Here is the official assignment for Work II. Monitor this thread. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section.
WORK II: ACOUSTIC
PORTRAIT: Overview:
Student is required to create a sonic portrait of a very
specific subject of his choice. As a cubist painter shows more than one view
within the portrait, the student will present the subject from a variety of different
perspectives. This requires field recording in different modes, e.g.:
interviewing/ambience/discrete sources/walk-throughs; recorded with required
variance in microphone perspective. The microphone, representing the listener’s
ear, must be placed very specifically and creatively to obtain raw material
useful to paint a sonic portrait. Close micing reveals intimate detail and
exclusivity. Greater distance adds space and surrounding environmental
information, providing location and context.
Just as a painted portrait reveals the subject thoroughly,
so should the acoustic portrait.
The student transfers the source recordings to CD, logs, and
transfers selected elements into a Pro Tools digital audio workstation for
editing. All previously learned rules of editing apply. There will be a
requirement of two tracks, one stereo, one mono. Interview and point source
recordings must go to a mono track. Ambience and sounds with significant
spatial components must go to the stereo track. The student must demonstrate
himself to be a good recordist. This requires proper recording in the field
with either a stereo or mono microphone as appropriate. Total time: 2-4
minutes. Submission includes: Final edit/mix on a stereo audio CD; Microtrack
source recordings on audio CD; Pro Tools session on approved MAD workstation.
Further important details:
Work Two: Acoustic
Portrait:
This is an addendum/assignment sheet to the overview given
in class this week. Please be aware there are conditions regarding what subjects you can and can not
use for your Work. Obtain approval for your subject in class on 11/20/12.
Be certain to record in the appropriate mode for your source
material. Stereo or mono, as detailed in class on 11/20.
Get room tone in the field. When you’re through recording an
interview, get at least 30s of ambience (matching record level and mic
position.) You will use this later to cut in “silence” to space passages – to
help maintain cadence. Slate “room tone” just before rolling. This helps you
log and dub. N.B.: When you dub the tone, take it several times, including the
slate, so you can find it; and since you may need more than 30s worth (though
probably not for a project of this short length.) It’s essential to dub room
tone at exactly the same level as you dubbed the vox. This makes the room tone
as “loud” as the spaces between words. It can then be easily intercut.
Skillfully select mic position. Proper interview vox micing
is standard and already detailed. Be sure to use the 635A for interviewing.
Remember to minimize or eliminate handling noise, plosives and wind noise. If
you get these on your source recordings you must cut them out or face grading
penalties. Please do vary mic position when not interviewing, as
detailed 11/20. A film composed entirely of close-ups, for example, doesn’t
give the viewer enough, yes? Round-out your recordings by placing the mic at
various distances from the sound source. This gives the ear perspective. We’ll
hear space as well as close-in detail.
Log and mentally edit as per Work One. Have at least 60
minutes of source recording; the mental cut therefore saves data storage space
and time. Use an appropriate structure.
Techs:
50-edit minimum, 2-4 minutes final edit mix. Mono, 635A
sources go to mono Pro Tools track. Stereo, stereo electret mic, sources go to a
stereo Pro Tools Track. The stereo track may serve as a bed for the mono track,
if desired. I will look at your Pro Tools session as well as listen to your CD.
No late work. Total time: 2-4 minutes. Submission includes: Final edit/mix on a
stereo audio CD; Microtrack source recordings on audio CD; Pro Tools session on
approved MAD workstation. All work, including subsequent assignments, must be
accomplished solo and at the Media Arts Department as detailed.
Do Not Choose:
The following as subjects:
·
Your car
·
Yourself
·
Family member
·
Pet
·
Computer/internet or gaming related
·
“Day in the life of…,” i.e. waking, eating, showering,
going, doing routine.
·
NJCU campus
·
Journal Square or transit system
·
Bogus or dramatized subjects
Additionally:
Obtain approval for your subject in class next week. Your due date
for this assignment is 12/
11/12, 3 weeks, including time for subject selection
and approval. Label all materials. Make sure all your sessions are properly
booked. Remember this is solo work.
