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09/23/07

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COLUMBIA COLLEGE

 

 

FALL 2006 (old do not use)

 

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION                              DATE   08/21/2006

Edward Collings

Brown Hall 211        

573-875-7521

eccollings@ccis.edu

 

Text                                         Final Cut Express for Mac, Lisa Brenneis, Peachpit Press,                                                                            ISBN 0-321-24692-6 first used 2004  Note: This text book is not required but helpful

 

Other required supplies         1. USB  Flash drive of 128 MB or above

    2. Blank DVD-R buy as needed two or three

 NOTE: Buy only –R Not +R

                                                        3. One MiniDV tape DVM60 Sony, Fujifilm

                                                        4. Not required but a DV video camera would be helpful

 

COURSE ORGANIZATION

Tentative schedule of tests, assignments, papers, projects, etc.

 

·         Pre-production planning movie concept and prepare a storyboard

·         Production recording video and sound, rehearsal, acquire music

·         Post-production capture and video editing and sound.

·         Filming dialogue

·         Filming commercials

·         Filming music videos

·         MOVIE 1
A sample of effects Movie
Use iMove or Windows movie maker


 Note: This is one person project.

·         Produce sample footage and effects of the following:

1. Zoom and camera Dynamics ( use the same object /person zoom in  and then physically move the camera closer) Camera Dolly Under a minute will be OK.

2. Shoot footage using worms eye and birds eye view. Under a minute will be OK.

3.  Shoot stock footage of interesting stuff and add a minimum of eight special effects / filters. Be sure to place a identifying label before  each effect/filters.  iMovie and movie maker  have  over twenty effects and filters.


4.  Sample of a bad continuity. Make it subtle.

5.  Run footage fast slow and backward

 DUE  On September xx Screenings of  movie 1

·         MOVIE 2
A dialog movie

 Note: This is one person project.

·         Use iMove or Windows movie maker  Go to the download page  then open the folder filmmaking arts 374 now watch the sample dialog movie.
You now will
plan your own dialog movie, prepare a script and draw out your storyboard. Pitch your idea to the class and take suggestions. Using index cards, storyboard, props and actors have a rehearsal. Shoot your dialog movie and import your footage into either iMove or window movie maker.

NOTE: You may either write a phone dialog or OTS   conversation OK.

 iMovie and movie maker have excellent help
tutorials.  Read
under contents importing video and still images , working with clips and adding transitions, titles, and effect.

·       1. Edit this phone dialogue using split, trim, ripple and clear

·         2. Add a transition between each clip.

·         3. Make up a title and closing Note: put your name as the editor

·        DUE  On September xx Screenings of  movie 2 (All students will write a small review of each movie)

 

·        MOVIE 3

COMMERCIAL
Note: This is one person project.

·       Produce a 30 second to one minute commercial (Selling a real or a made up product/service) Pitch your idea to the class and take suggestions. Using index cards, storyboard, props and actors have a rehearsal. Shoot your dialog movie and import your footage into FCE or Premiere
This is one person project.
·        DUE  On September xx

·        MOVIE 4_MUSIC VIDEO
Note: This is one person project.

·        Produce a music video This movie should be the length of the song or about three to five minutes.

·        DUE  On October xx

 

·        MOVIE 5

 unexpected twist

Use FCE this is Two or Three  person project.

·         Produce a one to three minute dialogue or non-dialogue movie that uses the following  movies as a guide;   "Dessert" "Jackpot". The purpose of this assignment is to gain practical experience with video pre-production, videography techniques, desktop video editing.  The movie should end with an unexpected twist with the use of visual effects, sound, music, etc.

1.   Pre-production: Write a paragraph briefly describing the movie   concept and prepare a storyboard that gives a brief description of each scene.  It must include the following elements: Titles, transitions, clip filters, pan, tilt or crane shot, dolly shots. Please keep zooms to a minimum.

2.   Production: Here are some of the many things needed: Cinematographer to record video and sound, a rehearsal, music, storyboard or index cards representing each scene in the story, location scouting, props, models, miniatures, and previewing scenes (in camera). 

3.   Post-Production: Capture and edit video and sound in Adobe Premiere project file (*.ppi Output the finished movie in two formats, one as a QuickTime movie (*.mov) 200 X 150 suitable for the Internet. The other file a Microsoft *.avi, use 360x270 mpg-4 15.00 fps, for CD-ROM.

Notes:
Time limit: your video must not exceed 5 minutes. You should aim for a production of about 3 minute. The longer your production, the bigger your video file storage.  Your video must be longer than 55 seconds.

·        DUE  On October xx

·        MOVIE 6- instructional or Documentary video

Use FCE this is Two or Three  person project.

·        Work with a group to make an instructional video that teaches a concept/how to do it or a Documentary video. You must write a script, rehearse actors, use dialogue, two person with (OTS) over the shoulder shots. Storyboard the clips before you begin shooting. Include all the elements from FCE that are needed such as transitions, music, titles, etc. This movie should be about three to five minutes. Finally, your group must record your movie on a DVD and on to a VHS tape. Your group will present the instructional video to the class.  

·        DUE  On October xx

·        MOVIE 7- surrealistic/horror

Use FCE this is Two or Three  person project.
·        Work with your group to make a surrealistic/horror video. Note: it should use physiologic effects. Use all the filters, transitions, special-effects, sound, and music needed. Also include the use of chrome key (green is best). Be sure to use many fast clips, and synchronize your music and sound effects to the visual elements.
Story boarding this one will be tougher, but still valuable.

1.   Pre-production: Your group will write a paragraph briefly describing the movie   concept and prepare a storyboard that gives a brief description of each scene.  It must include the following elements: Titles, transitions, clip filters, pan, tilt or crane shot, dolly shots. Please keep zooms to a minimum. Your group will Pitch your idea to the class and take suggestions on Nov 17

Rough cut screening  on December xx


DUE
This is the final Movie and will be screened on exam day December 13 at 2:30-4:30

 


 

·        Final project 8:  Produce 2-DVD’s of all your work for this class.  Leave one with me and keep one for yourself. Remove all footage from hard drives

·        Storyboards:

·        Use of storyboards began with Walt Disney in his first animated films.  Continuity sketches (6 to a page) showing the important action and cutting points were used as early as 1927. Storyboards serve two purposes: first, they allow a filmmaker to previsualize his ideas and refine them in the same way a writer develops ideas through successive drafts; secondly, they serve as the clearest language to communicate ideas to the class, instructor, or entire production team.  Even small, dramatic films can benefit from storyboards, helping the director refine mood and dialogue.

  • Documentary Video
  • a film or TV program presenting the facts about a person or event
  • objective: emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings, insertion of fictional matter, or interpretation; "


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·        Participation:

·        Students should participate in all critiques, consult/conferences with the instructor concerning Story Board ideas, contribute positive input to the class, and have a good attendance record.  Arriving tardy and leaving early is also considered poor participation.

 

A pitch is a concise verbal (and sometimes visual) presentation of an idea for a film, generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for a screenplay to be written. Pitches are usually made in person, although they can be made over the phone or, occasionally, pre-recorded on audio or videotape.

OTS a commonly-used camera angle or view in films, mostly in shot/reverse-shot editing, in which the camera records the action from behind the shoulder and/or head of one of the characters, thus framing the image; the two characters are thus linked or connected to each other, and their positions are established 
 

A camera dolly is a specialized piece of film equipment that looks like a little car. The camera is mounted to the dolly and the camera operator and camera assistant usually ride on it to operate the camera. The dolly is operated by a dolly grip who is a dedicated technician trained in its use.

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Instructional methods

  • Lectures/Demonstrations: The first half of each class will be used to highlight the important material within each unit using interactive discussions, group work, handouts, and computer demos.
  • Labs: The last half of each class is dedicated to hands-on learning, facilitated by the instructor. You will work at your own pace during this portion of the class to solidify the lesson material or to begin project work.

 

  • Projects: Each project consists of three parts: the Concepts Review, Skills Review, and one Independent Challenge from the end of the unit discussed during at class. Fifteen projects that correlate to Units A-J will be assigned throughout the course

 

Out-of-class activities

Read History of Motion Picture

FCE Tutorial

Run the CD Training videos on FCE

For good practice use a one-minute clip of a movie and draw up a storyboard.

 

EVALUATION

Students will turn in 7 movies for grading, 4 movies before midterm and 3 more.  One exam during the course equals 10 percent and covers the technical lectures. Projects are graded on technical skill, composition, coherence, and viewer appeal. NO INCOMPLETE GRADES.

The assessment of the merits of the photographic portfolio will be obtained by the use of the following:

A) Technique: Have correct technical choices been made concerning such things as focus, development, time, exposure, contrast density, etc.?

B) Composition: Has organization, order and harmony been achieved among the varying elements of the photograph? Does the composition add meaning to the photograph?

C) Content: This deals with what the photograph says to the viewer. Do the photographs have meaning? Do they relate to a larger audience?

D) Aesthetic: Degree of richness and depth of the work's aesthetic potential. This is more subjective because it is interpretive. The assumption is that the greater the intensity of the aesthetic aspects, the more valuable and appreciated will be the work of art.

E) Problem solving: Has the assignment been fulfilled in a unique and original manner?



Grading scale (score equivalents of letter grades)

 

 A                    (90 – 100%)

B                      (80 – 89%)

C                      (70 – 79%)

D                     (60 – 69%)

 F                     (59% or less)

 

Weighting scale (percentages attributed to various evaluative methods to arrive at final grade)

 

 

                               Movie 1-4                   500 points                       25%

                               Movie 5-7                  900 points                        45%

                               Final DVD                300 points                 15%

                               Exams                      200 points                 10%

                               Class Participation     100 points                 5%



COURSE POLICIES

Library resources

Online journal databases are available from off-campus through a proxy server.  The URL for the proxy server is http://proxy.ccis.edu:####.    The pound signs are replaced by the current proxy number.  Directions for setting up your computer to use the proxy can be found at http://www.ccis.edu/departments/library/ocresources.html.

 

Attendance    Students are expected to attend ALL classes. Students are expected to be working at their stations during class until the announced clean-up time.  Chronic, unexcused tardiness will be considered to constitute class cuts. Students are responsible for learning assignments and due-dates for any work missed due to class absences. Students with unexcused absences will not be permitted to make up  missed assignments without a grade penalty. Students may be absent up to three classes per semester without a documented excuse. Students missing the forth classes with an unexcused absence will be reported as endangering their progress in the course.  It has been my policy to send one warning letter to the student.   If we cannot resolve the problem the student will be dropped from the class after the forth absence.

 

Academic honesty and conduct

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a dignified manner. All students are expected to respect the rights of others and to conduct themselves in an honest and ethical manner. Any act of cheating, plagiarism, or other unethical practice will result in an automatic “F” for the class.

 

Make-up examinations

If you are absent with an excuse, you will have one week to turn in make up work or to take a make-up examination.

 

ADA accommodation

Students with documented disabilities that may need academic adjustments or auxiliary aids or services for this course are required to register with the Center for Academic Excellence, MO Hall 105, 875-7626.

be considered to constitute class cuts. Students are responsible for learning assignments and due-dates for any work missed due to class absences. Students with unexcused absences will not be permitted to make up  missed assignments without a grade penalty. Students may be absent up to three classes per semester without a documented excuse. Students missing the forth classes with an unexcused absences will be reported as endangering their progress in the course.  It has been my policy to send one warning letter to the student.   If we cannot Resolve the problem you will be dropped from the class after the forth absences.

 

 

 

 

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