N E A R T
T H E D I G I T A L I N S T I T U T E O F T H E A R T S
Benjamin Jaffe Gallery
Chicago, IL
benjamin
FILMMAKING I
FILMMAKING I
Please review the syllabus below and complete the form above.
FILMMAKING I SYLLABUS
National Board Art Instructor: Benjamin Jaffe
Creative Director / CRib Productions
em: bjaffe@ucls.uchicago.edu
Course Description:
This One-Year Filmmaking program gives students the all-around filmmaking experience necessary to make their own films. The year is divided into three quarters. Students in the program receive hands-on instruction and preparatory production experience. The curriculum integrates intensive study in all the major filmmaking disciplines including cinematography, directing, screenwriting, producing, and editing. They all write, shoot, direct, and edit three of their own short films and a thesis sync-sound film). They shoot projects in HD and 4K Cine. All projects are edited digitally.
No previous filmmaking experience is required. However, participants must work with self-discipline, energy and mutual respect.
This introductory course emphasizes hands-on learning. The studio style class is not a theoretical exploration; it consists of practical workshops designed to put students in the director's chair as quickly as possible. Lab encourages students to take creative risks and find their own voices as visual artists. Students complete the year in filmmaking with skills in all the filmmaking crafts, an enormous amount of preproduction experience, four films of their own, and an expanded awareness of themselves and others. Students' final films are celebrated in a school-wide screening open to cast, crew, and the Lab School community.
Objectives:
Participation in the process of art making in the Visual Arts and Filmmaking.
Develop an awareness of careers in art, Filmmaking and related fields.
Strengthen an understanding of the story of art and the history of scientific innovation in the field.
Preparation for the college curriculum.
Establish a foundation as a life long learner in the arts.
As an instructor I value diversity and inclusion and I am committed to a climate of mutual respect. My goal is to create learning environments that are accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or accurate assessment or achievement, please notify me as soon as possible. If you have classroom accommodations that support access and inclusion, please plan to have a conversation with me soon so that we can manage logistics as needed and ensure that I can provide you with what you need to be successful in this class.
As an integral part of this course we will investigate examples from film history. Some of these films contain imagery that deals with issues important to the dialogue and history of art and cinema. These may include images that explore sex and sexuality, race and racism, violence and war, and some that may have been rated R. If you do not want to see imagery that directly deals with issues such as these, please let me know right away, so that I can create an alternative research project for you.
Instructional References:
Main instructional Texts:
Suggested texts:
Documentary / A History of the Non-Fiction Film by Erik Barnouw
Sound Studio by Alec Nesbitt
Recording Techniques by Robert Runstein
Digital Moviemaking / Columbia College
Independant Filmmaking by Lenny Lipton
Painting with Light by John Alton
60% Projects
20% Homework
20% Assessment (Quizzes / Exams / Critiques)
Time Distribution:
60% Studio time
15% Small group
15% Conference
10% Interactive & Traditional Assessment
Students are highly encouraged to appropriately apply themselves to earning the best grade possible in this course. Students exhibiting initiative above and beyond requirements specified by the teacher will be appropriately rewarded for their efforts.
Filmmaking Supplies:
STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN:
--HD Digital Video camera
Conduct:
1. Students are expected to follow the policies of The University of Chicago Lab School.
2. Students are expected to come to class ON TIME and PREPARED to work.
3. Students are responsible for keeping up-to-date Cornell notes in their Digital Journal.
4. Students are responsible for respecting each other, the classroom, materials (Lab’s and
each other’s), and equipment* (Lab’s and each other’s).
5. Students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
6. ABSOLUTELY no food or drink allowed in the photo lab.
8. When a classmate or the instructor speaks, students should be respectfull and LISTEN.
9. During a demonstration, students should WATCH and ASK QUESTIONS when you need clarification.
Topics:
Preproduction Planning
Screenwriting
Production
Cinematography
Lighting for Film
Sound for Film
Post Production
Music for Film
Editing for Film
Special Effects
History of Cinema
Technology of Cinema
Projects:
1st Semester
Cinematography Group Film
Continuity Editing
Cinema Verite / Art Film
Music & Montage Film
Sound Montage
Preproduction Planning
Documentary
2nd Semester
Mise-en-scène
Foley Studio
Kinetic Typography
Motionography & Special Effects
Final Film Production
Final Film Post Production
Animation
Film Festival
Set Design / Costume Design / Props
Studio Filmmaking
Students are required to have a quality digital video camera for use in this class:
Camera
A 16MB Sensor or greater is suggested
Lens(es)
A wide to tele variable lens / or a collection of lenses that would allow for wide, telephoto, and prime compositions
Canon Rebel or Nikon D camera: 18mm - 200mm or greater, range of focal lengths....
Micro Four Third cameras: 10mm- 100mm or greater , range of focal lengths...
Video Quality
HD (1920 X 1080p) or better at 24fps (most quality DSLRs will work for this). 4K is the new standard so if you are making a long term invenstment I strongly suggest purchasing a camera with 4K resolution. A decent 4K camera well cared for will last well beyond College and is a sound investment!
While Canon & Nikon are thought of as standards by many, the new standard bearers for affordable 4K are Sony, Panasonic (Lumix), Fuji who currently make great affordable 4K cameras at 1/2 the cost of Canon & Nikon.
Sound
A port for an external microphone is preferred but minimally a Built in Mic is required.
Students unable to provide their own camera can request to borrow a camera from the instructor ( I have a limited number of loaners so the cameras will be loaned out first come first serve). Any borrowed equipment must be returned at the request of the instructor, in the same condition as it is given or payment for a replacement/repair will be posted to your account.
Students do not have to regularly bring their equipment to school with them. Most often they will only have to transport their film, or memory card, and the cameras themselves can be left safely at home. In this way students can use family cameras as long as they can have weekly access to the equipment. If you do plan on sharing a camera the student should at the very least have their own personal memory card(s). I do expect the bulk of shooting to be done on the weekend during daylight hours. This is the primary form of homework and can most often be done in an hour or so per week.
*The student is responsible for repair and/or replacement of any borrowed, damaged, or utilized photography equipment and books.
Benjamin Jaffe Gallery
Chicago, IL
benjamin