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Computational Cinema & Sound - MCMA 543 - SP26

Course: Computational Cinema & Sound
Location: Cinema Soundstage (Comm 1116) & Northlight Studio (Comm 1251)
Time: R 11:00am-01:50pm

Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/543/
Course Information:
MCMA 543 - 25766 Media Arts Studio Seminar: Computational Cinema & Sound - 001

Professor: Robert Spahr, MFA
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: COMM 1056C
Office Hours:
W  11:00am-03:00pm
R  02:00pm-04:00pm
& by appointment

Suggested Text:

Wardrip-Fruin, Noah & Montfort, Nick. The New Media Reader. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Manovich, Lev. The Language of New Media. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Castro, Elizabeth. HTML5 & CSS3 Visual QuickStart Guide (8th Edition). Peachpit Press

Description:

A forum for the pursuit of creative projects in the media arts. May be repeated as topic changes. Restricted to CMCMA MFA or PMMM major or consent of instructor or director of Graduate Studies in Mass Communication and Media Arts. Equipment Usage & Lab fee: $50.

This course exposes students to the possibilities of interactivity by exploring the history, theory and practice of web-based and networked art to produce a form of computational cinema and sound.

Students will create a number of interactive web-based projects using HTML, Cascading Style Sheets, Javascript, and Free/Open Source Software. Students will be encouraged to think about code as art. We will also discuss the role of artists in networked environments, the importance of software art, and programming as an artistic practice across new media.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have gained a practical grounding in the principles of making web-based work through instruction in coding, design, and interaction. A goal of this course will be to move beyond seeing the computer as a tool of production, but rather the beginning of a complete networked system to produce computational cinema and sound.

Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the fundamental characteristics and issues in computational cinema and sound production as it applies to contemporary arts practice.
• Apply newly developed technical skills in creating computational and interactive work.
• Create new and originial self-initiated works building upon the history, theory, and practice of computational cinema and sound.
• Evaluate the Computational Cinema and Sound produced in the class and curate a selection of the work in an online exhibition on a hosted web site. .

Syllabus:

# Syllabus is subject to change with notice. #

Thu Jan 15
Introductions, Cinema in the Age of Computation

Thu Jan 22
Studio Day

Thu Jan 29
Studio Day

Thu Feb 05
Studio Day

Thu Feb 12
STUDIO DAY

Thu Feb 19
STUDIO DAY

Thu Feb 26
Studio Day

Thu Mar 05
STUDIO DAY

Week of Thu Mar 12
========================================================
*** SPRING BREAK ***
========================================================

Thu Mar 19
MIDTERM CRITQUE

Thu Mar 26
CLASS IS CANCELLED

Thu Apr 02
STUDIO DAY

Thu Apr 09
STUDIO DAY

Thu Apr 16
STUDIO DAY

Thu Apr 23
STUDIO DAY

Fri Apr 24
INDEX: Public Presentation
5-6pm in Cinema Sound Stage
View INDEX online

Thu Apr 30
FINAL CRITIQUE

May 05-09
========================================================
FINALS WEEK - Self-reflection is due by email.
========================================================

Computational Presentation

Potential Topics to Explore
hypertext mark-up languages
animated gifs
automation
software / programming
installation
alternative narratives / chance processes open-source, free culture & ownership
search engines
tactical media
non-linear media
databases
social networks / social software
surveillance
video games
artificial intelligence

Self-Initiated Projects (Midterm and Final)

Two Self-initated Projects - Midterm and Final
Each student will develop and present a midterm and final self-initated project. Details regarding these projects will be discussed in class. Self-Initiate a Project.

Group Project
As a group project, the class will obtain a domain name (name to be decided) and set up web hosting. This public website will become the container for selected work created throughout the semester. This site will be available to the general public and specifically to our SIU community using QRcodes and the URL. Methods of publicity appropriate to the work created will be determined by the class. All further details will be discussed and developed as a collaborative project.

As graduate students in this course, you will have the added project of evaluating the work produced this semester, and curating a selection of the work in an online exhibition on a hosted web site. You will be responsible for the curation, as well as the design and development of the website and associated publicity materials. Further details will be discussed in class.

All projects will be documented on the web.
Throughout the semester students will create exercises and projects that will vary from works-in-progress to completed works. They will be hosted on different servers and will be linked here.

Supply List (Required)

**All required supply list materials must be brought to each class meeting**

• Mixed Media Sketchbook — at least 160g paper weight and 8x8".
  Recommended: Square Sketchbook for Drawing or Canson XL Series Mixed Media Pad
• Wifi enabled Laptop with a mouse, running Windows, Mac, or Linux.
• Pen/Pencil drawing tools

Evaluation:

The work in this course requires motivation, exploration, risk-taking, and most importantly, an openness to new ideas. The grading policy of this class is meant to encourage you to explore new ideas and take chances. Do not think in terms of "What must I do to receive an A grade", but think in terms of what you would like to learn.

Attendance:
You are expected to attend ALL classes. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absence. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course. After three absences that are not accompanied by a doctor’s note, the student will be subject to a letter drop.

Due to the nature of practiced based courses, the class itself cannot be made up due to absences as it is an experiential course dependent on in-class participation in critiques and completion of exercises/projects. Leaving during class and/or leaving class early will be considered equivalent to being absent.

For absences due to medical issues to be excused, appropriate documentation is necessary. You must also email the professors at rspahr@siu.edu prior to being absent.

Assignments:
All Projects and homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late projects will not be accepted.

Journal / Sketchbook:
Students will respond to the class readings/presentations, weekly studio exercises, and their own projects, as well as lectures/discussions in class. Students should also document their creative process and artistic development within the journal. Think of the journal as a resource, to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore. By the end of the semester, the journal / sketchbook should be filled with drawings, notes, articles from class, images, etc... As students’ progress, the journal / sketchbook should accurately depict their growth and development over the semester.

Examples of how the journal / sketchbook should be used will be discussed in class.

Readings:
For each of the assigned readings, you should add into your sketchbook the date and a quote that you found significant. Be prepared to explain and discuss each quote in your own words.

Critique:
Students will work closely with each other to develop their projects. This includes developing your verbal skills, confidence, and insights about receiving and providing criticism. Students will work to express themselves clearly while respectfully discussing their own and others artwork.

As a practiced based course, you are required to actively participate in class conversation and critique. Missing class and not participating in class activities will result in a lower grade in the course. In critique, always be respectful when discussing others’ work and practice constructive criticism. Be prepared to explain your reasoning if simply stating "I like it." or "I hate it." Failure to participate in class will result in a poor participation grade.

Grading:

A 95-100,   A- 92-95
Outstanding work.
Solution shows excellent depth of understanding and innovation. The solution has been fully developed in form and concept.

B+ 88-91,   B 85-87,   B- 82-84
Good work.
Solution exceeds all requirements and shows above average depth of understanding. Demonstrates more than adequate clarity of idea and execution.

C+ 78-81,   C 75-77,   C- 72-74
Average work.
Problem has been solved adequately, but the solution lacks depth of understanding, development and innovation.

D+ 68-71,   D 65-67,   D- 62-64
Poor work.
Solution is extremely weak and lacks understanding and innovation. Technical skills are weak.

F 61 or less
Unacceptable work.
Solution to the problem is unresolved and incomplete resulting in a failing grade.

Each project will be graded on artistic, creative and intellectual merit.

Grades will be based on the following:

• 25% Originality of concept
• 25% Delivery (execution of the concept)
• 25% Craft
• 25% Critique & participation

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

• 10% Journal / Sketchbook
• 30% Participation/Exercises/Computational Presentation
• 20% Midterm Project
• 40% Final Project

SIU Syllabus Attachment

SIU Syllabus Attachment - Spring '26 - PDF