COURSE SYLLABUS. Reg. # Y3858 Units: 4. Quarter/Yr: Summer Day/Time: Tuesday 7-10pm. Dates: Jun 26-Sep 11 NO MEETING JULY 3 1 MEETING TBD

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1 COURSE SYLLABUS Course #: X Low-Budget Filmmaking Reg. # Y3858 Units: 4 Quarter/Yr: Summer 2012 Day/Time: Tuesday 7-10pm Dates: Jun 26-Sep 11 NO MEETING JULY 3 1 MEETING TBD Location: 1246 School of Public Affairs Bldg. Instructor: David Fraunces Instructor contact: 310/ or dfraunces@yahoo.com Course Description: In this detailed exploration of low-budget filmmaking, you learn techniques and theories examining all phases of the process from development to production to post-production. The focus is on translating a minimum budget into maximum quality on screen. Topics include the script, financing the production, evaluating the marketplace, analyzing and breaking down the screenplay, learning to apply creativity to a budgetary plan to maximize on-screen value, casting, selecting key production personnel, production design, music, editing, sound design, marketing, and distribution. Internet access required to retrieve course materials. Goals & Objectives: Topics include: 1) Script development, 2) Evaluating the market place, 3) Financing the production, 4) Scheduling the shoot, 5) Budgeting for low-budget, 6) Casting / acting, 7) Selecting and inspiring key production personnel, 8) Creating a visual style for the picture, 9) Sound/music/sound design, 10) Managing the set, 11) Post: editing, post sound, delivery, 12) Selling your movie. Each student completes a producer s pitch book for a feature-length screenplay. Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

2 Goal 1: Pass along real life lessons from the world of low-budget producing and directing Goal 2: Leave the student with a sense that they have a working knowledge of all facets of the low budget filmmaking process. Goal 3: Get the student to begin refining their own project for presentation to the outside world. Goal 4: Collaborate. Recommended Readings: Story Robert McKee, Save the Cat - Blake Snyder, Actions: The Actor s Thesaurus Marina Caldarone and Maggie Lloyd-Williams, The Filmmaker s Handbook Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus, On Directing Film David Mamet, Making Movies Sidney Lumet, A Pound of Flesh Art Linson, Down and Dirty Pictures Peter Biskind, The LA Production Guide. Recommended Viewings: Brick, The Brother s McMullen, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Movie Hero, Saw, Swingers, Napoleon Dynamite, Sex Lies and Videotape, Chasing Amy, Winter s Bone, Pi, Reservoir Dogs, Swimming With Sharks, May, Following. Grading: Course grades will be based the on the completion of exams, assignments, and classroom participation as follows: Breakdown of the weight for each component of the final grade: Pitching: 25 % Assignments: 25 % Producer s Pitch Book: 30 % Attendance/Punctuality: 10 % Participation: 10 % Total % must equal 100 Letter Grade % A (90-100%) B (80-89%) C (70-79%) D (60-69%) F (<59%)

3 A grade of C or better is considered a passing grade. Certificate students must take 400 level courses for a grade. Students are expected to participate in class, complete the assignments, be in communication with your instructor and fellow classmates Please note that ALL COURSE GRADES ARE FINAL. Student Behavior involving cheating, copying other s work, and plagiarism are not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Students are responsible for being familiar with the information on Student Conduct in the General Information Section of the UCLA Extension Catalog or on the website at COURSE OUTLINE Date/Topic Assignments Elements Week One: Introduction. Script development We discuss the roles above the line and script. FIRST CLASS: JUNE 26 TH, 2012 NO CLASS JULY 3RD Assignment #1: select a screenplay that you will use as your work throughout the course. It can be an original work or one from the list of suggested films to view. It must be in English. We will watch: Sex, Lies and Videotape and/or Winter s Bone Week Two: Marketability and ROI for low budget films We discuss the types of movies that can be made and made well for low budget, the market for specific genres and if your project can return for your investors. Week Three: Scheduling for low budget. We discuss how to plan your shoot to achieve three primary goals: tell your story, get your Assignment #2: Research and explore the top twenty grossing films under $2 million. Sort them by genre. And list the single most marketable element in the project. Watch one of those films and be prepared to discuss that film for class. NOTE: You will need: 1. a ruler 2. pencil 3. Three printed scenes from your screenplay at least two pages per We will watch: Napoleon Dynamite Film commission websites We will watch: Reservoir Dogs

4 coverage and making your days. Fund-raising and Locations scene. Week Four: Budgeting for low budget. We determine the ideal budget for your film and how to spend those dollars to make and complete your picture. NOTE: please bring your scheduled three scenes. We will budget them in class. Test: Pitching in class - 20% of your final grade. ers.com/ Week Five: We discuss in depth the issues related to raising money and location as they pertain to budget. From tax credits, to favors, to friends houses we examine this massive item in any low budget project. Assignment #3: Research the details of the tax credit/rebate program from three US states and be prepared to present each one. Film commission websites from Louisiana, New Mexico, California, Michigan, Massachusetts and Florida. Week Six: Actors Actors tell our stories. Few elements of a low budget film impact your ability to make a well told story like the performers on screen. We will examine their impact, importance and ROI. Week Seven: Crew We will talk in depth about hiring and inspiring your key crew personnel. Week Eight: Picture We will limit our exploration exclusively to everything that appears on screen and how Assignment #4: Research Q rating, IMDB Starmeter and create a list of three candidates for your top four roles in your film. Write a small summary of the performer based on box office performance to date.. Final Project assigned. List and compile the elements for a finished pitch book. Assignment #5: Review and select clips from three films that inspired you for your film. Select one for color pallet, one for camera and one for We will watch: Swimming With Sharks and Below the Beltway Home.aspx We will watch: Brick and Pi.

5 you mold and shape those elements to deliver your vision. Week Nine: Sound We discuss how sound can take your film from a student level-esque film to being taken seriously as a work of art. Week Ten: On Set We examine the chaos of set, pitfalls, traps, and the joy of filming. production design or costume design. Be prepared to discuss in class why you chose each film. Assignment #6: Select three film scores that inspire you for your film. Select the scores based on the genre of your film as well as tone you wish to set. Assignment #7: check in on progress of final project. We will watch: The Brother s McMullen and Swingers. Week Eleven: Post We explore the many facets of post and the phrase we ll fix it in post. Week Twelve: Sell We discuss what to do with your completed film and if it is ever truly finished. Assignment #8: Call three film labs and get quotes on color correction and a digital intermediate for your indie film. Final Project Due completed producer s pitch book. Note: You will re-pitch your story to the class and the class will grade you. We will watch: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels We will watch: May