CTPR 507 PRODUCTION I – 18460

SEMESTER:  SPRING 2018

COURSE DESCRIPTION and OUTLINE

4 units

Instructors:

Cinematography: Angelo Pacifici

mailto:[email protected]

Phone:  310/315-3093 c

Meeting Day/Time: Monday/Wednesday 2:00 PM - 5:50 PM

Location: SCA214

Editing: Nancy Forner

mailto:[email protected]

Sound: Richard Burton

mailto:[email protected]

by Mick Hurbis--Cherrier

Details about Editing Requirements:

-Verbatim USB-C Pocket Card Reader

Hello and welcome to CTPR 507. There is no better way to learn how to tell a story than actually going

through the process of doing it. Be patient and open to new ideas as you embark and this creative and

personal journey of discovery.

Overview

Production I is about ideas and your ability to communicate effectively through the language of cinema. It

combines introductions to the five major disciplines within the cinematic arts: producing, directing,

editing, cinematography, and sound with guided opportunities to create individual and small group

projects. Students will make two short HD projects as part of an exploration of visual storytelling, as well

as participate in a directing exercise in the Fundamentals





Directing





lab (production students only).

well.

Course Goals:

-- Discover the basic elements of character and story.

-- Learn how to tell a story effectively through the use of sound and image that

enhances the story.

-- Explore a range of forms and genres—documentary, narrative, personal essay, etc. -- Deliver and

receive cogent and constructive critiques of works in progress and

completed works, by both faculty and fellow students.

-- Highlight the fundamental relationship between form and content.

-- Become aware of the cultural impact of cinema.

Directing: developing a comprehensive aesthetic approach to the goal, central idea, and theme of a

project; including: examination of shots and scenes, creating complex visual frames and staging; beats,

conflicts and moments; scene analysis and shot planning; coverage in contemporary media practice, and

specific directorial use of camera regarding transitions and geography.

Cinematography: The use of images to reinforce a narrative and give an emotional experience, the role

and responsibilities of crew members, the properties of light, the functions of a lens, composing and

lighting matching reverse shots, lighting continuity, basic electrical distribution, blocking and covering a

scene.

Editing: The aesthetics behind the art of telling a story with moving visual images.

Learning the AVID Tools and Editorial techniques in story shaping, continuity;

PROJECT 1: Each student must perform key production roles and edit themselves.

Location sound mandatory (effects, room tone, etc.)

Suggestions:

Narrative:

1. Beat change within a scene

2. Behavior which reveals character

3. significant conflict within a scene

3. Explore the complexity and nuance of a place

Experimental:

1. Use montage to express an emotion or mood

2. Explore the qualities of light and darkness

3. Explore shape, line, time and/or space

PROJECT 2: Student Choice Project (must be crewed) use location sync--sound; five minutes. Emphasis

Credit/Roles on Films:

Students should not act in their own films. The goal is to place directing and working with actors as a

priority in this course. Shooting on location is encouraged. Production sound must always be recorded.

No proprietary credits are allowed (i.e.: A film by) on films. All works must display:

© 2018 University of Southern California

Works must include complete credits for all key positions, which must be performed by the students

themselves. In Project One, all key roles must be performed by one student, with help from other 507

primarily “keyed” by members of your class. Additional  labor and work may be done by other students

currently enrolled in 507 only, after discussion with your faculty.

Outside vendors can be used for: make--up, additional approved grip and lighting gear, and approved

visual and special effects.

Students must provide their actors with a copy of their work via the most up to date industry standards.

EDITING:

owned SCA approved laptops they can edit in the SCA Lab B152 where editing stations are equipped

with two large monitors, a keyboard and a mouse and are laptop compatible. Students may also use any of

the other labs if they do not want to use their laptops.

In addition to the two AVID Labs and three Aesthetic Lectures, Editing faculty will meet with each

student individually in the lab, for up to one--hour (or two 1⁄2 hour sessions) during the P2 editing

process to review cuts, procedures, and to make suggestions. These sessions will be independently

arranged between individual students and editing faculty in each 507 section. Meeting during P1 is

work. All films produced in 507 may be uploaded to the internet but must be password protected in

perpetuity. More info: http://cinema.usc.edu/admissions/copyright.cfm

In all cases, copy written material must be credited. For works to be screened outside of SCA, material

must be cleared, and a complete production book with rights, releases, and permissions must be submitted

to Prod/Dir faculty, Archives, and Student--Industry Relations.

EQUIPMENT/RESOURCES:

Only production equipment supplied by the school or approved by your instructors

Students will be issued a Canon XC 15 Camcorder for the semester. They are required to purchase 2 SD

cards: one 64gb Class10 card for capturing footage and a smaller (8, 4, or 2gb) SD card, that will contain

the camera settings. Students may check out a lighting kit and GoPro camera from USC on a weekly

basis. If a student wants to use non--USC camera support equipment, like a slider, small portable dolly,

shoulder mount, or a glidecam, etc. he/she must discuss this first with their lead instructor. If that

instructor thinks the proposed equipment is appropriate for specific shots, the student will be directed to

speak with the cinematography instructor who will discuss if this is the right tool and then discuss the

proper and safe use of the equipment. The student is responsible to email both the cinematography

instructor and lead instructor with the list of shots and equipment

under consideration. This will insure the student and faculty are in agreement about both the equipment

The Canon XC 15 Camcorder and GoPro are presently the only camera/file format/codec supported for

CTPR 507 classes. Everything else is considered unsupported. Students working in unsupported file

formats or codecs are not to ask staff, student workers or SA's for assistance in post. A guide to

unsupported formats is available in Post.

In rare instances, if the Canon XC 15 Camcorder and GoPro cameras are not appropriate due to the nature

of a shot, shots, or story point, a supplemental camera may be requested. Students must submit a written

request to the lead instructor at least a week prior to the first week of prep for their project and follow the

Students must produce, direct, operate the camera and direct the photography on Project 1. On Project 2

the crew should be primarily “keyed” by members of your class. Other students currently enrolled in other

sections of CTPR 507 may supplement the crew if needed.

VEHICLES

Moving vehicles are not permitted on or off campus. Shots involving stationary vehicles may be filmed

on campus and private property but not on public property. Cameras, lights or other equipment involved

in photographing a stationary vehicle cannot be placed on public sidewalks, driveways or streets.

Each student must complete both films and all exercises in order to receive a grade. Grades will be based

on both subjective and objective judgments; essentially we look for intelligence, clarity, craftsmanship

and emotional depth indicative of a growing mastery of the art form. Success is necessarily predicated on

an energetic and ongoing interaction between all members of the class. So, late projects, tardiness and

unexcused absences will have a negative impact on your grade. Late projects will be docked 10 percent

per day. If you must miss class, call your instructor or SA as soon as possible and always before class

begins.

Grading Weights:

Producing modules: 5 points

Cinematography: 20 points

Criteria: class exercises: 10 points

P1 Cinematography: 4 points

P2: Cinematography of other student’s P2 (required): 6 points

Fund of Dir: 10 points

Criteria: scene exercises

Producing/Directing (overall): 20 points

estimated grade at mid--point in the semester. If you are in danger of failing, you will be alerted in

writing and in a conference; we will outline together what steps must be taken in order for you to pass. It

is the student's responsibility to be aware of USC's add/drop and withdrawal deadlines.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with

Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved

accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or the TA) as

early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301, and is open 8:30am-5:00pm Monday

submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own

academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students

are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Scampus, the Student Guidebook, contains the

Student Conduct Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are located at

http://web-app.usc.edu/scampus/university-student-conduct-code/

Issues of academic dishonesty are subject to an internal SCA review process.

COURSE GUIDELINES:

The limit on project running time (5 minutes max with credits) is invariable and there are no exceptions.

SAFETY GUIDELINES:

The following require a Hazardous Shooting Conditions Form (available on the SCA

Community website in the Production Documents Section within the Student Production Resources):

stunts, prop guns, any object used as a weapon, minors, animals, vehicles, water work, fire (including

candles and smoking), nudity, rooftop work, fog machines, drones and travel outside the 30 mile studio

zone.

Never leave equipment unattended and take extra care when shooting at night.

Don’t store equipment in a car, not even the trunk.

Any ethical or safety violation will become a part of the student’s record at SCA.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1 (Jan 8)

SA: Hard copies Class Syllabus

Recommended readings:

Chapter 1: From Idea to Cinematic Stories

Chapter 3: The Visual Language and Aesthetics of Cinema

Chapter 7: The Cast and Crew

1/10 Session II. 2 PM- 5:50 PM SCA214

Directing Class 1: Shot/Scene from the Directorial Perspective.

1/19 Session II. (FRIDAY MAKE UP) 2 PM- 5:50 PM STAGE 2

Cinematography

The role and responsibilities of crew members, the properties of light (angle, quality, quantity and color),

lights (design and function, the anatomy of a light, hard vs. soft, how to focus), basic grip equipment

(c-stands, apple box, nets, flags) Students will break into 5 groups and work with lights (1 K fresnels and

soft lights) and basic grip equipment  (mentioned in the previous sentence) from the stage.

Recommended readings:

Chapter 11: Camera Support & Chapter 13: Basic Lighting for Film and DV