FILM 487 Directing the Short Motion Picture
Summary
Through managing the technical, theoretical and creative responsibilities of the director, students produce a narrative fiction short film. Students must enter with a finished, producible short film script with major principal pre-production elements in place. Advanced pre-production skills and topics to be covered include: script breakdown, schedule and budget, pre-visualization, creative collaboration and management, set procedures, and directing post-production and delivery.
The class will consist of discussions, lectures and demonstrations to strengthen the student’s knowledge of the general mechanics of filmmaking and further their understanding of aesthetics. Study and technical workshops will prepare students to take on their projects.
Students will execute one short film as individuals. Details will be provided. Other assignments will include pre-production materials and script and scene analysis.
Texts
Materials provided by the instructors.
D2L
Grading
(1) Script: 10%
Director’s Notebook Materials 55%:
? (2) Pitch Packet/Logline: 5 %
? (3) Locked Script: 5%
? (4) Script Breakdowns: 5%
? (5) Casting Breakdowns: 5%
? (6) Schedule and Budget: 5%
? (7) Casting Presentation/Headshots: 5%
? (8) Aesthetic/Visual Plan: 10%
? (9) Scene Beat Breakdowns: 10%
? (10) Shot List and Overheads: 5%
(11) Final Project Polished Rough Cut: 20%
(12) Finishing Plan document: 5%
(13) Attendance and Participation: 10%
Prerequisites
PREREQUISITE(S): FILM 484 or CP420
We are operating under the assumption that you have all taken numerous classes up until this point and should have an established relationship with the basics of film production. If you do not, you will have a difficult time in this course and should consider taking it at another time.
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296