Create a cinematic essay on a topic of personal interest told from a subjective perspective and use cinematic metaphors to convey meaning. Your video must be at least two minutes long but no longer than four minutes. Use minimal (cuts-only) editing. The project should demonstrate your ability to move beyond technical aspects of video production and toward more expressive use of the moving image. All visual and sound elements used must have been produced specifically for this assignment. No third-party materials may be used in this project. Your work will be evaluated in terms of technical craft and the effective use of cinematic language, especially in the use of discernible cinematic metaphors.
In the context of this assignment, we are using the term “cinematic essay” to denote something more akin to the tradition of “essay films” and differentiate it from a lot of work on YouTube that is often given the label “video essay” in which someone talks over a lot of appropriated footage (which is a genre I appreciate, but it's not what this assignment is about). A cinematic essay (a.k.a. film essay) is a form of moving image work that conveys meaning through images, sounds, and words, expressing subjective thought in a personal style. In the words of Hans Richter, who coined the term in 1940, an essay film “allows the filmmaker to transgress the rules and parameters of the traditional documentary practice, granting the imagination with all its artistic potentiality free reign.” See Kevin B. Lee’s essay “Video essay: The essay film – some thoughts of discontent” (Sight and Sound, May 22, 2017) for more details.
To prepare for this assignment, start by reading Cinematic Metaphor and then skim through “Film as a Language,” Chapter 1 from Engaging Cinema: An Introduction to Film Studies by Mike Nichols. Some of this overlaps what you've already read in Making Media. However, it’s a good review to reinforce fundamental terminology and concepts of cinematic language.
Camera: You should complete this assignment using the Sony a7iii camera that is available in the “Sony Video Kit” you can reserve and check out from the CAMD Media Center. Plan ahead, the CAMD Media Center requires advance reservations. Becoming familiar with the camera's operation is important, so spend some time practicing and reviewing the Camera Workshop slides. You may supplement footage shot with the Sony a7iii with footage shot with your iPhone or another camera.
Sound: You are also expected to record sound using the “Location Audio Kit”, therefore, spend some time practicing with the kit and reviewing the Location Sound Workshop slides. You may supplement sounds recorded with the “Location Audio Kit” with sound recorded using the on-camera and lavalier microphones in the “Sony Video Kit” however, proper microphone placement and overall good quality audio is expected regardless of the gear you use.
The following serve as objects of study in the use of cinematic metaphors. Consider analyzing two or more of the following works as part of your visual research for this assignment. Some of these were assigned as homework. Various genres and approaches are included in this list, which is ordered chronologically. Do not consider these works as templates; instead, draw inspiration from them and trust your gut and seek to express yourself in your voice.
Follow these steps to submit your project:
This project will be assessed on a complete/incomplete basis. The work must meet all of the following criteria to be considered complete:
If the project is assessed as incomplete, you may request a rework following the procedures described in the syllabus. If the rework is submitted before the rework deadline and meets all of the assessment criteria listed above, the assessment will be changed from incomplete to complete.