Cinematography I An Introduction X478.27A (4 credit units) SYLLABUS. Course Description Objective

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1 Fall Quarter 2012 Monday, 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 39 Haines North UCLA campus Professor: Deland Nuse Cinematography I An Introduction X478.27A (4 credit units) SYLLABUS Office: 3353 Macgowan Hall Office Hours: Monday 4:00-6:00 pm; Wednesday 6:30-7:30; Friday 2:30-5:00 Course Description Objective Cinematography I: An Introduction; will be a practical introduction to the art and craft of motion picture photography as it is practiced today. This course is designed to cover the essential principles, concepts and tools employed by Cinematographers in their quest for creative image control. Course Overview Course content will be presented through lectures, demonstrations, handouts and readings, practical imaging assignments, writings and screenings. Lectures will follow the course content sequence listed below with a few exceptions. Issues of historic and aesthetic interest with roots in photography, film history, and art history will find their place in many topics and are intended to help provide links to the basic concepts of cinematography. Instructor Biography Professor Nuse is a Lecturer in UCLA s Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, specializing in Digital and Film Cinematography and Film Aesthetics. He has also taught at San Francisco State University, West Los Angeles College, The Los Angeles Film School and Loyola Marymount University. After completing his undergraduate and postgraduate work in the California State University system, Professor Nuse did graduate work in Experimental Psychology (learning, cognition and perception) at the University of New Mexico, and for the next few years, he worked in the Mental Health profession. However, a lifelong interest in film brought him to the graduate program in Cinema Studies at San Francisco State University where he completed his M.A. in Film production in In the San Francisco area, he shot several of short films and documentaries including the award winning, The Other Bridge. After moving to Los Angeles, he worked as an electrician, best boy and gaffer to learn the lighting techniques for feature film production. In 1987, he was hired to shoot his first feature, Natural Instinct. The cinematography of that film garnered positive critical attention and led to work on seven other independent features. Professor Nuse is also currently working as a director and cinematographer. In 2006, he received the Triple Play Award for Cinematography for the film, The Showdown, at the Long Island Film/Video Expo, and in 2007, he was awarded the UCLA Extension Dean s Distinguished Instructor Award. When you need to contact me by , you can do so at [email protected]. On campus office hours are by appointment, usually Monday 4:30-6:00 and Friday 2:30-6:00; in 225B East Melnitz Hall.

2 Course Content 2 The Art and the Craft of the Cinematographer. Visualization and Image Control. The History of the Photographic Image: From stills to movement to digital. Visual Perception and Lenses. Camera Systems (film) and the Production Process I. Camera Systems (digital) and the Production Process II. Luminance and tonal evaluation: Film and Digital applications Studio and Location Lighting. Sensitometry, the Laboratory and Light Measurement. Filters and Light. Camera Techniques. Special Visual Effects. Contemporary Cinematography: Current Issues, economics, television, reality shows, music videos, and features. Assignments Lecture Attendance (with attendance you receive each study guide, handouts and screenings). Required textbook and other readings. Check the Blackboard website on a weekly basis. One written paper on a film screened outside of class, discussing the photographic contributions to a selected film. Mid-term exam. One Camera Assignment. Final exam. Attendance Class begins promptly at 7:05 p.m. Please be on time. Class attendance can make a difference between passing and failing. If you attend all of the classes, you will at least pass the class. A high attendance rate will also make a difference if your grade is on the borderline.

3 Grading 3 Grading is designed to evaluate your comprehension of the concepts, principles and techniques presented through lectures, power point presentations, textbook readings, handouts and screenings. The total number of points that can be earned for the class is 100 points. The breakdown will be as follows: 1. Paper 15% of the final grade. One short paper based on your screening of a selected film. If you are new to writing about film, viewing the film with a DVD player will be helpful. If you have some skill at viewing and taking notes, see a film in current release or revival. In the book, Readings on Cinematography, there are two excellent examples of film writing that can be very helpful. The paper must be typed, and double spaced with approximately words (i.e. 3 6 pages) in length, and you can include frame captures or other illustrations. 2. Mid-Term Exam 25% of the final grade. Multiple choice, short answer, descriptive drawing and short essay questions. 3. Camera Assignment 35% of the final grade. Oneoutside class assignment. 4. FINAL EXAM 25% of the final grade. Multiple choice, short answer, descriptive drawing and short essay questions. Letter Grade Points Earned A A- 89 B+ 88 B B- 69 C+ 68 C C- 49 D F 0-19 A grade of C or better is considered a passing grade. Certificate students must take 400 level courses for a grade. Information about Incompletes: The interim grade Incomplete may be assigned when a student's work is of passing quality, but a small portion of the course requirements is incomplete for good cause (e.g. illness or other serious problem). It is the student s responsibility to discuss with the instructor the possibility of receiving an I grade as opposed to a non-passing grade. The student is entitled to replace this grade by a passing grade and to receive unit credit provided they complete the remaining coursework satisfactorily, under the supervision of and in a time frame determined by the instructor in charge, but in no case later than the end of the next academic quarter. At that time, the Registrar will cause all remaining Incompletes to lapse to the grade "F". Note: Receiving an I does not entitle a student to retake all or any part of the course at a later date. Student Behavior involving cheating, copying other s work, and plagiarism are not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Students are responsible for being familiar with the information on Student Conduct in the General Information Section of the UCLA Extension Catalog or on the website at

4 Study Guides 4 At the end of each week (Friday or Saturday), a study guide covering the topics in the lecture for the next Monday class will be posted on the class Blackboard website. During the first week of the class, make sure that you can log on. Also make sure that UCLAEX has your correct address. These study guides are designed to help you organize and understand the concepts and principals in each weekly topic of cinematography. In addition, the reading assignments and any other assignments for the next week will be listed. The study guides will also have a list of recommended films for viewing. I will be screening clips from these films as time permits, but the films do not represent formal viewing assignments, only suggestions for viewing related to lecture topics. Required Books Malkiewicz, Kris and Mullen, ASC, David M. Cinematography: A Guide for Filmmakers and Film Teachers. 3 rd Ed. New York: Simon & Schuster, Adams, Ansel and Baker, Robert. The Negative. New York: Little Brown & Co., Both books are now available at the campus bookstore below: Lu Valle Commons Bookstore (UCLA Campus) For those who prefer to shop in-person, textbooks for all UCLA Extension courses held on campus are stocked at the UCLA Store/Lu Valle Commons; next to Dodd Hall. Reference books and school/computer supplies also are available. For your convenience, extended evening shopping hours are scheduled during the first two weeks of each quarter. For more information call (310) UCLA Store Online:

5 5 How to Get the Most from the Course 1. Use the Study Guides as roadmaps to the important principles and concepts of the course. A topic on a Study guide that is the subject of both a lecture and/or a reading assignment will almost certainly be on an exam. During class, I will use PowerPoint presentations to help you visualize and expand the topics on your study guides. I highly recommend that you attend each class. 2. Attend each class. Lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and screenings will help explicate the concepts found in the textbooks and readings. In addition, you are encouraged to ask questions. 3. Check the Blackboard website at least once a week for announcements, Study Guides, Assignments and new links that may be important. 4. Take the time to consider, plan and create the shots listed in the Camera Exercises. Practice the visualization techniques and after a while the process will become a highly useful skill. 5. Writing about a film provides you with an opportunity to organize your ideas and insights. In addition, you will have to communicate these points clearly to another person. Also, you will discover that you can learn a lot by closely watching and analyzing the logic behind the cinematography of a film. 6. If you get behind in your work or if you encounter unexpected difficulties in attending the class, let me know in person or by and we will try to find a way to deal with it. 7. Sign up for a conference appointment with you professor. Within the two weeks following the mid-term exam, your instructor will set up a time for you to meet individually or as a group in order to discuss your progress, answer questions about the class, or to clarify any concepts covered in class. This conference will most likely be scheduled for a Saturday either in my office or at a convenient coffee shop where parking is not a problem.

6 April May Calendar 02 Introduction, lecture and screening. 09 Lecture and screening. 16 Lecture and screening. 23 Lecture and screening. 29 SUNDAY 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lighting, camera, and grip lecture and demonstration at a the Mole Richardson Studio. 30 Lecture and screening. 07 Lecture and screening. MID-TERM EXAM. This will be a take home exam Lecture and screening. 21 Lecture and screening. Screening paper due. 28 Memorial Day Holiday NO CLASS MEETING. June 04 Lecture and screening. 11 Lecture and screening. Camera Assignment due. 18 FINAL EXAM. Screen student work. Wrap up and discussion. Turn in any late work. Copyright 2012 By Deland Nuse