The Language of Cinema 2

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Name of lecturer(s)

Department

The subject provides FAMU International

Contents

This course will focus on mastering the basics of film grammar, with an emphasis on visually translating scripted ideas into short, narrative exercises, to be shot with a cell phone. Working in small groups, students must complete weekly assignments, with strict guidelines. Through workshops, film exercises, classroom discussions, additional assignments, and watching short clips, this class will explore the role of the director and supporting crew members through concept, pre-production, and production.

1.1 The Long Take

1.2 Long Take Exercise

2.1 Four People at a Table

2.2 Four People at a Table Exercise

3.1 Improvisation: acting and camera

3.2 Improvisation Exercise

4.1 Directing for the Edit

4.2 Directing for the Edit Exercise

5.1 Narrative Pacing

5.2 Narrative Pacing Exercise

6.1 The Wide Shot

6.2 Wide Shot Exercise

7.1 Using the Close-up and Inserts

7.2 Using the Close-up and Inserts Exercise

8.1 The Moving Camera

8.2 The Moving Camera Exercise

9.1 Blocking Styles

9.2 Blocking Styles Exercise

10.1 Using Colors

10.2 Using Colors Exercise

11.1 Using Locations and Set Design

11.2 Using Locations and Set Design Exercise

12.1 Using Frame Ratios and Frames per Second

12.2 Using the Frame Exercise

Learning outcomes

General Expectations: learn to...

work collaboratively

develop clear communication skills, using appropriate film terms

constructively critique your peers

work respectfully, responsibly, and safely

manage emotionally demanding situations (your own and others)

Pre-Production: learn the basics of…

script break down and interpreting dramatic material (scene study and analysis)

creating storyboards and shot lists (visual storytelling skills)

staging, blocking, and camera movement

continuity

location scouting

creating shot lists and schedules

Production: learn to...

communicate your vision to all collaborators, including the subtext of each scene

manage a set by assigning tasks to each crew member

edit while you shoot (using dailies to build on performances)

Prerequisites and other requirements

-

Literature

Film Directing Fundamentals (3rd Edition, 2001), by Nicholas Proferes

On Directing Film (1991), by David Mamet

On Directing (2009), Elia Kazan

Making Movies (1995) Sidney Lumet

Film Directing Shot by Shot (1991), Steven D. Katz

Grammar of the Film Language (1976), Daniel Arijon

Moviemakers' Master Class (2002), Laurent Tirard

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students should attend all classes and complete all necessary assignments and homework.

Basis for Final Grade:

Attendance and participation 30%

Film Exercises 50%

Additional assignments 20%

Participation:

The in-class directing exercises will be done in class, using smart phones or cameras, and then dicussed as a group. Students will be asked to participate fully in this classroom / studio setting. Sometimes this will mean performing live edits or serving in other production capacities; other times this will mean acting on camera or simply sitting in for an exercise.

Attendance / Deadlines:

If a student misses a class, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain any handouts or lecture notes from the class’s online resource: a password protected blog that will be updated, weekly, with all relevant materials, including digital copies of all handouts. If students still have questions, they must wait until after class to schedule a meeting or discuss. Class time is reserved strictly for lectures, in class exercises, screenings, and discussion.

Note

Lecturer: Martin Schumet

martin.schumet@gmx.at

Further information

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans