduct business as editors outside of the classroom.


  • Describe how films watched in and outside of class fit into the larger discussion of film/video editing.

  • Explain ideas from lectures and assigned readings as they relate to film editing.

  • Demonstrate a technical understanding of film editing techniques and the tools used to achieve the goals of their assignments.

  • Compose projects that implement editing techniques/disciplines covered in class and that show a development of their editing style.

Teaching Method

Sample of Assigned Readings & Screenings


Readings


  • Cinematic Storytelling by Jennifer Van Sijll

  • In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective of Film Editing, Walter Merch

  • Intensified Continuity: Visual Style in Contemporary American Film, David Bordwell

  • Contemporary Documentary Film and "Archive Fever": History, the Fragment, the Joke, Jamie Baron


Screenings

  • The Passion of Joan of Arc by Carl Theodor Dreyer

  • Hunger by Steve McQueen

  • La Mujer Sin Cabeza by Lucrecia Martel

  • Selection of short films: Fainting Spells by Sky Hopinka, At Land by Maya Deren, Black 14 by Darius Clark Monroe, etc.

Class Materials (Suggested)

Required:


  • 1TB Hard Drive with Lightning, USB3, or Firewire connections, minimum 7200rpm (prices and
    brands vary between $60-$120)

  • Headphones for editing, must have aux stereo plug


    • Option 1: $29.99 TASCAM TH-200X Studio Headphones

    • Option 2: $49.99 Audio-Technica ATH-M20x


  • Computer, must have access to a personal computer or make use of computer labs at school
    (prices vary, $750 - $3,000)

  • notebook, $5-20

  • Adobe CC, must have access to Premiere Pro and Audition outside of class (monthly
    subscription, $20-$50/mo)

  • Access to internet services (prices vary, $40-$75/mo)

Class Notes

All films will either be shown in class or provided via Canvas or weblinks.

All readings will be made available as .PDFs on Canvas

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Students must have completed RTVF 190-0 in order to register for this course (concurrent registration is not allowed)