nflm3632 film making lab - art, technology and tools syllabus

8/4/2019 NFLM3632 Film Making Lab - Art, Technology and Tools SYLLABUS

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NFLM3632 Filmmaking Lab: Art, Technology ~and ToolsJeremy BrookeTues., 12:00 PM-2:40 PMFaD 2011 . I ( ' . 1 - J 9 - ; F . l - rD" ;1 ff- l'smatl: [email protected] School Film Production Office: (212) 229-5899Course Description:To realize an artistic vision in film, the filmmaker needs a thorough understanding of thetechnology, process, and tools of filmmaking. In this hands-on course, students exploreadvanced concepts and techniques in film and digital media production through in-classassignments and exercises evolving into increasingly complex collaborative projects. Theclass covers a range of topics, including operation of advanced16mm film and HD digitalcameras, film stocks and video formats, the stmcture of a film crew and theresponsibilities of its members, lenses and lighting equipment, shooting exteriors andinteriors, gripping, production design, field sound recording, preproduction planning andbreakdowns, film and lID workflows, and the collaborative process. Working as a team,students set up and shoot several scenes in class and two scenes on location using sync-sound film and HD cameras and rotating crew positions. The class screens and reviewsthe scenes afterward. Students hone their skills and work collaboratively to mastervarious aspects of film production, gaining the technical knowledge necessary tosuccessfully execute advanced film and video projects. (3 credits)

A Recommended Texts 1 1 V' IVo -'' 'hers. Directors.and Videographers. Blain Brown, Focal Press, 2002~ ( \ G '\ ~ . \ FIlmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age. Edward Pincus and. Steven Ascher, PlumelPenguin, 2008

Assignments:Most of this class' is dedicated to the completion of shooting your individual films. Inorder to accomplish this task, you must complete all the required preproduction work andtechnical exams. All written assignments must be typed.Course Work:Students will primarily be completing all assignments as part of a large group or smallersub-group. Depending on the size of the class, large groups may vary from 6-8 students.

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Group Assignments:For the out of class assignments, students are broken into 2 larger groups (ProductionCompanies), each responsible for producing 2 movies - one shot on 16mm film and oneshot digitally - over the course of the semester. Each Production Company is then splitinto sub-groups - "Producers" and "Crew" - for each of the two projects that theProduction Company is responsible for. Each student will do opposite duties on Film andHD projects. All movies must meet criteria as assigned in class for length and content tobe accepted.Work individual student is responsible for:(Ex. for student in Production Company AD, responsible for 16mm Movie A and DigitalMovie B):

Work in small group to write 2-5 page script (Producers A) Work in small group to do script breakdown and secure needed materials and cast

for Movie A (producers A) Work in small group to do shot list, lighting plan for Movie B (Crew B) Work in larger group to plan and execute 3 day sHoot of Movie A Work in larger group to shoot and crew 3-day shoot of Movie B Individually complete peer review of group members for both productions Work in small group to edit Movie A/Screen "Final" Film (producers A) Participation: You must be present and actively involved in class discussion, in-

class shoots, workshops and exercises (see below).

Grading Summary:Grades will be determined individually at the instructor's discretion. While someassignments will get a group grade, each student will be assigned grades at the end of thecourse based on their individual effort and course work. Your final grade will not bedetermined as a group and will be based on the following:5% Movie A Script -- Producer 2-5 minute film (3-6 pages)5% Movie A Script Breakdown - Producer5% Movie B Shotlist - Crew20% Produce and Direct Movie A20% Crew Movie B +Footage10% Edit Movie A10% Peer Review CrewlProducers20% AttendancelParticipation in class shoots5% Passing Both HD and Arri Camera Test


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Attendance & ParticinationThis is VERY important, as the class requires that you fully grasp the technical aspects ofthe equipment. Missing more than two class sessions without instructor permission willresult in failure and the revocation of equipment access privileges. Au excused absencerequires conta cti ng me 24 hou rs p rio r to class, and m y a ff irmati ve r es pon se th at th eabsence is excused. Excessive or repetitive lateness to class is not acceptable; it willaffect your grade. While in class. students are expected to actively participate in classdiscussions and exercises.Note: No incompletes will be given in this course. For anyone needing a grade or anapproval in the class, the absolute last day to turn in work is December ISh. While thereare possibly circumstances where students cannot, for some external reason, fulfill theattendance or crewing requirement of the class, I do not make judgments about them.These are often personal and difficult circumstances, however, the class requirementsremain the same for everyone. In other words, you must attend all requisite classsessions and mee t aU out of class production requirements.Shooting and Crewing CommitmentsIn the third week of class, you will all commit to shooting and crewing dates for the 10thand 12th weeks of class. Dates will be assigned to you based on the Production Studioyou are in and students may not change them. Each student will be on two shoots, oneover a weekend and one during the early part of a week. You!!!!!!! attend both shoots,at the call times set by the director/producer of the film, and perform all assigned dutiesto pass the class.As we will discuss, students in our class!!!!!! have a substantial crew role on each classproject (DO NOT ask a fellow student to be a PA). If there is conflict I will intervene.Please remember that you are a community of filmmakers and that everyone is here tolearn a highly.specialized craft. The quality of the projects is very important, but thelearning environment of the class is paramount.Additionally, students in each Production Studio are responsible financially for any lossor damage to the equipment while it is on your shoot. While using outside crew inprimary positions is not allowed for these projects, if you do ask people outside of classto round out your crew, it is in your best interest to ensure that they know how to use theequipment and that they are people you trust.Practieal Exam 'You must attend and pass the 16mm film and lID practical exams (date TBA) in order tocheck out equipment. If you do not pass the practical exam, you will not have clearanceto check out equipment and you will not pass the course.


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SCHEDULEDue to the time constraints of the class and specific needs of the students asjudged by theinstructor, some changes may bemade to the syllabus or curriculum during the course ofthe semester.SESSION1 August 30Introduction/Review of course requirements, goals, and objectivesLecture: General production concernsCrews/Collaborative filmmakingOverview of Assignments

Discussion: Shooting film vs. HDDiscuss "Production Studios"In-class demonstration: Get to know the equipment (Arriflex SRII)SESSION2 September 6Discussion: Assign Large Groups, Shooting ScheduleFilm Review, filmstock &processing choicesArri SRCamera Workshop:Basics of camera functions, operation, loading, filters, batteriesLensesMounting the camera on the tripodThe video tapIn-class exercise: Loading the Arri magCamera tech (hands on)Assignment for next session: Catch up on any 16mm tech as necessarySESSION3 September 13Discussion: Split Groups into "Producers" and "Crews" (3&3 depending) for each filmAssign shooting dates

Discuss Props/Character requirementLecture: Arri SR camera ctn'dLenses & Focus (Arri)Accessories, Dealing w/ Camera on setDP/AC duties (Arri) - Dealing with Film on SetGroup Assignment for session 5: Movie Scripts or Experimental Project Outline


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SESSION4 September20Camera exercise 1 # 2 - shooting 16mm for sync; Ani SR nCameraLecture: DoFreview

Sound KitTascam digital recorder (double system)Mics (boom, lay)Working wi Multiple Mics

In-class exercise: Arri SRII Practice shoot wi Sound -- shooting 16mm for syncAssignment for next session: Movie Scripts or Experimental Project OutlineBegin Production planningSESSION 5 - Scripts Due September 27Screen and discuss: Camera Exercise footageDiscussion: On-Set realities, Cooperating with CrewP re sen ta tio n o f Scripts (4 )Begin workshopping scriptsLecture: Script Breakdown/Shot listsCastingAssignment for next session: Production PlanninglProblem solvingGroup Assignment for session 7: Shot List/Breakdowns for all Films

SESSION6 October 4Discussion: Review ScriptslProduction Concerns

The LaboratoryProcessingLecture: Basics of shooting lIDShooting to edit

lID Cam (AF-IOO) TechAssignment for next session: Production Planning/Problem solving


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SESSION 7 SHOT LISTIBREAKDOWNS DUE October 11Discussion: Shotlists/breakdownsLecture: HD cam - Advanced Techniques

Lenses &Accessories (HD)Video Dailieslflow of PostLog & Capture/Log & Transfer (FCP)

Assignment for next session: Production PlanninglProblem solvingPrepare for Camera Tests

****TBA-WEEKEND FILM & lID CAMERA TEST REVIEW SESSION****

SESSION 8 October 18Camera exercise #2 - shooting HD for sync; Panasonic CameraLecture: Dealing with AVCHD footage on set

Drives and BackupsLighting &Gripping introIn-class exercise: Camera exercise #2 - Panasonic AF -100 camera &Double System

Basic lighting compositionAssignment for next session: Production PlanningIProblem solving

Prepare for Camera Tests****TBA-MANDATORY FILM & lID CAMERA TEST****

SESSION 9 October 25Screen and discuss: Camera Exercise footageDiscussion: Lighting and Grip package

Lighting procedures and safetyLighting TechniqueGrip and shaping light

*****SHOOTING BEGINS*****

SESSION 10 (possible no class) 16mm FILM SHOOTSProduction Troubleshooting November 1


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SESSION 11Produc tion Troubleshooting NovemberS

Lecmre: Syncing in FCP

Group Assignm ent fo r se ss ion 13= Begin Post-P roduction (sync and pre p)Assignment for session 15: Wri tt e n Pe e r Rev iew /Se lf -Eva lu a ti onSESSION 12 (possible no class) DIGITAL MOVIE SHOOTS November 15Production Troubleshooting/Screen Dailies

******Thanksgiving Break November 24th-November 2Sth************NO CLASS NOVEMBER 22nd***

SESSION 13 November 29Workshop: Critique Project DailiesLecture: Discuss ShootsPreparing fo r Edit

FC P In ge sting R ev ie w an d P ro je ct C on ce rn sCont'd FCP Syncing, other techniquesSESSION 14 - Rough Cuts December 6Lecture: FCP advanced techniquesIn-Class exercise: Editing week

SESSION 15- Screening; Self-Evaluation Due December 13Workshop: Critique Final Cuts


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nflm3632 film making lab - art, technology and tools syllabus

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