Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

Unit Guide
Course: Bachelor of Film Production (BFP) Unit No: BFP100 Unit Name: Introduction to Film Production

SAE Institute 2011 Version 6.0

Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

Contents
1. UNIT OVERVIEW 2. AIMS 3. LEARNING OUTCOMES 4. ASSESSMENT ITEMS 5. CORE TEXTS 6. ACADEMIC STAFF 7. LESSON OVERVIEW 8. SCHEDULE 9. ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES 10. EXERCISES
10.1 BFP100 Exercise 1 10.2 BFP100 Exercise 2

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11. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT 12. READINGS

12.1 BFP100 Reading 1 12.2 BFP100 Reading 2

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13. DUE DATES 14 RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT

14.1 Studios and Lab Facilities 14.2 Equipment 14.3 Intranet/Network Resources

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15. RECOMMENDED AND FURTHER READING

15.1 Books 15.2 Journals and Other Publications 15.3 Websites and Other Online Sources

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

1. Unit Overview
Unit Number: Unit Name: Credit Points: Pre-requisites: BFP100 Introduction to Film Production 10 Nil

2. Aims
This unit explores at an introductory level all facets of film and television production by way of understanding the roles of all production crew. Students will learn basic storytelling, script structure and writing styles, selecting a genre, character development, as well as being introduced to all technical requirements including composition and framing, basic camera work, understanding mise-en scene and montage, basic lighting as well as basic directing styles and techniques flowing through to basic editing. Students will critically examine non-verbal communications as a mode of communication in silent film.

3. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to: Explain the term genre as it applies to film Define the concepts of storytelling Compose an original story based on the principles of storytelling Distinguish different crew roles in pre-production, production and postproduction Compose a scene/sequence based on set-procedure and protocol Operate a video camera Implement basic cinematographic principles Demonstrate ability to set up and use both steadicam and wally dolly Apply safe working practices in various types of shoots Assess the production process and outcomes

4. Assessment Items
The following assessment items must be completed for this unit: BFP100.1 Report 30% BFP100.2 Practical Assignment 60% BFP100.4 Exercises 10% Note: All assessment items must be attempted.

5. Core Texts
Ascher, S., Pincus, E., 2007, The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age, Plume.

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

6. Academic Staff
Campus Academic Coordinator: David Kim-Boyle Email: d.kimboyle@sae.edu Tel: 02 8241 5200 Unit Coordinator: David Crowe Email: d.crowe@sae.edu Tel: 02 8241 5200 Unit Lecturer(s): Justin Lane Email: j.lane@sae.edu Tel: 02 8241 5200

7. Lesson Overview
Trimester Week 1 Syllabus Session Type Lecture Lecturer Lane

Unit overview Assignment review Screening Watch and analyse previous student films Lecture / Basic understanding and Workshop principals of the digital video camera Shot sizes and rule of thirds/composition and framing Lecture Storytelling-Each student tell short story Articulate emotional themes Cinema as an unspoken language-creating tension from the energy of shots Discuss Story/Plot. Where do ideas come from? Story outline Character breakdown Genre Storytelling and construction. Structure: 3 act play Beginning/Middle/End. Narrative or non-narrative Expressionism-Surrealism Watch examples Pair up for film

Lane

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

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Style through framing/composition Optics/aperture/shutter/white balance and depth of field. Lenses-10-mm-200mm telephoto lens Shot sizes L/S, M/L/S, M/S, M/C/U, C/U, C/U, E/C/U Establishing shot Layers-F/G M/G B/G Dirty shots Over shoulder Pan/Tilt Pull focus Filters Introduction to Celtx script writing and scheduling programmes Script written in Courier 12 point only Crew List Camera test Storyboard and shot list treatment/script Filming protocol and procedureshoot a small scene in groups Discuss performance direction Study Week (No Formal Classes) Treatment for the short script Short synopsis Film Title Paperwork required for submission Filming and contracts Copyright Stunt or make up workshop

Lecture / Workshop

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Lecture

Lane

Lecture / Workshop

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Lecture

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Workshop

Lane Lane

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Workshop Script submission Schedule Daylight exterior lighting and white balance Camera prac- shoot to F-Stop Groupwork / Production week 1: Shoot/Edit Tutorial Self directed groupwork Lecturer available for assistance during shoot Final Script analysis Revision One on Ones

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Production week 2: Shoot/Edit Self directed groupwork Lecturer available for assistance during shoot Final Edit/mix and submit Self directed groupwork Screenings Marking-notes for re-edit

Groupwork

Lane

Seminar

Lane

One on ones

Lane

8. Schedule
Students are required to attend all classes for the unit. Refer to the student handbook for further details regarding attendance requirements for the course. [Insert schedule here or refer students to relevant noticeboard or Intranet portal.]

9. Assessment Guidelines
All assignments must be submitted formally in accordance with the assignment submission guidelines that is outlined in the Student Handbook. Further policies in relation to assignment submissions are also outlined in the SAE policies and Procedures. All queries regarding the assessment items for this unit should be addressed to the Unit Coordinator or the Course Coordinator. It is important to note that all assignments, unless explicitly noted as group work in the unit guide, must be completed on an individual basis. When you submit work for assessment you undertake that the work submitted is your own original work. Assessment Submission Format Weighting Overview BFP100.1 Report Production Plan Typed Report 30% The pre-production process requires students to adhere to industry standards in all written presentations. This initial process investigates all necessary documentation required when applying for funding. Prepare a first draft script for the BFP100.2 Practical Assignment using Final Draft or Celtx as well as a schedule using Celtx or EP Scheduling. Submissions due on day of class.

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

Requirements

Students must provide a bound document (no plastic sleeves) containing the following. Cover page including title of the film, draft number, copyright date, student number and assignment code. Table of contents Crew List Story Outline Character breakdown First Draft Script or treatment Shot List and or storyboard Schedule Word count 1800 (+/- 10%, not including quoted materials) Graded / Norm-referenced

Assessment

Assessment Criteria

Fulfillment of all requirements Clear structural narrative/script Credible characters and characterisation Clear and concise story plotting Effective use of illustrative storyboards Informative and interesting narrative structure Appropriate formatting with all paperwork presented as per formatting and referencing guide

Assessment Submission Format Weighting Overview

BFP100.2 Practical Assignment Silent Film DVD-R and mini DV tape 60% The intention with this first film is to get students working in teams. In small groups the students conceive the idea then write, produce, direct, light, shoot and edit a short silent film between 3-5 minutes duration. Students foster a strong working relationship based on trust and communication, learning how to work effectively performing a pre assigned crew role. The film must be delivered on DVD-R and presented with all necessary information on the DVD Cover. Some artwork is preferred but not essential at this stage of development.

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

Requirements

Select a genre and story through style and emotion Understand basic thematic content and how to achieve interesting storytelling Use visual narrative to convey your ideas Use minimal sound f/x and music Must be shot in 16 by 9 No more than 4 actors and no fewer than 2 At least 2 locations Use only natural or prac lighting. No additional lights. Demonstrate an ability to use camera, lenses, and filters. Demonstrate basic composition and framing Define and demonstrate different shot sizes Understand the 180 and 30 degree shooting rules Demonstrate ability to pan and tilt with fluidity Demonstrate an understanding of shutter speeds, aperture, white balance and depth-of-field

Assessment

Graded / Norm-referenced

Assessment Criteria

Clear structural visual narrative Credible characters and characterisation Clear and concise story plotting Clear and concise direction Appropriate use of dialogues and voice over Appropriate use of sound/music Ability to work in a team Fulfilled individual crew role Appropriate formatting with film presented as per requirements

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Exercises

10.1 BFP100 Exercise 1 Storytelling Each student will need to prepare a story that will be told in class. The story may be from any source: the students personal life, the media or other source. The story must be well structured, including a beginning, a middle and an end. 10.2 BFP100 Exercise 2 Story Outline Write a 1-2 page story outline for short film. This outline will include a tag line, short synopsis and character breakdown as per lecture content.

11.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is behaviour that contravenes the values of academic integrity, which breaches rules, policies, direction and guidelines at SAE Institute in

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

relation to assignments and assessment, and which normally includes action taken with the intention of gaining an unfair advantage for self or others. It includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, collusion, cheating and fraud. Students are expected to adhere to the academic honesty policy and procedures at all times. If you are unsure about the use of other peoples works or ideas within your own work you should discuss this with your lecturer at the earliest opportunity. You should also ensure that you read the SAE Formatting and Referencing guide that provides an overview of the Harvard referencing style and examples of how to reference most of the kinds of works that you will cite. Be meticulous with referencing and citation (includes credits) in all exercises, practical and written assignments submitted during your studies. Note that SAE may use screening software to check authorship and originality of submitted assignments. Please refer to the Academic Honesty Policy for further details or contact your unit coordinator if you have any questions in relation to academic honesty.

12.

Readings

12.1 BFP100 Reading 1 Read Chapter 6 The Video Camcorder and Chapter 7 The Video Image and chapter 8 Shooting From the The Filmmakers Handbook 12.2 BFP100 Reading 2 Read Chapters 1-4., Screenwriting-The Art Craft and Business of Film and Television Writing.

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Due Dates
Week Due Week 2 Week 3 Week 5 Week 8 Week 10 Week 13 Date 23-3-11 30-3-11 13-4-11 4-5-11 18-5-11 8-6-11

Task BFP100 Reading 1 BFP100 Exercise 1 BFP100 Exercise 2 BFP100 Reading 2 BFP100.1 Report BFP100.2 Practical Assignment

14.

Resources and Equipment

Computer Lab Edit Suites A, B, and C

14.1 Studios and Lab Facilities

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

14.2 Equipment Film kit Editing software / workstation 14.3 Intranet/Network Resources Further course notes and materials may be downloaded from the Source Drive on the Intranet. Log on to the Intranet using your User Name and Password Mount the Source Drive (Command - K; Select Source) Go to BFP_Year 1 Folder Locate Unit Folder

15.

Recommended and Further Reading

15.1 Books Barnard, M., 1998, Art, Design and Visual Culture, St Martins Press, New York. Barry, A. M. S. 1997, Visual Intelligence: Perception, Image, and Manipulation in Visual Communication, State University of New York Press. Elsey, E., and Kelly, A., 2002, In Short: A Guide to Short Film-Making in the Digital Age, London, British Film Institute. Hart.J. The Art of the Storyboard, Second Edition: A Filmmakers Introduction, 2nd Edition, Focal Press. Katz, S.D., 1991, Film Directing: Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen, Michael Wiese Productions. Gross, L.S.S., Foust, J., C., Burrows, T.D., 2004, Video Production: Disciplines and Techniques, McGraw-Hill. Metz, C., Taylor, MM., (Translator), 1974, Semiotics: The Language of Cinema, Oxford University Press Inc, USA. 15.2 Journals and Other Publications American Cinematographer (magazine) Encore Digital Media World IF 15.3 Websites and Other Online Sources Screen Australia Available from: www.screenaustralia.gov.au

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Unit Guide - BFP100: Introduction to Film Production

Centre For Screen Business Available from: http://csb.aftrs.edu.au/ Encore Magazine Online Available from: www.encoremagazine.com.au Screenhub Available from: www.screenhub.com.au Screen Daily Available from: www.screendaily.com/ Screen Producers of Association of Australia Available from: www.spaa.org.au/ The Production Book Available from: www.productionbook.com.au

Approved by: Version: Date:

Office of Academic Services 6.0 8 February 2011

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