Cinematography Curriculum and Unit Plans

Transcription

1 Cinematography Curriculum and Unit Plans 1. Studying cinematography makes us aware of how the media can manipulate our thoughts and emotions. 2. Understanding the different styles and genres of film will open up our appreciation for different types of movies. 3. Working on a film requires knowledge of composition, preproduction, editing, camera operation, lighting, sound, acting and the ability to work with a team. 4. Film has the ability to change lives through entertainment or information. 5. Working with a group of different types of people requires the ability to communicate your ideas clearly. Essential 1.How does studying film play a role in society as information or entertainment? 2.How does a cinematographer manipulate the media to create a solid product? 3.Why is it important to understand all the different aspects of film in order to be a participating group member? 4.How does the study of film and film making apply to all other disciplines? 1. The student will learn the use of cameras, Final Cut Pro, sound and lighting. 2. Will learn to watch film with a critical eye understanding the techniques that are used by the filmmakers. 3. Will direct their own projects as well as support others in their projects. 4. Work as a team to produce quality product. 5. Understand the actor s process to help communicate with rest of team. Assessment 1. Creating films for required assignments. 2. Directing actors in a variety of films. 3. Assessing films by classmates and famous directors. 4. The ability to use the cameras and the software. 5. Written pieces analyzing film. 6. Speaking to the class explaining techniques that they have learned.

2 UNIT! 1. Introduced to Brian Gawlik and Jonathan Levin and why they are important to the program. 2. Understand how films are made and decisions that are made. 3. Understand how film can change a person s life. 4. A strong film can manipulate, inspire, educate or amuse 1. Who were Brian Gawlik and Jonathan Bigalow and why should I care? 2. What is the basic format of filmmaking? 3. How do you use film to evoke an emotion from the viewer? 4. Why study how films are made? 1. Understand that we all have the ability to leave a legacy and impact the world. 2. Understand the importance of preproduction; especially storyboards and shot list. 3. A film requires, good writing, directing, acting, editing and sound. 4. Learn to compose a shot before camera rolls. 1. Students will learn about the history of BBA News and cinema. 2. The students will watch selected scenes from famous movies and break down the shots and explain how they were used in an effective way. 3. The students will choose a scene from a movie and show the class and break down the parts of the scene and explain how the shots are used effectively.

3 Unit 2 1. Understand the systems of film class. 2.Understand how prepoduction makes a film stronger. 3.Understand how to organize a project. 4.A strong film can manipulate, inspire, educate or amuse 1. What are the important systems in cinematography class? 2. What is preproduction such an important part of a successful film? 3. How does proper organization of camera and film clips lead to a more workable project? 4. Why study how films are made? 1. Understand the systems of using a camera and final cut pro. 2. Understand the importance of preproduction; especially storyboards and shot list. 3. Creating a bin for each project so that all of you material is in one folder. 4. Learn to compose a shot before camera rolls. 1. Students will create a Portfolio Wiki for the storage of all their final products, notes, shot sheets and storyboards. 2. An easy shoot project will acquaint the students with the proper way to use the camera, file the media, use Final cut pro and understand at least three basic shots and two basic transitions (the "cut" and the "fade.") 3. Assignment two -- Film a Plushie using three different shots. Practice using camera, filing the media (bin), putting camera away

4 Unit 3 1. Choosing appropriate music requires thoughtful decisions. 2. There are many new ways to create the credits and titles that are appropriate for your specific film. 3. A tracking shot can add a sense of movement in a part of a film that would be static if it were just dialog. 1. How can music add the correct emotion to a film? 2. How can appropriate titles and credits add to a film? 3. How are tracking shots used to create a sense of movement in a film? 4. How can we create a steady cam effect 1. Understand how to find music and put it in the correct format for FCP. 2. Experiment with different titles and credits. 3. Learn the different ways to create a steady cam effect using dolly, garbage bag steady cam, tripod steady cam. 4. Create a storyboard before you shoot. 1. Music is appropriate in the film. 2. Credits are pleasing and appropriate. 3. Tracking shot required in this assignment. 4. Storyboard required before shooting

5 Unit 4 1. There are certain terms that we need to use to communicate with actors. 2. It is best to understand what it is like to be in front of the camera. 3. The amount of people needed depends on the scene that is being filmed. 4. Continuity issues can wreck a good film. 1. How does a film crew work with actors? 2. Does a film crew have to understand what it is like to be an actor? 3. What is the minimum amount of people needed on a movie set? 4. How do you make sure that you have good continuity? 1. Communicate well with actors. 2. Make sure that the crew has enough people for all the jobs required. 3. Continuity issues are discussed before we get to the postproduction. 4. The director gets the crew to work together 1. Actors will asses the film crew. 2. All crew members are busy and understand their respective jobs. 3. Te film is free of continuity errors. 4. The film quality is better because of the actors.

6 Unit 5 1. Research makes interviews stronger. 2. A documentary can educate and entertain. 3. B-Roll is an important technique to engage the viewer. 4. B-Roll allows you to edit what is said without jarring viewer.. 1. How do I come up with a set of questions for my interviewee? 2. What topic do I want to learn about, educate others or what am I passionate about? 3. Who do I need to speak to / interview? 4. How can I script a documentary when I don t know what the interviewees are going to say? 1. Research the topic to help come up with strong questions. 2. Pick a topic that you can be excited about. 3. Decide who would work best in your film. 4. Without answers you can still write a story arc. 1. Research a topic that you want to make a documentary about. 2. Practice filming interview and making a two minute documentary about someone in class.. 3. Look on line or shoot appropriate B -Roll>. 4. Create a 5-10 minute documentary..

7 Unit 6 How to apply different filming techniques to new projects. What is history of Cinema and how does the actor / tech crew use all techniques to date to interpret different genres? 1. Understand history of cinematography. 2. Understanding the language of cinema. 3. Use the language of film to communicate with each other and to the actors. 4. Understand the similarities in film making across different genres. 1. Students will work with actors on a short scene or monologue and apply all information to rehearsing and performance. 2. Students will be assessed on the following within their film: Do they understand what they are filming by using all of the techniques taught to date. Are they clear when they speak to actors. Does the film, sound and lighting support the piece. Are they committing to the process.

8 Unit 7 There are careers out there in film making that one can have and that there are many different paths to that career What are career options in the film making and what are the basic tools needed to get a job? How does one go about getting a job interview and presenting oneself professionally? Continued education through out college and beyond. Understand the multitude of jobs available in theatre, tv, and film. Understand the multitude of jobs available behind the scenes in sound, lighting, filming, builders, technicians, stage managers. Students will meet people who work as lighting, sound and film.. Students will be assessed on the following within their performance: The students will discuss the different jobs and what they understand about them. Did they go deeper then one word answers. Interactive discussion upon the units questions. Online articles for students to read and view. The special skills to get the job. What unions do the students need to join?