MA LA, Alice Bouttell 3rd edit
Course MAMIS
Name(s) Alice Bouttell
Unit
Date Part-time
NB For collaborative projects please complete a single Learning Agreement, clearly identifying the names and roles of all external or internal collaborators.
Section 1: Description of Project
| What are you proposing to do? Why are you doing it? What do you intend to submit?
Give references to methods, research and practices that contextualise your project (including texts, images, artists, designers, etc). For collaborative projects, give details of each person’s role in the project. (max. 500 words) My final masters project will focus on coastal erosion. I’m inspired by the recent storms hitting the North Norfolk coast, the floods around the country and the impact this has on daily life. I have been looking at Happisburgh, a seaside village in Norfolk, the land of which has emerged gradually over time and is rapidly disappearing back into the sea. I intend to explore the many aspects which this event effects: community, politics, history, environmental and sentimental. From this I will make an animation that reflects the subject in an entertaining and thought provoking way. Happisburgh is a fascinating example of natural land erosion. More of it washes into the ocean each year and the government have decided not to take action due to the estimated lack of economic return. It is home to a 500 year old church and a reputable pub, which is the hub of the community. The locals are resolute about staying in despite the increasing loss of distance between sea and land. Happisburgh has made news on several occasions after storms have revealed dinosaur bones in the cliff and some of the world’s earliest footprints in the fossilised clay bed on the beach. It is a part of East Anglia which is very new in terms of history. I feel that Happisburgh is a good example of many areas of the UK facing similar fates, especially after the recent storms and floods. I want to use its rich history to inform a thoughtful animated film. I have been looking at the work of Emma Calder of Pearly Oyster Productions who has been commissioned by the Norwich Castle Museum to create an historical animation about Boudicca as well as an environmental short for MTV. Her work is informative, charming and funny. She uses a mix of 2D illustration, collage and models in her animation which makes it tactile and playful. The film I will make may be used in similar contexts and purpose as Calder’s. As part of my research methodology I am going to visit Happisbugh and talk to the residents about their personal experiences, opinions and reasons for remaining in what seems like a doomed habitat. I want to balance this by talking to professionals in the environment sector and question how and why decisions are made to do with coastal erosion. This will inform the content and context of the film. I will record interviews and vox pops. Sound recordings will be included in the research for this project. Clips of the sounds of waves, stones and seabirds will all build an electro-acoustic soundscape of the environment and play a part in the narrative. Aesthetically I will be looking at the work of the Norwich painters. Artists such as Cotman, Ladbroke, Stark and Bright recorded daily life in rural areas of East Anglia as an alternative to the portraits of dignitaries and royalty, indicating a shift in current concerns at the time. It is their ability to capture the drama and awesome wrath of the weather as it hangs over the ordinary peasants who go about their daily business that I find compelling and want to include in my work. I will use some of the techniques I’ve used in my MA work up till now including rotoscope and more experiential material, which uses objects and matter from the subject site. A sense of the haptic is an important feature. |
Section 2: Learning Outcomes
| Explain how your intended submission for the unit will demonstrate that you have met EACH Learning Outcome. |
A film which addresses social, political, environmental and sentimental effects of coastal erosion. It could be used for education, awareness of current issues, museum exhibition. |
An online blog of research into relevant practice and contextualisation, showing how I’ve tested technical and aesthetic processes. Making film clips, sound recording clips, photography and drawings after examining and analysing the work of others. |
Use my blog for reflection on issues and solutions including: organising time and tasks in efficient order of production; decisive action; changes of course if something doesn’t work. Finishing with a critical evaluation which looks at the project and resulting film as a whole. |
Collecting research into documentary, educational entertainment, museum exhibition, artists and animators whose work is focused in these areas and including them in my blog of research. Contextualising my work and comparing it with the work of others in my evaluation. |
Section 4: Resources and Schedule
| Provide a plan outlining your project schedule and indicating resource requirements where applicable (this may be attached as a separate sheet).
Thursday 6 Mar 14 Independent Study Thursday 13 Mar 14 Deadline for submission of FINAL Masters Proposal 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Group Critique Thursday 20 Mar 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Group Tutorials with course unit tutor (2 groups) Research trip to Happisburgh with Photographer Erin Patel. Take vox pops and record sounds of the locality Thursday 27 Mar 14 10.30 – 12.30 TR1 Course seminar Thursday 3 Apr 14 09.30 – 12.30/ 13.30-15.00 SG21 Presentation Day (feedback panel) SH/ All MA staff FT students’ Pecha Kuchas. All PT2 to attend. 7 Apr 14 – 27 Apr 14 Easter Break Thursday 1 May 14 10.00 – 12.30 SG31 Individual Tutorials with course unit tutor (30 minutes) Thursday 8 May 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Interim Critique Thursday 15 May 14 10.30 – 17.00 Lecture Theatre PT2 Presentation Day SH/ MA staff PT2 Masters Projects Work in Progress. All PT2 to attend (optional for FT from 12 midday). Thursday 22 May 14 Independent Study Thursday 29 May 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS2 Group Tutorials (2 groups) |
| Thursday
13 Mar 14 Deadline for submission of FINAL Masters Proposal 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Group Critique SH Course specific Thursday 20 Mar 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Group Tutorials with course unit tutor (2 groups) SH Course specific. See VLE, Research field trip to Happisburgh Thursday 27 Mar 14 10.30 – 12.30 TR1 Course seminar VL tbc (nb T&L day) Course Specific Thursday 3 Apr 14 09.30 – 12.30/ 13.30-15.00 SG21 Presentation Day (feedback panel) SH/ All MA staff FT students’ Pecha Kuchas. All PT2 to attend. 7 Apr 14 – 27 Apr 14 Easter Break Thursday 1 May 14 10.00 – 12.30 SG31 Individual Tutorials with course unit tutor (30 minutes) SH Course specific. See VLE. Thursday 8 May 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS3 Interim Critique SH Course specific Thursday 15 May 14 10.30 – 17.00 Lecture Theatre PT2 Presentation Day SH/ MA staff PT2 Masters Projects Work in Progress. All PT2 to attend (optional for FT from 12 midday). Thursday 22 May 14 Independent Study Thursday 29 May 14 10.30 – 12.30 DS2 Group Tutorials (2 groups) SH Course specific. See VLE |
Section 5: Risk Assessment
| Outline any potential risks, particularly Health and Safety and/or ethical issues that could affect the project. It is recommended that you seek the advice of your tutor and relevant NUA staff, eg the Health and Safety Officer, before completing this section. Continue on a second page if necessary.
Care to be taken in coastal areas near cliff edges etc. Respect conservation regulations and no trespassing. Interviews and confidentiality, making sure that correct permissions are sought and applied. Proper posture when at computer or drawing to prevent RSI or back pain. |
Section 5: Tutor’s Comments
Student(s): Alice Bouttell Date:
Course Tutor: Date:
Alice Bouttell 