Filmmaking syllabus

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Level 6, 7, 8: Language & Culture through Film-making Spring 2014 Instructor:

Hugh Le

Email:

hughhle82@hotmail.com

Class Dates:

June 9th – July 31st

Class Location & Time:

Mondays & Wednesdays – Del Norte 2010 @ 8 A.M. – 8:50 A.M. Thursdays – Del Norte 2012 @ 2 P.M. – 4 P.M.

Office Hours:

Mondays & Wednesdays from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M.

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will introduce the basic elements of filmmaking while incorporating the English language and culture into short films: montage, narration, scene remake, and documentary. Students will have an opportunity to have hands-on experience and learn about video editing software, camera tricks and angles, transitions between scenes, lighting and many more aspects of the filmmaking process. In addition, they will write screenplays, create storyboards, scout locations, act, produce, direct, and edit their own short films. This course assumes that students have no prior knowledge of filmmaking. GOALS & OBJECTIVES The objectives of the class are as follows: 

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Introduce 7 basic cinematic techniques: o Pan o Tilt o Pull Focus o Zoom o Transitions o Framing o Montage Examine how the basic cinematic techniques are used in films today Introduce 5 important jobs in the film industry as well as take on the following roles during the pre-, during-, and post-production stages: o Make-up artist (make-up and special effects) o Foley artist (sounds) o Director o Casting agent (actors) o Screenwriter Students will produce three short films according the following order: 1. Film #1: (Montage Sequence/Transitions/Camera Angles)


2 Students practice creating a montage sequence that practices using sound effects, music, and dialogue to show a sequence of events and/or the passage of time. 2. Film #2: (Narrative Short Film) Students practice using camera angles alongside transitions, and framing to create a narrative short film while focusing on cultural aspects—recreational activities in the U.S., fashion, food, and music. 3. Film #3: (Documentaries) Students create a documentary about a historical event orissue in California. COURSE MATERIALS  

Class website: www.csus.yolasite.com Sony Movie Studio 13 Platinum – PC VERSION  Purchase & Download: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Movie-Studio-PlatinumDownload/dp/B00I3MSBC6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402013184&sr=81&keywords=sony+movie+studio+13

Octopus Tripod  Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/Octopus-Portable-adjustable-Cellphone-BagRed/dp/B007NFI656/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1402013513&sr=1-1catcorr&keywords=octopus+tripod

POLICY FOR MAKE-UP EXAMS & ASSIGNMENTS All assignments must be completed on time. Points will be deducted for late assignments. Make-up exams and assignments will be given (full-credit) and accepted ONLY IF you show me that you had missed the exam due to an emergency. In-class work cannot be made up. Please turn in your homework assignments on time. In-class Activities Quizzes on Reading Script & Storyboards Film #1: Montage Film #2: Narrative Story Film #3: Documentary

5% 10% 15% 15% 20% 35%

The R Grade: Students who completed all the work and put in visible effort but lack the skills to meet the requirements of the class. 69% is NOT NECCESSARILY an "R" grade. 1. Assignments and the grading policy are subject to change. 2. NO negotiation on grades. If you try to negotiate, you risk a zero.

Total

100%


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ATTENDANCE POLICY Every Monday through Thursday, you should come to class prepared and on time. You will be marked late if you arrive after class has started. Being late 3 times equals being absent for 1 hour. You will ALSO be marked absent if you: 

do not come to class;

arrive more than 10 minutes late or leave more than 10 minutes early;

go out of the room for more than 10 minutes during class time;

sleep during class time; or

use your phone for talking, texting, surfing the internet, Facebook-ing, etc. during class time.

If you have more than 5 absences, you are considered out of status with SEVIS, and you risk termination from ELI, or punitive action from Immigration. With more than five absences, your final grade in this course will be No Pass. ELI CERTIFICATES & ADVANCEMENT POLICY Failing Procedure: If you receive a D, F, or R grade in any one class, you will need to repeat the class in the next session, and you will not receive a certificate of completion until you pass the class.  

Receiving a D, F, or R grade in Grammar or Composition will require repeating both these classes in the next session. Receiving a D, F, or R grade in Grammar and Composition will require repeating the entire level in the next session.

If you receive a D, F, or R grade in more than one class, or if you receive a No Pass in more than one class, you will be required to repeat the level next session, and you will not receive a certificate of completion at the end of the session. The R Grade: The R Grade may be assigned to those students who have failed or nearly failed a class, but not due to lack of trying. Some students, though dedicated, may simply need an additional session to fully understand and learn the material presented in the course. The R Grade is given to a student who is trying to succeed, turning in all homework on time, actively participating in class, and attending without excessive absences, but falls short and is not ready for the demands of the next level. Assigning the R grade is completely at the discretion of the teacher, and, as with any grade, it is not negotiable.


4 Behavior: Students are responsible for understanding and following the classroom civility code in the Academic Student Handbook (p. 8). If a student's behavior violates these standards, he or she risks being expelled from ELI, which includes termination of the SEVIS record. Teachers are required to document and report student incidents. PLAGIARISM Plagiarizing is turning in someone else’s work as your own, turning in something that you copied from the Internet, or not saying where your information came from. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable at Sac State and the ELI. If you are caught plagiarizing, you get an AUTOMATIC ZERO on that assignment. If you do it a second time, you will be reported to the administration and added to a list of plagiarists. ELI reserves the right to dismiss you and terminate your SEVIS record for plagiarism whenever it occurs. Make sure you understand what plagiarism is- for more information, please see the following website for more information: http://www.csus.edu/umanual/AcademicHonestyPolicyandProcedures.htm. WITHDRAWAL POLICY In order to withdraw from the English Language Institute you must notify a staff member before you plan to depart the United States so that they can discuss the details of your immigration status. Please note that once you formally withdraw from the English Language Institute you will not pass your classes and you will need to repeat the entire level-no exceptions. TRANSFER POLICY If you plan to transfer to another school you will need to submit a transfer form and acceptance letter in order for ELI staff to complete the transfer process. You are still expected to uphold the ELI academic standards and you must attend classes and otherwise maintain status until the transfer release date. It is not advisable to transfer out in the middle of the ELI session. If your new school’s start date is during an ELI session, ELI will set your release date a maximum of two weeks before your new school’s start date. If you choose to transfer in the middle of the current ELI session, you will not be eligible for a refund of your tuition; keep this in mind prior to making a decision to transfer. If your new school’s start date is after the ELI session end date, you cannot transfer out in the middle of the current session. Please note that a student who is not maintaining status will not be eligible to transfer. FINAL GRADE If you have a question about your final grade, you need to follow the procedures listed below. 1. Within two working days after the grade is assigned, contact your instructor and schedule an appointment. When you meet with the instructor, submit a written


5 statement as to why you are questioning the assigned grade and discuss your concerns. The instructor will inform you within two working days of their decision. 2. If after meeting with the instructor you still feel that the grade is not correct, schedule a meeting with the ELI Director (or designee) within two working days. The ELI Director will review all relevant information and, if necessary, meet with the instructor and/or student. The ELI Director will issue a decision within three working days. 3. If the decision by the ELI Director is still not acceptable, the student is to follow the outlined grade appeal procedure as stipulated in the Sacramento State University Manual. http://www.csus.edu/umanual/Acad%20Affairs/Grade_Appeal_Policy.htm


6 COURSE OUTLINE WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

Class Introductions Assign Groups Sony Movie Studio Tutorial  Menu Explanations  Basic Video & Audio Settings  Importing Video Clips  Introduction to Sound Clips o Soundbible.com o Freesound.org o Soundgater.com o Sounddogs.com  Importing Music o www.video2mp3.net o www.4shared.com Example of Scenes from Movies that Use Music to Narrate a Story Sony Movie Studio Tutorial (Continue)  Transitions—Fades, Dissolve, Swipe, etc.  Inserting Text & Objects  Zoom & Pan Functions Screenwriting (Class Outline – Handout)  Choosing a Story/Plot (e.g., problem/event, setting)  Character Creation  Planning & Organizing Key Events in your Story  Ending/Solution  Writing  Editing Storyboarding  Breakdown Your Script  Evaluating Each Shot/Scene  Creating a Shot List  Construct Storyboard Panels FILM PROJECT #1: MONTAGE SEQUENCE  Students practice creating a 1-minute montage sequence that practices using sound effects, music, and dialogue to show a sequence of events and/or the passage of time. Quiz on Screenwriting & Storyboarding

Class Website: www.csus.yolasite.com

Readings from Cinematic Storytelling:  Sound Effects - page 89-98  Music for Narration – page 101-108

Readings from Cinematic Storytelling  Locations – page 231-238 Mini 30-Second Film Assignment  Students create a short 30-second film of a daily activity (e.g., preparing breakfast, exercising, etc.)  Practice using the software & transitions between scenes

Readings from Cinematic Storytelling  Montage - Page 48-50 Film Project #1: Work with your group to create a 1-minute montage sequence using all the elements o Screenwriting o Storyboarding


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WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

Camera Angles & Positions FILM PROJECT #1: MONTAGE SEQUENCE DUE FILM PROJECT #2: NARRATIVE FILM Work on FILM PROJECT #2: NARRATIVE FILM  Students practice using camera angles Readings from Cinematic Storytelling alongside transitions, and framing to  Camera Angles/Positions create a narrative short film while o Close-up – page 148 focusing on cultural aspects— o Extreme Close-up – page 150 recreational activities in the U.S., o Over-the-Shoulder – page 154 fashion, food, and music. o High-angle – page 160 o Low-angle – page 162 o High-Lo Combined – page 164  Camera Motion o Static Shot – page 168 o Pan – page 170 o Tilt-Up – page 172 o Tilt-Down – page 174 o Rotation – page 176 o Tracking Shot page 178 Components of a Documentary: Examine FILM PROJECT #2: NARRATIVE FILM DUE Cinematic Techniques used in Documentaries: Work on FILM PROJECT #3: DOCUMENTARY EXAMPLES o Forks Over Knives (Lee Fulkerson) o Jazz (Ken Burns) Groups Propose a topic for documentary Quiz on Camera Angles, Positions, & Motion Students work in their groups on their Work on FILM PROJECT #3: DOCUMENTARY documentary: o Interviews o Research & Gather Relevant Information on Topic o Shooting on Location Students work in their groups on their FILM PROJECT #3: DOCUMENTARY DUE documentary: o Interviews o Research & Gather Relevant Information on Topic o Shooting on Location ELI FILM FESTIVAL Students showcase their works. Film Contest


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