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Requirements 1. Visual Storytelling Workbook - Foundations for Making One Minute Silent Movie Scouts should read the workbook and complete the worksheets and exercises in preparation for the One Minute Silent Movie to be shot at the museum on Saturday, May 12th. To be Completed prior to museum visit: 2. a) Treatment Assignment - Lost and Found Project (Page 10 of Packet) b) Storyboard - Lost and Found Project (Page 11 of Packet) To be completed at Museum on Saturday, May 12th c) Demonstration of Visual Storytelling - One Minute Silent Movie Exercise - 8-12 Shot Storyboard - Execution of 8-12 shots meeting the objectives as outlined in the activity sheet. - Screen one minute movie with peers 3. Production Professional Interview Exercise (To be completed prior to museum visit - Page 14 of Packet) or Discuss Zoom Lenses from the Behind the Screen Exhibit with your Instructor (To be completed at the museum). 4. Production Roles Worksheet for Director, Cinematographer/Director of Photography/Assistant Director (To be completed prior to museum visit - Page 15 of Packet) 2
Visual Storytelling Visual Storytelling comprises the specific methods of framing and composition, image sizes and camera movement as the basic foundations needed to create the moving image. This section defines and provides examples of how filmmakers translate the words of a script into a movie. Section Vocabulary Rule of Thirds Coverage Image Size Camera Movement Rule of Thirds - The frame of an image is divided into three imaginary horizontal and vertical lines creating nine squares of equal size. It is generally more favorable to avoid framing an object or person in the middle square, as it is the least visually interesting. Poor Rule of Thirds Foreground/Midground/Background Foreground, Midground and Background is the idea that a composition is divided into three planes. The Foreground is the plane that appears closest to the viewer, while the Background appears farthest from the viewer, the Midground is thus the portion of the composition that appears to be between the foreground and background. 3
Focal Length Focal Length is measured in millimeters (MM) and measures the distance between the lens and the object being photographed. The diagram below presents various examples of focal lengths of various lenses used interchangeably on a camera. The longer the focal length, the more narrow the angle of view and the higher the magnification (200MM). The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view and lower magnification (16MM). Coverage Coverage is defined as a series of shots used to tell the story and makes up all the images viewed in a scene. The very first shot filmed in a scene of any movie is referred to as the Master. 4
A Master Shot establishes the setting of the scene. Master Shots are often a wide shot but not always. A director might decide to cover an entire scene through just a Master Shot. When that is not the case, the director along with the cinematographer and camera operator will employ the use of additional shots. Image Sizes The following Image Sizes establish the common language used in filmmaking to select the shots that best convey the visual story of what the director is seeking to communicate. Image sizes are used to set the scene, convey emotions, alter the rhythm, mood and tone of a scene. Establishing Shot (ES) - Establishes the environment and/or setting of the scene. Wide Shot (WS) - Is the shot where the most action can be observed in the scene. Full Shot (FS) - Shows the entire body of the actor. 5
¾ Shot/Cowboy - Deriving its name from the film genre of the western, the ¾ or cowboy is the body of the actor filmed from at the knees to over the top of the head. Long Medium Shot (LMS) - Frames the actor from the hips to over the top of the head. Medium Shot (MS) - Frames the actor at the waist to over the top of the head. Medium Close Up Shot (MCU) - Frames the actor to the shoulders over the top of the head. 6
Close Up (CU) - Frames the face of the actor just below the neck. Extreme Close Up (ECU) - Isolates portions of the actor s face. Over the Shoulder (OS) - Positions the camera over one actor s shoulder to have a view of another actor in the scene. Insert Shot - typically a close up of an object that is important to the scene. 7
180 Degree Rule The 180 Degree Rule is a basic concept that states that two characters in the scene need to maintain the same left/right relationship to each other. There is an invisible axis line of camera placement in relation to the actors in the scene. If the camera crosses this invisible line to other side, it will create a jarring effect and also have the actor on different sides of the frame. While this is a rule to maintain shot continuity, directors often deliberately break the 180 degree rule to create a dramatic impact. Camera Movement Camera Movement is used in the filmmaking process to add emphasis to a line of dialogue, generate action, or create emotional intensity and is often employed in combination with image sizes. The three main types of camera movement, though there are many others are: 8
Writing the Movie: Treatments & the 3-Act Structure A Treatment is a detailed synopsis of all the action that is going to take place in the movie. It describes the main character, the setting, the inciting incident, the central conflict, the climax of the movie and the final resolution. A screenwriter prepares a treatment before writing the script. The treatment is also written in the present tense. For example, rather than saying, David was really excited that his fifteenth birthday party was approaching, a treatment will read, David, a fifteen year old skater kid with a fresh haircut, awakens out of bed to find his little sister holding a Happy Birthday balloon in the corner of his room. The second example presents all action taking place in the present tense and also establishes the main character and the setting of where the action is occurring. Every sentence in the treatment is also a line of action describing what the character is doing. A treatment can be in any genre, such as, drama, comedy, action, horror, sci-fi, western, film noir (detective film). The treatment can also mix two or more genres provided that it works with the story itself. Treatments and scripts rest on the idea that a story must have a distinct, beginning, middle and end, commonly referred to as the 3-Act Structure. Some filmmakers do defy these conventions and have a more open perspective to storytelling in movies. In American cinema, however, we very much focus on films that have this 3-Act structure. 9
2. (a) Treatment Assignment: Lost and Found Write a three paragraph treatment of a story where a character loses something and must find it again. Keep the story simple and at the same time interesting. Type the treatment in a Microsoft word or Google document. Paragraph 1: Describes the main character, the setting, presents the object that is lost and sets up the main problem of the movie, what will happen if the character cannot retrieve this object? This is referred to as the Inciting Incident. These elements comprise the first act of the movie. Paragraph 2: Presents a series of obstacles in the way of the main character getting the object back. There should be at least 2-3 obstacles, each one increasing in difficulty throughout the story. This is the movie s second act. Paragraph 3: This is the final showdown, climax of the movie where the character makes their last stand against the biggest obstacle yet to reach their goal. It also presents the resolution of the story. This is the the third act of the movie. Note: That the treatment should be written in the present tense, present the main line of action that is happening in the scene and reflect the genre(s), in which the movie is taking place. 10
Sketching the Movie: Storyboarding A Storyboard is a series of drawings that help the director and cinematographer visualize shots and scenes in preparation to make the movie. The storyboard shows the image size, angle of the shot and uses arrows to show if there is movement of either the camera or the actor(s) in the scene. 2. (b) Storyboard: Lost and Found Using the handouts in the packet, create a storyboard for your Lost and Found movie treatment. Scouts have the option of drawing a storyboard for the entire movie or storyboarding just the first act, second act, or third act only from their treatment. The storyboard should show the main action in the treatment. It should also clearly represent the image size or shot type, meaning; if the shot is a medium shot of the main character, then the figure of the body of the main character should be drawn as a medium shot. The lines underneath or to the side of the storyboard template is where the simple action and shot size is represented. The drawings do not need to be sophisticated or look like they came from a professional comic book. Example 1 11
Example 2 Example 3 12
2. (c/d) 1 Minute Movie - To Be Completed at the Museum of the Moving Image Assignment: In a production group of 4-5 comprised of a Director, Cinematographer/Director of Photography (DP), and Assistant Director (AD), Actor(s), each team will produce together a one-minute silent movie. The production team will develop their ideas during an early morning tour of the museum. Applying the tools learned while completing the prerequisites, the team will develop a short treatment, prepare an 8-12 shot storyboard demonstrating command of visual storytelling techniques using a variety of image sizes that will be filmed into a short movie in the afternoon session at the Museum. ipads will be provided and Scouts are also encouraged to bring their own cell phones and ipads for recording. The storyboard should be developed in the order the shots are to be filmed. The Director and the Cinematographer/Director of Photography (DP ) work together to develop the shots and the Assistant Director ensures the production team maintains timeliness and shot continuity. 13
3. Conduct a Short Interview with an individual working in film and/or television production. The interview can be in person or virtual. Question examples: 1. What is your production title? 2. How long have you been in this role? 3. Name some projects you have worked on. 4. What do you like most about your job? 5. What is the hardest thing about your job? 6. What is the pathway for someone who d like to do what you do? 7. What skills are best for the kind of work you do? 8. What additional advice do you have for someone interested in working in film and television? 14
4. Production Roles Worksheet Assignment: Research each of the production roles of Director, Cinematographer/Director of Photography, and Assistant Director. 1. Define each of these roles and what these individuals responsible for on a set? 2. Provide 2-3 examples of people who have performed these production roles in movies and name the films or television shows they have worked on. 3. Describe 1-2 challenges that each of these individuals came up against on set and how they overcame it. 15
Additional Links & Resources Story Structure The Hero's Journey according to Joseph Campbell - video by Matthew Winkler and Kirill Yeretsky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1zxt28ff-e Pixar Storytelling Rules #5: Essence of Structure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7d8ydb7tlk Storyboard Template https://images.template.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/movie-storyboard-template-word-pdf-dow nload.pdf 180 Degree Rule Film Studies 180 Degree Rule https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4wx_dmh8_g&t=2s Quick Tips: Understanding The 180 Degree Rule! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bba7rasvvro Film Production Roles Creative Skill Set http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/film/job_roles 16