FIS 320 & FIS 420–FILM PRODUCTION II & III SYLLABUS
Spring, 2005 3.0CREDITS Prof. David Schmoeller
Tuesday 4:00-7:00pm office hours: Tues. 12:30-3:30
FDH-143A Tel:702-895-2535
Thursday, 3-6 – open lab
Schmoeller Email: www.david.schmoeller@ccmail.nevada.edu
Schmoeller Website: www.unlv.edu/faculty/schmoeller
Short Film Archive Website:http://shortfilmarchive.unlv.edu
Production II is the intermediate production course at UNLV. Students are exposed to the complete production cycle from presentation of story and screenplay to screening of the completed film or video project. 3 credits. Prerequisite: FIS 220.
Production III is the advanced motion picture production course in techniques in 16mm and digital video. Course involves both group and individual production projects. 3 credits. Prerequisite: FIS 320 or consent of instructor. Please note: You can only be given 3 credit hours one time for FIS 320.
OBJECTIVES: By the time you finish this class, 1) you will have work-shopped and table-read your shorts screenplay; 2) you will have learned the casting process by participating in the group casting session; 3) you will have learned comprehensive pre-production and 4) you will have finished your principal photography and 5) you will have learned how to constructively view and critique dailies.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS: Each student will:
1) Keep a Director’s Notebook (handouts; contact sheet; storyboards; shot list;
script; equipment list; casting notes; etc.)
2) Present and workshop screenplay in class(and table read with your actors)
3) Participate in “dailies” critiques .
4) Direct one Final Video or Film Project.
All students will have to adhere to an assigned shooting date to be determined at the beginning of the course.
The UNLV SHORT FILM ARCHIVE will screen a two hour program of shorts every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30pm in room A-106 of the CBC building starting September 29, 2005.
The UNLV SHORT FILM ARCHIVE will produce the 2’d Annual48-Hour Short Film Contest on November 4-6, 2005. See Professor Schmoeller for information or website for details.
PLEASE NOTE: 8-29-2005 Instruction and late registration begin. Last day to pay tuition without a Late fee of $25.00.
8-30-05 WEEK1 Screen Short Of The Week
Introductions and course outlined. Discussion of scripts,
rehearsal projects, resource bank, final projects, equipment & facilities, class & personal goals, analysis of masterworks. Discuss students shooting schedule and set calendar for Scripts & Shoots. (Lottery if necessary); organize group casting session.
9-2-05 PLEASE NOTE: Final day for late registration, add courses, change
courses, change from audit to credit, pay fees, except short courses.
Final day to drop or withdraw and receive a 100% refund. There are no refunds for partial load reductions after that date.
Final day to pay fees with a $125 late penalty. Failure to pay will constitute withdrawal from all classes.
9-6-05 WEEK2 Screen Short Of The Week
Lecture: Initial Production Planning & Budgeting
“Mysterious Museum:” dailies& analysis
Workshop scripts & critique.
PLAN CLASS CASTING SESSION
9-13-05 WEEK3 Screen Short Of The Week
CAMERA& TECH LAB
VISIT SOUND LAB
9-16-05 PLEASENOTE: Final date to submit an application for December graduation to thecashier without a late penalty fee (Graduate and Undergraduate).
9-20-05 WEEK4 Screen Short Of The Week
Workshop scripts & critique.
View Dailies & critique
9-27-05 WEEK5 Screen Short Of The Week
Workshop scripts & critique.
View Dailies & critique
9-30-05 Final day to submit an application for December graduation tothe cashier
with late penalty fee (Graduate and Undergraduate)
10-4-05 WEEK6 Screen Short Of The Week
Workshop scripts & critique.
View Dailies & critique
10-3-05 PLEASE NOTE: Final day to totally withdraw from all course sand receive
a 50% refund, except short courses.
10-11-05 WEEK7 Screen Short Of The Week
Workshop scripts & critique.
View Dailies & critique
Review all topics covered up to date
10-18-05 WEEK8 Mid-Term Exam
10-25-05 WEEK9 Screen Short Of The Week
View Dailies & critique
11-1-05 WEEK10 Screen Short Of The Week
View Dailies & critique
11-4-05 PLEASENOTE: Final date to drop or withdraw from classes, or change from credit to audit except short courses (see course listings on the web). Drops and withdrawals will not be allowed after this date even with instructor approval. Drops should be processed by 5:00 p.m.
11-8-05 WEEK11 Screen Short Of The Week
View Dailies & critique
11-15-05 WEEK12 Screen Short Of The Week
View Dailies & critique
11-22-05\ WEEK13 Screenings of Student Final Projects
View Dailies & critique
11-29-05 WEEK14 Screenings of Student Final Projects
12-6-05 WEEK15 Screenings of Student Final Projects
Review all topics covered up to date
12-13-05 WEEK16 FINAL EXAM
12-15-05 – 9AM Grades Due
GRADING
15% MIDTERM:
15% FINAL:
60% FINAL PROJECT
10% DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK
ATTENDANCE: Required. More than three unexcused absences will lower your grade 5%. A fifth and sixth unexcused absence will lower grade by 2 1/2% each. More than six unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course. Excessive tardiness (more than 5) will lower your grade.
The Director’s Notebook: Since organization is a key element of most production work, especially directing, each student is to keep a notebook with handouts, class notes and all production paperwork. The Director’s notebook will be turned in 5-5-2005.
EXTRA CREDIT: half a grade up (i.e. from a B+ to and A-) for one of the following:
1) ATTENDING AT LEASE FOUR SHORTFILM SCREENINGS ON
THURSDAY EVENINGS, 7:30-9:30)
2) PARTICIPATING IN ONE UNLVSHORT FILM ARCHIVE
PROJECT:
SEE SEPARATE SHEET REGARDING EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT PROCEDURES& TIME
One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to students at the Writing Center. Although some drop-in times are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments maybe made in person or by calling 895-3908.
PLEASE NOTE: Disability: If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Services (DS) for coordination in your academic accommodations. Disability Services is located within Learning Enhancement Services (LES), in the Reynolds Student Services Complex (SSC),Room 137. The telephone number is 895-0866 / TDD 895-0652.
Copyright: The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS OFCOPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEITHER PROTECT NORDEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS ANDFAIR USE LAWS. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under university disability policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright web page at: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/ copyright.
Religious Holidays: As a general rule, a student missing a class or laboratory assignment because of observance of a religious holiday shall have the opportunity to make up missed work. Students must notify you of anticipated absences by the last day of late registration to be assured of this opportunity.
Extracurricular Activities: If you represent UNLV at a extracurricular activity, you shall have the opportunity to make up assignments, but you must provide official written notification no less than one week prior to the missed class.
IMPORTANT
As a film major you will be presented with opportunities to work in the production of your own projects, other student or faculty projects, projects for other classes and even professional projects that will shoot in town. You are encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity to practice and hone your art and craft but not at the expense of your work in this class. Participation in any production outside of this classis not an excuse for failing to complete any and all responsibilities established in this class.