Filmmaking

Instructor Image

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! 


Tentative Syllabus 

Fall Semester: 15 Weeks
  1. Introductions / Interests / History of Storytelling / The Greatest Film Ever Made
  2. Visual Aesthetics in Art
  3. Visual Aesthetics in Film / Assignment: Frame Reproductions
  4. History of Drama and Theatre
  5. History of Acting - Classical
  6. History of Acting - Modern and Method / Assignment: Scene Performance
  7. The Hero's Journey Overview
  8. The Hero's Journey in Creative Storytelling
  9. Screenwriting / Assignment: Screenplay
  10. Beginnings of Cinematography
  11. Editing as Film / Assignment: Remake Project
  12. Silent Films / Cinema Culture
  13. Introduction of Sound Recording / Talkies
  14. History of Film Music
  15. Present Remake Projects

Spring Semester: 17 Weeks
  1. When Art Meets Industry / 1940s / Film Industry Breakdown
  2. 1950s / The Writer's Room / Brainstorm Class Film
  3. Director and Producer
  4. Pre-Production: Script Breakdown / Write Class Film
  5. 1960s / Pre-Production: Storyboard / Assignment Due: Short Film Screenplay
  6. Pre-Production: Scheduling / Plan Class Film
  7. 1970s / Production: Director and Actor
  8. Production: Lights
  9. 1980s / Production: Camera
  10. Production: Sound
  11. Shoot Class Film
  12. 1990s / Post: Editing
  13. 2000s / Post: Visual Effects / Watch Class Film / Assignment Due: Short Film Wrapped
  14. Post: Sound Design
  15. Post: Music
  16. 2010s / Film vs TV / Marketing
  17. Assignment Due: Present Final Short Films