The Video Essay: Theory & Practice

Catalog description

Video essays—widely seen on YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms—have rapidly become a major form of media criticism and commentary; some even argue they're surpassing traditional prose criticism in cultural status and influence. This class explores the theory and practice of video essays as a mode of scholarly inquiry into film and media. We will study the roots of academic video essays—in, for instance, documentaries, found-footage experiments, video art, and the "essay film"—as well as debates on the role of video essays in film and media research and education. But our primary focus will be to develop a creative research practice by making video essays in a variety of emerging genres (e.g. supercut, epigraph, desktop documentary, deformative experiments). Students will take part in various forms of collaboration (e.g. workshops, joint projects) and will leave the course with a portfolio of work that includes a potentially publishable capstone video essay. If scheduling allows, we will welcome one or more award-winning video essayists for a masterclass and/or workshop. No experience with video editing is necessary to enroll in the course. Prereq: 76239 or by instructor permission Prerequisite: 76-239