ClassInfo

DC 274 Image, Optics and Cinematic Motion

Marc Menet

Winter 2012-2013
Class number: 25167
Section number: 201
Tu 1:00PM - 4:15PM
LEVAN 00302 Lincoln Park Campus

Summary

Course Description

Cinematography is the scientifically grounded discipline of making lighting and camera
choices in order to record moving images. This course deals with the basic mathematics,
physics, and photochemistry that underlies cinematography and that motivate camera
design and construction. While we have adopted motion images into our daily lives,
most people are unaware of the complexities involved in its creation and distribution- the
language of motion so to speak.

As opposed to photography where the story is one still image, cinematography must deal
with objects in motion and the consequential time based considerations of shutter speed
vs. frame rate, image resolution, camera motion, motion perception of the viewer and the
display of the image(s) on large screens.

A student who masters the foundations of cinematography through a mixture of lectures,
readings, exercises, and labs will be able to evaluate understand how motion based
recording choices affect perception of moving images they see everyday.

Course objectives:

- To control the depiction of three-dimensional space on a 2D surface through the
use of optics
- To understand the nature of light and film/video latitude
- To control exposure
- To determine a visual look and achieve it through photochemical and/or digital
means
- To understand how the relationship of resolution, frame rate, shutter speed and
camera movement influence the viewer



Texts

Blain Brown: Cinematography

Hand-outs as supplied by instructor


Grading

Participation 10%
Reading quizzes 10%
Assignments & in-class Labs 30%
Midterm 20%
Final Exam 30%

Total 100%


Lecture - A HISTORY OF MOVING IMAGES & CAMERAS

Lab Intro to Lab, Procedures, and ColWeb

Lecture - THE TECHNICAL TRANSFORMATION OF REALITY

Lab Lab assignment 1 - Create and upload and animation in class
Lecture - EXPOSURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Lab Lab assignment 2 - Light Meters and Cameras
Lecture - UNDERSTANDING LIGHTING AND DEPTH OF FIELD

Lab Lab Assignment 3 - Virtual Camera lab
Lecture - OPTICS

Lab Lab Assignment 4 Optics Lab
Lecture - MIDTERM REVIEW
Screen Microcosmos with discussion

Lab MIDTERM test is proctored in lab
Lecture - SPECIALIZED CINEMATOGRAPHY
Screen film TBA

Lab Lab Assignment 5 Slow Motion Lab

Lecture COLOR THEORY AND SCIENCE

Lab Lab Assignment 6 Color Science Lab

Lecture IMAGE CONTROL AND HISTORY OF TV

Lab Lab Assignment 7 Color Correction Lab
Lecture - COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW/FUTURE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY

Lab REVIEW AND LAST CHANCE TO TURN IN LAB ASSIGNMENTS

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296