Syllabus Note to students: While this syllabus is posted to give you an overview of the course, it is subject to change. Should you have further questions, please contact the UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies program at (310)825-9064 or via email at entertainmentstudies@uclaextension.edu. ADVANCED FILMMAKING WORKSHOP: PRODUCTION AND POST-PRODUCTION Course # X 476.12B Discipline: Film & Television Instructor: Richard Friedman Email: TBA Reg. # Z2641 Units: 8 Quarter/Yr: Summer 2013 Class: June 24, 2013 September 16, 2013 Mon. & Tues. - 7-10pm No Class 9/2/13 Location: Monday Evenings: 1010 Westwood Center, Room 313 Tuesday Evenings: 1010 Westwood Center, Room 413 Screening: October 19, 2013 12pm-4pm Location: UCLA Campus - Melnitz Hall - JAMES BRIDGES THEATER Course Description In this comprehensive workshop, filmmakers will produce a film that is 15 minutes or shorter that will be screened to an invited audience. After having developed, written, and polished their script for the short film in the previous story development class, the student is now ready to put their project into production. Under the guidance of the instructor and through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, students will learn techniques for translating their script into moving images as well as the creative and physical requirements for directing and producing a film. Topics include directorial script analysis, script breakdown, budgeting, scheduling, casting, working with actors, collaborating with the creative team, camera blocking, creating the shot list, visual composition, developing personal style, editing aesthetics, and post-production picture and sound. At the completion of this semester, the student will have a finished film that will be shown at the UCLA Extension Screening, will be completely ready to be submitted to film festivals, and can be an excellent director s demo / calling-card to showcase the student s directorial capabilities. Final Screening: Please note that a World Premiere screening will be held after the end of the course on Saturday, October 1
19, 2013. Only students who successfully fulfill all requirements of the course and complete a short film that is approved by the instructor will be included. Projects with a running time in excess of 15 minutes will not be screened. Inclusion in the screening and screening order are entirely at the discretion of the instructor and UCLA Extension. Goals & Objectives: The purpose of the workshop is to foster student creativity and improve filmmaking skills, so that each participant maximizes their learning experience while producing and directing the best possible short film. Class Participation: Class participation is required and strongly encouraged. Please feel free to share any questions and comments that you wish. If you don t understand or totally get a concept under discussion, please speak up and make yourself heard. We re all friends here, and informal discussion is a great way to learn. In addition, if you are having a production or directorial problem of any type, please feel free to bring it up in class to find a viable solution. Required Class Material, Handouts, and Documents: **Please download Handouts from UCLA Blackboard and make certain to have a hard-copy of all handouts with you in every class session. **Please download all necessary free film documents that will prove invaluable to your production from: http://www.sonnyboo.com/downloads/downloads.htm Required Text: Producing & Directing the Short Film and Video by Peter W. Rea and David K. Irving Grading: Course grades will be based the on the timely completion of all aspects of pre-production, production, postproduction, class participation, and final film as follows: Breakdown of the weight for each component of the final grade: Pre-Production 10% Production 10% Post-Production 10% Final Short Film 30% Participation (in class and on other student s films) 20% Attendance and Punctuality 20% 2
Grade % A (90-100%) B (80-89%) C (70-79%) D (60-69%) F (<59%) Class participation and involvement is at the heart of this class. Students are expected to arrive on time, to present in class any project assignments that are due, and to participate actively in the discussion of their own and classmates' projects and assignments. All deadlines must be met on time. It is strongly recommended that students work with their classmates as crew members on each other s films. This is a huge part of the learning process and will prove very beneficial to all students. Your Short film must be completed by the deadline and be ready to be exhibited at final screening. 3
COURSE OUTLINE Mon. 6/24/13 INTRODUCTION TO CLASS / SHOOTING PREPARATION - Class introduction How does it work, and what is the ultimate goal? - Download Handouts from UCLA Blackboard and make certain to have hard-copy of all handouts with you in every class session. - Give out Student Numbers. - How does knowing how to direct and produce a short film help you to direct TV and feature films in the future? - Short film Distribution and Film Festivals - Securing Insurance for films and other legal matters. - Benefit of having completed short film for future directing work. - The importance in meeting deadlines in all aspects of production. - Introductions - Getting to know each other, and why are you here? - Discuss samples of short scripts, Strip Poker and view short film produced from it. - Class Schedule how it will work. Deadlines. - Schedule Shoots, First Cut, Final Cut. - Schedule Audition time at UCLA for films and begin casting. Where to place ad for casting (Handout: Casting for AFW). - Arrange students to crew for each other. - Discuss Director s Worksheet as it applies to short film. - Students 1-7: Tell synopsis and plot of their short script to class. Discuss Budgeting, Scheduling, Casting, Locations, Crew, Equipment, etc. specific to each film. ASSIGNMENT: Director s Worksheet for complete short film Due on: 7/1/13 Tues. 6/25/13 SCREENPLAY FOR SHORT FILM - Students 8-15: Tell synopsis and plot of their short script to class. Discuss Budgeting, Scheduling, Casting, Locations, Crew, Equipment, etc. specific to each film. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 3, Pages 45-61 Mon. 7/1/13 - FILM SCHEDULING *Director s Worksheet for complete short film due today. Discuss - Importance and relevance of Scheduling in filmmaking. - How to break down and schedule film. - Day out of Days Cast / Props / Vehicles / SFX Etc. 4
- Script Breakdown Sheet (AFW Handouts Page 14) - Location Breakdown (AFW Handouts Page 12) - Stripboard (AFW Handouts Pages 15, 17) - Schedule Summary (AFW Handouts Page 16) - Shooting Schedule / One-liner (AFW Handouts Pages 18-19) - Class Exercise: Read The Lunch Date (AFW Handouts Pages 3-7) Break down Cast / Locations / Props / Vehicles / etc. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 4, Pages 63-76 ASSIGNMENT: Schedule short film. Due on: 7/8/13 Tues. 7/2/13 FILM BUDGETING - Budgeting & Complete Budget for film (AFW Handouts Pages 20-36) - Review Budget Categories. - Budgeting for short film - Budgeting Softwear, Movie Magic (Academic Edition Under $200) - The Schedule and the Budget working together. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 5, Pages 77-94 - ASSIGNMENT: Budget short film. Due on: 7/8/13 Tues. 7/8/13 - PRODUCTION * Complete Budget & Schedule for Short Film due today Discuss. - Students 1-8 - Class Exercise: Discuss with each student: Student Shooting Schedules Student Budgets Student approach towards shooting Equipment rental Staffing crew - On-set Procedure. (AFW Handouts Page 54) - The Call Sheet (AFW Handouts Page 53) - Scouting & securing locations. (AFW Handouts Pages 12-13) - Shooting on location vs. Studio. - Actor s Release Form (AFW Handouts Page 52) - Working with Guilds and Unions DGA / WGA / IA / Teamsters - Screen Actors Guild Student Agreement (AFW Handouts Pages 50-51 / SAG Agreement / SAG Overview) - Legal. When is an attorney necessary? - Insurance - Script Clearance and Research / Marshall - Plumb (http://www.marshall-plumb.com) - Script Supervision (AFW Handouts Pages 56-62) 5
READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 14, Pages 229-241 Mon. 7/9/13 PRODUCTION / COVERAGE - SHOTLISTING, BLOCKING * Complete Budget & Schedule for Short Film due today Discuss. - Students 9-15 - Coverage / How much? / What is needed in a scene? - Blocking and Shotlisting Student Scripts. - How to specifically write Shotlist. - Soryboards (AFW Handouts Page 40) - ASSIGNMENT: Students must block and shotlist their entire script which will be due to be handed in on 7/15. Please be prepared to present one shotlisted scene in class on 7/15. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 11, Pages 157-201 Mon. 7/15/13 SCENE COVERAGE * Blocking and shotlisting of entire script due today for all students. Class Exercise: Students 1-8 will each present one shotlisted scene from their script for class. We will discuss coverage, blocking, and shots for short film. ASSIGNMENT: Students will write one page essay about their short film, describing their approach to all elements of style. This is intended to give an excellent sense of how their own film will be shot and what will make it unique. Volunteers will read in class and discuss. Due on: 7/22. Tues. 7/16/13 SCENE COVERAGE (continued) Class Exercise: Students 8-15 will each present one shotlisted scene from their script for class. We will discuss coverage, blocking, and shots for short film. Mon. 7/22/13 DEVELOPING PERSONAL DIRECTOR S STYLE * Style Essay due today for all students. - The Auteur Style - Director s Style What is it? How do you find your style and make it work for you? (AFW Handouts - Pages 38-39) o Story o Point of View o Location 6
o o o o Space Color Movement Rhythm - Utilizing the Camera and Lens to influence Style (AFW Handouts Pages 10-11) - Utilizing lighting to Influence Style. Flashlight example. - Utilizing Production Design to Influence Style - Utilizing sound to influence Style - Communicating your style to crew. - Class Exercise: Students will read one page essay about their short film, describing their approach to all elements of style. This is intended to give an excellent sense of how their own film will be shot and what will make it unique. Volunteers will read in class and discuss. Tues. 7/23/13 BEGIN SHOOTING DIRECTING THE ACTOR ** FILMS 1-4 BEGIN SHOOTING 7/24/13 7/28/13 ** **Discuss all issues, problems, questions that have arisen prior to shooting - Students 1-4** Students 1-8 will discuss the following: - Acting techniques to be utilized in short film. - Address individual concerns and problems in working with actors. - Performance requirements in specific scenes of film. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 7, Pages 111-121 READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 10, Pages 149-155 Mon. 7/29/13 DIRECTING THE ACTOR Films 1-4 - Discussion, Evaluation and Analysis of Dailies. Students 9-15 will discuss the following: - Acting techniques to be utilized in short film. - Address individual concerns and problems in working with actors. - Performance requirements in specific scenes of film. GUEST SPEAKER: Rick McCallum Stunt Coordinator / Stuntman Tues. 7/30/13 PRODUCTION: SHOOTING (Continues) ** FILMS 5-8 BEGIN SHOOTING 7/31/13 8/4/13 ** 7
**Discuss all issues, problems, questions that have arisen prior to shooting - Students 5-8** Mon. 8/5//13 PRODUCTION: SHOOTING (Continues) POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 5-8 - Discussion, Evaluation and Analysis of Dailies. Tues. 8/6/13 PRODUCTION: SHOOTING (Continues) POST PRODUCTION - EDITING ** FILMS 9-12 BEGIN SHOOTING 8/7/13 8/11/13 ** Films 1-4 Screen First Cut. **Discuss all issues, problems, questions that have arisen prior to shooting - Students 9-12.** Mon. 8/12/13 PRODUCTION: SHOOTING (Continues) POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 9-12 - Discussion, Evaluation and Analysis of Dailies. Tues. 8/13/13 PRODUCTION: SHOOTING (Continues) POST PRODUCTION - EDITING ** FILMS 13-15 BEGIN SHOOTING 8/14/13 8/18/13 ** Films 1-4 Screen Fixes Films 5-8 Screen First Cut. READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 16, Pages 257-284 Mon. 8/19/13 - POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 13-15 - Discussion, Evaluation and Analysis of Dailies. Films 1-4 Screen Final Cut 8
Tues. 8/20/13 POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 9-12 Screen First Cut Films 5-8 Screen Fixes READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 17, Pages 285-306 Mon. 8/26/13 POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 5-8 Screen Final Cut Tues. 8/27/13 POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 13-15 Screen 1 st Cut Films 9-12 Screen Fixes Tues. 9/3/13 POST PRODUCTION - EDITING Films 9-12 Screen Final Cut. Films 13-15 Screen Fixes Mon. 9/9/13 POST PRODUCTION: MUSIC Films 13-15 Screen Final Cut GUEST SPEAKERS: Geoff Levin - Composer Bruce Chianese - Composer READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 17, Pages 285-306 Tues. 9/10/13 POST PRODUCTION: SOUND, MUSIC, and COLOR CORRECTION - Review Films and address all Post Production issues specific to individual films 1-8 GUEST SPEAKERS: Geoff Levin - Composer Bruce Chianese Composer, Sound Supervisor READING: Rea & Irving Chapter 17, Pages 285-306 9
Mon. 9/16/13 - POST PRODUCTION: - Review Films and address all Post Production issues specific to individual films 9-15 Sat. 10/19/13 ** FINAL PREMIER SCREENING AT JAMES BRIDGES THEATER** 10
SHOOTING & POST-PRODUCTION DELIVERY SCHEDULE GROUP 1: Students 1,2,3,4 SHOOT: 7/24/13 7/28/13 Dailies: 7/29/13 1 st Cut: 8/6/13 Fixes: 8/13/13 Final Cut: 8/19/13 GROUP 2: Students 5,6,7,8 SHOOT: 7/31/13 8/4/13 Dailies: 8/5/13 1 st Cut: 8/13/13 Fixes: 8/20/13 Final Cut: 8/26/13 GROUP 3: Students 9,10,11,12 SHOOT: 8/7/13 8/11/13 Dailies: 8/12/13 1 st Cut: 8/20/13 Fixes: 8/27/13 Final Cut: 9/3/13 GROUP 4: Students 13,14,15 SHOOT: 8/14/13 8/18/13 Dailies: 8/19/13 1 st Cut: 8/27/13 Fixes: 9/3/13 Final Cut: 9/9/13 11