CTIN 464 – Game Studies Seminar

Instructor: Peter Brinson

Lecture: 12-2pm TUESDAY

Contact: peter@pabit.org

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------Description------

Students will develop machinima based on their studies.

During the first half of the semester students will discuss their weekly research. Initially, this will include topics outside of the field of game studies, and as the semester progresses, we will agree on a direction and focus. Nearly anything that interests you is fair game. Compelling filmmakers and game designers tend to be inspired by their interests outside the realm of films and games, and this class it meant to help you understand what that means personally.

In class we will research, deconstruct, and critique games, but most of class time will be devoted to watching films during the first 8 weeks.

The second half of the semester will focus on developing a short machinima project based on your research.
Projects may at least partly consist of live action or animation. A complete - if not simple - sound design will be encouraged. Projects will be graded on insight and clarity as well as quality of filmmaking. Challenging topics and experimental filmmaking will be encouraged.

------Suggested Reading------

Gaming: Essays on Algorithmic Culture, Chapter 3: Social Realism, by Alex Galloway

Persuasive Games, Chapter 3: Ideological Frames, Chapter 4: Digital Democracy, by Ian Bogost

"Interaction and Narrative" by Michael Mateas and Andrew Stern

"Documentary Games: Putting the Player in the Path of History" by Tracy Fullerton

Half-Real, Chapter 4: Fiction, by Jesper Juul

------Grading------

30% - weekly discussions

20% - 2 rough cuts of final

40% - final project

10% - participation and attendance

------Schedule------

Week 1

-Introduction to class

-Evaluation student interests, skills, and console/computer availability

-Film screenings:

Imagining the Tenth Dimension- Film and comprehension

Road Runner- Animation, a predecessor of games

Island of Flowers- Activist film

Sheik Attack- Documentary machinima

Back and Forth- The personal diary

Week 2

-Discussion

-Film screenings:

The Kid Stays in the Picture, La Jetee- Photography and film. Pre and post digital

Week 3

-Discussion

-Film screenings:

1K Project II- Real time and real physics film

The Least Equipped- Pondering the connections of film and game experiences

An Unfair War- Political commentary

My Trip to Liberty City- Self-referential but unaware

Week 4

-Discussion

-Film screenings:

The Cat and the Moon- The abstract narrator

The Savage Eye- The disembodied narrator

Dial History- The irresponsible narrator

Abductees- The untrustworthy narrator

Zelig

Week 5

-Discussion

-Film screenings:

The Way Things Go, Asskicker, Balance- Stories of elemental force

Landlord Vigilante- Narrative place

Tango

Week 6

-Editing Workshop

Week 7

-Discussion

-Film screenings:

One Day in September- Historical documentary

Wax- The fake documentary

Double Stumble- Incidental meaning, postmodernism and authorship

I Saw One- Memory and fiction

Week 8

-What topics work well in films? What about games?

-Catchup week (anything above that did not screen)

Week 9

-work in class

Week 10

-completed 1st rough cut

-class critiques

Week 11

-work in class

Week 12

-completed 2nd rough cut

-class critiques

Week 13

-work in class

Week 14

-work in class

Week 15