Film Year 3 – Short Film w/Dialogue

by robyn@edmedia.productions
in Uncategorized
on September 15, 2024

Unit 1 – Advancing the Story

[Advanced Unit] The “Advancing the Story” unit focuses on the creation of short films with dialogue, emphasizing the importance of character development and the super objective in storytelling. This unit covers techniques and principles that help create compelling narratives and well-rounded characters.

Modules

• Character Development This module uses intersectional as a lens to create more complex and nuanced characters.

• The Super Objective This module uses theme to explore the main character, to build a three-act structure on a solid foundation rooted in the character’s journey.

LAB

Key Assignments:

Outlining/Beat Boarding

Define and execute an outline for a three-act story structure.
Outline the major beats of a story to include a beginning, middle and end.
Plot the major story points for each act.

CTE Standards

2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 10.1, 10.3, 11.5, A1.2, A2.3, A1.7, A2.1, A2.2, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A2.8, A2.9, A5.5, A5.6, A5.7, A6.1, A7.1, A7.3, A8.1, A8.2, A8.4, C2.1, C2.3, C4.2, C4.3, C6.4

Unit 2 – Film Prep

Access Course

[Intro Unit] This unit covers the anatomy of a film shoot, creating shooting schedules and shot lists, and developing floor plans and shot lists. Students will gain the skills necessary to ensure a successful film shoot, with all elements thoroughly planned and coordinated.

Modules

• Anatomy of a Film Shoot Students will deconstruct the components of a film to analyze how they function in relationship to each other to create meaning.

• Shooting Schedule and Shot Lists
Students will learn how to create shot lists and shooting schedules for their silent films.

• Floor Plans
Students will create floor plans from their storyboards for their silent films.

LAB

Students will be in production in order to produce a final silent film.

Key Assignments:

Shoot the Opening Sequence on a Mobile Device

Review the trailer for Unsane a feature film shot entirely on an iPhone
Create a shot list of images that exemplify their story’s world, characters and theme.
Film the series of images from their shot list that are representative of their story’s world, characters and theme.

Film and edit the scenes as outlined.

CTE Standards

Unit 3 – Photo Storyboards

Access Course

[Advanced Unit] The “Photo Storyboards as Previs for a Film Shoot” unit provides students with the skills and techniques necessary to create effective photo storyboards for previsualization (previs) in film production. This unit covers the use of space, angles, and lines in composing photo storyboards.

Modules

• Optimizing Space In Part 1 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on use of space with Photo Storyboards.

• Angles and Mise-en-scene In Part 2 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on the use of camera angles with Photo Storyboards.

• Lines and Color In Part 3 of 3 Previsualizations for their short film, this module provides an in-depth focus on the creation of mood boards and the use of dynamic lines with Photo Storyboards.

LAB

Produce a Photo Storyboard/ Capture the outline as a photographic Beat Board for the Silent Film.

Key Assignments:

Produce an outline for a three-act story structure.
Produce an outline of the major beats of a story to include a beginning, middle and end.
Plot the major story points for each act.
Capture each plot point in an image using composition and coverage techniques.

CTE Standards

Unit 4 – Production Sound

Access Course

[Advanced Unit] The “Production Sound” unit is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to capture high-quality audio during film and video production. This unit covers the use of mixers and boom microphones, as well as lavalier (lav) microphones and other mic types.

Modules

• The Mixer & Boom Students will learn about the roles of the sound mixer and boom operator, mastering the art of capturing clean and clear audio on set.

• Lavs & Mic Types Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of when and how to use microphone types, ensuring that they can capture high-quality audio in diverse shooting environments.

LAB

Students will be in production in order to produce a short film.

Key Assignments:

Identify
1. Describe the basic elements of audio recording involved in a video production.
2. Define the following: microphone (mic), cardioid mic, directional mic, omni-directional, lavaliere.
Set Up
1. Set up and operate the following types of microphones: microphone (mic), cardioid mic, directional mic, omni-directional, lavaliere.
Record
1. Record sound in various environments, including:
  1. studio
  2. interior with light background noise
  3. interior with heavy background noise
  4. exterior with light background noise
  5. exterior with heavy background noise

CTE Standards

2.1, 2.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 7.4, 10.1, 10.3, 11.5, A1.2, A1.4, A1.7, A1.9, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A2.8, A2.9, A3.2, A4.2, A.4.4, A4.6, A5.2, A5.3, A5.6, A8.2, C2.3, C4.4

Unit 5 – Advanced Coverage

Access Course

[Advanced Unit] Avanced techniques for framing, camera movement, and screen direction. By the end of this Unit, you will have a deep understanding of how to manipulate the camera and subjects to achieve the desired shot, maintain coherent screen direction, and employ creative methods for crossing the line to enhance storytelling.

Clean Entrance and Clean Exits:

Understanding the importance of screen direction
Maintaining coherence in character movement
The significance of clean entrances and exits in filmmaking

Coverage from Angles:

The role of blocking in filmmaking
Guiding the audience’s attention and emotions
Utilizing the master shot as a director’s guide

When the Line Becomes “The Axis of Action”:

The concept of the invisible line in filmmaking
How the axis of action determines camera positioning
The impact of the axis of action on spatial relationships

Methods for Crossing the Line:

Moving shots that cross the line
Subjects physically moving during a shot
Introducing new subjects to change the line
Neutral shots for crossing the line without camera or subject movement

Multiple Characters in a Shot:

Managing eyelines in scenes with multiple characters
Ensuring natural and believable on-screen conversations
The importance of accurate eyelines for scene clarity

Exceptions to the Rule:

Understanding when and how to break the 180-degree rule
Thoughtful use of techniques for audience manipulation
Creating visual richness and narrative depth through rule-breaking

LAB

Key Assignments:

Shoot the Opening Sequence on a Mobile Device
1. Review the trailer for Unsane a feature film shot entirely on an iPhone
2. Create a shot list of images that exemplify their story’s world, characters and theme.
3. Film the series of images from their shot list that are representative of their story’s world, characters and theme.
Rotate in Crew Positions
1. Serve as a crew member, coordinate and supervise:
  1. a studio production
  2. a field production
2. Run cables.
3. Mic talent.
4. Participate in the review and critique of all rough cuts and dailies

Key Assignments:

Shoot the Opening Sequence on a Mobile Device

Review the trailer for Unsane a feature film shot entirely on an iPhone
Create a shot list of images that exemplify their story’s world, characters and theme.
Film the series of images from their shot list that are representative of their story’s world, characters and theme.

Film and edit the scenes as outlined.

CTE Standards

2.1, 2.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 7.4, 10.1, 10.3, 11.5, A1.2, A1.4, A1.7, A1.9, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A2.5, A2.6, A2.7, A2.8, A2.9, A3.2, A4.2, A.4.4, A4.6, A5.2, A5.3, A5.6, A8.2, C2.3, C4.4,

Film Year 3 – Short Film w/Dialogue