SYLLABUS

American University, School of Communication Previsualization of Film and Video – COMM-570-E01 Distance Learning, Summer Session 2016

Welcome! Your participation in this asynchronous online class means that you will be learning in new and exciting ways and joining a growing number of students exploring this method of education at American University.

Instructor: Alexandria Katis Email: [email protected] SkypeName: alexkatis Class dates: May 9 – June 23, 2016 Course Access: https://blackboard.american.edu Need to talk to the professor one-on-one? Email Prof to schedule Skype session during a preferred time slot within these virtual office hours: Mon – Fri (EDT) 9:00-10:00am, 10:00-11:00am, or 3:00-4:00pm Wed & Fri (EDT) 9:00-10:00pm or 10:00-11:00pm Questions about the course? Post your questions on Blackboard in the Discussion Forum “Course Questions & Answers.”

CLASS DATES AND TIMES

Students can access this asynchronous online course using American University’s Blackboard (BB) from May 9 – June 23, 2016. Following a series of six (6) sequential and dated LEARNING MODULES, each student will navigate through the coursework independently and according to one’s own schedule but within a framework of assigned deadlines. With professor’s guidance, each student will design and implement a SELF-DESIGNED LEARNING PLAN to either develop illustration skills for storyboarding OR develop digital storyboarding skills. Students will also propose and execute a meaningful and relevant FINAL PROJECT.

It is recommended that before the end of the second week of the course (May 22), each student schedule a one-on-one skype session with the professor to discuss progress with the Self-Directed Learning Plan and ideas for the Final Project. Email the professor through Blackboard and suggest your available day/time slot according to professor’s virtual office hours: Mon – Fri (EDT) 9:00-10:00am, 10:00-11:00am, or 3:00-4:00pm Wed & Fri (EDT) 9:00-10:00pm or 10:00-11:00pm

Since most of the students in this course are residing in the Eastern Daylight Savings Time Zone, ALL DATES/TIMES/DEADLINES for this course are listed in EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). If you are taking this course outside of EDT, be sure to note the time difference regarding deadlines. If you’re living outside of EDT, you can always find out what time it is in EDT @ http://www.timeanddate.com/time/zones/edt

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

For creation to be possible people must learn how to see what others do not. Dewitt Jones, photographer

Modern previsualization techniques are being used to design innovative content for feature films, commercials, videogames, and themed attractions all around the world. This course introduces students to previs techniques including storyboards and software applications that allow students to test concepts as they take the visual story from script to production, including set design, blocking camera and talent action, and all aspects of directing. Students who take this course generally have some familiarity with film and media arts terminology but do not necessarily have (nor are they required to have) art or design skills.

This course will focus on:

• Elements of the visual image that are unique to the language of film • Identifying and representing key story points visually • Aesthetic approaches to visual storytelling • A range of visualization and communication techniques and methods • Self-guided learning according to individual student needs and goals

COURSE GOALS

Students will learn how to depict a story visually using a storyboarding technique of their own choosing. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of the following:

• The process of developing a visual concept and its important place in production process • How to communicate a visual story using a chosen storyboarding technique • Storyboard tools and templates according to chosen technique • How to develop a clear strategy for selecting and prioritizing key story beats/frames • Solid skills in perspective, frame design, and camera angles • Converting shot lists to storyboards • How to convey motion and action using a series of still images

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

REQUIRED TEXTS

(1) Begleiter, Marcie. From Word to Image: Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process. 2nd Ed. Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 2010. http://www.marciebegleiter.com/#!events--workshops/cg5v http://shop.mwp.com/products/from-word-to-image-storyboarding-and-the-filmmaking-process *You’ll read this book cover to cover. This is the best book out there.

(2) Block, Bruce. The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media. 2nd Ed. Burlington: Focal Press, 2007. http://www.bruceblock.com/ http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240807799/

(3) Katz, Steven. Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing From Concept to Screen. Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 1991. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780941188104/ http://shop.mwp.com/products/film-directing-shot-by-shot-visualizing-from-concept-to-screen

(4) Phillips, Benjamin Reid and David Harland Rousseau. Storyboarding Essentials: SCAD Creative Essentials (How to Translate Your Story to the Screen for Film, TV and Other Media). New York: Watson-Guptill, 2013. http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/220555/storyboarding-essentials-by-david- harland-rousseau-and-benjamin-reid-phillips/

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL TEXTS (not required):

(1) Bellantoni, Patti. If It’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die: The Power of Color in Visual Storytelling. Burlington: Focal Press, 2005. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240806884/

(2) Bowen, Christopher J and Roy Thompson. Grammar of the Shot (3rd Edition). Burlington: Focal Press, 2013. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240526010/

(3) Canemaker, John. Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards. New York: Hyperion, 1999.

(4) Edwards, Betty. The New Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain. New York: Penguin, 1999. http://www.learn-to-draw-right.com/betty-edwards.html http://www.learn-to-draw-right.com/drawing_books.html#drsb http://www.penguin.com/book/drawing-on-the-right-side-of-the-brain-by-betty- edwards/9781101561805

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

(5) Edwards, Betty. The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook. New York: Penguin, 2002. http://www.learn-to-draw-right.com/drawing_books.html#drsbwkbk http://www.penguin.com/static/pages/features/amplified_editions/drawing_on_the_right_side_of _the_brain.php

(6) Glebas, Francis. Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling & Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation. Burlington: Focal Press, 2009. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240810768/

(7) Hart, John. The Art of the Storyboard: Storyboarding for Film, TV, and Animation. 3rd Ed. Burlington: Focal Press, 2007. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240809601/

(8) Simon, Mark. Storyboards: Motion in Art. 3rd Ed. Burlington: Focal Press, 2006. http://www.focalpress.com/books/details/9780240808055/

(9) Szarkowski, John. The Photographer’s Eye. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 2007. http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_The-Photographers-Eye- %28PB%29_10451_10001_28259_-1_26683_11486

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY/SOFTWARE

Storyboards can be created using a variety of tools -- low-tech or high-tech or a combination of both. Storyboards can be hand-drawn, digitally drawn or a combination of both. Storyboards can be created by layering digital photographs and sketches or by utilizing pre-made digital images of locations & characters. In choosing your most effective storyboarding tool(s), consider both your available resources, your ability to learn and use those resources and the quality of visual design that your tools are able to produce. Who will be reviewing this storyboard? Is your project for the corporate world or is it an experimental film? Is your project a PSA or a dramatic film? In this class (and in the professional world) the success of your storyboard will be determined by BOTH how effectively your storyboard communicates your visual ideas AND the polish and professional quality of the presentation.

In addition to American University’s technical requirements for Online Learning http://www.american.edu/onlinelearning/tech.cfm, students in this course must be able to access & utilize the following technology & equipment for the duration of the 7-week schedule.

(1) Digital flatbed scanner (2) Digital camera (3) Digital image editing software (Photoshop recommended) (4) Microphone (built-in OK) (5) Audacity 2.1.2 http://www.audacityteam.org/download/

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

(6) CHOOSE ONE type of storyboarding method (A or B) to use during this course: (A) Hand-drawn storyboard: This option will (of course) require pencils, erasers & paper. It’s not as hard as you might imagine! Check out these approaches to a variety of online storyboarding tutorials from the experts: https://youtu.be/ux_Em1lVsjI http://www.youtube.com/user/StoryboardSecrets/videos?view=0 http://youtu.be/i6sOCsWpxPI https://youtu.be/MvdJq7RrSR0 http://drawniversity.blogspot.com

(B) Digital Storyboarding: This option will require you to browse, review, choose, possibly purchase & download the type of storyboarding software that best suites your needs. New to digital drawing? Check out some of the youtube videos listed below:

Examples of Storyboarding Software Toon Boom Storyboard Pro (30-day Free Trial Offered, Monthly Subscriptions available) https://www.toonboom.com/products/storyboard-pro How to Create a Basic Drawing in Storyboard Pro: https://youtu.be/P6-D86UmDiE Power Production Storyboard Quick (Video Demo Offered) http://www.powerproduction.com/storyboard-quick-software.html Power Production Storyboard Artist (Video Demo Offered) http://www.powerproduction.com/storyboard-artist.html Frame Forge Pre-Viz Studio (Demo Offered, Student Discounts Offered) http://www.frameforge3d.com/Purchase/Academic/ Springboard (only for Windows) http://www.6sys.com Storyboard That (free) https://www.storyboardthat.com Amazon Storyteller (free) http://studios.amazon.com/storyteller

Examples of Digital Drawing Programs Bamboo Paper http://bamboopaper.wacom.com Sketchbook Express

Before deciding to purchase storyboarding software....do your research! Watch demos, find and read/watch reviews, understand the limitations of the program. What kind of support does the company offer? What kinds of tutorials are available for you to learn the software? Have users created youtube videos that can help you to learn the program? Is the program going to allow you the level of artistic freedom you need to realize your storyboard?

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS & DEADLINES

Each student is required to complete 6 LEARNING MODULES that begin and end on specific dates, propose and execute a 5-Week SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PLAN and complete a FINAL PROJECT.

Each LEARNING MODULE contains a lecture, the required readings and instructions for a practical assignment. Practical assignments include: My First Storyboard, Key Story Beats, Shot List/Overhead Diagram, Movement, Composition/Perspective, Mood Board. Module details will become available on Blackboard by each start date. The deadline for each module’s practical assignment is 23:59 EDT on the module’s end date.

Learning Modules Start Date/End Date: Module 1 – Mon, May 9 – Sun, May 15 Module 2 – Mon, May 16 – Sun, May 22 Module 3 – Mon, May 23 – Sun, May 29 Module 4 – Mon, May 30 – Sun, June 5 Module 5 – Mon, June 6 – Sun, June 12 Module 6 – Mon, June 13 – Sun, June 19

A SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PLAN is required of each student (with professor guidance) to reflect the development and progress of an individualized learning plan to acquire knowledge/skills of specific digital storyboarding software OR to improve existing illustration skills. Step-by-step instructions about the proposal and progress reports will be available on Blackboard. Examples of Self-Directed Learning Plans will also be provided on Blackboard. The deadlines for the proposal and progress reports are 23:59 EDT on the following dates:

Proposal: Sun, May 15 or earlier Progress Report 1: Sun, May 22 Progress Report 2: Sun, May 29 Progress Report 3: Sun, June 5 Progress Report 4: Sun, June 12 Progress Report 5: Sun, June 19

A meaningful and relevant FINAL PROJECT must be proposed and carried out by each student based on individual academic, artistic & professional interests and goals. It should reflect significance experience of discovery and growth in the area of visual storytelling and should provide a valuable addition to the student’s visual or critical portfolio.

The FINAL PROJECT must fulfill the following criteria: (1) The project reflects knowledge and/or skills developed through course readings, practical assignments and/or the student’s self-directed learning plan. (2) The project is rooted in the student’s own academic, artistic or professional interests and goals. (3) The project reflects significant experience and growth in the area of visual storytelling. (4) The project provides a valuable addition to the student’s visual or critical portfolio. (5) The Final Project Proposal must be approved by the professor.

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Some possibilities for Final Projects: (1) Storyboard key beats of a scripted animated, documentary or narrative feature film (2) Storyboard one scene of a finished script (3) Create concept drawings and boards for an advertising campaign (4) Storyboard a visual effects sequence (5) Research and write a 5-page paper on an aspect of visual storytelling (6) Conduct a research study about storyboarding for documentary. Present a synopsis of the outcome. (7) Select a genre or filmmaker. Compare the visual storytelling techniques and strategies across 5 films.

The deadlines for the Final Project Proposal and Final Project are 23:59 EDT on the following dates:

Final Project Proposal: Wed, May 25 (proposal is subject to professor approval) Final Project: Thursday, June 23

GRADING

Each student’s final grade will be based on:

6 Practical Assignments (10% each, 60% of final grade) Self-Designed Learning Plan (15% of final grade) Final Project (25% of final grade)

Students will receive numerical grades for each assignment, all aspects of the self-designed learning plan and the final project as translated in this chart. Students will receive GRADE REPORTS by email that contain the grade received for specific assignment or requirement along with professor feedback and suggestions for improvement.

A+ 97 - 100 A 94 - 96 A- 90 - 93 B+ 87 - 89 B 84 - 86 B- 80 - 83 C+ 77 - 79 C 74 - 76 C- 70 - 73 D+ 67 – 69 D 64 – 66 D- 60 - 63 F 59 or less

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

FAQ ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING at AU http://www.american.edu/onlinelearning/faq.cfm

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE

All students are required to follow the standards of academic conduct outlined in American University’s Academic Integrity Code. Should a violation occur, the student will receive a failing grade for the course and disciplinary action may be taken. Please consult with the Professor if you have questions about the standards of the Academic Code. You can also review the Code online: http://www1.american.edu/academics/integrity/code.htm Or to test your knowledge, take the Quiz on the Academic Integrity Code: http://www1.american.edu/academics/integrity/question1.htm

DUE TO THE ACCELERATED NATURE OF THIS COURSE NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.