film 1 and 2
Class Email-phsfilmandscreenwriting@gmail.com
Year Long Course
Instructor: Brett Owen
Click here: Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces the fundamental elements of film artistry and production. Topics include film styles and genres, history, and production techniques as well as the social values reflected in film art. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze critically the elements covered in relation to selected films. Students should also be able to effectively analyze films within their respective thematic and historical context, and they will be able to write an efficient and poignant script for a short film. In practice, students will be effective in the preproduction, production, and postproduction elements of digital filmmaking. Students will work towards creating their own film.
Color Grade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFCnVRcT3Q
Flat Profile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72wJqaCnKfE
Echo Fixing Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O1XyEs2-o8
Noise Add: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7P_sSUH9fE
Constant Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E1ztqg03lI
Film Grain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc6NtSeqAtM
Video Edit Tricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaO0D66xeYY&t=482s
Camera Settings: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG3eOzJfQr2e2OD4W0GmcSpO5oZ-c5FIu
Editing Photos in Photoshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMDXOr4LmI
Car Visual Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg9UbgvnLuo&t=322s
LESSON 1: WHAT IS FILM?
Day 1:
• History of film from silent movies to the recent blockbuster. Project 1: Slides 50 Points
Day 2: Blue Moon Editing Introduction
• Film as an art form and its various genres (drama, documentary, etc)
Project 2: Create :5's clip Genre montage using movie trailers from past films. Use portions of the trailer that really portray the genre type.
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Thriller, Horror, Crime, Western, Science Fiction, and Historical.
50 Points
Rubric:
All genres portrayed
Title Credits
Exponential Fade
Audio Balance
Converter Website: https://youtubemp4.to/
Film Sequence: Title Credits, Genre Title, Clip, Genre Title, Clip
LESSON 2: FILM THEORY
Discussion: Discuss with a partner!
What is the last film you saw?
What impressed you the most about it? Why?
What is the best film you have ever seen? What about it makes it the best?
Class Discussion:
What is Cinematography?
Camera Angles: Close-Ups and Long Shots
How would they place the camera if they were filming the class right now?
What effect would they like to create? Why?
Scene Prompt: Storyboard a scene showing a student walking into the classroom and turning on a computer.
30 Points
SCENE ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK The following framework has been designed to help you analyze films. After you watch the movie segment, try to answer the following questions: Share a google doc with a partner. Copy information below on the document and anther the questions as a team.
Setting
• Is the setting authentic or constructed? Support your answers.
• When and where does the scene take place?
• How does the director use color in the scene?
Cameras
Are there any colors that stand out? Support your answer
. • Where is the camera in the scene? Is it moving or fixed?
• What is the effect created by moving or positioning the camera in this way?
Objects
• Describe what elements you observe in this scene.
• Are all the elements treated in the same way, i.e., does the camera focus more on some elements than on others? Why?
• What emotion does the combination of all the elements in the scene evoke?
Characters
• What characters are involved in the scene?
• Briefly describe their function in the scene.
Mood
• What is the general mood of the scene?
• How do color, camera angles, and movement contribute to this mood?
• What emotions does the director want to convey? In your opinion is he successful?
Conclusion
• Would you eliminate any elements from this scene? Why? Camera Objects Characters Mood Conclusion
Watch the three trailers below and pick one to do another scene analysis on.
Life of PI
Rocky
Slumdog Millionaire
LESSON 3 - Character Development
GOOGLE DOC - Review
Copy and paste questions then respond using complete thoughts and sentences in a google doc.
Part 1: Film Reflection
Think about the main characters in a movie that you have recently seen. Who are they?
What were their individual objectives? In other words, what do they want more than anything?
What were their obstacles? What kinds of things are standing in their way of meeting their objectives?
How did your characters relate to each other? Did they support each other? Did they fight against each other?
Part 2: Protagonist vs Antagonist
Film Review: Dark Knight
Who is the main character?
What is their objective?
What is their obstacle?
How do you think they overcome their obstacle?
Watch the clip below and answer the 5 questions on the same google doc as the top.
Review:
What drives the joker to be a sinister character?
Why does Batman struggle with defeating this enemy?
Lesson 4: development of a protagonist character
Why Should The Audience Care About Your Character?
Student Worksheet Name: _____________________________
Character Development Questions #1- The Basics These are the first questions you need to answer about your character-‐ the stuff you probably need to know to get started.
Name
Age
Height
Weight
Hair Color
Eye Color
Skin Tone
Do they speak with an accent?
Where are they from?
Where are they now?
Character Development Questions #2- The Backstory Developing a solid backstory for your character is essential – even if you don’t put much or any of it in the narrative. The more you treat your character as though they are a real person, the more real they’ll become.
Who are their parents? Biologically and socially?
What is their earliest memory?
What did they want to be when they grew up?
What did/do their parents want them to be?
Do they have siblings? Older or younger? Brothers or sisters?
Do they have or have they ever had children? How many?
Do they or have they ever had a significant other? Are they still with them? Why? Why not?
What were they doing right before the story starts?
Up until now, what’s the most noteworthy thing they’ve done? To them? To people around them?
What was their education like?
Character Development Questions #3- Tastes Your character likes and dislikes -‐ their tastes -‐ is possibly the most overt part of 'who they are'. People get to know other people's tastes quickly and easily, and even an acquaintance can know that they always drink Pepsi over Coke when available, or other things like that.
What’s your characters favorite color?
Do they/would they choose to wear a scent? What would it be?
Do they care about what things look like? All things, or only some?
What’s their favorite ice cream flavor?
Are they a tea or coffee drinker? What do they drink?
What kind of books do they read? What TV shows and movies do they watch?
What kind of music do they like? Do they like music at all?
If they were to die, what would they have as their last meal?
Are they hedonistic? In all cases? Or does practicality sometimes/always/often win out?
Do they have any phobias?
Character Development Questions #4- Morals, Beliefs, and Faith A character’s moral code and beliefs can offer a lot of insights on their motives, and the likelihood of their taking a given action. Note: in this case, ‘moral’ should not be taken to be objectively good, but as a neutral term for a belief that affects codes of behavior.
Do they have an internal (created for themselves) or external (handed to them) moral code?
To what extent are their actions dictated by this code?
Do they believe in God or Gods/Goddesses/Higher beings?
Are they superstitious?
Do they value faith/instinct more highly than reason?
Do they believe in an afterlife? If so, what is it like?
Do they have any specific beliefs that are revealed?
Do they respect others beliefs? To what extent?
Have they ever had to stand up to criticism for being religious? Or not being religious?
Would they be more likely to act for the good of the one, or the good of many?
Character Development Questions #5- Relationships It would be difficult (not impossible, but difficult) to write a character who never interacted with anyone else. Modern thinking about writing style suggests that we should learn more about a character from the way other people react to them than by their actions alone. So, these questions about relationships will help to define the ways other people behave around your character.
Do they make friends easily?
Do they have a best friend?
Can they get people to do what they want them to? If so, how?
Do they have a lot of romantic relationships? Serious, or short term?
Do they fall in and out of love easily?
Do strangers and acquaintances actually like them when they meet?
Do they have a network? (That is, a range of people they're connected to without necessarily knowing)
What is their relationship like with their family?
Are they still in touch with non-‐family people they were in touch with a year ago? Five years? Ten? More?
Do they like children? Do they want children of their own?
Character Development Questions #6- Physical Appearance Time to play dress up! I don't know about you, but this is always one of my favorite parts.
How does this character dress? How would they choose to dress, if all options were open to them?
Do they have any tattoos? What do they mean?
Do they have piercings? How many? Is this culturally appropriate for them?
Do they have scars? Where did they come from?
Do they alter their appearance in some way on a regular basis?
Is there something they'd choose to change about their appearance if they had the opportunity to?
Is there something about their appearance they're particularly proud of/happy with?
Objectively, are they physically attractive? Fairly plain? Unattractive?
Do they have an accurate mental picture and opinion of their physical appearance?
How much time do they spend thinking about their physical appearance?
Character Development Questions #7- General Knowledge How well acquainted is your character with the world around them?
Can they navigate their own local area without getting lost? To what degree?
Do they know whom the top politician is where they live? What about elsewhere?
Do they know if/where there are any major conflicts going on right now?
Do they know the composition of water?
Do they know how to eat a special fruit such as a pomegranate?
Are they good with the technology available to them? Average? Completely hopeless?
Could they paint a house? Without making a mess of it?
Could they bake a cake? Would you eat it if they did?
Do they know how to perform basic maintenance on the common mode of transportation? (In a modern Earth context, can they change the oil and water in a car?)
Do they know the price of a loaf of bread?
Character Development Questions #8- Specific Knowledge What about special skills? Stuff your character knows that other people are unlikely to?
Do they have a specific qualification in a technical area?
Is there something they do or know exceptionally well that most other people don't?
Do people often comment on a particular skill or area of knowledge to this character? Behind their back?
Is there an area this character could be considered top of their field or a genius in?
Have they deliberately sought to gain knowledge in a specific area? If so, why?
Do they speak more than one language? More than two? Why?
Does their cultural background affect what they would be expected to know?
Have they ever been publicly acknowledged for being well-‐versed in something? (Think Nobel Prizes)
Have they ever been bullied for knowing a lot about something?
Do they actively seek new knowledge, or let it come to them naturally?
Character Development Questions #9- “What If...” Questions These questions are designed to give you a different perspective on why certain things are important about your character -‐ or why they're not.
What if they'd have more or less siblings?
What if a key formative event in their past had gone differently?
What if they lost a limb? (Would which limb be important?)
What if someone close to them died unexpectedly?
What if they'd been born 50 years earlier? 100 years? 1000?
What if they'd done something completely different on the morning when the story starts? (This is a good plot question, as well.)
What if they found enough money to make them wealthy for the rest of their life in a bag?
What if they were stranded and deserted?
What if someone they trusted betrayed them?
Character Development Questions #10- Other Questions These are just questions that any real person would likely be able to answer, but a fictional character often can't.
What did they have for breakfast this morning?
What ridiculous beliefs did they have as a child? (Did they think the moon really was made of cheese?)
Do they like marshmallows?
Do they sleep on their side, front, or back?
Do they work better with sound or silence?
Do they have a strange obsession with something minor?
Do they like art?
How fast can they run?
Do they prefer to sit on the floor or on a chair?
What do they want, right now?
PROFILE:
Summarize your character in a paragraph.
Lesson 5: Introduction to Screenwriting
Creating a Logline:
Steps of a script:
Outline or “1 pager”
Scene-by-scene.
Treatment
Scriptment
Script
3 Act Structure: With your partner, discuss a 3 act structure from a movie you have both seen.
Act I: Setup
Act II: Confrontation
Act III: Resolution
Script Setup:
Example:
Elevator Pitch: 25 words or less that tell what your script is going to be about.
Pick a genre
Premise
Create a logline - "Can be adjusted later"
Logline
Step 2: 1 Pager
5 paragraphs total.
Paragraph 1: Beginning - 5 Points
Paragraph 2: Middle - 5 Points
Paragraph 3: End - 5 Points
Paragraph 4: Character Development. - 5 Points
Paragraph 5: Setting, if needed. - 5 Points
Total - 25 Points
Step 3: https://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/
Creating a Script:
1.Cover Page - 10 Points
2. Logline - 15 Points
3. 1 Pager - 25 Points
4. 10 Page Script - 50 Points
Total Points - 100 Points
Advanced Editing
Important Film Cuts:
A J cut is a variant of a split edit film editing technique in which the audio from a following scene overlaps the picture from the preceding scene, so that the audio portion of the later scene starts playing before its picture as a lead-in to the visual cut. Also called an audio lead or audio advance.
An L cut is a variant of a split edit film editing technique in which the audio from preceding scene overlaps the picture from the following scene, so that the audio cuts after the picture, and continues playing over the beginning of the next scene.
In film, a match cut is a cut from one shot to another where the two shots are matched by the action or subject and subject matter. For example, in a duel a shot can go from a long shot on both contestants via a cut to a medium closeup shot of one of the duellists.
Lesson 6- editing like a pro!
Editing Tricks:
Folders
Color Labeling
ALT - Copy
A - Shift A - Moves Sections of Timeline
"Ctrl"- Insert Clip
Adjustment Layer - Wide Screen Cropping/Color Effect
Time Remapping - Slow and Speed up motion
Rolling Credits
Sequence Order
1. Title Credits - Gaussian Blur - Keyframe
2. Match Cut - Dream Sequence
3. J-Cut and L - Cut Ending Sequence
Welcome to your final video editing project! You will be editing a professionally shot scene for your final work. I have high expectations for this last assignment. Make sure to read the script and get creative with your cuts. Happy editing!
Project:
1. Go to the server to get your project file: Common to all V: Computers - Photo/Video Editing - Horror Scene folder. Drag it onto the desktop. There are 5 scenes that must be put together.
2. Read the script below. You will be utilizing this script as your timeline to create your story. Remember this is only guidelines. Get creative!
Here is the script for the scene:
HORROR SCRIPT
INT. WAREHOUSE NIGHT
We see down a dark hallway, and BECKY’s head pops up against the wall on the right side of the frame, she’s panting.
the KILLER enters down the hall, Becky looks and sees him, starts to run.
KILLER follows, axe in hand. When she looks back, he’s on top of her.
Killer swings the axe down on her.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM MORNING
Overhead shot of Becky, waking from bad dream. She checks her throat, gets out of bed.
INT. KITCHEN MORNING
ALLY, Becky’s roommate is making coffee. Becky enters.
BECKY
I just had the most terrifying dream.
I was in some warehouse, being
chased by this madman in a yellow
suit, and he grabbed me by the throat.
ALLY
Here, you need this more than me.
Ally hands her a cup of coffee.
3. Follow this script story and edit this scene together using the multiple shots together. All shots must be incorporated into the story for full credit!!!
4 Make sure to add title credit and closing credits.
5. Get creative with the sound track selected! Music can carry a scene.
6. Export and email your scene. I will grade and send you a response if you need to to make more changes.
Horror Scene Grading Rubric:
Audio: Use the sound effects and music to create a horror suspense feel to your scene.
Audio Levels: Make audio is mixed correctly! Add your fills.
Video: Use proper pace and continuity. Use all shots in the folder.
Titles: Create a opening title: Movie Title and Closing Credits.
Exporting: Export in correct settings.
Finalize Video: H.264-NTSC DV-Project Name
Project Total: 100 Points
Key Terms: Multicam Sequence, J-Cut, L-Cut, Adjustment Layers, Lumetri, Essential Sound, Blending Modes, Bin Organization, Roll, Ripple Edit
Lesson- Music video Editing - imagine dragons
Time to put it all the editing techniques together in your final edit. You will be editing a music video together that was professionally shot for an imagine dragons track. In this final project you will try and match audio with video in creative storytelling process to create an entertaining compilation.
Requirements:
Must use assets from all the folders
Slow Motion and Ramping
Blending Modes with atmosphere and stock footage
Lumetri color balancing
Project:
1. Go to the server to get your project file: Common to all V: Computers - Photo/Video Editing -Make the cut. Drag it onto the desktop. There are multiple files to create a full podcast.
Audio: Balancing Interview Audio
Audio Levels: Make audio mixed correctly! Add your fills.
Video: Creative use off all footage
Titles: Introduction Title to the song and band
Exporting: Export in correct settings.
Finalize Video: H.264-NTSC DV-Project Name
Project Total: 100 Points
Storytelling Review:
How do you interpret the meaning of the child?
What is the meaning of the boxing scene to the story being told in the lyrics?
How does the overall trailer tell a story with the lyrics?
Believer
First things first
I'ma say all the words inside my head
I'm fired up and tired of the way that things have been, oh ooh
The way that things have been, oh ooh
Second thing second
Don't you tell me what you think that I can be
I'm the one at the sail, I'm the master of my sea, oh ooh
The master of my sea, oh ooh
I was broken from a young age
Taking my sulking to the masses
Write down my poems for the few
That looked at me, took to me, shook to me, feeling me
Singing from heartache from the pain
Taking my message from the veins
Speaking my lesson from the brain
Seeing the beauty through the
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
(Pain, pain)
You break me down, you build me up, believer, believer
(Pain)
Oh let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from
(Pain)
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Third things third
Send a prayer to the ones up above
All the hate that you've heard has turned your spirit to a dove, oh ooh
Your spirit up above, oh ooh
I was choking in the crowd
Building my rain up in the cloud
Falling like ashes to the ground
Hoping my feelings, they would drown
But they never did, ever lived, ebbing and flowing
Inhibited, limited
'Til it broke up and it rained down
It rained down, like
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
(Pain, pain)
You break me down, you built me up, believer, believer
(Pain)
I let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from
(Pain)
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
Last things last
By the grace of the fire and the flames
You're the face of the future, the blood in my veins, oh ooh
The blood in my veins, oh ooh
But they never did, ever lived, ebbing and flowing
Inhibited, limited
'Til it broke up and it rained down
It rained down, like
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
(Pain, pain)
You break me down, you built me up, believer, believer
(Pain)
I let the bullets fly, oh let them rain
My life, my love, my drive, it came from
(Pain)
You made me a, you made me a believer, believer
APERTURE/SHUTTER SPEED/ISO
The triangle of exposure. These three elements of photography are shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. All three of the work on a camera to create exposure to a photo or film. Mastering all three of these allows you to get the best shot possible in your upcoming work.
APERTURE
The word aperture simply means “an opening”. In the case of photography, the aperture is created by an adjustable iris that can be opened or closed to control how much light enters the camera. This iris is made of a series of thin metal blades that move together to create a roughly circular opening of variable size. In most DSLR cameras, the iris is built into the lens itself. It is the opening in this iris that is actually the aperture.
When adjusting the size of the aperture, we describe “opening” the aperture up and “stopping” it down. That simply refers to making the hole wider or narrower. A photographer may say they are “shooting wide”, meaning they have opened the aperture a lot, or they may say they are “stopped way down”, meaning the aperture has been closed a lot.
ISO
ISO is probably the most mysterious and complicated aspects of modern photography. ISO simply stands for International Organisation for Standards, and refers to – in simplest terms – the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor. Confusingly, there are several different standards, some which measure different things, and only a few completely agree with each other. To understand how to use ISO in your photography, you don’t need to know anything about that. You should understand how the camera’s sensor chip works, however.
Shutter Speed?
Shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter is open and a measurement of time. It’s basically the timer for light coming into the camera. Shutter speed is the length of time the shutter curtain is open and light is exposed to the sensor. Shutter speed is measured in time increments ranging from full seconds to a fraction of a second (sometimes up to 1/8000). The larger the shutter speed denominator, the faster the shutter opens and closes exposing less light to the camera sensor. When you use a lower shutter speed, the shutter is open longer and exposes more light to the image sensor.
Shutter Speed is one of the three pillars of the exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed). In addition to controlling light for proper exposure, shutter speed is also used artistically. You can use a very fast shutter speed to freeze the action of the hockey game or use a slower speed to create motion blur caused by flowing water.
CANON TEST
Composition Practice
Project: 11 shots in Total - Sort in to two folders on your desktop. Aperture and Shutter folders. We will edit in Photoshop.
Groups of 3: You will work in groups of three to create your portfolio of images.
9 Shot in Aperture Mode: Rule of thirds, Balancing Elements, Leading Lines, Symmetry and Patterns, Viewpoint, Background, Depth, Cropping, Experimentation.
2 Shot in TV Mode - Capture something in motion blur and still.
Total - 50 Points
First Film Production
Documentary Short- Pre-Production, Production, Post
Camera Shots and Movement
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/video/tips-and-solutions/filmmaking-101-camera-shot-types
Shot Portfolio: You will be given a tripod and camera for this project. Your groups are responsible for the equipment safety and returning it at the end of each day. Please offload the SD card information each day on a computer to prevent loss footage.
1. Storyboard each shot idea. Due by Tuesday. 15 Points
2. Each shot should include some type of camera movement. Dollying, Trucking, Pan, tilt, etc
3. You must use all the shots included in the list.
4. Each student will arrange their own edit in premiere using the groups footage. Each shot and movement should be labeled in the edit.
Color Grading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHSQdVoGqog
Rubric:
Title - Name and Project title
Label each shot
Color Grade your shots for cinematic feel
Add a audio track throughout
Project: 75 Points
Storyboard: 10 Points
Steps in Filming a Documentary:
Tell a story that you care about.
Duh, or else you will get bored, very quickly.
2. Research.
-Learn everything you can about the subject of the documentary.
3. Make a plan.
-Create an outline about HOW you want to film this doc.
4. Create a shot list.
-List the footage and interviews that you will need.
5, Start shooting.
-Film everything on your shot list, and maybe a little extra.
6. Write a script.
-Find the most compelling parts of what you shot, and build around that. Decide on narration or non-narration. The script does not need to have all of the voice-overs.
7. Begin editing.
8. Check legal and copyright issues.
- You need to have a release for your subjects and depending on where you film, permission for the land/property used. This becomes problematic if you plan on showing your film outside of class.
FIRST PITCH
Documentary Groups and Pitch - Due before break Thanksgiving break. 50 Points
Groups 1-4 students
Pitch Due- Wednesday - 50 Points
How To Interview Someone for a Documentary
Prepare your questions
Think ahead about the type of questions you want to ask your interviewee. What kind of information are you looking for from this particular person and what are the type of questions that will best get them to give you the information you’re looking for? No need to go crazy. 5-10 questions is usually enough.
Avoid “yes” or “no” answers
Your questions should be asked in such a way that you won’t get “yes” or “no” answers. You need your documentary interviewees to give you substantive answers that you can use in your video edits. Instead of “Are you happy with the outcome of the court case?” Ask, “What is your response to the outcome of today’s court case?”
Prepare, but be spontaneous
Even though you have prepared questions in advance, allow yourself to veer off from questions if the interviewee says something interesting or unexpected that you’d like to explore further. Sometimes the unplanned “spontaneous” questions & answers create the best moments.
Get the interviewee comfortable
When the video camera rolls, ask easy questions to warm them up. Ask them what they had for breakfast, where they are from, how many kids in their family.. anything to get them talking and comfortable. This is a key interviewing tip!
Don’t give out specific questions in advance
I cannot stress this point strongly enough. It’s perfectly acceptable to give someone a general idea of what the interview will be about, but do not give them your list of questions. If you do, they will try to memorize their answers in advance and you will lose spontaneity and freshness. Your interview will end up feeling stale, unauthentic and rehearsed.
Have them repeat your question
This is a great idea, especially if you plan to have no narration for your documentary. Get the person to repeat back your question in their answer. This will help you with the video editing and storytelling later during the editing process. For example, you ask, “How are you feeling?” The interviewee says, “How am I feeling? I’m feeling excited!”
Proper positioning of interviewee
If you are the person both shooting AND interviewing, the person may end up looking into the video camera, which gives the feeling of a personal and direct connection with the person talking. However, the off-camera approach is most common. The interviewer sits or stands right next to the camera so that the interviewee is looking just off camera. You get your best results if the interviewer (you) is standing right next to the camera, that way you can see the full face of the person you’re interviewing and not a profile, which can be unattractive and distracting to the viewer because you can’t see their eyes and facial expressions very well.
Keep your mouth shut
Stay quiet when the other person is talking. You don’t want to hear yourself in the background. (Watch out for the “hmmmm”, “Oh right..”) Just ask the question and then keep quiet. It’s good to nod, and make gentle facial expressions, just no sound. Unless of course, YOU are part of the story and the camera has both of you in the shot.
Ask for final comment
Here's a great video interviewing tip: at the end of the interview, always ask the person if they have any final thoughts. Ask them if there was anything you missed. This can sometimes bring out some great information you hadn’t thought to ask about.
Don’t stop filming when the interview is “over”
Especially when you have someone who is nervous and never got quite comfortable with the interview. When you’re done with your official questions, say “OK, that’s the end of the interview.” Make sure the camera continues to roll at this point because often the conversation will continue. Psychologically, the person no longer feels the “pressure” of the interview and will loosen up. This is the time I have often gotten the best quotes of the interview!
HOW TO FILM AN INTERVIEW
Key Light- Key light is the main source of light in a photograph or film.
FIll Light- The fill light is a supplementary light used in photography or filming that does not change the character of the main light and is used chiefly to lighten shadows
Back Light- This is used to separate the subject from the background.
Camera Setup - 2 camera Interview
Benefits:
Reactions
Double Audio
B- Roll for a Documentary
A-Roll is the footage that tells the main story. This could be footage of your subject being interviewed recounting an important story, or footage of the big competition that your documentary is about.
B-roll is the footage that makes the story more interesting. This could be the footage that you use to conceal cuts during interviews or illustrate a point that an interviewee is making, or footage that makes watching a process or illustrates a story better.
5 Key Shots - Wide Shot (Establishing), Close Up Action, Close UP Face, Over the Shoulder, Alternative Shot
Filming Inserts- Creative stills and movement shots of the environment.
Interview Projects
2 Camera Interview Setup Quiz - 50 Points
Group 1: Tuesday
Group 2: Wednesday
Group 3: Thursday
Group 4: Friday
1 Camera Interview with B-Roll
You will write 5 questions. Setup a 1 camera interview and interview one of your group members. You will have a 2nd camera that will move around the interview as B-roll. 50 Points
Short Documentary Films:
PROJECTS DUE:
Documentary Pitch: 50 Points
Photography Shots: 50 Points
Film Shot Sequence: 75 Points
1 Camera Interview: 50 Points
Documentary Interviews and B-Roll: Due by Friday
Introduction to Podcasting
Day 1: Introduction and Research
Day 2: Script and Timeline
Day 3: Music and SFX
Day 4: Recording Podcast
Kind World, So Chocolate Bar (7 mins, 23 sec.)
Hidden Brain, The Haunting Effects of Going Days Without Sleep (7 mins, 2 sec.)
Narrative structure
Since a narrative podcast is telling a story, writing your script with basic narrative elements is important. It’s often easiest to plan out the spine of your narrative and then fill in content around your story. Focus on including the basic elements of dramatic structure:
Exposition: the introduction of background information, such as setting and backstories
Conflict: situations where characters are challenged or must overcome some adversity
Climax: turning point for the characters’ story; beginning of overcoming the conflict
Denouement: resolution to conflict
Short Film: 2-5 Minutes
Example "Dream Date": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc0Hh-IrqL4
PLANNING
Once you have a basic story idea, there are some questions to be asked and a number of decisions to be made:
What is the core idea? What is my story about? (Premise)
Who is it about? (Protagonist)
What is the genre and style of my screenplay?
Who or what is giving the Protagonist grief? (Antagonist)
What is the question of my story?
Whose POV is the story told from?
What happens in my story? (Plot)
How does it happen? (Structure)
What is my screenplay about thematically?
How can I convey my plot, action and theme in images?
LOGLINE EXAMPLE: It's a story about a misfit engineer and a sassy co-pilot, but their spaceship crashes on an alien planet and have to figure out how to make it back to Earth.
Logline Due: Friday
1 Pager
5 paragraphs total.
Paragraph 1: Beginning - 5 Points
Paragraph 2: Middle - 5 Points
Paragraph 3: End - 5 Points
Paragraph 4: Character Development. - 5 Points
Paragraph 5: Setting, if needed. - 5 Points
Total - 25 Points
Grades:
Logline - 20 Points - Due Today
1 Pager - 25 Points - Due Wednesday
Script/Storyboard: 50 Points - Due Friday
Frames Per Second - Cinema Standard 24 or 25 FPS. US VS UK
ISO - Lower ISO is key! Lower ISO keeps grain off of the final shot.
Shutter Speed - Double the frame rate 1/50 or 50
Aperture - Depth of Field - Controlled by F-Stops - Large number smaller opening and vice versa
White Balance - Auto or pick a preset
FIlm scene breakdown
Lesson Objective: Understanding how to breakdown the shots and sound of a film scene.
Part 2: Bringing a scene to life
Using the school as your location. You will write a and film a scene of a made up film. Your scene has to have a a minimum of 15 camera changes and a minimum of half have to be in moment.
Script dialogue and action on a Google Doc as a group.
Storyboard
Scene Breakdown Sheet
Film - 24 FPS - 50 Shutter Speed - Low ISO
All group members will edit a final copy
Group 1:
Andrew
William
Toby
Group 2:
Trey
Kaleb
Owen
Group 3:
Zane
Kedrick
Shay
Group 4:
Jose
Calvin
Casady
Ryan
Due Dates:
Short Film Due March 1st
15 Shot short due February 21st
Getting Ideas Tips:
Study Other Writers’ Loglines
Focus On What Moves You
Opposites attract.
Reverse budgeting.
The “what if…?”
Watch movies.
Pre-Production
LOGLINE EXAMPLES: Create 1 pagers and logline on one google doc.
Groups: 1-2
Due Dates: Logline - MARCH 1st - 10% a day for later work
THE GODFATHER
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
PULP FICTION
The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
FOREST GUMP
Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him.
THE MATRIX
A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
What is a One-Pager
The one-pager is exactly what it sounds like, a summary of the most important facts about your project – all on a single page. This conveys to a reader the essentials about the story, characters, type of movie, and a little bit about you, as well as how to get in touch. At it’s very core, the one-pager is marketing.
Quick guidelines to creating a one-pager
Just one page
Tell the story of your story
Attractive & Appealing
Proofread for errors
Make the reader want to know more!
1 Pager Examples:
SCRIPT - 1st draft due march 15th
Revision Due March 22nd
Storyboard: Due March 27th
Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQsvhq28sOI&t=188s