Foundations of F&V Sequence

THE SEQUENCE

SEMESTER ONE

Foundations of Moving Image Arts
24-1030 4 credits
Co-requisite: 52-1151 English Comp I
Concurrent requisite: 24-1031

Course Description
This course provides a foundation in the history and aesthetics of moving image arts. Through individual films, clips, lectures and discussion, students analyze major film movements that contributed to the development of narrative cinema. Organized thematically, students explore aesthetic, historical, technological and ideological moving image elements and their impact on the evolution of narrative construction in film & video. Students apply principles and concepts of film language as well as notions of story premise and theme to their creative production projects.

Course Rationale
This pilot course is part of a newly designed Foundation of Film & Video curriculum and is required for all Film & Video majors.

Course Goals & Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, you will understand:

major movements in film & video history;
aesthetic, historical, technological and ideological impacts on the evolution of film & video;
film language and grammar;
premise and theme in moving image storytelling.

At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

contextualize and critically analyze films and videos;
apply conceptual tools to creating moving image projects;
perform fundamental primary and secondary source research and critically apply it;
write a cohesive, soundly argued, analytical paper.

Moving Image Production I
24-1031 4 credits
Co-requisite: 52-1151 English Comp I
Concurrent requisite: 24-1030

Course Description
Using observational writing, visual and aural sketching techniques, students conceptualize and develop creative projects that are adapted to the short film format emphasizing how facts are woven into narrative forms. Preproduction and preparation for production include writing treatments, scripting, storyboarding and developing a workflow appropriate to the project. Short film stories are acquired using digital audio, video and 16mm formats. Students learn basic producing, directing, camera operation, lighting, composition and editing. Students crew for advanced projects in the department.

Course Rationale
This pilot course is part of a newly designed Foundation of Film & Video curriculum and is required for all Film & Video majors.

Course Goals & Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, you will understand:

dramatic imperatives of short moving image forms;
the nature, importance and process of the production cycle;
image composition and design;
the role of sound design;
the necessity to develop a personal creative process;

At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

use observational sketching techniques;
create and develop usable short film ideas;
produce, direct, shoot and edit 16mm film & video;
work collaboratively in a creative environment functioning in various key crew positions.

SEMESTER TWO

Project Development, Preproduction and Preparation
24-2030 4 credits
Prerequisite: 24-1030 & 24-1031
Concurrent requisite: 24-2031

Course Description
This course explores and practices above-the-line roles and functions for project development, preproduction and preparation. Projects conceptualized, written and developed are produced in the companion, co-requisite course Moving Image Production II (24-1033). Students will draft scripts, schedule and budget projects, prepare visual and aural treatments, keep director/producer journals, conduct casting sessions and critique edits in a team-based approach. Emphasis is on collaboration and team building.

Course Rationale
This pilot course is part of the newly designed Foundations of Film & Video sequence will be required for all Film & Video majors. The sequence fulfills the Core Curriculum requirement for students in the pilot.

Course Goals & Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, you will understand:

how above-the-line roles interrelate for effective production;
the relationships between concept development and written script and between written script and production;
different approaches and perspectives in breaking down a script for production;
the necessity for giving and receiving written and oral iterative critiquing;
how development, preproduction and preparation affects production.

At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

write basic short scripts for production in a team-based environment;
prepare schedules and budgets for short film projects;
conduct basic casting sessions;
deliver critical and productive notes, analysis and suggestions to team members;
make revisions based on collaborative, creative techniques.

Moving Image Production II
24-2031 4 credits
Prerequisite: 24-1030 & 24-1031
Concurrent requisite: 24-2030

Course Description
This course is a continuation of Moving Image Production I and continues a team-based approach to film production. Each team member serves as executive producer for one of four team projects which may include fiction, documentary or alternative forms. Projects executed are developed in the companion, co-requisite course Project Development, Preproduction and Preparation (24-1032). Emphasis is on intermediate production protocols including set operations, cinematography and lighting, audio acquisition and intermediate postproduction skills including developing a workflow to completion of the project.

Course Goals & Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, you will understand:

roles and functions of production and post production crew members;
collaborative approaches to production;
intermediate approaches to mise-en-scène including blocking, lighting and production design ;
the role of sound acquisition;
the necessity to develop a personal creative process;

At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

efficiently run an intermediate production set;
work with actors to realize dramatic intent;
direct and shoot a short documentary project;
demonstrate basic and intermediate skills in lighting, cinematography, sound acquisition, sound track preparation and editing, picture editing and directing;
work collaboratively in a creative environment functioning in various key crew positions.