Filmmaking

Teacher: Duran Smith Date/Time: Wednesday - 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM Recommended Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Department: Fine Arts Electives Grade Level: High School (9th-12th), Middle School (6th-8th)

Filmmaking is the combination of many art forms, and this class is a basic overview of everything it takes to make a movie! We will look at the fascinating history of motion pictures, discuss the role of media in our lives, and (of course) learn how to write and produce a great film! We'll study great scenes by great directors. Our course will focus on screenwriting, storyboarding, acting, cinematography, sound production, video editing, and the important roles of an efficient film crew. The goals for this class are to give high school students a preview of a college film education and to equip and inspire the next generation of media content creators to create with purpose!

Requirements:

• A reliable digital video camera (of any kind: phone, tablet, DSLR, camcorder, etc.) for personal use only.
• A reliable computer with internet (laptop or desktop at home) for writing and potential video editing.
• A USB flash drive with at least 10 gigabytes of storage.

32 Weeks Total

Fall Semester: 4 months

Spring Semester: 5 months

$90 per month or $810 for a full year

Please pre-pay or make a monthly payment arrangement before each semester.

To pay for courses, please use PayPal or Venmo. Please include the student's name in the description:

https://www.paypal.me/DuranSmith

https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2569108113588224547&created=1658171646

Or email to make other payment arrangements.

God Bless! 

Students can submit assignments on Google Drive here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11M-gmXXxHnrYKrthAhwgW21tPElW2R0m 

Class YouTube Playlist: Film Class: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlVss66aFKB0nbzM_FH0r7Xxz3n70Skz5 

Tentative Syllabus 

1. Introductions / Interests / History of Storytelling / The Greatest Film Ever Made
2. Visual Aesthetics in Art
3. Visual Aesthetics in Film / Assignment: Aesthetic Element Pictures
4. Theatre and Mise-En-Scene
5. Present Aesthetic Elements Pictures
6. The Hero's Journey in Creative Storytelling
7. Screenwriting
8. The Director / Assignment: Watch Citizen Kane
9. Principles of Cinematography 
10. Cinematography continued / Introduction to Screen Acting / Assignment: Shot Reproduction
11. The Actor - Classical, Modern, Method / Exercises
    
12. Present Shot Reproductions / Editing as Film / Assignment: Remake Project
13. Sound Recording and Design
14. Film Music
15. Present Remake Projects