Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0287 - Performance & Directing

This is an advanced production/theory course for video and film students interested in developing and strengthening the element of performance in their work. How does performance for the camera differ from performance for the stage? How do we find a physical language and a camera language that expand upon one another in a way that liberates the imagination? This course will explore performance and directing in their most diverse possibilities, in a context specific to film and videomakers. The emphasis will be on development of individual approaches to relationships between performance, text, sound and image. We will discuss visual and verbal gesture, dialogue and voice-over, variations of approach with actors and non-actors, camera movement and rhythm within the shot, and the structuring of performance in short and long form works. Screenings and readings will introduce students to a wide range of approaches to directing and performance from artists including Tala Hadid, Wong Kar Wai, Ousmane Sembene, The Wooster Group, Nagisa Oshima, Marina Abramovic, Anri Sala, and Abdellatif Kechiche among others. Instructor permission required.

Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend six hours of preparation and work outside of class time.