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VIDEO PRODUCTION
Video Production now fulfills the U.C.'s "a - g requirement" for FINE ARTS. It is a year long class where students learn about the art of film making, as well as write their own short subject screenplay. Several of the screenplays will be selected to be produced.
Equipment -bring in mini DV and headphones to be kept in class.
Survivor - Produce a Survivor-type opening featuring all the members of the class. Learn editing software and techniques. Survivor Samples Example 2, Period 3 or Period 4
Exercise # 1 - Plot Points - Watch a movie. Start your clock at the opening shot. How many minutes in before you were hooked? What time was Plot Point 1? Plot Point 2? Describe the scenes and exact times. Did your movie fit the 3 act paradigm? Click here to see a full explaination of the "Three Act Paradigm" Type your answers. 1 page minimum. Click here to see L. Ebrahim's Plot Point example or K. Makishima's Plot Point Example. Click here for the direction handout - Writing homework #1
Silent Movie - In a six person group, produce a silent movie. Learn camera techniques and basic editing. Samples: "Deja Vu" " "Magic Touch" "Chocolate Lovers" "Hallway of Doom"
Exercise #2- The Subject - Without conflict, you have no action. Without action, you have no character. Without character, there is no screenplay. Find a subject you want to treat in screenplay form. Reduce it to one paragraph in terms of action and character, and type it out. You don't need details just an overview of what will happen and to whom. Make sure your idea is producible. Click here for the direction handout - Writing homework #2
Storyboarding - Using a "Calvin and Hobbs" 8 panel comic strip as a storyboard, make a short movie with smooth continuity. I won't be grading on acting (luckily) but looking for how well your framing and continuity match your comic strip storyboard. See Calvin storyboard 1 See Storyboard 1 or Calvin Storyboard 2 P2 Calvin Storyboard 2 P4 see Storyboard 2
Duplicate a Scene - In four person groups, choose a one minute scene from a movie and reproduce its camera angles, framing, and timing exactly. Young Frankenstein or A Beautiful Mind or The Godfather or Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Exercise #3- Character - Type a biography of your MAIN character's interior life - that is from birth until the first scene of your screenplay. This is what formed his character. Be specific. Tell me his name, family life, likes and dislikes. Anything that made him who he is until the minute your screenplay begins. Click here for the direction handout - Writing homework #3
Directing - Project Gold Light - Students are given a scene that is written to be as ambiguous as possible as to tone, character, gender, setting, circumstances, etc. Students must select 2 of the 3 pages, combine them in the order of their choosing and shoot a single short film between 3 and 5 minutes in length. Additionally, you must add OR select dialog as prompted. Otherwise, the script must be played verbatim; however, pace-pauses, mumbles, gesticulations - are entirely up to you. Read the Script Sample Movies: "Project Gold Light" pp. (3,2)"Traitor"(pp.1,2), "Conspiracy" (pp. 3,2) "The Interrogation" (pp. 2,3) The Agents (pp. 3,2)
Exercise #4 - Outlining -Any time that your movie changes time or place it is a new scene. When your character moves from one room to another, when your story changes from morning to night, your hero flashes back to another day - each one is a new scene. You may not use "then something happens" but instead write the outline that will be used to write your actual screenplay. This is a big assignment and should involve a lot of thought. Click here for the direction handout - Writing homework #4
Homework #5 - Start a Scriptbuddy Account - Create an account on www.scriptbuddy.com for yourself. For details check out the handout - Assignment #5
Scripting - Using www.scriptbuddy.com write a short screenplay (5 to 15) pages that can be produced by the class. We will chose several to produce and make some student films second semester.
Commercial - Sell yourself! Create a less than 30 second ad to convince people to "Same Me a Spot in College." You could win $500 or $1000! Contest rules and examples at http://www.collegecampaign.org/contest
Video Journalism - Produce an under 2 minute story or Public Service Announcement that can be aired on "The Mane Event." Click here for directions.
Music Video - Using a song of your choice, create a music video that communicates visually what the song means to you. This is your chance to really be expressive. Directions
Documentary - In groups of 1 to 3, produce a documentary on the subject of your choice. Minimum 4 minutes.
Electronic Press Kit - In groups of 3, develop a 3 to 5 minute teaser for a movie, complete with interviews, music and b-roll.
Greenscreen Project - Using our studio greensceen put your self into a movie scene of your choosing paying close attention to perspective and framing of shots. (Luckily, bad acting will not be held against you.)
