Spring Syllabus 2010

Digital Film Production 1: Spring Syllabus 2010

This semester, we’ll be mixing Film and Technical Studies in a series of short projects. Our goal is to meld aesthetic savvy with basic equipment skills. That means a lot of hands-on assignments! Each project includes pre/post tests to assess learning, and field assignments designed to demonstrate your newfound abilities.

Week 1

Using the tripod. Learn parts of the tripod and its proper use. Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work.

FIELD: Basic shots with tripod. (Compare to Sept. footage)

Week 2

Getting good sound-Part 1. Working with a boom mic to capture audio. Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work.

FIELD: Use the boom mic to record a scripted monologue.

Week 3

Getting good sound-Part 2. Learn some of the techniques used to monitor, level and capture audio in a variety of situations. Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work. FIELD: Use the boom mic to record audio in a series of challenges.

Week 4

Intro to lighting. View examples of basic lighting techniques, and set up a 3-point lighting situation. Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work.

FIELD: Demonstrate proper setup and use of lighting equipment.

Week 5

Intro to lighting, cont’d. Explore the use of stylized lighting techniques in film. Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work.

Film studies: View typical lighting examples from films in a variety of genres.

FIELD: Record 2 genre-based scenes using appropriate lighting style/techniques.

Week 6

Intro to lighting, cont’d. Complete FIELD exercise; class critique.

Week 7

Set jobs and hierarchy. Learn the basic workflow and hierarchy on a film set.

Reading, in-class DEMO, and team work. Create large teams for Short Film: One Room.

Week 8

Short Film: One Room. Begin pre-production process for a short (MAX 3 Min.) film shot in a single location. Must integrate sound and lighting techniques. Create T&O.

Intro to Celtx Storyboard. Use software to generate storyboard for One Room. This will involve scouting a location for your production.

Week 9

Film Studies: One Room. View examples from films that make use of a single set and dramatic screenplay. Class critique.

FIELD: Complete storyboard for One Room.

Mid-semester vocab test.

Week 10

One Room Pre-production: Writing a dramatic script. View samples (www.imsdb.com) and critique. Reading: “4 Pages” from Syd Field’s Screenwriter’s Workbook. Team activity: Mapping your story. Create a synopsis of your story and map the key plot points.

Week 11

One Room Pre-production: Complete your script. Revise storyboard as necessary. Intro to Call Sheets. View professional samples of call sheets used in location shooting. Create a basic call sheet for your production. Prepare for shooting!

Week 12

One Room Production: (FIELD)Daily location shooting. End-of-week group critique about the process. What has changed/improved/stayed the same? Challenges?

Week 13

One Room Production: (FIELD)Wrap daily location shooting by end of the week. Written self- and team-evaluations. Download footage.

Intro to Film Criticism: Critiquing popular films with Roger Ebert.

Week 14

One Room Post-production. Create rough cut of footage and critique.

Intro to Garage Band: Creating a soundtrack for your film. Generate an original 30-second loop using at least 3 tracks.

Week 15

One Room Post-production. Work toward a final cut of your film.

Intro to Final Portfolio: View sample portfolios and critique.

Use prompt questions to generate a one- to two-page script for your introduction.

Week 16

One Room Post-production. Final cut of film due. Class critique.

Filming in class for introduction (as necessary); you may check out equipment to film your intro off-campus.

Week 17

Final Portfolio. Edit intro and compile your footage into a chaptered iDVD project.

DEMO: Creating chapters in iDVD.

Semester vocab test.

Review for Final Exam.

Week 18

Final Portfolios due; class critique.

Final Exam.

**By the end of this semester, you should be familiar with: the basic use of filmmaking equipment; set etiquette and teamwork; content-specific vocabulary terms & concepts; film genres; the iLife editing and production software suite (iMovie, iDVD, Garage Band, iPhoto; Celtx); your own strengths, weaknesses and areas of interest; and how to communicate ideas about film both verbally and in writing. Hurrah!