First Person Something

Catalog description

In this experimental seven week seminar/studio, we’ll explore media meant to be experienced from a first person point of view (ie, training simulations, found footage horror, first person shooters, Go Pro videos, VR). This class will include a gentle introduction / brush-up of creative applications of Unity3d (culminating in the ability to create a simple 3d FPS style experience, subverting the “first person shooter”), as well as an introduction to a variety of techniques for crafting first person experiences. Ultimately, the final project you develop will use the medium/technology of your choosing, on the topic of your choosing, leveraging the affordances of first person POV. Class activities will include: discussion of readings and artworks, research and presentations on self-determined sub-topics of interest, technical demos, critique. If there is shared interest, we will do a live-streamed performance or other collective digital presentation of final projects. We will: Co-construct a shared critical language around first person POV media Read and discuss media and texts about: violence in gaming, empathy, embodiment, subjectivity, etc. Review or reinforce basic Unity skills Deeply engage with each other’s ideas, work, and points of view!