FS 390 LONDON VIDEO FILM PRODUCTION WORKSHOP IES Abroad Center Name DESCRIPTION: This course is intended for beginners or those with some experience and/or basic skills in video filming. The class is small usually consisting of 6 students who will work individually and collaboratively. No previous knowledge or particular skills are necessary, although any knowledge or experience in related areas (such as stills photography, visual arts, film and media studies) could be useful for the course. The course is divided into two sections. The first phase will focus on editing. Students will be provided with a technical overview of the industry-leading video editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro Creative Cloud and encouraged to consider editing as part of the whole process of film. Once equipped with the fundamentals of creative editing, students will then edit the rushes to their individual video project (phase two). Throughout the making of their individual video project, students will experiment in using video, creatively in the sense of "authorship" or the auteur. Utilising the student/filmmaker's unique position as new to the city, the project will be related to specific London experiences. Location work, observation and research as well as practical video skills will be employed. Please note that students will be expected to work outside the prescribed time and therefore must be prepared (and able) to work at weekends and in the evenings. There will be a series of practical exercises where students will be able to build a range of video skills to help make their individual video project. Students will be graded on the exercises as well as the project. Students will be encouraged to explore their own creative ideas in relation to the practicalities of production. CREDITS: 3 credits LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English ADDITIONAL COST: Students pay an additional course fee (approximately 75) at the time of registration to cover the cost of materials. METHOD OF PRESENTATION: Students will attend group tutorials, practice-based exercises and workshops, short talks, discussion, screenings, individual tuition, as well as work independently to produce a video project. REQUIRED WORK AND FORM OF ASSESSMENT: Each student will make: 2 edit exercises executed individually in class, plus homework 1 group exercise a practical exercise executed in class 1 group presentation - a 20-minute film analysis in which students will be asked to analyze a short film from one of Britain s top directors and compare the filmmaker s work, past and present. This is homework. 1 individual video project with supporting pre-production paperwork and Pinterest boards to demonstrate ideas, research, and development. The Pinterest site will be created in class and executed individually as homework. Pre-production paperwork will be given as homework. The end result will be a 2-minute piece entitled This is London delivered at the end of the term. This will be executed individually in class, plus homework. Please be prepared to make a statement about the individual video project and be involved in Q&A session. IMPORTANT: All students must take individual responsibility for all equipment they use. Cameras may only be taken out for 24 hours. All equipment must be checked out and in with an IES staff member. The laptop used for editing must not leave the IES Centre. All editing must be done in house at the IES Centre.
Course Requirements and Assessment: 1. Individual edit exercise, 10% 2. Individual edit exercise, 15 % 3. Group exercise - camera technique, (n/a) 4. Group Film Analysis Presentation, 15% 5a. Individual Video Project (R&D using Pinterest), 15% 5b. Individual Video Project (pre-production work), 15% 5c. Individual Video Project (creative), 30% LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will achieve skills in: Basic camera operation and technique (Lumix GH4R) Basic Audio operation and technique (Rode VideoMicro Compact On Camera Microphone) Digital non-linear editing (Adobe Premiere Pro Creative Cloud) Planning, scripting and storyboarding. Organizing production, direction, crewing, post-production Explore practical and creative techniques in video making Organizing production, direction, crewing, post-production Explore practical and creative techniques in video making After this course, you may go on to specialist short courses in production/post production techniques (e.g. camera, editing, scriptwriting); film and media courses; creative writing courses, fine art and design courses, courses in other specialist media. CONTENT: Week Content Assignments Week 1 Introduction to Video filming Go through syllabus with breakdown of assessments. Phase one: Editing Considering editing as part of the whole process of film. Film grammar what is it? View examples. Creating a seamless view of reality Vs Breaking the illusion of reality 1 exercise in conventional editing 1 split screen exercise Phase two: Individual video project 1. View The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing - A documentary about the art of film editing. Note ten standout comments/anecdotes from the documentary to share in class. 2. Create a production company name. Discuss end of term individual video project, This is London, a 2-minute split screen film. Discuss the history of split screen editing. View examples of split screen films, videos and commercials. Discuss the production process, including: o Research and Development using social media site, Pinterest
o o o Pre-production paperwork Production Post-production Phase three: Film analysis Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Short Film Analysis Presentations (week ten) Discuss what makes an effective film analysis presentation: Give an overview of the story, themes and genre. Research the background of director/producer Using the language of film grammar, discuss the film s shots, lighting, sound, locations and editing. Compare the director s work, past and present. Each presentation lasts 20 minutes. View short films from Cinema 16. Skills audit: Students share their filmmaking skills and experience. Editing: Creating the Illusion that the Screen s Frame is a Seamless View of Reality Watch The Night Shift Promo Look at footage from the Night Shift Promo Consider editing as part of the whole process of film Understand the language of film grammar Understand the language and techniques of continuous editing using Adobe Premiere Pro Creative Cloud Look at the basic principles of continuity / mise en scene Understand how to serve the narrative through effective editing creating drama and emotion Understand how to use editing to condense and expand time Producing an Online Edit Add audio key frames, fades, speed changes, titles and filters to the Night Shift sequence. Night Shift Exercises View Night Shift Exercises (10%) View Night Shift edits and comments. Discuss end of term project - This is London. 1. Produce a rough cut of the sequence. 2. With your partner, view the short film that you have chosen to analyze. Arrange to view one of the director s feature films. 1. Produce a final cut of the Night Shift sequence and export using Quicktime Conversion 1. Begin the initial research for your end of term project. Use Pinterest to collate your visual ideas and references. 2. Look at examples of split screen edits on Moodle.
Create a Pinterest account for project ideas, research and development purposes. Students invite tutor to share private Pin boards. Week 5 Week 6 Split Screen Editing: Breaking the illusion that the screen s frame is a seamless view of reality Discuss its history. View examples of split screen editing in films/tv programmes, music videos and commercials. View footage for split screen exercise. Understand the technique of split screen editing Further discuss the individual video project This is Edit the Split Screen Exercise Continue to learn and develop techniques for split screen editing in class. Workshop ideas for This is Discuss writing a proposal for This is 1. Continue to research and develop ideas for your end of term project This is London. 2. Plan and produce a pre-production report that describes the requirements and sources of requirements for your end of term film project This is 3. Working with your partner, begin to shape your film analysis presentation. 1. Produce a final cut of the split screen exercise and export using QuickTime Conversion. 2. Prepare a proposal for the end of term project, This is 3. Continue to pin research and development images and articles on to your Pinterest boards. MID TERM Week 7 Split Screen Edits View Split Screen Edits (15%) View split screen edits and discuss. Discuss writing a script and shot list for This is Juxtaposing sound and image: Defying audiences expectations, forcing the viewer to re-examine what they see. Discuss what makes a good film analysis presentation. 1. Prepare a script and shot list for This is 2. Working with your partner, continue to prepare, structure and rehearse your film analysis presentation.
Week 8 Exploring the Camera and Filming Techniques Look at the Lumix GH4R's most useful features. Practical techniques: framing; composition; types of shot. How to shoot a sequence? Explore the objective camera as unit of information. Subjectivity and pace add to the drama of what is being represented. View extracts highlighting subjective camera angles and point-of-view (P.O.V) camera angles. Shooting for the edit thinking like an editor in order to tell a story. Group exercise film various outdoor shots and sequences as instructed by tutor. Schedule film shoots for individual projects. 1. Fine tune script and/or shot list for London: It s Not What I Expected 2. Prepare a Call Sheet. 3. Submit all pre-production paperwork (10%). To include: a proposal, script and/or shot list, call sheet with risk assessment and contingency. Week 9 Week 10 Review Filming Techniques Exercise Short Films Capture and view footage from last week s filming techniques exercise. Evaluate. Set up the Rode VideoMicro Compact On Camera Microphone and boom pole and record sound directly to the GH4R camera. Organise shooting schedules. View Short Film Analysis Presentations (15%) Screen and analyze a British short film sourced from Cinema 16. Compare the director s work, past and present. The duration of each presentation is 20 minutes. 1. Shoot footage for video project This is 2. Record audio for video project This is 1. Shoot footage for video project This is 2. Record audio for video project This is 3. Edit video project This is Week 11 Course-related Trip View a current British movie at an Art House or West End cinema. (Film, venue tba) 1. Edit video project This is 2. Produce a statement and evaluation report to support your project and prepare to engage in a Q & A. 3. Complete Pinterest boards for viewing and discussion.
Week 12 This Is London View video projects This is (30%). View individual video projects (30%) View Pinterest sites to demonstrate the various stages of research and development (15%) Please ensure you have a statement and evaluation report to support your project and can engage in a Q & A. Debrief. No Final EXAM RECOMMENDED READINGS: Weynard, Diana. Apple Pro Training Series: Editing Professional Video. Peachpit Press. Katz, Steve. Film Directing Shot by Shot Visualizing from Concept to Screen. Michael Wiese Productions. Mascelli, Joseph V. The Five C s of Cinematography. Silman-James Press. Murch, Walter. In the Blink of an Eye Revised 2nd Edition. Silman-James Press 2001.