Instructor:

Naré Ratnapala

E. Mail: nare@umd.edu

Office & hours: RM# M 2-310 Art/Sociology Building
Mon. and Wed. 3:00 - 4:00 or By Appointment. Pleases inform me ahead of time if you plan on coming to the office.

Note: If you email me, please type "ARTT 479B" in the subject line.

Course Description:

Course Introduction

This course focuses on video production. The fundamentals of developing a screenplay, storyboard, cinematography, lighting, sound design and editing are explored. Students will experience various stages of movie making from pre-production, production to post production and develop the necessary basic skills to produce a movie.

Aesthetics, theory, and practical aspects are examined within the context of creating a short movie. Students will write a narrative and develop it into a short movie. They will learn the basic principles of script writing, story boarding, recording audio,video and editing. The skills learned here can be applied to many other situations such as TV production, commercials, web motion graphics, motion pictures and documentaries etc.

Objectives:

After completion students will be able to:

1. identify various stages of movie making

2. become familiar with recording video, audio and editing

3. demonstrate the principles of storyboarding and communicating with actors and crew

4. formulate strategies to shoot various scenes

5. ascertain a higher level of skill and critical thinking by doing multiple takes

6. produce a short movie for screening in various formats

To accomplish these goals the tasks are categorized into three stages. listed below.

Pre production - Begin by writing a short story and then adopt that story to a screenplay. Once the screenplay is completed begin the storyboard to visualize the narrative. Storyboard will be the key element that help visualize the screenplay and inform many in the set how to proceed with the shooting (recording video and audio) in the production stage. Also at this stage scouting for actors, selecting locations to shoot and finding necessary equipment for the shoot must be accomplished. The more preparation that you do at this stage will help advance the production and post production stages.

Production - Once the screenplay and the storyboard are done the production stage begins. It is advised strongly that you give copies of you screenplay to actors and anyone who will be helping you with the project. At this point the recording of video and audio will take place.

Post production - This is where all your efforts will come to materialize. During this stage you will edit your movie. The visuals and audio will be synced and manipulated to complete the movie.

In class there will be many movies shown as examples and discussed various aspects of movie making. Out of class time will be needed to complete assignments. Be advised on open lab hours. Also, computers at other locations can be used. Please note some may not have the same capabilities and software as the computers in this lab.

Grading:
Evaluation is based on successful completion of set goals and presentation, Students must complete all set goals.

Final grade will be based on the following basis

Grading Criteria

Attendance and class participation:

Students are expected to attend all classes and ready to start at the beginning of class period. More than 3 absences may drop a letter grade and more than 5 absences may receive a failing grade. During the critiques and discussions students are required to participate.

Students are expected to inform the instructor in advance of medically necessary absences, and present a self-signed note documenting the date of the missed class(es) and testifying to the need for the absence. This note must include an acknowledgment that (a) the information provided is true and correct, and (b) that the student understands that providing false information to University officials is a violation of Part 9(h) of the Code of Student Conduct. The university’s policies on medical and other absences can be found at: http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1540

Prolonged absence or illness preventing attendance from class requires written documentation from the Health Center and/or health care provider verifying dates of treatment when student was unable to meet academic responsibilities.

Absence due to religious observance will not be penalized, however,it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor within the first 3 weeks of class regarding any religious observance absence(s) for the entire semester. The calendar of religious holidays can be found at: http://faculty.umd.edu/teach/attend_student.html#religious

Texting and web browsing during class sessions is unacceptable and noted against class participation. It is a distraction for others.

Students with learning disabilities who may need assistance please inform the instructor beginning of the semester.

No eating and drinking allowed in class.

Video Tutorials

Lynda.com

Recommended Texts

The Five C's of Cinematography
by Joseph V. Mascelli

Film directing Shot by Shot visualizing from concept to screen
by Steven D. Katz

Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screen writing
by Robert Mckee

Software Manuals and Class Handouts will be discussed in class.

CELTX screenwriting software

Other useful links:

Relevant Links This is a site with many useful links. Also if you find any useful sites please forward the links to the instructor.

What's the cheapest way to make a movie?

ABCs of No Budget Film Making.

Supplies

o Storage devices such as USB and Fire Wire drives etc.
o Sketch pad (approx. 11" x 8")
o Two packs of index cards

Video and audio recording equipment.

Students with Disabilities:

The University of Maryland is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a documented disability should inform the instructors within the add/drop period if academic accommodations are needed. To obtain an Accommodation Letter prepared by Disability Support Service (DSS), a division of the University Counseling Center, please call 301.314.7682, e-mail dissup@umd.edu, or visit the Shoemaker Building for more information.

Week 1.

Jan 26 -28

Pre production

Course content, Assignment given
Project Description

Present a story idea

Week 2

Feb 2 - 4

Develop the story idea and submit for review.

Screenwriting.info

Week 3 - 4

Feb 9 - 18

Develop the Screenplay

In class lectures and discussions on developing a screenplay.

Week 5 - 6

Feb 23 - Mar 4

Develop the Storyboard

Harold Michelsons's Storyboard for The Graduate

in class lectures and discussions on developing a Storyboard

Week 7 - 9

Mar 9 - 25

Production

Shooting (recording video and audio).

In class lecture and discussion on use of camera, filming techniques and various other aspects of production.

Week 10 -11.

Mar 30 - Apr 8

Midterm Presentation (Raw footage) - Students will present their video and audio material.

Week 12 -13

Apr 13 - 23

Post Production

Editing video, audio and developing special effects.

In class lecture and demonstration on use of video and audio editing software and special effects

Week 14.

Apr 27 - 29

Final Critique

Week 15

May 4 - 11

Final Presentation in class.

Submit the final movie in a USB, DVD or in a drop box. Details discussed in class

Academic integrity: The student-administered Honor Code and Honor Pledge prohibit students from cheating on exams, plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent documents and forging signatures. On every examination, paper or other academic exercise not specifically exempted by the instructor, students must write by hand and sign the following pledge:
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination (or assignment).
Allegations of academic dishonesty will be reported directly to the Student Honor Council:  http://www.shc.umd.edu .
Students who engage in academic dishonesty in this course will receive no points for the assignment in question, and will be immediately reported to the Honor Council and Office of Judicial Programs for further action.  There will be no warnings.  Remember, cheating, plagiarism or other types of fabrication are never worth it.

Students with disabilities: The University of Maryland is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with a documented disability should inform the instructors within the add-drop period if academic accommodations are needed. To obtain an Accommodation Letter prepared by Disability Support Service (DSS), a division of the University Counseling Center, please call 301-314-7682, e-mail dissup@umd.edu, or visit the Shoemaker Building for more information.

Copyright notice: Class lectures and other materials are copyrighted and they may not be reproduced for anything other than personal use without written permission from the instructor.

Emergency protocol: If the university is closed for an extended period of time due to snow or other emergencies please check the syllabus for further instructions.

This syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified in advance of important changes that could affect grading, assignments, etc.

Course evaluations are a part of the process by which the University of Maryland seeks to improve teaching and learning. Your participation in this official system is critical to the success of the process, and all information submitted to CourseEvalUM is confidential. (Instructors can only view group summaries of evaluations and cannot identify which submissions belong to which students.)

Diversity: The University of Maryland values the diversity of its student body. Along with the University, I am committed to providing a classroom atmosphere that encourages the equitable participation of all students regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Potential devaluation of students in the classroom that can occur by reference to demeaning stereotypes of any group and/or overlooking the contributions of a particular group to the topic under discussion is inappropriate. (See Statement on Classroom Climate, http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1541).