Advanced Cinematography TFM #522 Fall 2015

LOCATION: Com 108

TIME: Wednesday 7pm

OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment

INSTRUCTOR: Rich Underwood Email: [email protected] Telephone 619-602-2719

COURSE'DESCRIPTION:''

This'Advanced'Course'in'Cinematography'builds'on'the'fundamentals'of' Intermediate'Cinematography.'The'course'is'designed'for'the'student'who'is'looking' to'make'a'career'out'of'camerawork'and/or'gain'an'advanced'level'of' understanding'to'the'art,'craft'and'industry'of'cinematography.''

Advanced'cinematography'is'about'telling'visual'stories'with'the'mediums'of'video' and'film,'the'attributes'and'optics'of'lenses'and'the'quality'of'lighting.'The'top' cinematographer’s'refer'to'themselves'as'“Storytellers”'first.'It'is'from'that'point'of' view'that'the'craft'of'cinematography'is'explored'in'this'class.''

Each'student'will'create'two'(2)'stories'(projects)'that'illustrate'an'understanding' of'advancing'and'telling'a'story'with'the'highest'standards'required'for'work'in' today’s'film/video'market.'Each'project'can'not'exceed'3'minutes'in'length'and'may' be'a'short'as':30'seconds.'At'least'one'of'the'projects'needs'to'be'shot'on'film.'The' student'will'be'creating'projects'that'can'stand'alone'and'represent'the'work'of'the' cinematographer'as'a'storyteller.''

The'course'will'help'students'create'a'marketable'compilation'of'their'work'and'be' able'to'discuss'personal'approaches'to'their'projects.'Upon'completion'of'this'class' students'will'have'a'demo'reel'consisting'of'a'minimum'of'2'films'at'a'maximum'of'6' minutes'(combined)'in'length.'Students'will'have'created'an'Artist'Statement,' Resume'and'Play'List'with'Log'Lines'to'accompany'their'reel.'Everything'needed'to' present'the'work'of'a'professional'Cinematographer.'' Grading:'

Beauty'Vimeo'Presentation' ' 10%' Campfire'Story' ' ' 10%' 1st'Project'(Beauty)' ' ' 20%' Narrative'Vimeo'Presentation' 10%' 2nd'Project'(Narrative)' ' 20%' Final'Presentation' ' ' 10%' Collaboration'' ' ' 20%'

A'10%'Reduction'in'grade'will'apply'for'every'day'a'project'is'late.''

All'written'work'MUST'be'typed''

Texts'&'Materials:'

Recommended:'' Cinematography,'Blain'Brown' ' ' ' ' Lighting'for'Cinematography,'David'Landau'

Highly'Recommended'for'career'Cinematographers'and'Directors:''

American'Cinematographer'Manual' ASC'Reflections:'Twenty^One'Cinematographers'at'Work,'Benjamin' Bergery'' Masters'of'Light,'Schaefer/Salvato'' Cinematography'Screencraft,'Peter'Ettedgui'Lightmeter''

Websites'to'save:'' http://www.theasc.com'' '' ' ' http://www.kodak.com''

Subscription:'American'Cinematographer'Magazine''

Forms'http://theatre.sdsu.edu/html/TFMforms.html''

Note:'Additionally,'each'student'is'required'to'attend'at'least'two'SDSU'plays'this' semester'(tickets'can'be'purchased'online'at'http://theatre.sdsu.edu).'Signed'ticket' stubs'or'receipts'for'each'student'should'saved'as'proof'of'attendance.''

' ' Course)Outline)'

Week)1,' Aug'26''

Introductions)and)Course)Overview.'Discuss'projects'due'for'this'class''

Assignment:'Write'a'2^3'page'campfire'story.'Then'write'a'3'^5'paragraph' statement'about'how'you'would'shoot'it'to'advance'the'story.'Tell'the'story' in'visual'terms.'Bring'both'copies'to'the'2nd'class.''

Assignment:'Beauty'Vimeo'Presentation'–'Due'Week'3''

Research'and'create'a'compilation'of'what'you'believe'are'great'examples'of' beautiful'cinematography.'All'scenes'must'us'artificial'lighting.'' ' The'Vimeo'Link'must'be'up'the'night'before'class.'' Format:' '' Slate'#'1'This'presentation'is'intended'for'educational'use'only.''

Slate'#2''Slates'that'go'before'each'scene:'' 'Example:'Scene'from'Easy'Rider'1969''

Week)2,'' Sept'2'

Telling)Visual)Stories.'Meet'at'beach'fire'pit'and'be'prepared'to'tell'your' story.'Bring'note'pads'for'a'discussion'on'what'visual'beauty'is'and'how'we' portray'it.'Counting'time'by'fingers'on'the'horizon.'Start'thinking'like'a' Cinematographer.''

Week)3,'' Sept'9'

View)Artists)Power)Point)Presentation.)) ) View)Beauty)Vimeo)Presentations,'' Assignment:)Beauty)Project.'Due'Week'9,'Oct'21st'/'Must'include' completed'Cinematography'Rubric' '' Log'Lines'for'first'project'Due'Week'4,'Sept'16th'

Beauty'Project'

Must'have'lighting'–'DO'NOT'go'to'the'beach'and'shoot'a'pretty'day.'' Bring'in'artists'reference'for'pitching'log'line'next'week.'Use'dialog'if' necessary.'Be'a'storyteller.'Make'the'story'complete.'Beginning'middle'and' end.'''

Week)4,' Sept'16th'

Review)Log)Line)and)Artist)Reference)for)Beauty)Project' ' Art)and)Lighting)Workshop.' 'Recreate'an'image'from'one'of'the'student’s'reference'images.''

Week)5,' Sept'23rd'

Panavision'/'ASC'^'Independent'Learning'Activity'Off'Campus'or' Independent'Study'(subject'to'confirmation)''

There'are'2'options'to'learn'about'these'2'American'cinematic'industry' leaders'Option'A'–'Independent'Study:''

Panavision.^'Write'a'paper'of'no'less'than'3'pages'about'a'Panavision' innovation'that'has'changed'the'method'of'filmmaking'and'bring'to'class'a''

short'clip'on'DVD'to'illustrate'your'findings''

The'American'Society'of'Cinematographers'–'Write'a'paper'of'no'less'than'3' pages'about'a'new'member'and'their'road'to'inclusion'in'the'organization.''

Include'past'achievements,'heroes,'mentors'and'what'the'member'has' gained'from'the'organization.''

Both'papers'are'due'within'2'weeks'Option'B'–'Off'Campus:'Panavision'is'the' only'American'motion'picture'camera'and'lens'manufacturing'company.' They'are'a'leader'in'the'industry'and'have'graciously'set'time'aside'to'take' any'student'on'a'tour'of'their'facility'and'a'lecture'on'their'history,'business' practices,'innovations'and'plans'for'the'future.''

The'American'Society'of'Cinematographers'organization'hosts'a'round'table' discussion'with'top'ASC'cinematographers'to'answer'student'questions'and''

offer'advice'on'the'industry.'There'are'usually'almost'as'many'panel' members'as'there'are'students'–'so'a'variety'of'opinions'and'a'unique' personal'interaction'can'be'had'by'all'those'who'attend.'' ASC'membership'is'by'invitation,'based'on'an'individual’s'body'of'work.' Currently,'the'membership'roster'comprises'302'cinematographers'who'hail' from'about'20'different'countries.'The'ASC'also'has'more'than'150'associate' members;'these'individuals'work'in'ancillary'sectors'of'the'industry'and'are' invited'to'join'because'of'their'contributions'to'the'art'and'craft'of'motion' pictures.''

In'addition'to'its'focus'on'education,'the'ASC'is'actively'involved'in'the' development'of'motion^picture'technologies'and'also'works'to'promote'a' better'understanding'of'the'cinematographer’s'contributions'to'the' filmmaking'process.''

Location'Notes:''

Panavision'6219'De'Soto'Ave'Woodland'Hills,'CA'91367^2602'818^316^1000''

American'Society'of'Cinematographers'1782'N.'Orange'Dr.'Hollywod,'CA' 90028''

I'have'been'to'both'of'these'sites'and'they'meet'all'State'of'California'Access' Guidelines.'The'Department'of'Safety'Emergency'Contact'number'is'619^ 594^1911.'An'attendance'Roster'will'be'taken'and'those'students'who'do'not' attend'will'be'expected'to'complete'the'Option'A'written'assignment.''

+++'no'open'toed'shoes'+++''

Week)6,' Sept''30th' ' ' TBD'–'Max'Steinberg'

Week)7,'' Oct''7th'

' TBD)–)Phantom)Workshop)

Week)8,' Oct'14th'

View)Beauty)Project.' '' Assignment:'Narrative)Project:'Due'Week'14'Dec'9th''/'Must'include' completed'Cinematography'Rubric' '' ' Log'Line'and'Ideas:'Due'Week'9'Oct'21st.)' ' Assignment:'Narrative)Vimeo)Presentation'–'Due'Week'9,'Oct,'21st''' Research'and'create'a'compilation'of'what'you'believe'are'great'examples'of' narrative'cinematography.'Or,'think'of'this'as'the'Anti^beauty' cinematography'project.''All'scenes'must'us'artificial'lighting.'' ' The'Vimeo'Link'must'be'up'the'night'before'class.'' Format:' '' Slate'#'1'This'presentation'is'intended'for'educational'use'only.''

Slate'#2''Slates'that'go'before'each'scene:'' 'Example:'Scene'from'Easy'Rider'1969''

Week)9,' Oct'21st' '' ' '' View)Narrative)Presentations''

Week)10,' Oct'28th''

' Narrative)Lighting)Workshop'' ' Recreate'an'image'from'one'of'the'student’s'reference'images.'

Week)11,' Nov'4th'''

' TBD)–)Documentary)Cinematography,)Gabrielle)Paciorek)

Week)12,)) Nov'18th)) ) ) TBD)–)Timelapse)FX)–)Ross)Ching)

Week)13,'' Dec'2nd''

' TBD)–)Corporate)Helicopters)–)Aerial)Photography)

Corporate'Helicopters'Ivor'Shier'A'division'of'Shier'Aviation'3753'John'J.' Montgomery'Dr.'Suite'2'' San'Diego,'CA'92123''

(800)'345^6737'Toll^free'(858)'505^5650'Local'(858)'874^3038'Fax' [email protected]'' Week)14,' Dec'9th''

View)Narrative)Project) Submit'Cinematography'Demo'Reel'through'Vimeo'by'Dec'16th')

Week)15,' Dec'16th'' ' ' All'Materials'Due''

Assignments:)) Beauty'Vimeo'Presentation' ' 10%' Campfire'Story' ' ' 10%' 1st'Project'(Beauty)' ' ' 20%' Narrative'Vimeo'Presentation' 10%' 2nd'Project'(Narrative)' ' 20%' Final'Presentation' ' ' 10%' Collaboration'' ' ' 20%'

Advanced)Cinematography)TFM)#522)Assignments)&)Proficiencies)'

1.))Assignment)1)–)Beauty)Vimeo)Presentation)______)'

2.))Assignment)2)–)Campfire)Story)______)'

3.))Assignment)3)–)1st)Project)(Beauty)))______)'

Beautiful)Film)'

Create'a'short'film'about'what'you'think'beauty'is.'Use'this'to'show'that'you'can' CREATE'a'beautiful'interpretation'of'a'story.'Reference'and'recreate'the'image'or' style'of'a'master'painter'in'at'least'one'pivotal'scene.'Use'artists'from'class'cd^rom/' powerpoint'presentation'or'find'something'new.' http://www.filmspot.tv/Class/artists.pps'Must'have'lighting'–'DO'NOT'go'to'the' beach'and'shoot'a'pretty'day'Bring'in'artists'reference'for'pitching'log'line.'Use' dialog'if'necessary.'Be'a'storyteller.'Make'the'story'complete.'Beginning'middle'and' end.'''

4.))Assignment)4)–)Narrative)Vimeo)Presentation)______))

5.))Assignment)5)–)2nd)Project)(Narrative))______'

Narrative)Film)'

Create'a'narrative'project'that'has'a'strong'visual'theme.'This'is'the'Anti^Beauty' project'Describe'how'you'will'use'color,'lighting,'film'stock'and'camera'technique'to' advance'your'story'in'a'written'outline.'Make'sure'the'lighting'is'an'integral'part'of' the'story.'It'can'move'to'help'illustrate'Must'be'a'complete'story.'Extra'credit'will'be' given'for'an'UNEXPECTED'twist.'Make'this'project'fun'to'watch.'''

6.))Assignment)6)–)Final)Demo)Reel)______)) ' WAIVER'AND'RELEASE'SAN'DIEGO'STATE'UNIVERSITY''

I'acknowledge'that'I'intend'to'participate'in'San'Diego'State'University’s'(SDSU)' Television,'Film'and'New'Media'Production'on'a'volunteer'basis'in'order'to'further' my'knowledge,'and'practice'my'craft.'In'exchange'for'this'opportunity,'I'agree'to' indemnify,'defend'and'hold'harmless'SDSU,'the'State'of'California,'the'Trustees'of' the'California'State'University'and'Colleges'and'its'officers,'employees'and'agents' against'all'claims,'demands,'suits,'judgments,'expenses'and'costs'of'any'kind'on' account'of'any'injury'to'me'or'on'account'of'my'death'or'loss'of'or'damage'to' property'or'other'persons'arising'from'the'activities'I'engage'in'as'part'of'the'SDSU' Telecommunications'and'Film'program.''

I'understand'that'I'will'receive'no'compensation'or'benefits'and'that'I'am'not'an' employee'or'agent'of'SDSU,'and'am'not'covered'by'SDSU's'Workers''Compensation' or'any'other'of'their'insurance'programs.''

Name'of'Student'Producer'______'Name'of'Participant' ______''

Signature'of'Participant'______'Signature'of'Parent'(If' participant'is'under'18'yrs.)''

Address'______'Date'______''

Name:&______&Assignment:&______&

Cinematography&Rubric& Notes& Points&out&of&10& Concept Does%the%concept%support%visual%storytelling?%Is% it%interesting%and%worth%shooting?

Motion Does%the%camera%motion%or%stillness%convey%the% energy%of%each%shot?

Composition Is%each%shot%composed%in%a%way%that%enhances% storytelling%and%visual%interest?

Lens&Angle&and&Optical&Properties Does%the%lens%angle%of%view%and%optical% properties%support%the%meaning%of%each%shot% and%add%visual%interest?

Depth&of&Field Does%the%depth%of%field%support%the%meaning%in% each%shot?

Frame&Rate&/&Shutter&Speed Was%the%frame%rate%and%shutter%speed/angle% appropriate%for%all%shots?

Production&Design&/&Location Was%the%cinematographer%shooting%something% special?

Performance Did%the%cinematic%choices%support%the%actor's% performances?

Shoot&for&the&Editor Does%the%content%cut?%Was%she%scene%blocked% properly?

Focus&and&Clarilty Are%the%eyes%sharp?%%Is%the%lens%clean?

Total&points&earned:%______/100% Name:&______&Assignment:&______& Page%#2

Lighting&Rubric& Notes& Points&out&of&10& Direction Do%the%angles%of%the%lights%work%in%relationship% to%the%camera?%Do%they%match%motivation,%are% the%shadows%placed?%

Texture Is%the%texture%diffused,%hard,%or%a%mixture?%Does% the%light%flatter%subjects’%faces?%Does%the%texture% match%motivation?%

Color Do%the%colors%“make%sense”?%Do%they%add%to%the% image?%Do%they%match%the%motivation?%

Ratios Do%the%key%to%fill;%subject%to%background;%and% subject%to%subject%ratios%work?%

Emotion&/&Mood What%mood%does%the%lighting%support?%What% emotion(s)%does%the%lighting%convey?%

Modeling&/&Separation Does%the%lighting%add%dimension,%provide% separation%from%background,%and%illuminate%all% three%plains%of%lighting?%

Illusion&of&Reality What%is%the%motivationO%is%it%apparent?%Does%it% look%“real”%or%“believable”?%

Exposure&/Intensity Is%it%“watchable”?%Is%the%choice%of%exposure% acceptable%to%the%viewer?%

Selective&Focus Does%the%lighting%help%focus%viewer%attention%to% subject,%object,%etc.?%

Pictorial&Beauty Does%the%lighting%add%to%the%artistic%visual% design;%is%the%light%sculpted?%Is%it%Interactive?

Total&points&earned:%______/100% Name:&______&Assignment:&______&