FILMM NG A I K N I E N V G E P R K O O DU BO CTION HAND April 2010 NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY 100 East 17th Street Tel: 212-674-4300 Email: [email protected] New York, NY 10003 Fax: 212-477-1414 www.nyfa.edu CLASSES Direcotr’s Craft Hands-on Camera and Lighting Director’s Craft serves as the spine of the workshop, Beginning on day one, this is a no-nonsense introducing students to the language and practice camera class in which students learn fundamental of filmmaking. Through a combination of hands- skills in the art of cinematography with the 16mm on exercises, screenings, and demonstrations, Arriflex-S, the Lowel VIP Lighting Kit and its students learn the fundamental directing skills accessories. Students shoot and screen tests for needed to create a succinct and moving film. focus, exposure, lens perspective, film latitude, This class prepares students for each of their slow/fast motion, contrast, and lighting during their film projects and is the venue for screening and first week of class. critiquing their work throughout the course. Production Workshop Writing Production Workshop gives students the The writing portion of the filmmaking course opportunity to learn which techniques will help adheres to the philosophy that good directing them express their ideas most effectively. cannot occur without a well-written script. The This class is designed to demystify the craft of course is designed to build a fundamental filmmaking through in-class exercises shot on understanding of dramatic structure, which is film under the supervision of the instructor. essential to writing an engaging film. Arc, theme, character, tension, and conflict are explored. Sound Design In this class, students learn to incorporate voice- Editing over, sound effects, and music into their final film This class covers the language of editing and the projects. Students will have access to our extensive organization of film and sound material. Films are library of sound effects and sound recording shot on 16mm film and edited digitally with Final equipment. Final films may have multiple tracks Cut Pro on Apple computers. While students of sound. learn how to use the nonlinear editing software, the emphasis is on the craft of editing which challenges students to create cogent sequences that best serve the story. PAGE 2 NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY | 100 E17TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003 | WWW.NYFA.EDU EXERCISE #1 CONTINUITY Shoot a dramatic scene to create a feeling of Do not shoot without thoroughly continuous action. The scene unfolds utilizing pre-planning the following elements: a variety of shots (10-15) with a consistency • Script • Floor Plan of physical detail between shots intended • Location Scouting • Script Breakdown to match (no jumps in time or action). This • Storyboard • Production Schedule will challenge you to produce a clear, visual You will shoot 2 rolls of film then edit and scene while maintaining the truthfulness of screen your film. the moment. It is essential that the audience believe in the reality of the scene. Shooting time allotted: 4 hours Running time: 1 min. - 3 min. Editing time: One 4 hour slot additional slots possible, if needed, by sign up. EXERCISE #2 MONTAGE MUSIC FILM Choose a short selection of music. Plan and A good genre for a musical impression is a shoot this exercise with the music in mind. profile of a person, a place, an abstract, or an Students are encouraged to use montage experimental film. style editing to move the story or idea forward. This film may be simply a film accompanied In addition to storyboards, you may use a by music or a “music video” type piece. You still camera to get a better idea of your film. may use only one song on this project. It can help you in the choice of locations, distances and angles, lighting etc... It is a Montage can be used to great effect in the great supplement to a storyboard. compression of time and to create visual collisions or unexpected continuations Keep in mind you will not be cutting the sound between shots. In the editing room you should track. cut the images to work in concert with or in counterpoint to the music. Shooting time allotted: 5 hours Students should experiment with rhythm and Running time: 2 min. - 4 min. Editing time: One 4 hour slot pacing. Shooting three rolls of film, each student will make a short film of one to three additional slots possible, if needed, by sign up. minutes then edit and screen his or her film. PAGE 3 NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY | 100 E17TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003 | WWW.NYFA.EDU FINAL FILM Write a short script of 3 to 10 pages. You may choose from any genre including but not limited Shooting time allotted: 2 days to: Narrative, Documentary, Episodic, Music Suggested Running time: 3 min. - 7 min. Film, Experimental. Make a shot list, storyboard, and floor plan. REMEMBER, LESS IS OFTEN MORE! The Scout your locations. quality of a film is never determined by the amount of money spent. There is no substitute Cast your film and rehearse the action. It is for creativity, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and advisable to videotape your actors. There is a above all, pre-production. ANY FILM OVER 10 big difference between a live casting call and MINUTES WILL NOT BE SCREENED! In order to seeing your actors on tape. be screened, all films must have: “PRODUCED AT THE NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY” in their Create a production book with tabbed dividers closing credits. including your shooting schedule. You have two full days to shoot your film. Edit for one week. Use up to two tracks of sound incorporating voice over, music, sound effects and/or ambient sound. Screen your rough/fine cut film in final screenings. PAGE 4 NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY | 100 E17TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003 | WWW.NYFA.EDU SAMPLE STUDENT PRODUCTION BUDGET FILM STOCK AND PROCESSING EVENING FILMMAKING WORKSHOP Weeks 1-4 Continuity Film $93.00 Two Rolls Film Stock, Processing, Xfer: Remember to pick-up: • Hard Drive ($155 refundable deposit required.) $155.00 • You will receive your deposit when you return the hard drive. • Your film will be transferred to DVD for each project. Any additional DVD is sold at $1.00. Weeks 5-8 Music Film $139.50 Three Rolls Film Stock, Processing, Xfer: SUBTOTAL WEEKS 1-8: $387.50 ** Weeks 9-12 Pre-production costs are dependent upon the individual Production of Short film $465.00 * to fine cut with two tracks of sound, using black and white reversal film. Five minute film with a 5:1 shooting ratio. 10-100' Rolls Film Stock, Processing, Xfer: TOTAL FILM & PROCESSING BUDGET FOR WORKSHOP: $852.50 ** Students may budget an additional $100 to $600 for expenses they may incur such as props, wardrobe, effects etc. It is the responsibility of the director to provide food and transportation for cast and crew. If you promise your actors DVD copies, you have a moral and legal responsibility to deliver on your obligation. The quality of your films will depend on how well you tell your story, not how much you spend. *For a ten minute film double this cost. **If the New York Film Academy’s guidelines are followed. PAGE 5 NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY | 100 E17TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10003 | WWW.NYFA.EDU.