Course Outline
WEEK 1 Overview of film industry and nonfiction film production, from development to distribution. Discussion of roles and responsibilities of a film crew. A brief history of documentary and experimental films. Discussion of short film format.
Assignments 1: Write a treatment for 1-2 minute documentary or experimental video project.2: Production report #1
WEEK 2 Students present proposals for short film projects. Feedback. Analysis of different styles of nonfiction film. Screening of non-fiction films. Students divide into production teams.
Assignments 1: Research subjects and write first draft of nonfiction script.2: Production report #2
WEEK 3 Overview of process of pre-production including research, writing documentary script, script breakdown, budgeting, locations. Pre-interviews, scheduling, legal releases. Discussion of camera angles, storyboarding and the director’s shot list. Students read 1st drafts of scripts. Feedback and discussion.
Assignments 1: Complete final draft of script.2: Production report #3
WEEK 4 Overview of the production process. The basic functions of documentary crew of production manager, DP, sound person. Interview techniques and exercises. Students will all work on each other’s films and rotate responsibilities from one project to the next. Introduction to the equipment and basic camcorder operations including exposure, focus, white balancing. The proper use of lights, sound, tripod, sandbags, cords, production box. Students read final drafts of scripts, feedback.
Assignments 1: Breakdown script.2: Select interview subjects or actors, scout locations, collect releases.3: Finalize shooting schedules for students filming after week 5.4: Production report #4
WEEK 5 Equipment drill, proper framing, lighting and sound techniques. Final questions, comments and concerns and review schedule before class goes to first week of shooting.
Assignments 1: Students begin 1st week of shooting 2: Finalize shooting schedules for students filming after week 6.3: Production report #5
WEEK 6 Discussion of first week of shooting. Screening of dailies. More equipment drills with camera, lights and microphone. Optional in-class filming time. Final questions, comments and concerns before class goes to second week of shooting.
Assignments 1: Second week of shooting.2: Finalize shooting schedule for students filming after week 7.3: Production report #6
WEEK 7 Discussion of second week of shooting. Screening of dailies. More equipment drills and on-set simulations if needed. Introduction to editing, including editing theory and practice. Montage vs. long take, dictations of genre and psychological effects. Discussion of different formats of editing, film editing, VCR to VCR, nonlinear. In-class demonstration of linear and nonlinear editing. Final questions, comments and concerns before class goes to third week of shooting.
Assignments 1: Third week of shooting 2: For students finished with shooting, begin logging/editing footage/collection of music and sound effects. 3: Finalize shooting schedule for students filming after week 84: Production report #7.
WEEK 8 Discussion of third week of shooting . Screening of dailies. Optional in-class linear editing time. Questions, comments and concerns before class goes to final week of shooting.
Assignments 1: Final week of shooting.2: First round of rough cuts from students who shot first.3: Production report #8.
WEEK 9 Discussion of final week of shooting, screening of dailies. Presentation of first round of rough cuts. Comments and feedback. Optional in-class linear editing time.
Assignments 1: Students continue with rough cuts, logging/editing footage/collecting music and sound effects.2: First round of final cuts due.3: Students shoot pick-ups, if necessary.4: Production report #9
WEEK 10 Screening of rough cuts and final cuts. Comments and feedback. Optional in-class linear editing time.
Assignments 1: Continue editing rough cuts and final cuts.2: Production report #10
WEEK 11 Screening of rough cuts and final cuts. Comments and feedback. Discussion of now my film is finished, what now? In other words, an introduction to avenues for marketing and distribution.
Assignments 1: All students finish final cuts.2: Production report #11.
WEEK 12 Discussion of film finance, raising money for making the next film. Each student wraps up with a reflection of the past 12 weeks, recorded on camera. At the end of class will be a small private party/screening of the video projects with a limited number of invited guests.
Assignment 1: Production report #12