UCLA School of Film, Television and Digital Media FTV 183a. Producing 1: Film and Television Development

Transcription

1 UCLA School of Film, Television and Digital Media FTV 183a. Producing 1: Film and Television Development Instructor: Alex Franklin Title: Lecturer in Film and Television Daytime Office Number: Teaching Assistant : ftv183a@gmail.com Course Website: Class Meetings: Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30pm 9:50pm Location: Public Affairs Room 2333 Updated : 05/13/15 COURSE DESCRIPTION In today s entertainment industry, aspiring Producers, Executives and Filmmakers need to have an in depth understanding of the business issues that influence creative decisions. In particular, it is important to understand why certain movies and television shows ultimately get made and why others do not. Each week during the course, we will focus on different areas of the entertainment industry and students will learn about the business issues involved in creative development. We will also learn how industry wide changes such as globalization and advancing technology are influencing studios, networks, producers and filmmakers and in turn affecting the job market. In particular, we will focus on the important issues that students need to consider as they look for jobs and try to start their careers. 1. Course Requirements Course work consists of attending and participating in weekly class meetings, completing homework assignments, completing a midterm paper, and a final paper. Assignments and papers are due at the date and time specified below or in class. Late submission of assignments will impact your grade negatively. Attendance is required of all students in all class sessions. Unexcused absences and more than one excused absence will impact your grade negatively.

2 2. Homework Assignments and Class Discussions Homework Assignments will include: reading scripts, writing standard studio script coverage, viewing trailers and promos for upcoming films and television series. Class Discussions: We will discuss the business decisions involved in Development, We will evaluate new scripts and discuss whether they have the potential to become successful movies or television shows, and we will evaluate creative decisions made on upcoming Hollywood movies and television shows. Students are expected to participate in class discussions about the homework assignments and important industry topics. The ability to express an opinion intelligently and efficiently is the most important currency that young people in this industry have, and an important goal is for everyone to come out of the course with an improved ability to express their opinion in a sometimes adversarial environment. 3. Midterm Paper For the midterm, students will write a research paper on a topic to be discussed. The paper is due on Sunday, July 19th. 4. Final Paper For the final paper, students are assigned to choose a TV program that will premiere on network television this Fall. it must be a brand new scripted program on one of the major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, The CW). The final paper will be an analysis of the major creative and business decisions made by producers and network executives on your show and how those choices might impact/have impacted the show s success or failure. The final paper is due on Sunday, August 2nd. 5. Recommended Reading Students are encouraged to read Deadline, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Indiewire Playlist on a daily basis. 6. Grading 20% Attendance 20% Participation in Class 30% Midterm Paper 30% Final Paper

3 UCLA School of Film, Television and Digital Media FTV 183a. Producing 1: Film and Television Development Introduction Career Questions Overview of the Course The Real Business of Studios The Real Business of Networks The Importance of Development The Importance of Opinions Script Coverage Internship Advice Industry Information LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS Introduction and Overview June 22, 2015 Standard studio coverage on a script that will be distributed after class. The coverage must be turned in before the start of the following class. Overview of Studio Development New Material and the Spec Market The Studio Development Process Studio Rewrites Script Notes Replacing Writers The Goal of Studio Development Studio Development June 24, 2015 Students will be assigned several scripts to read in preparation for a simulated Weekend Read meeting during the following class.

4 Simulated Weekend Read Meeting Weekend Read June 29, 2015 Students will be assigned to view trailers for upcoming studio films and consider reasons why the films were greenlit. Overview of The Greenlight Process The Greenlight Committee Physical Production Marketing Domestic Distribution Foreign Sales Home Entertainment The Final Decision Studio Structure and The Greenlight Process July 1, 2015 Students will be assigned several scripts to read in preparation for a simulated Weekend Read meeting the following class. Simulated Weekend Read Meeting Weekend Read July 6, 2015 Students will be assigned articles to read on the Globalization of Hollywood.

5 The Globalization Of Hollywood July 8, 2015 Overview of Globalization Top Foreign Markets Basic Statistics and Comparisons Hollywood and Foreign Audiences Hollywood and Foreign Film Industries Hollywood and Foreign Governments How Globalization Is Changing Our Business Practices Industry Outlook Hollywood s Changing Role In The World : Midterm Paper Midterm Paper which will be discussed in class and will be due by July 19th. Overview of Franchise Filmmaking Sequels Prequels Reboots Remakes Shared Universes Horror Movies Franchise Filmmaking July 13, 2015 Students will be assigned to view trailers for upcoming independently made films and consider reasons why the films were acquired.

6 Overview of Independent Cinema How Independent Films Get Made How Independent Films Get Distributed Film Markets and Film Festivals Digital Distribution Independent Cinema July 15, 2015 Students will be assigned to read pilot scripts for Broadcast Network Television Shows. Broadcast Network Television July 20, 2015 Overview: The Business of Television The Different Kinds of Networks Overview of Network Television The Network Television Business Model The Network Television Development Process Producing Network Television Premiering on Network Television The Advantages and Challenges of Network Television Career Outlook For Network Television Students will be assigned to watch trailers for upcoming Broadcast Network Television Shows. Cable Television July 22, 2015 Overview of Cable Television The Cable Television Business Model The Cable Television Development Process Producing Cable Television

7 Premiering on Cable Television The Advantages and Challenges of Cable Television Career Outlook For Cable Television Final Paper Discussion Final Paper which will be due by August 2nd. Broadband and the Changing Business of Television July 27, 2014 Discussion of Modern Viewing Habits Overview: How The Digital Era Changed Television Digital Video Recording Online Streaming Video Libraries Broadband Television Broadband Networks The Advantages and Challenges of Broadband Television The Future of Broadband Television Career Outlook For Broadband Television Your Hollywood Career July 29, 2014 Internship Summary Career Questions Non Career Questions Summation of the Course