Camera and the Body: Peculiar Ways of Knowing
Course Description
Summary
This course delves into the interdisciplinary art of screendance, examining the mediatization of the moving body within cinematic and site-specific contexts. By exploring the dynamic collaboration between camera, body, and environment, students will study a range of methods used by film and video artists—both historical and contemporary—while also developing their own experimental approaches.
A highly immersive and hands-on experience, this course integrates moving camera exercises, curated film screenings, and improvisational games to expand and refine students’ visual and kinesthetic sensibilities. We will investigate key elements of cinematographic design as they apply to experimental screendance and videodance, focusing on framing movement, composing scores, and problem-solving within dance-film projects.
Throughout the term, students will actively collaborate in designing, filming, screening, and critiquing their work. All participants will engage in both camera operation and performance, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between movement and frame.
Learning Outcomes
- -Designing movement scores and scripts for dance-films and site-oriented art
-Using improvisation to develop, perform, and compose material within the camera frame
-Organizing ideas via journaling, storyboarding, scores, lookbooks, shot lists, and diagrams
-Location scouting (exploring light and image composition)
-Directing, choreographing, and shooting a short filmdance
-Directing, choreographing, and shooting digital videodances
-In-camera editing
Cross List
- Drama