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SYLLABUS American University, School of Communication Previsualization of Film and Video

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SYLLABUS American University, School of Communication Previsualization of Film and Video 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
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