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Home: Video University Forums: Teaching Video Production:
Video art project? One camera - 30 kids!

X-Ian_
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Nov 24, 2003, 10:37 PM

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Video art project? One camera - 30 kids!	Can't Post

I'm a secondary school Media Arts teacher. My course is basically an Art course that makes use of a variety of technology: computers, digital and 35mm cameras, scanners, a darkroom. We also combine photo-based stuff with traditional media such as paint, sculpture, etc.
I also have one video camera that I have used unsuccessfully in the past. I'm looking for some short assignment I can do with my group to teach them something about video art. Any ideas?

X-Phil_Harris
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Nov 25, 2003, 7:08 AM

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Re: Video art project? One camera - 30 kids!	Can't Post

Ian,
How do you define "video art?"
Here is an artistic thing you can do with your camera:
Connect the video output of the camera to your large classroom monitor. That way the entire class can see what the camera shoots. Get the camera at least 10 feet from the monitor. Now point the camera at the monitor. Zoom until you fill the viewfinder of the camera with just the screen of the tv. You should be seeing pulsing streaks of light of varying colors. Experiment with turning the classroom lights on and off. Try shooting the tv screen from different angles rather than dead on. Go to your theatre department and borrow some small pieces of "gel" (They'll know what you're talking about) You want pieces at least as big as the front of your lens. If you can get several colors of gel. Now use scotch tape to gently tape the gel to the front of the lens --- DO NOT PUT TAPE DIRECTLY ONTO THE GLASS LENS!!!!! Apply the tape to the metal or plastic barrel of the lens assembly and let it hang down in front of the lens glass. Good luck.
Phil Harris
Television Production Instructor
Fairfax Academy for Communication and the Arts
3500 Old Lee Hwy
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-219-2249

X-ChetDavis
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Nov 25, 2003, 4:06 PM

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Re: Video art project? One camera - 30 kids! [In reply to]	Can't Post

: You should be seeing pulsing streaks of light of varying colors.
That is a fun video expirement Phil!
I also put the camera on a tripod that enables you to cant the camera (if your tripod does not have this function, you can mount the camera sideways and then do a pan) This brings about a 'spinning vortex' video feedback appearance. Coupled with the gels Phil suggested you get some wacky 70s type of music video effects. Take and introduce a finger or other object into the vortex and it spins more (I didn't need alternate substances, I had TV!)

Another fun project that can bring in components of art curriculum into video is to ask the student teams to use their camera to caputure different moods.
Assign or allow student groups to select from emotions or moods (love, hate, anger, happiness, sadness). Capture with their camcorder a montage of images (2D, motion, etc) that represent these moods. They can then even create a poem to read aloud or import as audio onto their video.
Another teacher I met in New Jersey has his students record simply everyday objects from unique angles (water running from a faucet, wind blowing leaves) for a sustained 1-minute time with natural sound. Some cool results looking at the everyday world with different 'eyes'.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Chet Davis
Director, Education Division
MacroSystem US
Boulder, CO
chet@casablanca.tv