Purpose:
The goal of the group project is for you to work together with your colleagues to study and present a topic in the Arts using events and locations in New York City. You should identify worthwhile source materials, supplement your presentation with audio/video clips, and learn how to make a presentation in an engaging and effective manner.
Group Project Directions
Here are the logistics:
Length of media presentation: 2-10 minutes
Your individual oral presentation 3 minutes
Supporting documentation: research bibliography, supporting text of discussion and theory (not more then 5 pages)
You could present your project in the form of a documentary, showing us either the process of discovering each of the items and their location, or as a discussion of each of the elements in your topic. You may approach it as a journalistic formula or a scholarly study, or you may decide to create artwork that will represent the same theme/ topic of discussion.
Step 1
You will be dividing into groups
You will agree on a topic of interest to all of you
You will decide what format it will take
You will make an outline of the logistics
You will have a timeline of when and where you will meet and who is doing what
You will ask for help from Mike if you are not sure what is the best way to go about the technical aspect of it.
You will e-mail me a page with this information by November 10th
Step 2
You will identify in your group the following members:
Leader who will communicate with the ITF and the instructor at all times updating us as to the group progress
Editor who will document the steps taken and will make sure everyone has sent in their written portion, or visual data
Technology buff who will bring the camera/computer to the sites/events and film the group while working in the field
Reporter who is eager to go to the location and document for the group the event and or show
Scholar who will relish doing the research and the fact checking
Artistic director who will overlook the design and quality of the end product
You may exchange hats at any time, or team up.
Step 3
You will start doing research: collecting clues from the visual representation if you where given one. Checking museum’s databases for similar images; looking up the websites, figuring locations of items.
Step 4
Go see/hear it in person. Record it on your computer/camera/notepad and write a review with still/moving images attached. At this point you could record yourself if you are doing this as a full group and have the discussion right there to send to us on-line. You may also interview passer-by as to their reaction to the art form.
Step 5
Collect all your information for the final product
You will set a meeting for the group. Each of you will bring what they have collected, recorded, filmed and wrote. You will then discuss the chronology and effectiveness of each item in contributing to your presentation.
Step 6
You will send a draft outline to me and go see Mike or any other ITF to tweak your presentation format. You will present on one of the 2 days reserved for you at the end of the semester.
The advantage of a group is that it acts as a multi headed octopus. You will be able to complete a project quicker, and could gain an understanding in some of the aspects of making such a project come to life. It will relive you of the need to attend all the events for your project since you can split the responsibilities and use your computer or camera to make a walking video or recording of it.
In the next 2 months you will be given clues and information. I hope it will enrich your perspective on art and add another dimension to your life journey. Enjoy.
Timeline and Deadlines:
Stage 1: getting acquainted and organized; (10/20 -10/28). You should meet during that time either through a “real” or a “virtual” meeting. Be sure to exchange e-mails and phone numbers with members of your group. I will be available to consult with you during this crucial initial stage. Appoint a team coordinator, who will have the responsibility of sending me a list of some initial materials and your plan: topic, format, division of labor among the group members. Deadline: 10/25- 11/10., sign up with your names in the category “Group Project” on the website and a title of your project.
Stage 2: Identifying appropriate resources you will need to do your presentation (November 1-November 19). Sift through materials, and identify the one or two article or reports that best encapsulate the essence of the topic you are presenting. Typically this source material should not be longer than 40-50 pages. Please bring either a photocopy of the material to class or send me an electronic version at least two weeks prior to your group presentation. Take a workshop to help you hone your skills for the type of format you chose: If you are making a movie – take a workshop in i-movie, if a pod cast, take a class or a tutorial with the ITF.
Stage 3: Preparation Draft can be sent by November 24th for comments of the presentation. All presentations will be on the 15th of December .
No matter which group you are in, you should submit your portion of the group project via e-mail byNovember 24th. Your grade for this project will be calculated based on your oral presentation + your written work. This will give you time to hear and see comments for the written portion a few days before your presentation so that you can tweak it or improve it as well as share the comments with the group to make the end result more successful.
For the actual presentation: each member should plan on speaking for no more than 3 minutes. You need to plan your presentation carefully and try to cover the essential points in that time frame.
