CN19/CIN117
Digital
Filmmaking I
Spring 2007
Through assigned readings and the completion of production
assignments, you are expected to acquire an understanding of the elements
involved in creating videotape productions. This understanding should include
the following 10 areas:
1. Camera placement and operations: including color balancing, alignment,
camera optics and light levels.
2. The use of videotape, including the strengths and weakness of the various tape formats.
3. Lighting techniques, including existing light, bounced light and three-point lighting.
4. Elements of effective visual composition.
5. Editing techniques: assembly and insert; on-line and off-line, linear and random access; and the use of time code.
6. Video reproduction problems
7. A general understanding of postproduction
8. A basic understanding of narrative structure
9. A basic understanding of writing for screenplays
10. An ability to critique the strengths and weaknesses of
video productions.
Most importantly, this course will provide you an opportunity to learn by doing
- to create your own video productions, and to express personal creativity
while developing the ability to conceptualize story ideas and effectively
translate these ideas to the screen.
TEXT: On-line
cybertext: TV Production in English can be accessed at cybercollege.com [http://www.cybercollege.com/indexall.htm]
See
course study guides for specific course-related content.
CN-19 COURSE SCHEDULE
[Tuesday/Thursday]
All
quizzes will be given on days indicated in red. There are no Òmake-upÓ dates!
WEEK 1 [1/23 & 1/25]
Introduction to course; review of Course Outline, goals, policies, etc.;
Text Demonstration; questions about the course entertained.
Pre-production - concepts, treatments, scripts, storyboards;
shooting; post-production.
Screening of student films.
Readings: Sample
dramatic scripts and Modules 1-3, 5-6, 17-20 for week-3 test - and as
indicated thereafter per test number. [Capture and Save certification
by 3/2.]
WEEK 2 [1/30 &
2/1]
What is cinema? Viewing and discussion of The Great Train Robbery.
The basic shots, continuity and matching shots. The
storyboard.
Groups form and meet for assignment #1 (Great Train Robbery assignment).
Storyboards (Assignment #1) completed in class (and graded).
Readings:
Modules as indicated per next test indicated below (through test #5)
WEEK 3 [2/6 & 2/8]
Test #1 (Modules 1-3, 5-6, 17-20)
[Capture and Save certification by 3/2.]
Camera demonstration/certification. [He/she
who signs equipment out is responsible]
The camera and the lens - film clips viewed.
Scripting of assigned Campus Story treatment
(Assignment #2).
WEEK 4 [2/13 & 2/15]
Shooting/Completion of Assignment #2
(Purchase Final
Cut editing text)
WEEK 5 [2/20
& 2/22]
Test #2 (Modules 10-12 & 21-25)
In-class screening/Grading of
Assignment #2
Demonstration of editing mechanics. [Capture and Save certification
by next Thursday!]
WEEK 6 [2/27 &
3/1]
Organization of groups for assignment #3
In-lab editing of assignment #3
Begin thinking about a concept for your final project.
WEEK 7 [3/8]
Test #3 (Modules 49-53 & 54-57)
Completion/Grading of Assignment #3 (Editing)
Groups formed for final assignment Ð develop concepts
Final project concepts/treatments due next class.
WEEK 8 [3/13 &
3/15]
Editing aesthetics and shot composition.
Pre-production meetings for Final Assignment (#4) Ð All
Concepts and Treatments due for approval.
WEEK 9 [3/20 & 3/22]
Test #4 (Modules 13-16 & 26-35)
All Scripts, etc. due for approval.
Shooting of Assignment #4.
WEEK 10 [3/27 & 3/29]
Shooting of Assignment #4.
WEEK 11 [4/10 & 4/12]
Test #5 (Modules 4, 7-9 & 58-62)
Shooting / Editing
WEEK 12 [4/17 & 4/19]
Editing of final project
Assignment
#4 rough-cuts viewed and graded in lab.
WEEK 13 [4/24 & 4/26]
Assignment #4 rough-cuts viewed and graded in lab.
Re-shooting / Re-Editing
WEEK 14 [5/1 & 5/3]
Re-shooting / Re-Editing
WEEK 15 [5/8 & 5/10]
Re-shooting / Re-Editing
WEEK 16 [5/15]
Assignment #4 Final Cuts DUE
(with all pre- and post-production materials)
and viewed in class. (See assignment
description in Course Outline for submission requirements.) Congratulations and
post-mortems
******************************************************************************
ASSIGNMENT #1 - STORYBOARD (5% of Final Grade)
This is a group assignment. Students will work in groups of four (4).
Storyboard the assault of the station master (first "sceneÓ) from The Great Train Robbery.
"Improve" on E.S. Porter by breaking this scene down into a series of shots. Your storyboard should show a minimum of 8 shots, maximum of 16 including the following:
a minimum of 1 long shot
a minimum of 1 medium shot
a minimum of 1 close-up
a minimum of 1 low angle shot
a minimum of 1 high angle shot
a minimum of 1 camera movement
*note these shots can be combined- e.g.: a low angle medium shot, a high angle
long shot, etc.
Use the Storyboard forms distributed in class. Do not exceed 16 shots.
ASSIGNMENT #2 Ð CAMPUS STORY (10% of Final Grade)
This is a group assignment. Students will work in groups of four.
Write a shooting script from the treatment handed out in class. Be sure to use standard camera shot nomenclature. Using lab equipment during class time, shoot your script in sequence using in-camera edits. You may, if you wish, bring your own music to accompany your film when we view it in class.
ASSIGNMENT #3 Ð EDITING (10% of Final Grade)
[Capture
and Save Certification: Prior to
starting project 3, you should learn to create and save your own project and files
on the lab computers, properly capturing takes to your hard drive using ÒbinsÕ.
You must do this on your own time, as homework, working with your Final
Cut text and the lab PA. The PA will provide you with the needed video clips
and certify that you have completed this homework before beginning Assignment
3.]
This is a group assignment. Students will work in groups of four. Your grade will be determined by the overall success of your project and your individual performance. Each student must take primary responsibility for part of the assignment. You must create and save a project using captured ÒdailiesÓ Ð individual takes of a scene from a television drama Ð from a file on the lab video server. Taking care to preserve continuity, creatively edit those takes into a finished scene on your programÕs Òtime lineÓ. When this is done, your project will be viewed and critiqued in the editing lab. Following completion of the assignment, you will have an opportunity to view the scene as it was professionally edited for broadcast.
ASSIGNMENT #4 Ð FINAL
PRODUCTION (35% of Final Grade)
General requirements (minimum):
You must work in a group of four. Exceptions to this rule will be made only in the
event of an uneven number of students in the class or a student withdrawing.
Using principles discussed and illustrated in class, plan, shoot and edit a
video production that adheres to the concepts of classical Hollywood
continuity filmmaking. Your production should include at least
one scene of 8 or more shots that utilizes the technique of Master Shot edited
with cut-ins and cut-aways (like that of your editing assignment). The production must include a minimum
of 30 shots and run approximately three minutes in length. You should demonstrate an understanding
of the concepts of the classical "invisible" Hollywood style. The
production must also have a soundtrack, titles and credits (no more than an additional 10 seconds). This
is an exercise in visual story-telling. If
I canÕt follow your story with the sound turned down, you will loose
points for Ònarrative clarityÓ. You may, if absolutely necessary, have one
line of spoken dialogue. Dialogue will make your production more difficult
to complete and will not add to its success. A narratorÕs voice (non-diegetic) may
be permitted with my pre-approval.
Pre-production requirements:
DEVELOP A CONCEPT. Be original. Your story should not involve drugs or weapons.
WRITE A TREATMENT. Your story must
have a clear beginning, middle and end structure. See http://www.cybercollege.com/treatmen.htm
in the cybertext for examples.
SUBMIT THE TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED CONCEPT AND TREATMENT FOR APPROVAL.
DEVELOP A SHOOTING SCRIPT. Storyboard
shots or scenes as needed. See
http://www.cybercollege.com/dram_flm.htm for an example of a film-style
script.
Production requirements:
The emphasis here is on story and the rules of continuity including:
SCREEN DIRECTION
THE 180 DEGREE RULE
MATCHING EYELINES
MATCHING ACTION
Additionally, every production should make creative use of camera placement, focal length, composition, camera movement and mise-en-scene. Take care with lighting and exposure
Post-production requirements:
Hand your project in on a
clean Mini-DV videotape cued to
the number Ò5Ó on the Academy Leader. The tape must be clearly labeled with the title, class section and every crew memberÕs last name in its plastic case. You must also include a packet with a
completed project cover sheet that
includes the same information plus one self-critique sheet for each member (individually completed) and all
pre-production documents.
Grades in CN-19 will be determined by attendance, class participation, performance on quizzes and successful completion of class projects. Each of these components is weighted as follows:
Quizzes -5 in-class tests based on the interactive tests from the cybertext.:
40% of final grade @ 10% each ( lowest grade dropped Ð this includes ÒzerosÓ for missed quizzes Ð no make-up quizzes given, so itÕs not to your advantage to miss any!)
Final Project assignment (#4):
35% of final grade
Editing assignment (#3):
10% of final grade
Campus Story assignment (#2):
10% of final grade
Storyboard assignment (#1):
5% of final grade
Class Participation (Obviously, you have to show up to participate)
Think of this as Òextra creditÓ given, at the sole discretion of the instructor, to students who have shown evidence of contributions to the quality of the course through their participation in class discussions and group projects. CP credit is not automatic and is negated by excessive absence, lateness or failure to meet deadlines.
You will receive letter grades on projects as follows:
Your final course grade will be
computed as follows:
100 Ð 90 = A 89.9 Ð 85 = B+ 84.9 Ð 80 = B 79.9 Ð 75 = C+
74.9 Ð 70 = C 69.9 Ð 65 = D+ 64.9 Ð 60 = D 59.9 Ð 0 = F
Attendance
Policy: Absence
from class has a negative impact on your Class Participation and final grades. In order to receive credit for this
course, there are a minimum number of classes that you must attend.* Therefore, excessive absence
(more than five scheduled classes), for any reason, will result in failing, or
being dropped from the course. Note that, unless your signature appears on the
attendance roster for any given class you are officially absent from that
class. It is your sole responsibility to sign in for every class and to keep track of absences (and
lateness). Do not ask me to remember that you were present in a previous class
for which you did not sign in or to alter attendance records.
* You are
permitted two ÒcutsÓ without penalty but it is your responsibility to find out
from classmates what went on during your absence. Additional absences will
lower your final grade in the course. If you are absent from more than three
(3) classes, see me immediately.
CN19
PROJECT COVER SHEET
CLASS SECTION: (0602) 2:00______ DATE____________
(0603) 12:30______
(0604) 11:00______
PROJECT (CHECK ONE):
STORYBOARD (#1)____
CAMPUS STORY (#2)____
EDITING (#3)____
FINAL (#4)____
FULL NAMES OF ALL PROJECT MEMBERS:
(FIRST) (LAST)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTORÕS COMMENTS:
This sheet must be
submitted for each project. For projects 1 and 3, this sheet must be stapled to
the top of all required written work.
See syllabus for requirements.
CN19
FINAL PROJECT SELF-CRITIQUE
EACH MEMBER OF THE PROJECT TEAM MUST COMPLETE AN INDIVIDUAL CRITIQUE OF HIS/HER FINAL PROJECT. Individual team members may receive different grades on the same team project based on their contributions to the team effort and on their individual critiques of the project. A PERCEPTIVE CRITIQUE CAN HELP YOUR GRADE, A POOR ONE HURT IT, so it is to your advantage to evaluate your production objectively and honestly.
CLASS SECTION: (0602) 2:00______
(0603) 12:30______
(0604) 11:00______
1. What were your storyÕs strengths and weaknesses? What was the meaning or theme of your piece and was it clear? Did your audience get it? Were they able to follow your story? Was the piece paced well? Did it have a clear beginning, middle and end? If it was meant to be persuasive, was it an effective presentation?
2. What were the technical strengths and weaknesses? Evaluate the cinematography, lighting, sound, continuity, editing, etc. Be specific!
3. Does the piece stand on its own? Are you satisfied? If you could do it over, what would you do differently?