COMM 299 Themes in Film & Digital Media: Filmmaking
Fall 2016
Instructor: Mariarosy Calleri (mcalleri@luc.edu) Fall 2016
COMM 299
Themes in Film and Intermediate Digital Media
Spring 2016
Course Description
COMM 299 "Themes in Film and Intermediate Digital Media" is a hands-on introduction
to writing, directing and editing short films. Students participate in the development,
production, direction and post-production of a short subject up to ten minutes in length.
The class has no pre-requisites besides the desire to make a short film or documentary.
This course introduces students to the technical, conceptual, and aesthetic skills involved
in video production through the single camera mode of production. Still the most
dominant mode of film and video production, the single camera mode places an emphasis
on using the camera to fullest capacity of artistic expression. In addition to the multiple
skills and concepts involved with the camera, the course also introduces students to the
principles and technologies of lighting, audio recording and mixing, and non-linear
digital video editing. Special focus is given to producing content for successful web
distribution.
Objectives
This course will teach students how to communicate ideas, concepts and stories using the
artform of video making while providing them with an intensive overview of the entire
filmmaking process. Students will work in team as a production unit to produce a short
narrative or documentary film for DVD and web distribution.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will understand how a short film is made from conception
through distribution, and you will know how to develop a story for maximum audiovisual
impact. You will gain hands-on experience of all stages of film production: from
producing a script, operating a camera, recording sound, editing and crafting special
effects, with the goal of producing a polished video to be broadcast on the web. At the
end of this course, you should have all the necessary skills to begin producing
professional-level work for the media industry as well as a polished piece of work for
your demo reel.
Evaluation
20%- Screenplay
20%- Preproduction Package
40%- Short film project
20%- Participation: students must attend class, ask questions and must work for on group
productions. Only one absence allowed for the whole semesters.
2
Instructor: Mariarosy Calleri (mcalleri@luc.edu) Fall 2016
Tentative Schedule:
Week 1 Introduction. General discussion of student projects. Brainstorming of story
ideas. Overview of different genres. Viewing short films and student pieces for
evaluation. We will discuss visual styles, using locations and elements that are easily
accessible. Students will pair up into teams. Assignment of short films (via the net, or
DVD) to be watched and critiqued.
Week 2 From the idea to the storyline. Getting familiar with scriptwriting, learning the
fundamentals of a screenplay. Students will work in group on the development of the
storyline.
Week 3 Cinecittà Studios guided tour to understand the secrets of Great Italian cinema.
Week 4 From the storyline to the final script. Student presentations of their
projects/works in progress/treatments or outlines of individual projects due. Each student
will make a presentation, and via review, films will be chosen from those
treatments/scripts. Script breakdown and analysis: all final scripts will be analyzed to
create a production schedule.
Week 5 Camera, light and sound class. Overview of shooting and editing styles.
Hands-on exercises on camera, light and sound recording.
Week 6 Class presentations of pre-production materials. Screenplays, storyboards and production schedules due. Class discussion and final feedback on production materials before shooting. Midterm
Week 7-8-9 Shooting period. Film teams will screen dailies in class for feedback. Every
film team is required to show 3-5 minutes of footage in class. Each student is required to
present some of the work they’ve done, whether directing or shooting. How to edit with
Final Cut Pro or iMovie.
Week 10-11-12 Editing. Film teams will show in class rough cuts in process for
feedback. Every film team is required to show 3-5 minutes of edited footage in class.
Sign up for individual rough cut sessions with students or teams. Important to add
music and work on your sound mix during this period, as your sound work will be
included in your final grade. Final project with final sound mix due. Minor tweaking
allowed until the final day to turn in projects. Final edits will require a finished picture
and mixed sound track.
Week 13
Final screening (students’ film festival).
Week 14
Marketing and distribution of the short film via the real and virtual marketplaces,
festivals or online channels.
Instructor: Mariarosy Calleri (mcalleri@luc.edu) Fall 2016
Expenses
Students should prepare a checklist before coming, and the following items should be
considered:
A laptop with editing software loaded. Macs are preferred. If you have no laptop, then
computer time will be provided, when available.
A digital camera, it’s up to you which format you prefer, the US standard is NTSC, and
the European standard is PAL. Our cameras and equipment are PAL, however if you
bring your own equipment, it’s preferable to bring your own editing equipment to support
that equipment.
The final video will be graded on technical achievement, communication, creativity and
overall effort per person. Consistency in attendance and contribution to groups projects
constitutes the second area of evaluation.
Note: it is mandatory to turn in all the paperwork, attend classes regularly and turn
in a finished film. Students are required to stretch their talents as filmmakers, to
present their idea in a fresh, new perspective, putting their hearts and soul into the
project, and doing their best to make a compelling film about a subject matter that
sheds new light on a subject.
PLAGIARISM
Definition:
The submission of material authored by another person but represented as the student’s own work,
whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim form. Improper
acknowledgment of sources in essays, papers or audiovisual projects. Acquisition of term papers,
audiovisual projects or other assignments from another source and the subsequent presentation of those
materials as the student’s own work, or providing term papers or assignments that another student submits
as his/her own work. DO NOT DOWNLOAD VIDEO CLIPS OR PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE
INTERNET UNLESS YOU HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE CREATOR OF THE
WORK OR PROOF IT IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
SAFETY
Loyola is fully committed to safety and sensible risk management; every student will be required to adhere
to all safety and risk management policies. Any footage that violates safety policies, or local rules and
regulations, will be disallowed from final projects and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Any
footage acquired or produced during a violation of these policies will not be accepted for, and is ineligible
for, a grade.