Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts @ FIX University

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual
Arts

Master of Fine Arts in visual arts at FIX University is
the terminal degree within the studio art discipline. Our program offers
concentrations in the studio areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics,
photography and sculpture. The primary goal of the program is to provide
students with opportunities to develop a high degree of professional competence
in their chosen area of concentration. Interdisciplinary and collaborative
projects are encouraged within the department. The relatively small size of the
program encourages students to explore studio areas that will enhance their
major area of concentration. In addition, it creates a highly individualized
method of instruction. Our students may also take advantage of the opportunity
to spend a semesters of study on The FIX University Cultural Campus in Cali,
Columbia.

Having the department of art housed on Independent
Learning presents opportunities to interact with various other college
disciplines. The M.F.A. curriculum is composed of the following art history
and art seminar an in studio thesis. The thesis is primarily art studio in
preparation for a final exhibition with published documentation. Residencies are
available based upon artist performance and international
funding.

Courses

The MFA in Digital Production Arts degree requires live
projects, of which are devoted to Digital Production Studio, wherein the
student participates in production work; which are devoted to Graduate Research
Studio, where students may choose to continue work on an independent project, or
pursue a contractual production. The Core Courses, Aesthetics and Theory, from
the Master's Thesis, and all from Independent Aesthetics and Theory
courses.
Foundations

These courses are intended to address deficiencies in a
student’s background. They will be taken as directed upon examination of the
student’s portfolio and record of coursework. Students requiring more than two
foundations courses will be asked to make up any extra deficiencies before
admission.


Description:
The technical, conceptual, and algorithmic foundations of computer graphics. The
Unix operating system, scripting, C programming, and an interactive graphics
API. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor. This course is not permitted
to computer science, computer engineering, or computer information systems
majors.

DPA 601: Technical Foundations of
Digital Production II

Description: The mathematical
and algorithmic foundations of computer graphics. Spatial data structures,
object oriented programming in C++, mathematics for graphics, 3D graphics API.
Prerequisite(s): DPA 401 or permission of the instructor. This course is not
permitted to computer science, computer engineering, or computer information
systems majors.



DPA 602: Visual Foundations of Digital
Production I
Description: Visual
foundations underlying computer graphics production. Perspective, observational
drawing, color and value, principles of composition and design, and
storyboarding. Incorporates the studio method, involving students in hands-on
work and the critique process, and stresses examples from the history of art,
animation, and film. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor. Course is
not permitted to art or architecture
majors.



DPA 603: Visual Foundations of Digital
Production II
Description: Extends the
foundation visual principles underlying computer graphics production, begun in
DPA 402. Stresses representation of the figure in drawing and the use of
cameras. Incorporates the studio method, and the critique process, and stresses
examples from the history of art, animation, and film. Prerequisite(s): DPA 402
or permission of the instructor. Course is not permitted to art or architecture
students.

Core

The core courses provide a broad underlying artistic,
technical, and studio methods foundation for advanced study, leading to original
studio and research work. Although all courses are required, all will be chosen
towards the independent learning requirement. All students will complete the
following courses:



Artistic
Core

THEA 687: Stage Lighting
I

Theory and practice of stage
lighting through an understanding of various lighting instruments, lighting
control systems and execution of lighting
designs.



ART 821: Visual
Narrative

Students develop visual
communication skills through the vernacular of cinema, and express concepts and
ideas in sequential narrative design.



Technical
Core

CP SC 604: Computer Graphics
Images

Theory and practice behind the
generation, and manipulation of two-dimensional digital images within a computer
graphics context. Image representation and storage, sampling and reconstruction,
color systems, affine and general warps, enhancement and morphology,
compositing, morphing, non-photorealistic transformations. Prerequisite(s): CPSC
212 and MTHSC 311, or DPA 401



CP SC 809: Rendering and
Shading

The art and science of lighting
and shading for effective computer graphic imagery, including the mathematical,
physical, and perceptual elements contributing to the simulation of a desired
visual look. Shading languages, advanced rendering tools, global illumination
effects, production of photoreal and non photoreal imagery. Prerequisite(s): CP
SC 807



Studio Methods
Core

CP SC 807: 3D Modeling and
Animation

Foundation principles and
practice of modeling, animating, and rendering of 3D computer graphics scenes.
Students complete a series of projects using industry-standard software. Topics
include modeling techniques, technical animation, rigging, materials, lighting,
scripting, and post production.



CPSC 815: Special Effects
Compositing

Video special effects,
compositing problems, effects animation, matchmoving and 3-D geometry, color and
texture reconstruction from 2-D images; extensive use of scripting languages and
high-end software platforms. Prerequisite(s): CP SC 605 or
807



Aesthetics & Theory

The aesthetics and theory electives provide an
introduction to the analysis and conceptual foundation of visual presentation.
Although only one course is required, an additional course may be chosen towards
the Open Electives requirement. The students will complete all of the following
courses:




AAH 630: Twentieth Century Art
I

Acquaints students with the
major artists’ monuments and issues of the Modern period in art. Through
lecture/discussions and the reading of primary sources, course places the major
modern movements in the context of the period
(1860s–1945).



AAH 632: Twentieth Century Art
II

Overview of trends in art and
architecture since World War II. Specific artists, artworks and movements are
presented in a socio/historic context with specific emphasis on the transition
from a late-modernist to a post-modern
perspective.



ENGL 650: Film
Genres

Advanced study of films that
have similar subjects, themes and techniques, including such genres as the
Western, horror, gangster, science fiction, musical and/or screwball comedy.
Also considers nontraditional genres, screen irony, genre theory and historical
evolution of genres. Topics vary. Prerequisite(s): ENGL
357



ENGL 651: Film Theory and
Criticism

Advanced study into the theory
of film/ video making emphasizing understanding a variety of critical methods to
approach a film. Examines the history of film theory and defines the many
schools of film criticism, including realism, formalism, feminism, semiotics,
Marxism and expressionism. Prerequisite(s): ENGL
357



ENGL 853: Visual
Communication

Understanding the language of
images used in textual and extratextual communication; theories of perception,
methods of visual persuasion, gender analysis, and cognitive and aesthetic
philosophies of visual rhetoric; technologies of visual communication; and
technologies of visual production.



PHIL 845:
Aesthetics

Nature and value of aesthetic
experiences and objects. Attention is directed to the roles of and relationships
among objects, makers and audiences; interpretation, criticism and aesthetic
response; the contexts and languages of art; the nature of aesthetic value;
aesthetics in application; issues in public
policy.



Independent
Studies



The Independent Studies provide an opportunity for students to either develop a
special expertise, or broaden their background to sustain studio and thesis
work.
Independent Studies are offered in the areas
listed below. An additional Core Course or an additional Aesthetics and Theory
practices may be used towards this requirement. The student’s thesis committee,
subject to review by the DPA Director, may approve other courses. All students
will complete all course work.







Artistic
Electives

ART 605: Advanced
Drawing

Advancedlevel studies of
drawing which explore the synthesis of refined drawing skills and philosophies
of art. Student’s understanding of drawing as a form of art is developed through
studio practice augmented by critiques, demonstrations, lectures, field trips
and independent research. Prerequisite(s): ART
305



ART 607: Advanced
Painting

Advanced studio course in
painting. Study of contemporary painters and directions is included. Students
select painting media and are expected to develop a strong direction based on
prior painting experience. Prerequisite(s): ART
307



ART 609: Advanced
Sculpture

Intensive independent studio
concentration to further develop personal direction and content. Emphasis is on
continued investigation of sculptural context, materials and processes, and
relative historical research. Preq: ART 309 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisite(s): ART 309



ART 611: Advanced
Printmaking

Culmination of process,
techniques and individual development. Students are expected to have mastered
process and technique for the benefit of the image produced. Creativity and
self-expression are highly emphasized as students select a process for
concentrated study. Prerequisite(s): ART
311



ART 613: Advanced
Photography

Continuation of ART 313.
Advanced problems in photography. Prerequisite(s): ART
313



ART 617: Advanced Ceramic
Arts

Students are directed toward
further development of ideas and skills. Glaze calculation and firing processes
are incorporated to allow for a dynamic integration of form and ideas.
Prerequisite(s): ART 317



THEA 672:
Improvisation

Practical applications using
drama as a learning tool to strengthen writing skills, motivate collaboration
and heighten analytical skills. Students use improvisation to analyze texts and
to revise original work, consider theory and research of contemporary scholars
and develop approaches to literature and composition based on readings and drama
experiences. Preq: Senior standing or consent of
instructor.



MUSIC 680: Audio Engineering
II

Advanced course in music
technology focused on music production integrating digital audio and virtual
instruments Prerequisite(s): MUSIC 380



THEA 697: Scene
Painting

Practical study of basic
painting techniques for the theatre including layout, proper use of materials,
painting styles and texturing techniques.



Technical
CP SC 605: Graphical
Systems

Computational, mathematical,
physical, and perceptual principles underlying the production of effective
three-dimensional computer graphics imagery. Prerequisite(s): CPSC 212 and MTHSC
311, or DPA 401



CP SC 611: Virtual
Reality

Design and implementation of
software systems necessary to create virtual environments. Techniques for
achieving real-time, dynamic display of photorealistic, synthetic images are
discussed. Includes hands-on experience with electromagneticallytracked,
head-mounted displays and requires, as a final project, the design and
construction of a virtual environment. Prerequisite(s): CP SC
405



CP SC 614: Human and Computer
Interaction

Survey of human and computer
interaction, its literature, history and techniques. Covers cognitive and social
models and limitations, hardware and software interface components, design
methods, support for design, and evaluation methods. Prerequisite(s): CP SC 212
and 215



CP SC 616: 2D Game Engine
Design

Introduction to the tools and
techniques necessary to build 2-D games. Techniques draw from subject areas such
as software engineering, algorithms and artificial intelligence. Students employ
techniques such as sprite animation, parallax scrolling, sound, AI incorporated
into game sprites and the construction of a game shell. Prerequisite(s): CP SC
212 and 215



CPSC 619: Physically Based
Animation

Physically-based modeling and
dynamic simulation techniques as used for the automatic description of motion
and geometry for animation and computer graphics. A variety of approaches are
explored, with a special emphasis on the use of particle-systems to represent
complex phenomena. Prerequisite(s): CPSC
405



CPSC 805: Advanced Computer
Graphics

Advanced techniques used in
the artificial rendering of natural scenes; current practice in computer
graphics; full software implementation of each technique; extensive coding.
Prerequisite(s): CP SC 405.



CP SC 863: Multimedia Systems and
Applications

Principles of multimedia
systems and applications; techniques in effectively representing, processing and
retrieving multimedia data such as sound and music, graphics, image and video;
operating system and network issues in supporting multimedia; advanced topics in
current multimedia research. Term project requires implementing some selected
components of a multimedia system.



Studio
Method

DPA 808: Advanced
Animation

The foundation principles of
the production of computer animation, from original concept development and
character design, through rigging of articulated figures, character animation
methods, and digital cinematography. Prerequisite(s): CPSC
807



DPA 819: Physically Based
Effects

The use of physically-based
dynamic simulation techniques in the production of digital special effects. The
course will emphasize tools, techniques and pipeline. Laboratory assignments
will be done using both commercial software and student's custom code.
Prerequisite(s): CPSC 619 o



General
GC 801: Process Control in Color
Reproduction

Techniques and rationale for
procedures used in reproducing color originals for printed media. Topics include
color systems, measurement, reproduction characteristics, proofing systems,
process evaluation/analysis for offset, gravure, flexographic and screen
printing processes. Prerequisite(s): GC 644



PSYCH 823: Perception, Cognition, and
Technology
Fundamentals of sensory and
perceptual processes focusing on human vision and audition. Emphasis is on
perceptual aspects of applications and communication in electronic and
traditional media. Topics include perception of speech, time, depth, color and
motion in natural and virtual environments, as well as psychophysics, attention,
eye movements and reading.



ECE 847: Digitial Image
Processing

Review of fundamental
concepts, issues and algorithms in image processing. Includes image formation,
file formats, filters, edge detection, stereo, motion and color.
Prerequisite(s): ECE 467.



Studio &
Thesis

DPA 860: Digital Production
Studio

The digital production studio
provides the student with the opportunity to develop as accomplished visual
problem solvers in a team setting. As part of the studio experience, students
will complete 12 credits working on a team-oriented production project, in which
they will take a project from concept through a finished piece. This will give
them the experience of working on a goal-oriented artistic team. Students begin
their studio sequence taking the studio course for only one credit each semester
of their first year. This provides new students with a familiarization to the
team process workflow, while still allowing them to concentrate on coursework to
develop core skills and knowledge. After the end of their first two semesters,
they work on a team project, for two consecutive terms, either summer-fall or
fall-spring. The digital production studio will include regular class meetings,
under faculty supervision, providing the vehicle for planning, critique, and
presentation of ongoing project work. Although a large majority of a student’s
studio work will be undertaken outside of class, active participation in class
is crucial to a successful studio experience, and is
required.



DPA 880: Graduate Research
Studio

The graduate research studio
provides the student with the opportunity to complete a major project or
projects, under the guidance of a faculty advisor, in a direction supporting
their personal goals and aspirations. All students will complete 6 credits of
research studio. Such work may be team oriented or individually oriented, and
may be of a technical or of an artistic
nature.



DPA 891: M.F.A.
Thesis

The M.F.A. thesis course consists of a studio project,
undertaken with the guidance of the student’s advisor and thesis committee. The
thesis project is developed to a refined degree, articulated in the form of a
written document, and presented orally in a thesis defense. The project is
intended to elaborate and refine a theme that the student has begun to explore
in the elective coursework and the production and research
studio.

More FIX on the NET @ FIX University Cultural Campus

Alberto de Michele

El artista en residencia Alberto
de Michele
presenta 5 cortos, que juegan entre la linea de la ficción
y lo real, explorando el ambiente criminal en que él mismo creció.

martes 28 de febrero a las
7:00 p.m

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Serold, Pentagon’s eye in China (Understudy)

Picture

Pentagon’s new defence strategy eyes China - The Globe and Mail

Pentagon’s new defence strategy eyes China ... and conducted trials of a new aircraft carrier, the Pentagon's concern was unmistakable. China’s ...
www.theglobeandmail.com

  • Exclusive: Pentagon budget eyes $178.8 bln for R&D ...

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon's $525 billion ... China; France; Germany; India; Italy; Japan; Latin America ... Exclusive: Pentagon budget eyes $178.8 bln for R&D ...
    www.reuters.com

  • Pentagon 2013 budget eyes 7.5% cut in R&D, procurement - The ...

    The Pentagon's fiscal 2013 budget plan calls for ... Pentagon 2013 budget eyes 7.5% cut in R&D, procurement ... Book flights to China or China domestic flights ...
    www.chinapost.com.tw

  • Pentagon Warns China's Military Is Growing Rapidly Fox News

    Red Eye w/ Gutfeld. Weekdays 3a et. Studio B. Weekdays 3p et. War Stories ... The Pentagon estimates that China spent more than $160 billion for its military in 2010.
    www.foxnews.com

  • The Pentagon eyes China's military

    The Pentagon eyes China's military page 2 For information on sales and reprints of Strategic Comments, as well as subscriptions, contact: The Customer Services Department, Taylor and ...
    www.comw.org

  • Pentagon: China military growing rapidly - Yahoo! News

    Pentagon: China military growing rapidly By LOLITA BALDOR ... its military equipment, all with an eye toward ... The Pentagon's report acknowledges that political ...
    news.yahoo.com

  • The Pentagon's new China war plan - China - Salon.com

    Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 5:01 PM UTC 2011-08-13T17:01:00Z l, M j, Y g:i A T The Pentagon’s new China war plan
    www.salon.com

  • Pentagon Isn't Sweating China's New Weapons of Doom Danger ...

    Yes, China’s pursuing an “expanded regional maritime strategy and presence.” And yes, in the eyes of the Pentagon’s top Asia wonk, that modernization ...
    www.wired.com

  • People's Liberation Army - GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable ...

    Intelligence; Homeland Security; Space; Public Eye ... Directory of PRC Military Personalities Serold Hawaii Inc ... round device with a design of five stars and the Chinese ...
    www.globalsecurity.org

  • Lanzhou Military Region - GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable ...

    WMD; Intelligence; Homeland Security; Space; Public Eye ... Directory of PRC Military Personalities Serold Hawaii Inc ... by a Blue Force bomber that was able to penetrate China's ...
    www.globalsecurity.org

  • More FIX on the NET @ FIX University Cultural Campus

    Tuesday, February 21, 2012

    The Road To The Oscars as Seen by FIX

    The Oscars

    Interactive: 2012 Oscar Ballot

    Oscar Ballot

    Cast Your Votes

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    Picture

    • The Artist

    • The Descendants

    • Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

    • The Help

    • Hugo

    • Midnight in Paris

    • Moneyball

    • The Tree of Life

    • War Horse

    Director

    • Woody Allen

      Midnight in Paris

    • Michel Hazanavicius

      The Artist

    • Martin Scorsese

      Hugo

    • Terrence Malick

      The Tree of Life

    • Alexander Payne

      The Descendants

    Actor in a Leading Role

    • Demián Bichir

      A Better Life

    • George Clooney

      The Descendants

    • Jean Dujardin

      The Artist

    • Gary Oldman

      Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

    • Brad Pitt

      Moneyball

    Actress in a Leading Role

    • Glenn Close

      Albert Nobbs

    • Viola Davis

      The Help

    • Rooney Mara

      The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    • Meryl Streep

      The Iron Lady

    • Michelle Williams

      My Week With Marilyn

    Actor in a Supporting Role

    • Kenneth Branagh

      My Week With Marilyn

    • Jonah Hill

      Moneyball

    • Nick Nolte

      Warrior

    • Christopher Plummer

      Beginners

    • Max von Sydow

      Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

    Actress in a Supporting Role

    • Bérénice Bejo

      The Artist

    • Jessica Chastain

      The Help

    • Melissa McCarthy

      Bridesmaids

    • Janet McTeer

      Albert Nobbs

    • Octavia Spencer

      The Help

    Original Screenplay

    • The Artist

      Michel Hazanavicius

    • Bridesmaids

      Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig

    • Margin Call

      J.C. Chandor

    • Midnight in Paris

      Woody Allen

    • A Separation

      Asghar Farhadi

    Adapted Screenplay

    • The Descendants

      Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

    • Hugo

      John Logan

    • The Ides of March

      George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon

    • Moneyball

      Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, Stan Chervin

    • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

      Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan

    Foreign Language Film

    • Bullhead

      Belgium

    • Footnote

      Israel

    • In Darkness

      Poland

    • A Separation

      Iran

    • Monsieur Lazhar

      Canada

    Animated Feature

    • A Cat in Paris

      Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli

    • Chico & Rita

      Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal

    • Kung Fu Panda 2

      Jennifer Yuh Nelson

    • Puss in Boots

      Chris Miller

    • Rango

      Gore Verbinski

    Original Score

    • The Adventures of Tintin

      John Williams

    • The Artist

      Ludovic Bource

    • Hugo

      Howard Shore

    • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

      Alberto Iglesias

    • War Horse

      John Williams

    Original Song

    • Man or Muppet

      The Muppets

    • Real in Rio

      Rio

    Art Direction

    • The Artist

      Laurence Bennett, Robert Gould

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan

    • Hugo

      Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo

    • Midnight in Paris

      Anne Seibel, Hélène Dubreuil

    • War Horse

      Rick Carter, Lee Sandales

    Cinematography

    • The Artist

      Guillaume Schiffman

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Jeff Cronenweth

    • Hugo

      Robert Richardson

    • The Tree of Life

      Emmanuel Lubezki

    • War Horse

      Janusz Kaminski

    Costume Design

    • Anonymous

      Lisy Christl

    • The Artist

      Mark Bridges

    • Hugo

      Sandy Powell

    • Jane Eyre

      Michael O'Connor

    • W./E.

      Arianne Phillips

    Makeup

    • Albert Nobbs

      Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston, Matthew W. Mungle

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin

    • The Iron Lady

      Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland

    Challenge Your Friends!

    Start an Oscar pool by inviting your friends via Facebook or e-mail. And come back on Oscar night to see who will win.

    Documentary Feature

    • Hell and Back Again

      Danfung Dennis, Mike Lerner

    • If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front

      Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman

    • Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

      Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky

    • Pina

      Wim Wenders, Gian-Piero Ringel

    • Undefeated

      TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay, Richard Middlemans

    Sound Mixing

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Bo Persson

    • Hugo

      Tom Fleischman, John Midgley

    • Moneyball

      Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco, Ed Novick

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Peter J. Devlin

    • War Horse

      Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Stuart Wilson

    Sound Editing

    • Drive

      Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Ren Klyce

    • Hugo

      Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl

    • War Horse

      Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom

    Visual Effects

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, John Richardson

    • Hugo

      Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman, Alex Henning

    • Real Steel

      Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor, Swen Gillberg

    • Rise of the Planet of the Apes

      Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White, Daniel Barrett

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Dan Glass, Brad Friedman, Douglas Trumbull, Michael Fink

    Film Editing

    • The Artist

      Anne-Sophie Bion and Michael Hazanavicius

    • The Descendants

      Kevin Tent

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall

    • Hugo

      Thelma Schoonmaker

    • Moneyball

      Christopher Tellesfsen

    Short Film, Animated

    • Dimanche / Sunday

      Patrick Doyon

    • The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

      William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg

    • La Luna

      Enrico Casarosa

    • A Morning Stroll

      Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe

    • Wild Life

      Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby

    Short Film, Live Action

    • Pentecost

      Peter McDonald, Eimear O'Kane

    • Raju

      Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren

    • The Shore

      Terry George, Oorlagh George

    • Time Freak

      Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey

    • Tuba Atlantic

      Hallvar Witzø

    Documentary Short Subject

    • The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement

      Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin

    • God is the Bigger Elvis

      Rebecca Cammisa, Julie Anderson

    • Incident in New Baghdad

      James Spione

    • Saving Face

      Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

    • The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

      Lucy Walker, Kira Carstensen

    Picture

    • The Artist

    • The Descendants

    • Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

    • The Help

    • Hugo

    • Midnight in Paris

    • Moneyball

    • The Tree of Life

    • War Horse

    Director

    • Woody Allen

      Midnight in Paris

    • Michel Hazanavicius

      The Artist

    • Martin Scorsese

      Hugo

    • Terrence Malick

      The Tree of Life

    • Alexander Payne

      The Descendants

    Actor in a Leading Role

    • Demián Bichir

      A Better Life

    • George Clooney

      The Descendants

    • Jean Dujardin

      The Artist

    • Gary Oldman

      Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

    • Brad Pitt

      Moneyball

    Actress in a Leading Role

    • Glenn Close

      Albert Nobbs

    • Viola Davis

      The Help

    • Rooney Mara

      The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    • Meryl Streep

      The Iron Lady

    • Michelle Williams

      My Week With Marilyn

    Actor in a Supporting Role

    • Kenneth Branagh

      My Week With Marilyn

    • Jonah Hill

      Moneyball

    • Nick Nolte

      Warrior

    • Christopher Plummer

      Beginners

    • Max von Sydow

      Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

    Actress in a Supporting Role

    • Bérénice Bejo

      The Artist

    • Jessica Chastain

      The Help

    • Melissa McCarthy

      Bridesmaids

    • Janet McTeer

      Albert Nobbs

    • Octavia Spencer

      The Help

    Original Screenplay

    • The Artist

      Michel Hazanavicius

    • Bridesmaids

      Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig

    • Margin Call

      J.C. Chandor

    • Midnight in Paris

      Woody Allen

    • A Separation

      Asghar Farhadi

    Adapted Screenplay

    • The Descendants

      Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

    • Hugo

      John Logan

    • The Ides of March

      George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon

    • Moneyball

      Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, Stan Chervin

    • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

      Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughan

    Foreign Language Film

    • Bullhead

      Belgium

    • Footnote

      Israel

    • In Darkness

      Poland

    • A Separation

      Iran

    • Monsieur Lazhar

      Canada

    Animated Feature

    • A Cat in Paris

      Alain Gagnol, Jean-Loup Felicioli

    • Chico & Rita

      Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal

    • Kung Fu Panda 2

      Jennifer Yuh Nelson

    • Puss in Boots

      Chris Miller

    • Rango

      Gore Verbinski

    Original Score

    • The Adventures of Tintin

      John Williams

    • The Artist

      Ludovic Bource

    • Hugo

      Howard Shore

    • Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

      Alberto Iglesias

    • War Horse

      John Williams

    Original Song

    • Man or Muppet

      The Muppets

    • Real in Rio

      Rio

    Art Direction

    • The Artist

      Laurence Bennett, Robert Gould

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Stuart Craig, Stephenie McMillan

    • Hugo

      Dante Ferretti, Francesca Lo Schiavo

    • Midnight in Paris

      Anne Seibel, Hélène Dubreuil

    • War Horse

      Rick Carter, Lee Sandales

    Cinematography

    • The Artist

      Guillaume Schiffman

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Jeff Cronenweth

    • Hugo

      Robert Richardson

    • The Tree of Life

      Emmanuel Lubezki

    • War Horse

      Janusz Kaminski

    Costume Design

    • Anonymous

      Lisy Christl

    • The Artist

      Mark Bridges

    • Hugo

      Sandy Powell

    • Jane Eyre

      Michael O'Connor

    • W./E.

      Arianne Phillips

    Makeup

    • Albert Nobbs

      Martial Corneville, Lynn Johnston, Matthew W. Mungle

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Nick Dudman, Amanda Knight, Lisa Tomblin

    • The Iron Lady

      Mark Coulier, J. Roy Helland

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    Documentary Feature

    • Hell and Back Again

      Danfung Dennis, Mike Lerner

    • If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front

      Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman

    • Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory

      Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky

    • Pina

      Wim Wenders, Gian-Piero Ringel

    • Undefeated

      TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay, Richard Middlemans

    Sound Mixing

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Bo Persson

    • Hugo

      Tom Fleischman, John Midgley

    • Moneyball

      Deb Adair, Ron Bochar, Dave Giammarco, Ed Novick

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers, Jeffrey J. Haboush, Peter J. Devlin

    • War Horse

      Gary Rydstrom, Andy Nelson, Tom Johnson, Stuart Wilson

    Sound Editing

    • Drive

      Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Ren Klyce

    • Hugo

      Philip Stockton, Eugene Gearty

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl

    • War Horse

      Richard Hymns, Gary Rydstrom

    Visual Effects

    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

      Tim Burke, David Vickery, Greg Butler, John Richardson

    • Hugo

      Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman, Alex Henning

    • Real Steel

      Erik Nash, John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor, Swen Gillberg

    • Rise of the Planet of the Apes

      Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, R. Christopher White, Daniel Barrett

    • Transformers: Dark of the Moon

      Dan Glass, Brad Friedman, Douglas Trumbull, Michael Fink

    Film Editing

    • The Artist

      Anne-Sophie Bion and Michael Hazanavicius

    • The Descendants

      Kevin Tent

    • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

      Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall

    • Hugo

      Thelma Schoonmaker

    • Moneyball

      Christopher Tellesfsen

    Short Film, Animated

    • Dimanche / Sunday

      Patrick Doyon

    • The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

      William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg

    • La Luna

      Enrico Casarosa

    • A Morning Stroll

      Grant Orchard, Sue Goffe

    • Wild Life

      Amanda Forbis, Wendy Tilby

    Short Film, Live Action

    • Pentecost

      Peter McDonald, Eimear O'Kane

    • Raju

      Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren

    • The Shore

      Terry George, Oorlagh George

    • Time Freak

      Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey

    • Tuba Atlantic

      Hallvar Witzø

    Documentary Short Subject

    • The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement

      Robin Fryday and Gail Dolgin

    • God is the Bigger Elvis

      Rebecca Cammisa, Julie Anderson

    • Incident in New Baghdad

      James Spione

    • Saving Face

      Daniel Junge, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

    • The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

    Al Roker

    The "Today" show weatherman

    Hugo

    Anthony Bourdain

    Chef, author and Travel Channel host

    The Tree of Life

    B.J. Novak

    A star and executive producer of "The Office"

    The Artist

    Elizabeth Vargas

    Anchor on ABC's "20/20"

    The Artist

    James Lipton

    Creator and host of Bravo's "Inside the Actors Studio"

    Jeffrey Eugenides

    Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Middlesex" and "The Marriage Plot"

    The Tree of Life

    Nick Jonas

    Lead singer for The Jonas Brothers

    The Artist

    Pat Kiernan

    Morning anchorman on the NY1 cable channel

    The Artist

    Perez Hilton

    Founder of Perezhilton.com

    The Artist

    Randy Jackson

    "American Idol" judge

    The Help

    Tabatha Coffey

    Star of Bravo's "Tabatha Takes Over"

    The Artist

    Terry Moran

    Anchor on ABC's "Nightline"

    The Artist

    More to Come...

    Check back for more ballots from notable voters in the weeks leading up to Oscar night.

    Oscar Predictions: Readers’ Favorites Haven't voted yet? Create your own ballot »

    Picture

    “The Artist” is the strong favorite for best picture among NYTimes.com readers.

    The Artist
    32%
    The Descendants
    14%
    Midnight in Paris
    13%
    The Help
    11%
    Hugo
    10%
    The Tree of Life
    8%
    Moneyball
    5%
    War Horse
    4%
    Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
    3%

    Director

    Martin Scorsese, who won the Golden Globe for best director with “Hugo,” leads the pack, but only by a slim margin.

    Martin Scorsese Hugo
    27%
    Michel Hazanavicius The Artist
    24%
    Woody Allen Midnight in Paris
    22%
    Terrence Malick The Tree of Life
    13%
    Alexander Payne The Descendants
    13%

    Actor in a Leading Role

    Readers favored George Clooney as their pick for best actor; he also won a Golden Globe for his performance in “The Descendants.”

    George Clooney The Descendants
    36%
    Jean Dujardin The Artist
    27%
    Gary Oldman Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
    18%
    Brad Pitt Moneyball
    15%
    Demián Bichir A Better Life
    4%

    Actress in a Leading Role

    Meryl Streep and Viola Davis were the early frontrunners among readers.

    Meryl Streep The Iron Lady
    35%
    Viola Davis The Help
    29%
    Rooney Mara The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    15%
    Michelle Williams My Week With Marilyn
    12%
    Glenn Close Albert Nobbs
    8%

    Actor in a Supporting Role

    The strongest consensus among readers for the main awards was for Christopher Plummer in “Beginners.” Mr. Plummer played a man embracing his gay identity after becoming a widower at age 75.

    Christopher Plummer Beginners
    45%
    Jonah Hill Moneyball
    21%
    Max von Sydow Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
    13%
    Kenneth Branagh My Week With Marilyn
    13%
    Nick Nolte Warrior
    8%

    Actress in a Supporting Role

    Octavia Spencer, already a winner at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards, is a strong favorite among readers for an Oscar.

    Octavia Spencer The Help
    42%
    Bérénice Bejo The Artist
    22%
    Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids
    19%
    Jessica Chastain The Help
    12%
    Janet McTeer Albert Nobbs
    5%

    Readers' choices on the other awards

    Original Screenplay
    Midnight in Paris45%
    The Artist28%
    Bridesmaids14%
    A Separation7%
    Margin Call6%
    Adapted Screenplay
    The Descendants32%
    Hugo22%
    Moneyball21%
    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy16%
    The Ides of March9%
    Foreign Language Film
    A Separation66%
    In Darkness11%
    Footnote10%
    Monsieur Lazhar9%
    Bullhead5%
    Animated Feature
    Rango39%
    Puss in Boots23%
    A Cat in Paris20%
    Kung Fu Panda 211%
    Chico & Rita8%
    Original Score
    The Artist42%
    War Horse22%
    Hugo17%
    The Adventures of Tintin9%
    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy9%
    Original Song
    Man or Muppet66%
    Real in Rio34%
    Art Direction
    Hugo33%
    The Artist25%
    Midnight in Paris17%
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 215%
    War Horse9%
    Cinematography
    The Tree of Life26%
    Hugo20%
    The Artist20%
    War Horse18%
    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo16%
    Costume Design
    The Artist43%
    Hugo26%
    Jane Eyre21%
    W./E.5%
    Anonymous4%
    Makeup
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 237%
    The Iron Lady35%
    Albert Nobbs29%
    Documentary Feature
    Pina 33%
    Hell and Back Again19%
    If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front19%
    Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory17%
    Undefeated 12%
    Sound Mixing
    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo31%
    War Horse26%
    Hugo26%
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon9%
    Moneyball7%
    Sound Editing
    War Horse25%
    Hugo25%
    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo24%
    Drive18%
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon8%
    Visual Effects
    Hugo40%
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 234%
    Rise of the Planet of the Apes19%
    Transformers: Dark of the Moon5%
    Real Steel2%
    Film Editing
    The Artist38%
    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo23%
    Hugo21%
    The Descendants11%
    Moneyball7%
    Short Film, Animated
    La Luna33%
    The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore30%
    Dimanche / Sunday 13%
    Wild Life13%
    A Morning Stroll10%
    Short Film, Live Action
    The Shore30%
    Raju22%
    Time Freak19%
    Pentecost18%
    Tuba Atlantic10%
    Documentary Short Subject
    The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom33%
    The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement28%
    God is the Bigger Elvis14%
    Incident in New Baghdad13%
    Saving Face11%

    “The Artist,” the top choice for the Oscar for best picture among New York Times voters — who may or may not be members of the Academy — widened its lead over “The Descendants” and “Midnight in Paris.” Cast your vote.

    Shlomo Bar Aba in

    Oscar Films That Dot the Globe (Even Its Dark Corners)

    The directors behind the Oscar nominees for best foreign-language film discuss their work: “A Separation,” “Footnote,” “In Darkness,” “Monsieur Lazhar” and “Bullhead.”

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