Spring 2018 - CA 131 D100

Filmmaking I (4)

Class Number: 12758

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Instructor:

    Noe Rodriguez
    noer@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tuesday 11:30-12:30, Wednesday 5:30-7pm or by appointment
  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 130 and prior approval.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introductory course in 16 mm. film production, emphasizing creative use of the medium. Each student is expected to conceive, direct and edit a short film with a non-synchronous sound track, as well as participate in the making of class exercises and other students' films. A laboratory fee is required. Students should be advised that film production will probably incur significant costs in addition to lab fees. Students with credit for FPA 131 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a broad-based introduction to the rudiments of film production within the context of an entirely digital workflow. During the semester we will be exploring the creative possibilities of structuring images and sounds in time and space. Departing from the knowledge acquired in CA130, this course will aim to delve deeper into the investigation of the nature of cinema through a series of lectures, screenings, exercises and technical workshops that will guide the students through the production process of a film from concept to completion; from idea to delivery. Each student will be required to complete two short film projects: one in pairs and an individual film based on an idea of their own choosing with a given set of parameters.

Grading

  • Project #1: - Obstructions Film 15%
  • Project #2: - Final Film 20%
  • Exercise #1: - Final Film Proposal 15%
  • Exercise #2: - Peer Critique (5% Proposal + 5% Film) 10%
  • Exercise #3: - Journals 15%
  • Quizzes: - Readings + Class 5%
  • Commitment* 20%

NOTES:

Logistics

The class will be divided into two groups of twelve students. I will assign you a group. You will remain in the same group for the entire semester.  

Most Wednesdays both groups will meet for a lecture. Most Tuesdays one group will meet with the TA in the computer Lab for workshops and the other will meet with me for assignment discussion, questions concerning your projects and feedback sessions.  

For all film shoots –strictly following the schedule created for this course–, you will be able to sign out any of the first year equipment anytime after Wednesday's class.

You MUST return the equipment the following Monday before 11am. Failure to do this will be taken into account when grading the assignment.   You will have to co-direct a film and act as the director in your final film. Your crews will be composed of students in your cohort only.  

*** You WILL NEED (at least) one external hard drive to store your work and move it from computer to computer. A second hard drive for backing up projects is encouraged. Ask for suggestions based on your setup.

*Includes attendance, participation and collaboration in and out of class) **All assignments need to be completed in order to get a final grade. Failure to complete ALL assignments will translate into failing the course.

*Includes attendance, participation and collaboration in and out of class)

**All assignments need to be completed in order to get a final grade. Failure to complete ALL assignments will translate into failing the course.

Project Grading: Approval is based on a combination of factors including artistic merit, the student’s demonstrated ability to carry out the proposed work, pragmatic issues involving use of facilities and equipment, pedagogical value to the class as a whole, technical competency and required presentation. Not exceeding the maximum specific length of the assignment will be part of the grade determination. Each assignment hand-out will be explained thoroughly in class and will include an in depth and clear grade evaluation breakdown.

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but also on time. Accordingly, assignment for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment.

Deadline and Lateness Penalty: All deadlines are on the course syllabus and will be announced in class. The penalty for handing in an assignment late will be one grade per day. Exceptions to the lateness penalties for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc. Must be approved by the course instructor and require supporting documentation (i.e Medical certificate).

Attendance and Participation: Students are expected to attend lectures, workshops and screenings. Attendance and participation are essential for the successful completion of this course. Please arrive on time. If you are late, please do not disturb the class. Cell phones must be turned off during the class. Laptop use is restricted to note-taking. Please remember that laptops and PDAs can be very distracting to your classmates. Disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. It is the student's responsibility when the class is missed to catch up on the material/screenings missed. Student;s who are absent for reasons of illness or family matters should inform the course instructor to avoid grade penalty. Your participation grade will be determined on the basis of the quality and frequency of participation in class discussion, group work, and other activities, and on the basis of consistent improvement over the semester. Students will be required to screen and discuss their assignments in class. Absence to work on your assignments is not a legitimate reason to miss class.

Production Material Costs: Production equipment, including digital video cameras, 16mm cameras, tripods, microphones, sound recorders, lighting kits and editing facilities are provided by the department. Students are responsible for all the costs incurred in productions. Some of these costs include 16mm stock and processing/transfer, gaffer tape, gels, hard drives... Cost will vary depending on your production decisions.

Conduct: Aside for the University specific code of conduct. Students are expected to be respectful of loaned equipment. Students are responsible for checking out the equipment and returning it in the same condition.

A note on commitment: Much of this class is hands-on learning. The time that we spend in class will be used to discuss, explore and practice the skills learned in class. There is an extra time commitment that will need to be made outside of class for shooting, capturing and editing your footage. The deadlines for finishing your projects (especially your final project) are hard.

Course Procedures: If you are going to be late, please try to call someone. Show up to schedule meeting times with your group. When you check equipment or DVDs out, you are accepting full and financial responsibility for the equipment, even in cases of accidents. Equipment checkout needs to occur at the designated time. The equipment is for use by you and your teammates for your film class project. All other uses by yourself and others are prohibited.

Academic honesty and Integrity: (See University policy)

Email Policy: I will try to answer emails as promptly as possible, but please allow 3 business days for a response. Please reserve emails for brief questions or marking appointments outside of office hours. Substantive discussion about course material and assignments should occur in tutorials and during office hours. (University specific policy regarding sending emails to student's email accounts).

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The Visual Story, Bruce Block, 2007. 3rd ed. Focal Press

RECOMMENDED READING:

The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, Sonja Schenk & Ben Long. 2011. 4th Edition Course Technology PTR.

The Filmmakers Handbook, Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus, 3rd ed. Plume Press

Online training: Lynda.com (access via SFU Library with Computer ID)

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS