COURSE SYLLABUS The Music Video Production Workshop at UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies is designed to prepare students with all the necessary skills to begin working professionally as a music video director, producer, and crew member as well as to provide insights into the video making process for record label executives, talent managers, and recording artists. In this course we will discuss the creative process of music video production step-by-step and create a music video of our own. We will begin with a screening and discussion of the music video as an art form and as a promotional tool for the recording artist. We will then discuss the business of finding projects in the music video industry. Next we discuss the creative and collaborative process of working with recording artists to create a director's vision that excites both the artist and the record label. You will learn how to write a treatment, make a deal, and put it in writing in a formal contract between the artist, label, and production company. The treatment and contract will be the first graded assignment. The process of Pre-production is one of planning and preparation and the importance of this process will be covered in-depth. There are location, legal, and logistical considerations necessary for all professional music video productions. Pre-production is the time to find your cast, your crew, and the necessary equipment for the shoot. The informational resources available to you for finding these elements will be shared. Simple storyboards will be created. The production book will be prepared to gather and organize all of this information in order to answer all questions on the set in advance by quick reference. We will create the production book in a as the second graded assignment. Production is the most important section of the Music Video Production Workshop course. We will cover expressive and natural lighting. We will introduce dynamic and exciting shooting styles. And we will teach you how to maintain order and safety amid the chaos and excitement of the set. In Post Production we will be focusing on how editing techniques and adding FX will help your video get the attention of your audience. To find the market for your video you will need publicists, distributors, exhibitors, broadcasters, journalists, bloggers, and record label managers, and how to manage these relationships will be discussed as well. The course will end with the final assignment being handed in at the premiere screening of your music video. I look forward to working with you all. I make only one request from all students: arrive on time, actively participate, and complete the three assignments on time to the best of your ability with a positive and collaborative attitude. If you develop these three habits and practice the skills covered in this course you will receive a good grade and be prepared for a career in the music video industry.
Course # X 447.41 Discipline: Music Course Title: Music Video Production Workshop Reg. # Y1473 Units: 4 Quarter/Yr: Spring 2012 Day/Time: Tuesday, 7-10pm Dates: April 3-June 19 Location: 1010 Westwood Center, room B06 Instructor: David Herrera Instructor contact: davidnyu@yahoo.com Course Description: One of the best ways to promote your music is through a music video. For artists and filmmakers, this comprehensive examines how videos are created, produced, directed, and distributed. You have the opportunity to make a music video from concept to finished product. Lectures and discussion feature both screenings and guest speakers, and address such topics as the creative process, how to write a treatment, budgeting, special effects and post-production issues. Concurrently, you learn to develop the skills necessary to produce and direct your own music video and promote it on the web using various online tools and resources, including YouTube, MySpace, and others. Prerequisite: No previous production experience is needed, however students must have access to a video camera and editing equipment. Internet access required to retrieve course materials. Goals & Objectives: Students will work together to create and post an original music video by the final day of the course Recommended Text: "Making Music Videos" by Lara M. Schwartz
Grading: Course grades will be based the on the completion of assignments and classroom participation as follows: Breakdown of the weight for each component of the final grade: Treatment and Contract: 15% Production Book: 25% Music Video: 30% Attendance/Punctuality: 15% Participation: 15% Letter Grade % A (90-100%) B (80-89%) C (70-79%) D (60-69%) F (<59%) A grade of C or better is considered a passing grade. Certificate students must take 400 level courses for a grade. Students are expected to participate creatively and cooperatively within the given limitations of time and available resources Please note that ALL COURSE GRADES ARE FINAL. 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 HYPERLINK "http://www.uclaextension.edu/" \o "http://www.uclaextension.edu/" www.uclaextension.edu COURSE OUTLINE Date Topic Assignments/Readings Week One: 4/3/12 Music Videos: Art & Commerce Screening & Discussion of of music video as art form and business Week Two: 4/10/12 Week Three: 4/17/12 Marketing and Representation Developing the Creative Treatment Band listening, local show, pitch emails, and meeting Assignment #1A : The Treatment Week Four: 4/24/12 Dealmaking and Budgeting Assignment #1B: Budgeting and Drafting the Deal Memo and Contract Week Five: 5/1/12 Pre-Production I: Location Permits and Planning Scout, Storyboard and Shot List Week Six: 5/8/12 Week Seven: 5/15/12 Pre-Production II: Casting, Crew, and Equipment The Production Book: Contracts and Budget Using internet resources to find cast and crew / contact sheet Assignment # 2: The Production Book Week Eight: 5/22/12 Production: Lighting, Shooting, and Safety Expressive Lighting, Dynamic Shooting, Equipment Safety Week Nine: 5/29/12 Post-Production Editing for music video Week Ten: 6/5/12 The Final Cut: Re-editing and FX The Final Cut and FX
Week Eleven: 6/12/12 Week Twelve: 6/19/12 Distribution: Broadcast, Retail, and The Web Screening: Publicity and The Premiere Party Finding distribution and broadcasters Assignment #3: Final cut of Music Video Due