FLM/THR 331 Fundamentals of Film and Video Directing
SPRING 2008
TR 11:30-1PM
Green Room THEA 101
Maya Salganek, Assistant Professor
109B Fine Arts. (907) 474-5950
Office Hours: T/TR 1-2PM
maya@alaska.edu
Required Reading:
TEXTBOOK: Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing from concept to screen by Steven D. Katz. Michael Wise Productions publishers. ISBN: 13 978-0-941188-10-4
On reserve at the library. Additional readings will be assigned and on reserve at the Rasmuson Library. All students will be required to use Blackboard online at http://classes.uaf.edu
Suggested Reading:
On Directing Film by David Mamet, Penguin Books.
On reserve at the Library
Secrets of Screen Acting by Patrick Tucker
Top 100 Directors list
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/page/0,11456,1082823,00.html
Great Directors list (use this for film papers)
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/index.html
Course Description:
This course will be focused on the art and techniques of film directing -- a brief history of its development, functions of the director, and components of the art. A variety of directing styles will be examined with emphasis placed on creative visualization and developing directing skills.
Course Goals:
Specific areas to be studied are script analysis, storyboarding, shot composition, working with actors, and editing. The student will direct two film scenes and a number of shorter shot assignments dealing with concept, storyboard, camerawork, focus, movement, and design. Illustrated Scripts will be due for each scene directed, along with other supporting documents (rehearsal schedules, character analysis, production designs, etc.). Students will direct an original work for the final project.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will learn ways of preparing a film script, previsualizing shots and camera placement, and setting up shots and scenes to match their vision of the film.
Attendance:
Each student will be allowed one absence without penalty. After one, each subsequent non-excused absence will result in lowering the final grade for the course by 5%.
Instructional Methods/Evaluation:
Attendance/participation & discussion 15%
Film Reviews 15%
Written assignments 20%
Production assignments 20%
Tests/Illustrated Scripts (midterm/final/quizzes) 20%
Production team reviews 10%
All work will be evaluated using a +/- grading system as follows:
A+ = 4.0 100-97%
A = 4.0 96-93%
A- = 3.7 92-90%
B+ = 3.3 89-87%
B = 3.0 86-83%
B- = 2.7 82-80%
C+ = 2.3 79-77%
C = 2.0 76-73%
C- = 1.7 72-70%
D+ = 1.3 69-67%
D = 1.0 66-63%
D- = 0.7 62-60%
F = 0.0 59-0%
ALL ASSIGNMENTS (written or performed) WILL BE SUBMITTED ON TIME OR BE PENALIZED 5% FOR EACH LATE DAY. LATE WORK FROM DIRECTORS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. All written assignments, unless otherwise noted, are to be typed double-spaced, emailed to maya@alaska.edu or posted on blackboard.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS may include:
-storyboards
-1 play critique from a directorial standpoint
-an illustrated script or prompt book including analysis of script, scenes, characters,
rehearsal schedule, ground-plan, storyboards, set/prop/light/costume
designs, rehearsal diaries, etc.
-film reviews and film director papers
PRODUCTION ASSIGNMENTS may include:
photographic storyboards
digital video assignments
digital editing assignments
ACTORS: Directors are encouraged to use actors from theatre majors and acting classes. For casting recommendations please contact Acting instructor Carrie Baker at 474-7754 or Anatoly Antohin 474-5253. Fundamentals of Acting meets TR 9:45-11:15 and Intermediate Acting meets MW 4:40-6:10 PM
PRODUCTION CRITIQUE REQUIRED: You are required to see the UAF Production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” - April 18-27 in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre. Free tickets available for all enrolled students at UAF Theatre Box Office. www.uaf.edu/theatre/season. You are required to write one critique which must be submitted before the discussion in class.
CLASS SCHEDULE (subject to change as needed). All Reading Assignments must be completed BEFORE week discussed. Pop quizzes may be issued to determine your reading comprehension. Film reviews are due on Tuesdays. Other writing/production assignments due on Thursdays.
FILM REVIEWS: Six Film Reviews are due by Midterm and another six reviews are due by Finals. You must select a film/director from the list of great directors above. The review will be 2-3 pages and will surmise your review of the director’s choices in the film, and a brief history of the director. Focus on one scene or sequence that you feel is especially interesting and explain why.
Week 1: A brief history of the moving picture – What is a director?
Einstien to Eisenstien
To Watch: Lumiere and Company (Lumiere et compangine) On Reserve.
Writing Assignment: Pick one director and write a 3 page paper describing the film, about the director, their history, and what other films directed. What does the director say by making this 50sec. film?
Week 2: Pre-production: Visualization
DUE in Class Tuesday- Writing Assignment: Lumiere Directors
Have Read: Shot by Shot: Introduction, Chapters: 1, 4 & 5
Week 3: Pre-production: Design and Storyboarding
Reading Assignments:
Writing Assignment: Watch another film by the same director as you wrote about previously, and compare-contrast the directors STYLE.
Week 4: : Directing Styles: Continuity Style /Montage method / Cinema Virite/ Documentary.
DUE in Class – Writing/Production Assignment:
Reading Assignments:
Week 5: The Camera
Reading Assignments:
Production Assignments:
Week 6: Concept, Composition, and Editing
Scene proposals and concepts/ Illustrated Scripts due.
Week 7: Spring break No Classes March 10 -14
Recommended to READ: On Directing Film by David Mamet
Week 8: Working with Actors: Casting Call- (3/4&3/6)
Production Assignment: First Scenes Shot and Directed: 2& 3 subjects & 1 camera
Reading Assignments:
Week 9: Directing scenes cont.
Reading Assignment:
In class directing 4 and more subjects 1 and 2 cameras
Week 10: Basics of Editing
Production Assignment Due;
Week 11: Time and Space on Screen
Reading Assignments:
Week 12: Following the subject
Reading Assignments:
Production Assignment: Storyboards Due
Week 13: Smooth Moves
Reading Assignments:
Production Assignment: Production Designs-Costume Designs due
Week 14: Final Cuts
Final Exam: DVD Due for Final Exam Saturday May 10 from10:15-12:15
Disabilities Services: The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and insures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203 WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.
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