Film Production Syllabus

FTVE 160 and 161: Beginning and Intermediate Film Production - Fall 2018

Meets Tuesdays 5-10:15 PM Room ATC 107 (studio) and 108 (editing suite)

Instructor: David Foulds

Email:  dfoulds@dvc.edu  

Office Hours: Tuesdays 4-5 pm in Room ATC 108

FTVE 160 section 8007 - Beginning Film Production (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to short, single-camera digital videos focusing on the aesthetics and fundamentals of scripting, producing, directing on location, post-production, and exhibition/distribution. Theory, terminology, and operation of single camera video production, including composition and editing techniques, camera operation, portable lighting, video recorder operation, audio control and basic editing will also be covered. CSU, UC. Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL-122 or equivalent

FTVE 161 section 8897 – Intermediate Film Production (3 credits)

In this course students produce intermediate level, single-camera digital videos that utilize mixed soundtracks, sophisticated lighting schemes, sync sound, polished editing and the use of visual metaphors. CSU, UC.  Prerequisite: FTVE-160 or equivalent Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL-122 or equivalent

Textbooks and materials:

1) You need to purchase:

            a) external USB hard drive formatted for Mac

            b) SD card

2) No textbook needed – PDFs on Canvas are required readings and won’t cost you a penny!

Course Management System: We will use DVC’s Canvas in this course. Be sure you are able to log on and submit assignments through Canvas. If you have any difficulties, contact me or Canvas technical support.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

160 level students will be able to:

1. Lecture
1. Prepare useful treatments, shooting scripts and storyboards.
2. Evaluate various stylistic approaches to filmmaking.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic technical aspects of video field production
4. Conceive and execute appropriate approaches to editing field footage into cohesive projects.
5. Demonstrate the skills needed for successful teamwork in television, film or other media employment.
6. Demonstrate the moral and ethical responsibility that comes with the power of being a visual communicator.
7. Operate video field recording equipment correctly to acquire quality video and audio products.

161 level students will be able to:

1. Lecture
1. Analyze the aesthetics of composition, cinematography, screenwriting, editing and sound design.
2. Determine story objectives.
3. Describe various editing styles and theories.
2. Laboratory
1. Demonstrate an ability to record, edit, and mix sync sound.
2. Write scripts with dialogue that utilize visual metaphors.
3. Employ a variety of camera focal lengths, angles, and moves.
4. Construct an edit decision list using L cuts, dissolves, wipes and various other transitions.
5. Design sophisticated lighting schemes using 1-2, 1-4 and 1-8 contrast ratios.

CONTENT

160: This course contains both theory and process and includes the following topics:

Lecture:

1.     Pre-production

1. Scripting
2. Narrative formats
3. Script breakdowns
4. Pre-visualization
5. Storyboards
6. Shot lists
1. Production
1. Camera operation including recording formats, lens operation, basic filters and tripod use
2. Picture composition
3. Basic audio recording theory including balance, presence, and perspective, different types of microphones and mounting techniques
4. General concepts of acting and directing
2. Post production
1. Editing theory including continuity and dynamic editing
2. Nonlinear editing technique, planning digital flow and distribution

Laboratory

1. Operate video cameras, lighting, sound equipment, and editing software.
2. Participate in group and individual project work
3. Complete a short live action narrative film utilizing basic principles of editing, blocking, mise-en-scene, lens, camera angles, lighting, composition, pacing, and story structure suitable for review and evaluation during a public showing.

161: This course contains both theory and process and includes the following topics:

Lecture:

1. Focal length
1. Wide angle
2. Normal
3. Telephoto
2. Mise-en-scene
1. Visual metaphors
2. Color
3. Props
4. Blocking
3. Advanced script development and directing actors
1. Conflict
2. Character development
3. Back story
4. Resolution
4. Editing
1. Analysis of various editing techniques
2. Editing software

Laboratory:

1. Lighting
1. Key light
2. Fill light
3. Back light
2. Contrast ratios
1. 1 to 2
2. 1 to 4
3. 1 to 8
3. Microphones and recording techniques
1. Cardioid
2. Lavaliere
3. Shotgun
4. Edit list
1. Premiere Pro project management
2. Inputting video and audio material
3. Cutting dialogue
4. Scene-to-scene color correction
5. Transitions
5. Multi-track audio mixing
1. Audio segues
2. Mix audio levels
3. Audio sweetening

Major Assignment:

In this course, you will all go through a series of in-class exercises and readings to expose you to all aspects of filmmaking, from idea to screen. However, for your culminating assignment, you can take one of two tracks: Writer/Director or Director of Photography. You will also need to be a Producer/Soundperson on one other student’s film during the semester. I want to see you all working together!

The flow of the project will be as follows:

1) Analyze screenplays and short films to understand film language.

2) Come up with ideas for short films.

3) Write short screenplays for possible production (all students must write a screenplay).

4) Those who hope to be Writer/Directors will pitch their screenplays.

5) These will be produced as full short films (5-12 minutes in length).

6) Writer/Directors will team up with Producers, who will also do sound on the Director’s projects.

7) Director/Producer teams will hire a Director of Photography.

8) Each team of three will form a production company.

9) Each production company will analyze the script and create a shooting schedule, secure locations, cast actors, have table readings, obtain costumes, props and other crew members to help their production.

10) Each Producer will submit their shooting schedules to me, the executive producer.

11) Each production company will shoot their films using the required film production packages (you may use your own cameras, but you are expected to use the Lowell Lighting Kit or equivalent and proper booms and mics). You will be expected to properly light, shoot, and cover your film for editing. Films that do not use any lighting or have poor sound quality will not be accepted. Films that have no script and no dialogue will not be accepted.

12) The team will edit the piece, mix the audio, do Foley and ADR as required, and submit the film to the end of term film festival, Aspiring Minds.

13) Your films will kick ass and you will be very proud of your work.

14) You will submit your films to festivals around the globe using Film Freeway.

15) Your films will win top awards and you will become rich and famous.

16) 15 not guaranteed.

In addition to your short film project, each student will be required to complete the assignments for each unit to be sure you have exposure to each element of filmmaking. This includes participating in in-class workshops and doing editing exercises on footage that you shoot in class.

Units:

1) Screenwriting

2) Producing / Crew Positions

3) Cinematography 1 and 2

4) Production Sound

5) Directing 1 and 2

6) Editing 1 and 2

7) Post-production Sound

8) Graphics

For each unit, a series of readings, lectures, viewings, activities, quizzes, and workshops will be required. Look on the Canvas website for details on the required activities for each unit.

A few things you must do to pass the course:

1) Attendance is required and makes up 200 points of your overall grade. Please be on time as lectures begin promptly at 5 PM. In the film industry, your reputation is made by your reliability more than anything else. If you miss call times, word spreads quickly and you won’t get gigs.

DVC policy is “The instructor may drop students who miss more than the equivalent of two

weeks of a term--length course.” If you do not notify me ahead of time of more than two absences, you may be dropped from the course.

Again, please do not be late. This disrupts the course significantly. If you are late to class on a regular basis (3 or more times), you may be dropped from the course or your grade will be lowered by one letter grade.

2) Complete all the unit assignments.

3) Complete a short film as either a producer/soundman, writer/director, or director of photography.

4) Participate in workshops.

5) Participate in discussions.

6) Attend the visiting filmmaker screening and lecture: Date TBA.

7) Attend the field trip to Berkeley Sound Arts on October 16

Grading:

Final Project: 200 points

Attendance: 200 points

In-class activities and homework: 400 points

Schedule (subject to updates):

WEEK ONE – August 28 THE SHORT FILM In-class: 1.     Introductions and course mechanics 2.     Short film structure – character! 3.     Viewing and discussion of select short films 4.     Freewrite ideas for a short film script 5.     Overview of film production cycle 6.     A look at our equipment 7.     View Living in Oblivion feature Homework: 1.     Reading from Musberger Ch. 1 and 2 2.     Quiz on reading 3.     Find and post a short film you like 4.     Post introductions	WEEK TWO – September 4 SCREENWRITING In-class: 1.     Aaron Sorkin Lectures on Screenwriting 2.     Screenplay analysis and short film viewing 3.     Writing Loglines 4.     Screenwriting with Celtx 5.     Screenplay format 6.     Screenwriting and rewriting Homework: 1.     Reading Cowgill Writing Short Films Ch. 3 2.     Screenplay analysis assignment 3.     Write and post your pitch 4.     Write a rough draft of your screenplay
WEEK THREE – September 11 SCREENWRITING and PREPRODUCTION In class: 1.     Screenplay rewriting workshops 2.     Pitch your films if you want to be on Writer/Director track. 3.     Form your production companies. 4.     View Ron Howard Lectures 5.     Discussion of Crew positions and duties 6.     Work with team on preproduction and rewrites 7.     Permits, locations scouting, art direction – form a ‘look’ for your film Homework: 1.     Submit your screenplays for grading and comments through Canvas. 2.     Read Katz: The Production Cycle 3.     Quiz on reading 4.     Quiz on Crew Positions 5.     Preproduction Assignment	WEEK FOUR – September 18 CINEMATOGRAPHY In class: 1.     Cinematography 2.     Composing Shots 3.     Camera basics 4.     Exposure and Depth of Field 5.     View Visions of Light documentary 6.     Exposure and Depth of Field Workshop 7.     Basics of coverage 8.     Planning shots and blocking 9.     Shooting for the Edit 10.  Screening of Breathless feature 11.  Shooting a Scene from your screenplays Homework: 1. Cinematography Test Shoot Assignment – create that look
WEEK FIVE – September 25 DIRECTING ACTORS 1.     Directing 1: Working with Actors workshop. 2.     Ron Howard Lectures 3.     Michael Caine Lectures 4.     Samuel L. Jackson Lectures 5.     Blocking Basics 6.     Direct and shoot scene from Stranger Things or from a scene from the Acting Scenes Database Homework: 1.     Secure locations and create shooting schedule. 2.     Begin casting for your film 3.     Read Result Directing and Quick Fixes in Weston (on Canvas) 4.     Quiz on reading	WEEK SIX – October 2 EDITING 1 1.     Editing 2.     Discussion of Walter Murch editing concepts 3.     Premiere tutorials 4.     Editing of your scene in Premiere Homework: 1.    Complete editing of your scene or Stranger Things or other scene
WEEK SEVEN – October 9 PRODUCTION SOUND In class: 1.     The Importance of Audio 2.     Recording Production Sound 3.     Boom Operation 4.     Room Tone 5.     Basics of Foley and ADR Homework: 1.     ADR and Foley of a short scene	WEEK EIGHT – October 16 FIELD TRIP TO BERKELEY SOUND ARTS In class: 1.   Meet in class 2.   Carpool to Berkeley – 7:30 tour Homework: 1.  Work on your films

WEEK NINE – October 23 DIRECTING 2: BLOCKING ACTORS In class: 1.     Staging Dialogue Sequences 2.     Blocking Frost/Nixon with Ron Howard 3.     Block a scene workshop Homework: 1. Work on your films	WEEK TEN – October 30 CINEMATOGRAPHY 2: LIGHTING In class: 1.     Cinema Lighting 2.     Using the Lowell Lights and Gels 3.     Gaffers 4.     Light Meters 5.     Light a scene in the studio Homework: 1.     Work on your films
WEEK ELEVEN – November 6 CONTINUITY EDITING In class: 1.     Analysis of continuity editing 2.     Cutting on movement 3.     Rules of editing 4.     Edit a professional scene Homework: 1.     Complete edit of professional scene 2.     Read Dancyger Continuity Editing 3.     Quiz on reading	WEEK TWELVE – November 13 SOUND MIXING AND REPAIR In class: 1.   Post Production Audio Design 2.   Adobe Audition tutorials 3.   Repairing Audio Homework: 1.     Audio Repair Assignment 2.     Work on films
WEEK THIRTEEN – November 20 ADR AND FOLEY In class: 1.    Foley work 2.    ADR and lip sync 3.    ADR lab 4.    Editing of final projects Homework: 1.    Complete ADR and audio mix assignment	WEEK FOURTEEN – December 4 TITLES AND GRAPHICS In class: 1.     Titles and Graphics 2.     Color Grading 3.     Editing of final projects Homework: 1.    Work on term films 2.    Submit to Aspiring Minds
WEEK FIFTEEN – December 11 1.     Editing of final projects 2.     Turn in final projects	WEEK SIXTEEN – 1.     Screen at Aspiring Minds on Thursday Dec. 13 (or date TBA)

DISABILITY STATEMENT

Students who require alternative formats for course materials or adaptive equipment because of a specific disability can request them through the Disability Support Services office. The High Tech Center in LC-107 is an adaptive technology computer lab available for students with disabilities and is open Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm, and Fridays from 9am-1pm. Please contact Carrie Million in LC-112 or at 925-685-1230 ext. 2553 for more information." 

For information related to DVC Disabled Student Services go to: 

http://www.dvc.edu/org/departments/dss/dss-student-handbook/program-services/index.htm