Syllabus
Course Name : TFI Filmmakers Collaborative
12 Weeks, Begins Sept. 17, 2003, Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Instructor: James Lujan
Office Hours: By Appointment
Contact: 751-3380, jameslujan@yahoo.com
Textbook(s): Suggested: The Technique of Film Production by Steven Bernstein, Screenplay by Syd Field, Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices by Rick Schmidt, Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind
Course Description:
The Filmmakers Collaborative is an introductory, intensive, hands-on course in digital film production offered by the Taos Filmmakers Initiative (TFI). Students will learn the fundamentals of directing, screenwriting, producing, acting and editing while collaborating on short, narrative film projects which will be screened at a TFI-UNM public exhibition. Appropriate for students with minimal or no production experience.
Course Objectives:
The primary goal of the class is for students to emerge with a basic understanding and respect for the discipline and collaborative nature of the narrative filmmaking process through exposure to the five major areas of production (directing, screenwriting, producing, acting and editing). The result of the class’s collaboration will be the completion of a minimum of two short film projects (or more, depending on the total number of students) which will be screened publicly in early 2004. The secondary goal is for students to come out of the class with enough of a beginner’s knowledge about the filmmaking process for them to start developing their own films and continue with more advanced filmmaking studies.
Expectations:
Because the majority of learning will be hands-on and collaborative, class participation and attendance must be an absolute priority. Filmmaking is a very interdependent process. For the process to work, each student must accept a given role and responsibility. If the student is absent or undependable, the process is disrupted and the work is jeopardized. Though there will be little “homework” in the traditional sense, it is expected for students to be prepared to spend an average of 10 hours a week outside of class developing and writing scripts, rehearsing, preparing and shooting their film projects. Depending on the complexity and demands of any given film project, more than 10 hours weekly may be necessary. Students also may find it necessary to spend extra money on their projects beyond tuition and lab fees for production and postproduction on extra cameras and editing equipment. This is not a requirement, however, and is solely at the students’ discretion. Students must purchase their own mini-DV tapes for shooting (60 minute tapes are available at Walmart for $7). Students must also purchase additional copies of the final project for family, friends, or non-TFI students who helped in the making of the films.
Finally, because TFI is trying to create a safe, collaborative environment for creative expression, students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner at all times both in class and outside of class, especially if interacting with members of the community du ring the production of the film projects. Please no cell phones or Walkmans in class.
Course Requirements:
· Each student must be prepared submit a proposal and script for 5-15 minute film projects.
· Because only two to three scripts will be chosen by the instructor for production and because each project will only have one director, the remaining students are required to function in a collaborative manner as cast, crew, or part of the postproduction team.
· Each student must be willing to undertake responsibilities on the selected film projects including but not limited to writer, director, actor, production manager, director of photography, sound, art director, props, script supervisor, editor, assistant editor, sound editor and music composer.
· Students must meet all deadlines.
· All students must sign a waiver which holds TFI and UNM-Taos harmless against liability in the event of property damage or bodily injury while shooting the film projects.
· Whether functioning as a member of cast or crew, students are required to assist the production manager in compiling a production notebook which is due upon completion of the film. The following materials are typically included in such a notebook:
1) Copies of each draft of the script
2) The final shooting script.
3) Storyboards if they were prepared.
4) Any relevant pre-production materials such as shooting permits, location releases and actor waivers.
5) Any press clippings, casting calls, crew notices.
6) A shooting schedule and call sheets.
7) Camera reports or shooting logs.
8) Any floor plans or lighting diagrams which were prepared.
9) Copies of production photos, if any.
10) Editor’s logs
11) Sound logs/sound mix sheets.
12) Copies of weekly production reports (one page journals which document the making of the project)
· For the final class, students will be asked to appear before camera to talk about their experiences making the short films.