FIL 2480.0002: Directing I

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

COURSE SYLLABUS

                           Instructor: Jesse Wolfe Term: Spring 2013 Office: COMM 221 Class Meeting Days: Mondays Phone: (407) 823-4044 Class Meeting Hours: 12:00-2:50p E-Mail: Jesse.Wolfe@ucf.edu Class Location: COMM 0108 Website: http://wolfe-ucffilm.blogspot.com Withdraw Deadline: March 11, 2013 Course blog: http://wolfe-fil2480.blogspot.com COURSE DESCRIPTION This in an introductory course designed to explore and practice basic theories, processes and techniques for film directing with an emphasis on Directing Camera. Pre requisite or Co-requisite: PR- FIL 1007 Foundations of Story, FIL 1008 Cinematic Expressions/Aesthetics and FIL 3427C Introduction to Film Production, PR or CR- FIL 3115 Short Script I COURSE OBJECTIVES By courses end students can expect have a basic working understanding of various theories and processes such as directorial analysis tools, moving and non-moving camera, shot composition, motivated camera blocking and effective use of the mise-en-scene as a delivery vehicle of the Director’s Vision. FORMAT Class time will consist of film clips, lecture, discussions, analysis and screenings of workshops as well as outside class assignments. ASSIGNMENTS (subject to change at Professor’s discretion) ASSIGNMENT GRADE BASIC CRITERIA NOTES Attendance 10% Students must attend all classes

scheduled. See absentee policy below

A 10% deduction for each non-excused absence

Quizzes 10% At certain points in semester quizzes will be given on material discussed and read about in homework assignments

There are no make up quizzes given. No quiz grades are dropped. Your quizzes will be averaged to

constitute the 20% of your final course grade.

Final Exam 20% A final exam that encompasses all information discussed, read about and pertaining to assignments

There are no make up final exams given.

Workshops 20% Group workshops will be given at intervals during the semester. These will begin in class time and must be completed at home and turned in at the following class meeting.

-You must direct at least one of the workshops and crew on at least one other.to receive full credit for workshop element of final course grade. -No workshop assignment will be accepted late.

Project 1 20% -Non moving camera -No dialogue -SFX only (no music) -2 people maximum -1:00 Maximum run time

-Thematic statement/vision and analysis -Shot list -Lined Script -Overhead Floor plan with camera blocking

Project 2 20% -Moving and non moving camera -Dialogue -Score and SFX -2 people Minimum, 4 maximum -3:00 Maximum run time

-Thematic statement/vision and analysis -Shot list -Lined Script -Overhead Floor plan with camera blocking -Storyboards

REQUIRED TEXT: None (professor will post readings on course blogsite http://wolfe-fil2480.blogspot.com) SUGGESTED TEXT: Film directing Shot By Shot, Steven D. Katz, Michael Wise Productions SECTION 0002 INSURANCE, EQUIPMENT, FORMS Insurance is not required for admittance into the BA section of Directing For Film I. Camera and editing equipment is to be supplied by the student, either by owning or borrowing. Any still or video camera equipment is acceptable provided final delivery of all projects is in the correct/requested format. The student is responsible for knowing/learning how to use any editing equipment. SAFETY You are solely responsible for the safety of your cast and crew, and any locations, equipment, and items used for the production. If you have any questions regarding safety concerns, please make an appointment to discuss concerns with professor PRIOR TO SHOOTING. Please read Film Department Student handbook for more information.

CALENDAR Subject to change per professor discretion DATE DUE IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 1/7 -Intro to course

-Syllabus review -Intro to projects and workshops -Discuss the Director Book -Discuss The Script

Find/develop/write Project 1 script and Director Book

1/14 -Discussion: Aspect Ratio and Types of Shots -Workshop 1: SHOTS & ANGLES

Workshop 1 Project 1 Director Book Project 1 Script

1/21 NO CLASS –MLK DAY 1/28 Workshop 1 -Screen/Discuss select Workshop 1’s

-Discussion: Pre-visualization, Theme, and Director’s Vision

Project 1 Director Book Project 1 Script

2/4 Project 1 Script -Discussion: Angles and Point of View -Workshop 2: PREVISUALIZATION

Workshop 2 Project 1 Director Book

2/11 Workshop 2 Project 1 Director Book

-Screen/Discuss select Workshop 2’s -Discussion: Coverage -Check Director Books

Project 1 Shoot/Edit

2/18 Project 1 Film -Screen and Discuss Project 1 Films -Discuss Coverage continued

Project 2 Scripts Project 2 Director Books

2/25 Quiz #1- on all in class discussions Project 2 Scripts Project 2 Director Books

3/4 NO CLASS- SPRING BREAK 3/11 Project 2 Scripts -Discussion: Moving Camera

-Workshop 3: POINT OF VIEW

Workshop 3 Project 2 Director Books

3/18 Workshop 3 -Screen/Discuss select Workshop 3’s -Discussion: Intro to Actors

Project 2 Director Books

3/25 -Discussion: Blocking

Project 2 Director Books

4/1 -Discussion: Moving Camera -Workshop 4: BLOCKING

Workshop 4

4/8 Workshop 4 Project 2 Director Books

Quiz #2- on all in class discussions since Quiz #1 -Screen/Discuss select Workshop 4’s -Check Director Books

Project 2 Shoot/Edit

4/15 Discussion: Continuum from Dramatic Project 2 Edit

Narrative to Documentary to Experimental

4/22 Project 2 Film -Screen and Discuss Project 2 Films

4/29 Final Exam: TBA Covers all discussions, assignments since beginning of semester.

5/2-4 End Of Year Screenings WORKSHOP ONE: SHOT COMPOSITION/SHOT FLOW Establish location by varying shot size- various versions WORKSHOP TWO: NARRATIVE PROBLEM- THE STATIC SHOT WORKSHOP THREE: DIALOGUE STAGING- TWO PERSON COVERAGE WORKSHOP FOUR: DIALOGUE STAGING THREE SUBJECT COVERAGE WORKSHOP FIVE: MOBILE STAGING WORKSHOP SIX: STAGING IN DEPTH WORKSHOP SEVEN: CAMERA ANGLES AND FRAMING