Course detail

Visual Composition in Time 2

FaVU-VKO-LAcad. year: 2026/2027

The follow-on practical component of the course focuses on the fundamentals of composing the time-based image and working with its compositional principles. Students will progress through the key stages involved in preparing and carrying out a shoot and develop their ability to translate their artistic intentions into an audiovisual work. Practical exercises progress from elementary methods and tools, such as working with an overhead projector, projection and manual image manipulation, to contemporary production and post-production software. Emphasis is placed on the conceptual possibilities opened up by each tool and the limitations it entails.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Assignment to study programme types

Bachelor's

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

None.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course credit is awarded on the basis of attendance at a minimum of 70% of classes. By individual agreement, failure to meet the attendance requirement may be compensated for by completing alternative assignments.

Teaching is delivered in intensive blocks and includes workshops led by external practitioners.

Aims

The course aims to introduce students to the practical foundations of audiovisual production and the basic compositional principles of the image in time, including rhythm, duration, editing, looping and the relationship between image and sound. Students will progress through the individual stages involved in preparing and carrying out shoots on location and in the video studio, developing their ability to produce short audiovisual works independently. The course includes training in current software used in video production and post-production, as well as critical reflection on how particular tools, ranging from the overhead projector to digital software, shape the final form and meaning of a work. Practical exercises allow students to explore a diverse range of creative possibilities independently; they will apply the knowledge and experience acquired to their own studio practice. Course outputs consist of exercises completed throughout the semester.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

AUMONT, Jacques. Obraz. Praha: Nakladatelství Akademie múzických umění v Praze, 2005.
CRARY, Jonathan. Techniky pozorovatele: O vidění a modernitě v 19. století. Praha: Academia, 2025.
MANOVICH, Lev. Jazyk nových médií. Praha: Univerzita Karlova, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2018.
YOUNGBLOOD, Gene. Expanded Cinema. 50th anniversary ed. New York: Fordham University Press, 2020.

Recommended reading

ALTSTATT, Rosanne a Ralf SAUSMIKAT, eds. Turbulent Screen: Die strukturelle Bewegung in Film und Video. Oldenburg: Edith-Ruß-Haus für Medienkunst; Frankfurt am Main: Revolver – Archiv für aktuelle Kunst, 2003.
BORDWELL, David a Kristin THOMPSONOVÁ. Umění filmu: Úvod do studia formy a stylu. Praha: Nakladatelství Akademie múzických umění v Praze, 2011.
DOANE, Mary Ann. The Emergence of Cinematic Time: Modernity, Contingency, the Archive. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2002.
CHION, Michel. Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen. New York: Columbia University Press, 1994.
KITTLER, Friedrich. Optical Media: Berlin Lectures 1999. Cambridge: Polity, 2010.
MAZANEC, Martin, ed. Manifesty pohyblivého obrazu: Barevná hudba. Olomouc: Pastiche Filmz, 2010.
MEIGH-ANDREWS, Chris. A History of Video Art. 2. vyd. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.
MULVEY, Laura. Death 24x a Second: Stillness and the Moving Image. London: Reaktion Books, 2006.
ZIELINSKI, Siegfried. Deep Time of the Media: Toward an Archaeology of Hearing and Seeing by Technical Means. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2006.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme DES_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme VUM_B Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective
    3 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Creative seminar

32 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Practical exercises.