FOUNDATIONS OF PRODUCTION FIL2423 Instructor: Lisa Peterson Th 12:00PM - 2:50PM NSC 110 Syllabus subject to change at any time

Contacting the Professor Office Hrs: Mondays and Thursday 3-530p or by appointment Office: Comm 177 Phone 407-538-4853 E-Mail: [email protected] GTA [email protected] Website: http://webcourses.ucf.edu through myUCF

Foundations of Production FIL2423 CAH- 3(3,0) PR: Digital Media, Cinema Studies major or C.I. Basic production techniques used in . Students must supply their own video equipment and editing equipment. Any format is acceptable. Fall, Spring.

This is an introductory course covering the broad application of knowledge and skills needed in order to professionally produce a film. The goal is for each student to have a firm grounding in the process of filmmaking culminating in the production of their own short film.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course students will be able to utilize software to properly format a , breakdown and budget a script, schedule a film shoot using industry standard software, use industry standard forms and contracts, hire appropriate crew, audition and cast actors, direct a film, understand basic principles and techniques of , record field audio, edit video, and utilize a production binder to organize the production of a film. UNDERSTAND the fundamentals of storytelling APPLY the tools of the filmmaker ANALYZE the basic elements of visual storytelling EVALUATE the process of filmmaking CREATE your own film

REQUIRED TEXTS: No required texts, readings will be provided by instructor. RECOMMENDED READING: I highly recommend reading 101 by Peters Clarson www.filmcrew101.com

Evaluation Procedures Grade Categories Description of the requirements Weight toward final grade Quizzes on readings There will be in class one-minute essays on the assigned 20% weekly readings, 10 points each. Script You are required to write 10 story ideas and one script 20% that you will shoot for your film assignment. 10 points each. Short film Short film no more than 2 minutes in length that can be 20% screened in class. 100 points and schedule You must complete a script breakdown and schedule of a 10% script TBD in the Scenechronize program. 10 points each. Shot list You must also complete a shot list on the template 10% provided. 10 points FINAL 100 points 20%

SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

Technology Policies Technology Expectations for Use E-mail: I will answer all emails, I check it constantly. It is the best way to reach me. Please DO NOT leave messages on my office phone, it could be days before I get it. My website http://lisacamille.googlepages.com/home The syllabus is posted here, along with other items you may find of interest. The production forms you need for class are also posted on this website under PRODUCTION FORMS. Laptop Usage: Cellphones, pagers, iPods and text messaging devices are forbidden in class. Please turn them off at the start of class and at the start of all lectures and screenings. ABSOLUTELY NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO BE USED DURING THE SCREENINGS. INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT OT REMOVE ANY OFFENDERS FROM THE CLASS OF THIS HAPPENS.

Additional Policies Grading and evaluation Grades will be posted on myUCFGrades

A 100-94 A- 93-90 B+ 89-87 B 86-84 B- 83-80 C+ 79-77 C 76-74 C- 73-70 D+ 69-67 D 66-64 D- 63-60 F 0-59

Late, make-up and There is no late, make-up or extra credit work. The elements listed above make up credit work your grade. A zero grade will be given if you miss a quiz. There are no make-up quizzes. A final exam will be offered during exams week that will cover the entire semester. Academic integrity http://www.admissions.sdes.ucf.edu/about.asp?FirstSub=creed I assume all students will be courteous to me and to their fellow students; will listen attentively at all times; will arrive on time, return from break on time and stay for the entire class. Disregarding these expectations may result in a reduction of your grade.

All dates, assignments and elements in the syllabus are tentative and can be changed at the discretion of the professor.

COME TO CLASS HAVING READ OR COMPLETED... TOPIC 1 Jan 9 First class Review Syllabus

2 Jan 16 Reading: City Lights Scene Script formatting, Celtx

3 Jan 23 Reading: Le Menu Developing Your Idea List of 10 ideas due

4 Jan 30 Reading: BD & Scheduling BD and Scheduling 1st Draft of script due

5 Feb 6 Readings: Avoid Kicking your Producer and Crew Positions Crewing Up

6 Feb 13 Reading: Casting Auditions, Casting, and 2nd Draft of Script Due Directing Actors

7 Feb 20 Readings: Constructing the Scene and Directing: Shot Design, Working Practices and Guidelines Blocking

8 Feb 27 Readings: Vision, Camera, Exposure and Cinematography Basic Lighting Techniques Breakdown and Schedule for provided script due

9 Mar 6 SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK

10 Mar 13 Readings: Set Procedures On-Set Procedures Shot list for your script due

11 Mar 20 Reading: General Practices for Editors Post Production

12 Mar 27 SHOOT CLASS FILM ON STAGE pt 1

13 Apr 3 SHOOT CLASS FILM ON STAGE pt 2

14 Apr 10 READING TBD Job Search, Resume, Freelancing

15 Apr 17 CLASS SCREENING! CLASS SCREENING!

16 Apr 25 FINAL EXAM FINAL EXAM

All dates, assignments and elements in the syllabus are tentative and can be changed at the discretion of the professor.

Assignment Descriptions

(Rubrics for assignments can be found on Webcourses@UCF)

No handwritten assignments will ever be accepted. Printed only.

10 Ideas

Due Date: 10 Ideas due Jan 23 (bring hard copy to class) Come up with at least 10 ideas for a short film that will be 3 minutes or less. You will pick one of these to write for your final film.

These ideas can be snippets of dialogue, scene ideas, musings, interesting situations or characters. They can be good ideas or bad. Even good ideas can come out of bad ones! This assignment is designed to teach you to continuously look at the world with a creative storytelling eye. A convenient way to keep your notes is on a mobile device. My smartphone is always with me so I have a notepad that I quickly jot ideas down as they come to me.

1st Draft Scripts

Due Date: Jan 30 (in class – bring 4 copies)

A screenplay is where you take your idea and flesh it out. In a screenplay you describe where the action takes place, what we see on screen, and what the actors say and do. You and your crew will use it as a blueprint for the film. You are required to write the screenplay in the industry standard format. Feel free to use any application that formats screenplays properly and in the industry format. Your screenplay must be between 2-3 pages.

2nd Draft Scripts

Due Date: Feb 13 (online PDF)

Take your 1st draft and the notes you received and rewrite it or trash it and write another. Your screenplay must be between 2-6 pages. Please note that you CAN change the script after this.

Script Breakdown/One-Liner Schedule

Due Date: Feb 27 (online PDF)

Script breakdown is the process of analyzing your script to determine all of the components out of which it is made. This process helps you create data to analyze during the budgeting and scheduling of your film. After you will schedule the production of your film and turn in what is called a . Use Scenechronize Scheduling for this assignment.

Shot List

Due Date: Mar 13 (online PDF)

Come up with a plan for shooting your film. Shot Lists must use scenes, shot numbers, and standard shot terminology. *ALL scenes must be included. You must use the template provided for the Shot List.

All dates, assignments and elements in the syllabus are tentative and can be changed at the discretion of the professor.