Intermediate Film-Video Art 3358 001 M/W 11-1:50 FA 166 Email: [email protected] Office: FA 161 M/W 10:30-11 and 5:00-5:30 & by Appt. Office Phone: 817 272 2891 (lv msg w/Art Office) Faculty Profile: http://mentis.uta.edu/explore/profile/patricia-newton Description The class will focus on digital video,16mm and 35 mm film production techniques and digital editing. There will be lectures/viewings/workshops on lighting and sound recording, editing (picture & sound) and producing. We will focus on further developing your skills in the art and craft of filmmaking. 16 and 35 Film will be introduced. Several projects (all under 10 minutes) will be completed and one fully developed final project will be produced. Catalog Description INTERMEDIATE FILM/VIDEO 3 hours credit. Continuation of 2358 with emphasis on more advanced concepts, production techniques, film/video history, aesthetics, basic 16mm film production, digital video post production and studio editing. Students will propose, write, produce and edit a number of short, original works. Goals Students will master the skills needed to work with more sophisticated film and video equipment, enabling them to produce higher quality works. Students will also gain a deeper knowledge of digital editing and theoretical approaches to effective storytelling. Attendance Attendance is required to all scheduled classes. However, we do understand that there are occasions when an absence is necessary and excusable. In accordance with university policy religious holidays are excusable, as are an illness with a written note from a physician. The student is responsible for notifying the professor ahead of class if the absence is unavoidable. Unexcused absences over two days, including any absence in which the professor and student do not communicate in writing about before the absence will result in the following grade reductions. Third day absent will result in reduction of one letter for the final semester grade. Fourth day absent will result two letters off the final semester grade. Fifth day absent will result in automatic failure of the class. The student is responsible for any work missed during an absence, including any handouts given in class and any demonstrations. Course Requirements To get a passing grade in the class all students will be required all the following: Produce all finished exercises. Produce one short final project. Make a formal presentation of a scene analysis in class. Turn in all paperwork on time as well as a production packet Write a self-critique and the end of the semester. Mentor an intro student Turn in files with all projects on it. 1 Art 3358 Intermediate Film-Video Syllabus v 1.1 Policy: All written assignments must be typed and stapled along with a cover page containing name, assignment, date, and version, hand– written work will not be accepted. All assignments must be handed in on the due date. Video and computer gear can sometimes fail (especially when you count on them) because of machine and/or operator error. It is important to give yourself some extra time to compensate for problems that may/will occur. Late work will not be accepted. Please speak with instructor, before the project is due, if any problems arise. You are expected to work crew on other student’s projects. At the end of the semester you will turn in files with all of your projects for grading. You will also turn in a production book (pdf files) with all the pre-production materials for each of your projects and a self-critique. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will be able to create and edit audio, and picture as creative elements for storytelling in film and video. 2. Students will be able to perform basic audio procedures, techniques, and standard practices in pre-production, production and postproduction. 3. Students will achieve control of audio and editing so that students’ creative drive is facilitated, not impeded, by technology. 4. Students will develop basic competency using microphones, recording, and in use of NLE/DAW tools s for editing, processing and mixing 5. Students will effectively plan, write, adapt, and execute ‘basic 16 mm film production/ 6. Students will learn how to use a light meter. 7. Students will learn how to shoot an interview. 8. Students will learn how intermediate lighting techniques. 9. Students will achieve technical control of equipment and understanding of the basic properties of sound and picture. 10. Students will become proficient with editing tools, and acquire a deeper aesthetic perspective in the postproduction process. 11. Students will be able to constructively critique other’s production in a workshop environment 12. Students will become better filmmakers. Reading We will continue to use the text from intro to film video ART 2358 The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age, 4th Ed. (Ascher & Pincus) Suggested readings: Sharff, Stefan The Elements of Cinema Rose, Jay Audio Producing Great Sound for Digital Video Fourth Edition Murch, Walter In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing Thompson, Roy Grammar of the Edit (Focal Press, 1993) Koppelman , Charles Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema ) Schwartz, Tony The Responsive Chord Rose, Jay Audio Postproduction for Digital Video Useful Audio Web Links http://www.filmsound.org/ 2 Art 3358 Intermediate Film-Video Syllabus v 1.1 http://freesound.org a place for free sound effects www.soundsnap.com www.archive.org rippletraining.com fcp.com nofilmschool.com Lynda.com Resources: http://archive.org/ (Prelinger section) SoundSnap.com I’ll give you the Login info in class. UTA has an account Just. For. You. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCht8qITGkBvXKsR1Byln-wA There will be required articles to be read throughout the semester. The video world changes rapidly it is imperative to keep up with trade magazines. The following is a list of magazines that should be helpful American Cinematographer Videography DV VideoMaker Student Filmmaker Listserves doculink/ dpa/ dfwfcpusers It is important to belong to media organizations to meet working makers. Some of interests are: (they all have web sites) Video Association of Dallas Dallas Producers Association TAFTP Dallas Film Society Women in Film And of course the SFVO!! Your Work: The student is responsible for all work that they produce, including the use of any Copyrighted material. Also, at some time in the future (after this class) the University/instructor may wish to use some of a student’s work in demonstrations, discussions, etc. If the student does not wish for their work to be used, they should notify the instructor in writing. Expectations for Out-of-Class Study Beyond the time required to attend each class meeting, students enrolled in this course should expect to spend a significant number of hours per week of their own time in course-related activities, including reading required materials, completing assignments, shooting and editing. Work Days On workdays you are free to work on you current projects. During these sessions I will be available either in the classroom to discuss your work. If students are not taking advantage of workdays they will turn into lecture days 3 Art 3358 Intermediate Film-Video Syllabus v 1.1 Materials: Daily Calendar/Notebook for logging Time Management documentation. You will be shooting in HD and 16 or 35 mm film and editing with Final Cut Pro X or DaVinci Resolve 12.5/14 You may need to purchase SD cards or tape for production. You will need a hard drive. (USB 3 firewire or thunderbolt) Each student will need to purchase 100 ft. of 16 or 35mm film, process and transfer it. You will also incur expenses for production such as gas, food, props, and location fees. Grading: Exercises 60% Presentation/scene analysis 10% Final project 20% Paperwork 5% Participation in class/critique 5% A good video consists of: A good idea Followed by many other good ideas; The persistence and tenacity to carry through on the many details of the project; A mastering of the technical knowledge required, and of the tools and equipment you will be using; The ability to communicate with your collaborators insuring you of getting good performances from your actors, subjects, and crew members (if used); Consideration of audience and issues of representation; Conceptual unity and coherence within the piece; A sense of vision and innovation; A properly labeled master file handed in on time, with graphics, titles, and a completed, legally cleared, soundtrack. Some these factors are subjective so it is important to listen and participate in critiques in class. You have until the end of the semester to incorporate the feedback form the critique in the revised finish work. Students are expected to keep track of their performance throughout the semester and seek guidance from available sources (including the instructor) if their performance drops below satisfactory levels. Subject Matter There are no specific limitations on the subject you choose for your project, except that you must be able to achieve it within limitations of your resources (money and time) Issues of Representation Throughout the semester we will be addressing the subject of what it means to represent someone or something in visual and aural terms. There is a political aspect to representation, in that you have a certain amount of power over someone else's image. It follows that as film and video makers we have a certain responsibility that should be exercised in the process. Your projects should demonstrate that you have engaged with this issue. Consideration of Audience Issues concerning the audience will also be a focus of this course.