Syllabus Spring 2015Jesse Wolfe

Office building, room: Adler 309Phone: 912-525-6419

Office hours: Mon-Thu 1:30-2:30p or by appointment

Email: jwolfe@scad.eduBuilding/Room: ADLER 312 Meeting Times: Monday / Wednesday

11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

School of Entertainment Arts, Department of Film and Television, Savannah

FILM 412 - Shot Design Section: 01 CRN: 30708

SCAD Mission:The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for professional careers, emphasizing learningthrough individual attention in a positively oriented university environment.

Course Description:Students learn to communicate more effectively and aesthetically through shot design by deconstructing and evaluatingscenes from films. Students have the opportunity to critically explore the planning, composition and execution of a scene inorder to better understand the artistic role of the director. Emphasis is placed on how decisions regarding camera, color, lightand location affect the storytelling of a scene. Prerequisite(s): FILM 320.

Course Goals: The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:

1. Students will learn about effective storytelling tools by viewing scenes that utilize effective shot design to enhanceand interpret the screenplay.

2. Students will learn how the director’s choices communicate the concept of a scene and its contribution to the entirefilm.

3. Students will gain exposure to established screenplays and explore the process in which they, as the directors,must determine the pivotal beats or turns of a scene as well as effectively create a series of shots that communicatesto the audience the precise meaning of a scene.

Student Learning Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that studentsdevelop as a result of completing this course:

1. Students will identify the importance of proper camera placement, lens choice, and camera movement of ascene.

2. Students will evaluate the point of view of a scene, its subtext, and the meaning and value of specific storybeats.

3. Students will explain why they choose to place the camera in a scene and how lens choice and lighting affectcamera movement and actor movement to communicate the meaning of the scenes that are staged.

Schedule of Classes:

Key events including assignments, projects due dates/exam dates:

Class 1:Mon,

March23,

2015

-Professor Introduction.

-Go over syllabus and course calendar

-Discuss assignment and project parameters

-“What do YOU Want to Learn In This Class?”

-Discussion: Defining the Director’s “Vision.”

Class 2:Wed,March

25, 2015-Discussion: The World of Thirds- how the placement of objects in the frame affect theEmotional Tone of the narrative.

-Screen short film on Rule of Thirds

-Assignment: Find a screenplay/film that speaks to you. It must be prior to 1960. Have ready tosubmit for approval by Class #4

-Assignment: Read Chapters 1&2 (pp 2-30) of "Cinematic Storytelling"

Class 3:Mon,

March30,

2015

-Discussion: The 7 Basic Visual Components and their use in delivering the Director’s Vision.

-Screen: Film examples of effective use of Basic Visual Components and discuss.

Class 4:Wed,

April 1,2015

-Tell Professor your pre-1960 Feature Film chosen for your "Reimaginining" Final Presentation

-Discussion: The 7 Basic Visual Components and their use in delivering the Director’s Vision. cont'd

-Assignment: Read Chapter 3 (pp 31-43) and Chapter 16 (pp231-240) in Cinematic Storytelling

Class 5:Mon,

April 6,2015

-Quiz #1 based on lectures and reading from start of class to date of quz.

-Screen "Visions Of Light"

-Assignment: "Image Analysis" - Select one fo the images from the blogsite and decipher the narrativebeing told in it. Support your story using the 7 Basic Visual Components as evidence. These will bedue in pdf file placed n Dropbox folder no later than start of classtime of Class #7

Class 6:Wed,

April 8,2015

-SCAD MUSEUM OF ART- "Oscar De La Renta" exhibit- we will meet at 11:00am in Museumlobby to take atendance, then tour the exhibit and discuss the aspects/use of Visual Compnents indesign of the dresses as well as the museum presentation.

-Assignment: Continue work on "Image Analysis".

Class 7:Mon,April13,

2015

-Turn In Image Analysis assignments (must be a pdf in dropbox folder by start of classtime)

--Go over Quiz #1

-Discuss "Image analysis" assignments with class.

-Screen "Basquiat" (or "Frida") and discuss the use of Visual Components

Class 8:Wed,April

15, 2015

-Discussion: Shot compositions- vocabulary, sizing, nose/head room, eye line, height

-Discussion: Shot compositions – The 180 Degree Rule and how it is applied, misused and when toregard/disregard.

-Screen Examples of various uses of Compositions and discuss.

-Assignment: Read Chapter 10 (pp146-166) in Cinematic Storytelling

Class 9:Mon,April20,

2015

-Discussion: Shot compositions- "Coverage" Classic/traditional and Alternative approaches tocovering a scene.

-Screen Examples of various types of coverage and discuss filmmaker's choices.

Class10:

Wed,April

22, 2015

-Quiz #2: based on lectures and reading from last quiz to present date

-Screen: "Raging Bull" and/or "Touch Of Evil" to prepare for next class Discussions on CameraMovement

-Field Trip: Black Maria Film Festival Friday April 24th 7:00pm Trustees Theater

Class11:

Mon,April27,

2015

-Go over Qiz #2

-Discussion: Camera Movement- types of movement and what they elicit from audience, cameramotivation and point of view. Discuss these aspects in relation to story beats.

Class12:

Wed,April

29, 2015

-Discussion: Camera Movement- cont'd

-Screen: short doc on Effective use of Camera Movement.

-Screeen "David Fincher; And The Other Way Is Wrong" and discuss.

-Assignment: Read Chapter 11 (pp. 167-193) in Cinematic Storytelling

Class13:

Mon,May 4,

2015

-Discuss Effective use of Lighting in Shot Design

-Screen parts of "Apocalypse Now, american Beauty, the Professional and E.T." and dsicussuse of lighting techniques

-Assignment: 'Lighting' create a frame that delivers one of the choices posted on the blogsite. Then through the use of lighting chnages only, create 3 specific changes in Tone/Mood. These can be done with a still camera if no motin camra is available. these images must bein Dropbox by the start of classtime of Class 15)

Class14:

Wed,May 6,

2015

-Discussion: Lenses and their efective use in Shot Design

-Screen- examples of effective camera lens use and discuss.

-Assignment: continue work on 'Lighting' assignment. create a frame that delivers one of thechoices posted on the blogsite. Then through the use of lighting chnages only, create 3specific changes in Tone/Mood. These can be done with a still camera if no motin camra isavailable. these images must be in Dropbox by the start of classtime of Class 15)

Class15:

Mon,May 11,

2015

-Turn in Lihting Assignment (in dropbox folder by no laer than start of class time).

-Screen Lighting Assignments and discuss with class

Class16:

Wed,May 13,

2015

-Quiz #3: based on lectures and reading from last quiz to present date

-Go over parameters and specifics for Final "Film Reimagination" Project.

-Assignment: Begin work on Final "Film Reimagination" Project due by start of classtime of Class 19. Pdf file in Dropbox. Be prepared to also present these before the class for Class 19.

Class17:

Mon,May 18,

2015

-Go Over Quiz #3

- Discussion: Transitions – how to design and plan for in-camera and editing transitions to effectivelydelivery of story, theme, and tone of Director’s Vision.

-Assignment: Continue work on Final "Film Reimagination" Project due by start of classtime of Class19. Pdf file in Dropbox. Be prepared to also present these before the class for Class 19.

Class18:

Wed,May 20,

2015

-Discussion: " Sex and Violemce" discuss how to design and execute effective love/sex or otherwisesensitive scenes, so that they deliver theme, narrative and Tone effectively.

-Screen examples of effective (and gratutitous or ineffective) scenes and discuss why they succeed/fail.

-Assignment: Continue work on Final "Film Reimagination" Project due by start of classtime of Class19. Pdf file in Dropbox. Be prepared to also present these before the class for Class 19.

Class19:

Mon,May 25,

2015

-Turn In "Screenplay ReiMagination" Projects (pdf file in Dropbox folder by no later than startof classtime)

Present Final Projects: each student will have 10 minutes to present their Projects. The presentationmust include images, and video clips as examples of how they plan to use the Visual Components, shotcompositions and their aspects, lens choice, camera movement and transitions to deliver the story, themeand tone of their vision of the screenplay. In addition there will be 5 frames created by the student thatdisplay how they plan to shoot a pivotal moment of the film. After each presentation there will be 5minutes of Q&A from professor and class.

Class20:

Wed,May 27,

2015

Present Final Projects (cont'd): each student will have 10 minutes to present their Projects. Thepresentation must include images, and video clips as examples of how they plan to use the VisualComponents, shot compositions and their aspects, lens choice, camera movement and transitions todeliver the story, theme and tone of their vision of the screenplay. In addition there will be 5 framescreated by the student that display how they plan to shoot a pivotal moment of the film. After eachpresentation there will be 5 minutes of Q&A from professor and class.

Grading Opportunities:

Your overall course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:

Assignment Weight

Quiz Average: 3 quizzes are given during the term. These scores will be averaged together to creat yourQuiz Average Score.

20.00 percent

"Image Analysis" Assignment- Select one fo the images from the blogsite and decipher the narrative being told init. Support your story using the 7 Basic Visual Components as evidence. These will be due in pdf file placed nDropbox folder no later than start of classtime of Class #7

10.00 percent

SCAD Museum 'Oscar De La Renta" attend exhibit/discussion and answer the questionaire on the courseblogsite.

10.00 percent

Black Maria Film Festival Assignment- attend festival and answer the questionaire on the course blogsite. 10.00 percent

Lighting Assignment- create a frame that delivers one of the choices posted on the blogsite. Thenthrough the use of lighting chnages only, create 3 specific changes in Tone/Mood. These can be donewith a still camera if no motin camra is available. these images must be in Dropbox by the start ofclasstime of Class 15)

20.00 percent

Final "Film Reimagination" Project/Presentation- each student will have 10 minutes to present their Projects. Thepresentation must include images, and video clips as examples of how they plan to use the Visual Components, shotcompositions and their aspects, lens choice, camera movement and transitions to deliver the story, theme and tone oftheir vision of the screenplay. In addition there will be 5 frames created by the student that display how they plan toshoot a pivotal moment of the film. After each presentation there will be 5 minutes of Q&A from professor andclass.

30.00 percent

Total Weight 100 percent

Grading Standards Range

Letter grade: A = excellent 90 —100 percent

Letter grade: B = good 80 — 89 percent

Letter grade: C = * 70 — 79 percent

Letter grade: D = * 60 — 69 percent

Letter grade: F = failing 0 — 59 percent

*Refer to the student handbooks and departmental standards for minimal acceptance for passing grade.

Course Information:

Field Trip(s):-Wed April 8, 2015 11:00am- SCAD MUSEUM OF ART- "Oscar De La Renta" exhibit- we will meet at 11:00am in Museum lobbyto take atendance, then tour the exhibit and discuss the aspects/use of Visual Compnents in design of the dresses as well as the museumpresentation.

-Friday April 24, 2015 7:00pm- Black Maria Film Festival at Trustees Theater. Students will attend festival and answer thequestionaire on the course blogsite.

Extra Help Session(s):

Students with course average of C or lower must attend extra help sessions

Extended Learning Opportunities:SCAD CINEMA CIRCLE Screenings:

April 11, 2015: "Dangerous Liaisons" 7:00pm

April 23, 2015: "The Graduate" 8:00pm

May 2, 2015: "Mad Max: The Road Warrior" 7:00pm

all screenings located at The Trustees Theater

Other Course Information:course blogsite: wolfe-scad-film412.blogspot.com

Course Materials:

Required Text(s):"Cinematic Storytelling" by Jennifer Van Sijll

Michael Weise Prods. (c) 2005

ISBN 1-932907-05-X

Recommended Text(s):

"The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media" by Stan Brooks

Focal Press (c) 2008

ISBN 978-0-240-80779-9 (paperback)

ISBN 978-0-080-55169-2 (ebook)

Required Material(s):Access to computer, still or movie camera

University Policies:

Academic Integrity: Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff and otherstudents.

In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any workthat is not a product of the student's own efforts is considered dishonest. Students must not engage in academicdishonesty; doing so can have serious consequences.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to, (a) the giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in producingassignments or taking quizzes, tests or examinations; (b) dependence on the aid of sources including technology beyondthose authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments;(c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university facultyor staff; or (d) the use of unauthorized assistance in the preparation of works of art.2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published orunpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. Plagiarism also includes the unacknowledgeduse of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.3. Submission of the same work in two or more classes without prior written approval of the professors of the classesinvolved.4. Submission of any work not actually produced by the student submitting the work without full and clear writtenacknowledgement of the actual author or creator of the work.

Attendance and Personal Conduct: Only students who are properly registered for a course may attend and participate in that class. Students are expected toattend and participate in all scheduled classes and examination periods. Absences in excess of four class periods perquarter, or 20 percent of the course, result in the student receiving a failing grade for the course. Tardiness, earlydeparture or other time away from class in excess of 15 minutes per class session is considered absence for the class session.

The student's appearance and conduct should be appropriate and should contribute to the academic and professionalatmosphere of SCAD. The university reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw the privilege of enrollment fromany student whose conduct is detrimental to the academic environment or to the well-being of other students, faculty orstaff members, or to the university facilities.

Enrollment policies: Students are responsible for assuring proper enrollment. See the SCAD catalog for information on add/drop, withdrawals,incompletes, and academic standing.

Midterm Conference(s): Each student enrolled in the course will have a midterm conference scheduled outside of class time with the professor.Students are expected to keep this appointment.

Academic Support and Tutoring: Academic support for students at all SCAD locations can be found in MySCAD, under the Student Workspace tab,Department Directory, Academic Resources.

Course Evaluations: SCAD offers students the opportunity to evaluate all scheduled courses during each quarter term. Student feedback isessential to continuously improve academic services at SCAD. Evaluations will be available the end of each quarter at thebeginning of Week 8 and must be completed online by the Monday following Week 10. A sample course evaluation foron-ground courses is available here.In order to access course evaluations, the student should take the following steps:

Log on to MySCAD1.Click on the Student Workspace Tab2.Locate the Course Evaluations link under My Courses channel3.This will bring up a page that says current surveys and lists all the courses that are currently available for evaluation.4.

For more information or questions, contact us at evaluations@scad.edu. Student Surveys :Students are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on their university experience through SCAD’s institutional surveys.The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will both be administered in spring quarter.SCAD Student Survey will be emailed to every student’s email account starting in Week 1 and will remain open throughWeek 6. The Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will be administered on paper during Week 4 of spring quarter.SCAD’s office of institutional effectiveness is responsible for gathering and delivering survey results to decision-makers oncampus. For more information or questions, contact us at surveys@scad.edu.

campus. For more information or questions, contact us at surveys@scad.edu.