<p> THE ACTION SEQUENCE </p><p>OBJECTIVES (AS OUTLINED ON THE SYLLABUS) 1. Describe a short film concept as an effective oral presentation (pitch) 2. Plan and produce a highly organized production in the field (storyboard, graph, shot list, location scouting, tech scouting) 3. Apply a high level of technical and aesthetic video production skills to a fiction action sequence 4. Identify and apply key concepts related to short fiction structure, sequencing, and continuity editing</p><p>Three-Act Structure Twentieth Century Fox Act I: The Set-Up Introduce your character and place her/him in a situation (the inciting incident). Conceptual It is critical that the audience not only understand the goal of each character, but also that the audience chooses sides. The audience must become emotionally involved with one of the characters. What is revealed about the main character’s personality, temperament, history, and/or predicament? Formal This can be achieved through motivated POVs and eyeline matches, CUs, reaction shots, and cutaways. Carefully consider how you introduce your main character. </p><p>Act II: The Conflict Challenge the character (obstacles – at least two are required) Conceptual The goals should be presented as a clash, opposing each other with two main obstacles within the sequence. The audience must be at the edge of physical survival with the character; if it is not, the action sequence fails in its strength: excitation, deep involvement, and catharsis. What is revealed about how the main character responds to the obstacles? Is the character’s growth defined by his/her steadfastness or does her/his attitude, perspective, or knowledge begin to shift? Formal The central feature of an action sequence is the crosscutting between characters. Accelerated movement – running, riding, skating, or other form of fast movement. Pacing of shots is varied (longer shots in the contrasting environment, more frequent cuts in the congested location, etc.) Intensity builds as the characters fight for survival or victory. Act III: The Resolution – Resolve the challenge or end in surprise. Conceptual The audience should not be confused about the goals or where things stand throughout the sequence. Remember that confusion is not the same thing as surprise. What is revealed about how the main character’s personality, temperament, history, and/or predicament have been affected, changed, or vindicated? Formal This can be achieved through motivated POVs and eyeline matches, CUs, reaction shots, and cutaways. Carefully consider how you resolve your main character and the story. PARAMETERS</p><p>• EACH PERSON in the group will create an edited version of the action sequence. The individual edits should not include highly developed soundtracks, but the Sound Designer in the group should focus more on sound than image. Your group members will view the edits in class and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each edit. You will then choose ONE that works as the baseline edit and then incorporate the strengths of others’ edits, finishing with a refined and layered soundtrack.</p><p>• No use of weapons in this sequence. (Trust in the life experiences that you’re familiar with. You can exploit them for dramatic purposes.)</p><p>• Pre-produce a detailed, well-designed pitch, shot list, storyboard, intensity graph, scouting report, and location agreements, if necessary.</p><p>• 3-5 minutes in length</p><p>• Titles and credits must be complete</p><p>• Final edit will be exported as .mov and transferred to my hard drive at the beginning of class.</p><p>SOUND REQUIREMENTS  The final soundtrack must include diegetic and non-diegetic sound.  Must include copyright-free and credited music.  Limited dialogue – A line or two at the beginning and/or end is permitted, but do not include an extensive, ongoing dialogue or monologue. </p><p>INDIVIDUAL EDITS Individual edits will be reviewed in class and can remain in Premiere (no need to export to .mov for my purposes.) Your group can decide the best method for sharing individual edits.</p><p>GRADING RUBRIC Available on Blackboard</p>