FIL 4573C: Capstone II

Department of Film �College of Arts and Humanities, University of Central Florida

COURSE SYLLABUS

                           Welcome!

And congratulations! You’ve made it to your final semester of film school. By now you may feel exhausted and impatient to finish, but you can’t relax just yet. This semester will challenge you once again to exhibit excellence as you continue to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve mastered in your BFA career. You’ll have more freedom, but you’ll also have more responsibility.

University Course Catalog Description �Intensive tutorial guidance, instruction and evaluation of final film projects from initial concept through production. Course Overview: �During Capstone I &II, students will work individually, in collaboration with their peers, and under the close supervision of the instructor to demonstrate their mastery in a particular area of filmmaking. Most will work as directors, while others may choose an alternative role. Capstone I will oversee the preproduction and production phase, while Capstone II will supervise post-production. In addition to practical hands-on filmmaking, students will be expected to exhibit critical thinking and deep reflection, both in the analysis of their own work and in offering constructive criticism to their peers. Course Objectives: �Capstone I and II offer students the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have accumulated throughout their time in UCF’s Film BFA. As such, students enrolled in Capstone will be assessed against program-wide objectives. �Students in Capstone should demonstrate the following: . a) Theoretical fluency and the ability to apply historical research,

critical analysis, and persuasive argumentation to the reflective

dissection of their own creative works.

. b) A conceptual mastery of story structure and character creation as exhibited through the successful implementation of these principles or by the creative deconstruction of the same.

. c) Fluency in image composition and editorial construction, utilizing the expressive characteristics of the frame, pace, and rhythm to create meaning.

. d) Competency in directing performance for the camera or at least a fundamental understanding of acting theories as they may apply to the student’s chosen mode of expression.

. e) An ability to identify the roles and relationships native to the production process, literacy in production terminology, and the ability to apply these competencies to the selection and assignment of crew members, in order to work collaboratively, on time, and on budget.

. Course Prerequisites: �FIL 4434C and Film BFA major.

. Course Credits: �3

. Required Texts and Materials: �None.

. Basis for Final Grade: �Final letter grades will be determined as follows:

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F 94-100 90-93 87-89 84-86 80-83 77-79 74-76 70-73 67-69 64-66 60-63 0-59  ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION % final

grade Attendance All students are required to attend classes when indicated

on course calendar. Failure to attend these course dates will result in a letter grade deduction for each day missed.

10

Team meetings Each production must meet with professor at scheduled times throughout semester to discuss progress.

10

Final Exam/Paper Your final exam will be an addendum added to the papers you wrote and handed in for Capstone I. The questions to add to your papers /answer will be posted on the Capstone blog site by Friday 4/19. You must turn in the amended final paper in a pdf document, via email by no later than 10:00am on 4/24. If

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received by professor later than 10:00am- a letter grade will be deducted for each 15 minutes it is passed due.

Individual Assignments

Each position held by a student (Director, Producer, Editor, DP) will have specific projects to complete along with delivery of the film. These are listed below under Course Assignments A contract for each student will be handed out and must be signed and returned by second week of semester

30

Final Film -Delivery of Final Films- including running time, log line, synopsis, and five press photos (at least one behind the scenes and one production still close up) must be turned in to Equipment Room by no later than 4:00pm and must meet all delivery specs as stated by Equipment Room Operations Portal. “Turned in” means it has been uploaded to the assigned hard drive and can be opened and viewed successfully. If “turned in” later than 4:00pm- a letter grade will be deducted for each 15 minutes it is passed due.

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ASSESSMENT TOTAL 100  Grade Dissemination: Graded materials in this course will be returned individually only by request. You can access your scores at any time using the Grade Book function of Webcourses. Please note that scores returned mid-semester are unofficial grades.

Late Work Policy: Deadlines are final. No late assignments or exams will be accepted without prior authorization from the instructor or a medical excuse.

Extra Credit Policy: Absolutely no extra credit will be offered in this class. Students are responsible to track their own progress through Webcourses, and struggling students should seek the professor’s help outside of class before they risk a poor final grade.

Grades of "Incomplete": Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. The instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript.

Course Assignments Below are the required assignments and delivery items for each position: DIRECTORS -Work in conjunction with Editors on posting your films.

-Keep journal logging each and every meeting you have with your editor- describe what was discussed, issues, what was agreed upon, personal insights etc. -In conjunction with Producers create a festival/distribution/marketing strategy for the film with arguments and data to support decisions made. -One on One consultations with professor as scheduled -Delivery of finished film by due date PRODUCERS -In conjunction with Directors create a festival/distribution/marketing strategy for the film with arguments and data to support decisions made. -Create website for production(s)- including press materials, synopsis, press photos, poster design etc. Find 10 film websites that you feel are well-designed and effectively perform the functions of a film website and use aspects from these sites as template for your site. -Create a Withoutabox.com account and page for your film(s)- complete with press materials. -Production Books- updated with any/all post production materials added since completion of principal photography -One on One consultations with professor as scheduled -Produce (with other producers) the End of Year Capstone Screener (including coordination of posters, programs, refreshments, set up and strike crews, writing and shooting of Capstone intro/bumpers and in consult with professor create running order of films) EDITORS -Work in conjunction with Directors on posting your films. -Keep journal logging each and every meeting you have with your editor- describe what was discussed, issues, what was agreed upon, personal insights etc. -Deliver picture lock edits by due date -One on One consultations with professor as scheduled CINEMATOGRAPHERS -Create an effective/attractive reel and website -Find ten established/working cinematographer websites that you feel are well-designed and effectively perform the functions of a DP website and use aspects from these sites as template for your site. -Will attend and confer on all Color Correction sessions once picture is locked -One on One consultations with professor as scheduled    

Course Policies: Capstone Films

Script and Project Length: Capstone II restricts completed films to 10 minutes, 0 second, 0 frames in length, including credits. Absolutely no films exceeding this length will receive a passing grade in Capstone II.

Pick-up shoots: Pick-ups are permitted from January 9 until January 30, 2013, two consecutive days per project. You should have already submitted an equipment sheet to professor Gay for signature and sent it to the equipment room for your January shoot dates ON OR BEFORE December 6, 2012. The last check-out of gear must be checked back in by 10am, January 30, 2013. Please note that two projects can be checked out at any one time, but no more than two. Note that any pick- ups outside this timeframe will be permitted at the sole discretion of the Capstone II faculty and Jon Bowen and completely subject to availability of equipment (with Directing I and III having priority).

Use of CEM Stage Facilities: Only one shoot per week may occupy the Studio 500 stage at CEM, so students wishing to shoot on the stage will need to coordinate together to secure their spots. In order to request stage use, a proposal must be included in your preliminary production book. This proposal must include contact information for director and producer, total cast and crew, proposed dates of use (including build and cleanup), set description and specifications, equipment to be used, any special needs, and a basic floor diagram. After this plan and dates are approved by the instructor, the proposal should move on to Jon Bowen, who will clear it before final submission to Rich Grula.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory when noted on calendar. A letter grade will be deducted for each unexcused absence. More than three will result in an F for the course. Lateness will not be tolerated. Every third late entry to class or late arrival to a meeting will count as an absence. Time management is an important life skill….so set your alarm clocks a little earlier.

Professionalism Policy: Per university policy and classroom etiquette, mobile phones, iPods, etc., must be silenced during class. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned may suffer a reduction in their final class grade.

UCF Library: Because your work will require individual research, you are expected to know how to use the library's resources. If you are not familiar with using the library, please ask for assistance from the library's personnel, take workshops provided by the library, or visit the library's website (http://library.ucf.edu/).

University Writing Center: The University Writing Center (UWC) is a free resource for UCF undergraduates and graduates. At the UWC, a trained writing consultant will work individually with you on anything you're writing (in or out of class), at any point in the writing process from brainstorming to editing. Appointments are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the UWC website at http://www.uwc.ucf.edu, stop by MOD 608, or call 407.823.2197.

Disability Access: The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services, Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone (407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

COURSE CALENDAR subject to changes per professor discretion

DATE ACTIVITY SCHEDULED/ASSIGNMENTS DUE CLASS MEETING

W 1/9 -Go over syllabus and course -Screen Rough Assemblies in class (mandatory) -Editors turn in post production workflow form Cap 1 -Team sign ups for Professor meeting next week

Yes

M 1/14-F 1/18

-Production Crew meetings with Professor (Dir, Prod, Editor, DP from each production must sign up for a time and meet with professor to discuss post production schedule and delivery of film)

No

(but meeting attendance is mandatory)

W 1/9-W 1/30

Reshoot Window: each production is allowed two days of reshoots if needed, however no reshoots can occur prior to meeting with professor to discuss them.

N/A

W 1/16 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 1/23 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 1/30 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 2/6 -Team sign ups for Professor meeting next week

Yes

M 2/11- F 2/15

-Production Crew meetings with Professor (Dir, Prod, Editor, DP from each production must sign up for a time and meet with professor to discuss progress post production schedule and delivery of film)

No

(but meeting attendance is mandatory)

W 2/20 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 2/27 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 3/6 SPRING BREAK

N/A

W 3/13 PRE- PICTURE LOCK- all picture lock cuts must be screened in

class and critiqued by class

Yes

W 3/20 PITCURE LOCK- editor must deliver picture lock version of film to professor by 10:00am- if handed in later than 10:00am a letter grade will be deducted for each 15 minutes it is past due.

No

W 3/27 CAPSTONE SCREENER PORDUCTION METTING Producers will run this class and coordinate the execution of the Capstone screener- (including coordination of posters, programs, refreshments, set up and strike crews, writing and shooting of Capstone intro/bumpers and in consult with professor create running order of films)

Yes

W 4/3 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 4/10 Professor Available for consultations as needed during class time

No

W 4/17 -Producers must turn in websites/completed withoutabox.com page -Directors must turn in festival/distribution strategies -Cinematographers must turn in websites/reels

Yes

W 4/24 FINAL FILMS ARE DUE -Delivery of Final Films- including running time, log line, synopsis, and five press photos (at least one behind the scenes and one

Yes

production still close up) must be turned in to Equipment Room by no later than 4:00pm and must meet all delivery specs as stated by Equipment Room Operations Portal. “Turned in” means it has been uploaded to the assigned hard drive and can be opened and viewed successfully. If “turned in” later than 4:00pm- a letter grade will be deducted for each 15 minutes it is passed due. -FINAL EXAM Your final exam will be an addendum added to the papers you wrote and handed in for Capstone I. The questions to answer will be posted on the Capstone blog site by Friday 4/19. You must turn in the amended final paper in a pdf document, via email by no later than 10:00am on 4/24. If received by professor later than 10:00am- a letter grade will be deducted for each 15 minutes it is passed due. CAPSTONE SCREENER PRODUCTION MEETING Exam period will be used as a Capstone Screener production meeting to check in and make sure all assignments are on schedule and trouble shoot any problems that have arisen.

F 5/3-4 CAPSTONE SCREENER* -pending schedule approval from SVAD