MEDIA ARTS CAREERS: Film Production

1)VOCABULARY: [Define all  terms, writing in film notebook]
animation
credits
cut
dialogue
digital camera[video]  
dissolve
documentary
dolly
edit
fade
film[celluloid]
film camera
frame [noun: as in "one frame of film"]
frame [verb: as in " Framing a shot artfully is very critical."
genre ["types" of films...list them]
"indie" film
millimeter [film measurement]
monologue
narration
post-production
projector
"rule of 3rds"[creating a photo or framed shot for film]
sfx [sound effects]
"shorts"
steadicam
shot type [ establishing, close-up, etc.... list and define each]
soundtrack
storyboard
take
titles
voiceover

2) Watch each resource video and summarize in your film notebook. 
*Use 1/2 page for each video summary.  Include the TITLE, AUTHORS, and SOURCE of the video.
[source= PBS, YOUTUBE, etc.]
* Summarize, recalling important points, & using film terms that were included .
* Write at least 5  complete sentences, giving the main points and some interesting details,great quotes.
* REPEAT this process for each video.
3)Return to the "EGG" video [NATURE SERIES]. Answer the following questions in your notebook [in detail, to the best of your ability]    
** How did the producer give variety with the intro, in terms of different ways of showing eggs & egg sizes?
**Many times, the narrator was onscreen.   What do we call it when we are seeing an image of baby birds, and he is narrating, but we don't see him?
**Describe the different use of sound effects [sfx] in the egg film. 
**How do you think they filmed the INSIDE of a birdhouse with eggs inside? 
** Do you think it took a long time to establish some trust, so that a bird would sit on his hand? Ideas on how that could happen?
3) After watching all videos, make 2 lists: * Why film is preferred by many filmmakers?  & * Why video is preferred by some filmmakers?

4) Now draw a VENN DIAGRAM in your film notebook [See sample in resources]  You will list the unique aspects of VIDEO,then FILM, and last, facts that are the same for BOTH PROCESSES will be entered in the center of the diagram.  
 

COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNMENTS  FOR CREDIT ON THIS LESSON.

ASSIGNMENT 1:
* IDENTIFY BUDGET  NECESSITIES  in your film notebook.
 Try on "thinking like a producer/director." In this assignment ,you will be identifying some BUDGET aspects that a producer and director of a film must consider [Think SALARIES, TRAVEL, LOCATION, WEATHER IMPACTS,  ACCOMODATIONS, FOOD, EQUIPMENT, POST-PRODUCTION, INSURANCE]
Make headings for each of these areas on paper.  You will need several sheets, because you will need room to do some $ MATH $ to estimate expenses.

* ASSIGNMENT 2: Understanding  the "BUSINESS SIDE" of filmmaking: CHOOSE a different film from the NATURE series[other than EGGS.  Watch the entire film & make notes about location, how many crew members you see, etc.   Make a list under each "budget aspect " mentioned above, and make specific comments about the expenses anticipated if you were the producer of that film [Obviously, you can't know the exact $ amounts, but list all items needed to produce the film, ready for an audience, that would cost MONEY.]   Make sure to address ALL THE CATEGORIES mentioned in Task A.

Type all expenses that will be needed for example, under the heading FOOD, think about how many crew members and  actors,  how long they will be on the job on a particular location, 3 meals /day + snacks, water, coffee, etc.  Multiply the amounts and estimate HOW MUCH FOOD would be needed. That would complete the FOOD column.  Complete a list for each category. Do your best to estimate costs for EQUIPMENT, INSURANCE, TRAVEL, ACCOMODATIONS, etc. by doing personal research [grocery store, looking up prices for food] or online, or by asking someone who sells film equipment, has an insurance agency, etc.  COMPLETE ALL CATEGORIES to the best of your abilities, with a $$ estimate.

*ASSIGNMENT 3): The Creative Side of Filmmaking: You will  plan for a  3-minute film on any appropriate topic that interests you.  Many "creatives" get their juices flowing by actually making a PLAN BOARD of IDEAS that will help their film/novel/children's book/ etc. "take shape" in their minds. 

*With magazines, catalogues, or images you've printed from an online site, CUT OUT IMAGES that speak to you of  a film you would like to create
* Cut out SCENIC images[backgrounds] CHARACTER images [people, animals, robots, etc.] STRUCTURAL images[ buildings], VEHICLE images [cars, boats, air travel, etc.]
* NOW, ON YOUR POSTERBOARD:  
1. Write your "working title" across the top
2.  ORGANIZE THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR STORY BY GROUPING: Group Scenery  together; or perhaps group a particular scenery with a character and a structure;  use different areas of the posterboard to reflect what's in your mind about your film story. 
3.  When you're satisfied with your groupings, PASTE THEM ON. Give each scene a "title" & number.  
4. Write any more  notes you may want to add about the story onto the poster board[ sign it and date it.    If you become a famous filmmaker one day, you can show this on an interview as your "first big idea!"  
5. Now, after watching films and completing all the assignments, write a summary[ 1 page] of ALL THE THINGS you can actively do to become a quality filmmaker. Write the summary in COMPLETE SENTENCES. 

EXTRA TASK)   For Seriously Interested Future Filmmakers:  Look up these film festivals online.  One is in Columbia,S.C., and offers a "filmmaking camp" for students.  Some festivals are in other states or countries.    Look at the categories of films, and the AMAZING INTEREST in producing films that keep these festivals afloat, year after year!
INDIE GRITS - Columbia, SC  /  FULL FRAME  - Durham, NC  /  SUNDANCE - Park City, Utah   / TRIBECA  FILM FESTIVAL - New York, N.Y.  /  TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, - Toronto, Ontario, Canada