Next month I am teaching a Video Workshop for Artists at 3rd Ward, an artists’ center in Brooklyn. This will be a good class for artists who are just beginning to use video in their work or those who have hit a stumbling block in doing so.

This hands-on, project-based workshop is ideal for those wishing to take their video work to the next level, and is aimed at artists with beginning or intermediate experience with video systems. Problems solved, questions answered, video mastered! Participants will broaden and deepen their practical and theoretical knowledge of video through the development of existing or new projects. Topics will include the ins-and-outs of video installation, hardware- and software-based systems for display, compression/conversion, and dynamic (live) control systems.

Specific technologies and techniques explored include compression and conversion (ffmpegX, Compressor, types of video: DV, HDV, etc) as well as hardware systems for display. We’ll cover general signal routing, sync’d DVD players, cameras, routers, distribution amplifiers, types of cables, the whole thing. We’ll talk about the nuts and bolts of installation – choosing projectors, keystoning, color matching, spanning multiple screens – and how to control them – MIDI, OSC, remote administration, overview of sensor technologies. For the slightly more adventurous, we’ll also probably touch upon video software Jitter and Quartz Composer.

Students are encouraged to come to class with a project in mind, but there will be plenty of material and tricks to try out that we’re sure you’ll be inspired. This class will conclude with a small group show at 3rd Ward.

Please help me spread the word and get the class filled! I’m also taking a class in light sculpture taught by Daniel Rossi, which came highly recommended. We’ll be making light fixtures out of bamboo, LEDs and old power adapters.