Assignments
Class Resources Class Videos Independent Project
Reno Teen Stories Project Filmmaking Workshops Film Project Workbook
Reno Teen Stories Project Filmmaking Workshops Film Project Workbook
Syllabus:
General Information About Course
Your assignments will be posted on this site everyday. Echo Effect is a very tech-heavy course, and we will work to complete most assignments on-line. This includes your daily journaling, and your major projects. Films you make in this class will be made public, projects you complete will be placed onto your website. The generic class schedule for the week will be as follows:
Monday:
Film viewing, and completing a corresponding assignment. The assignment will focus on one area of film such as shot composition, sound, dialogue, interviewing strategies, copyright, screenwriting, lighting techniques, genre, etc. The assignment will also ask for basic information from the film, especially the plot, characters and character development, setting, etc. You will need to complete this assignment while watching the film, as the major elements we will look for will be the subject of the discussion for the following class.
Tuesday:
Complete the film, if necessary, and complete the discussion of relevant information by going through the worksheet. You may also take some notes on the subject matter. Your notes will be online, and will be in your own words so you can remember. You will also receive your weekly assignment on Tuesday. The weekly assignment, or "challenge," will begin on Tuesday with a brainstorming session as a part of the pre-production phase of filmmaking. You will be responsible for completing a brainstorm project proposal related to your idea, and should plan on bringing in whatever you might need to begin working on Wednesday.
Wednesday:
The meat of your work for your project will occur on Wednesday. You should come to class ready to go, as you will only have 90 minutes to complete the major parts of the task.
Thursday:
You will be given some time to complete your assignment, and to prepare for the end of the class period where everyone will share what they completed during the week. If you have not completed anything, you will still be responsible for sharing something. Think carefully about what that might be!!
Bear in mind that this is only the generic format for the week. As we progress, we may be working on larger projects that will run into additional weeks. For the first part of the year, however, we will try to keep our projects to one week only. This way, when you leave on Thursday, you should be done with everything and I will be able to keep you up to date with your grades. I plan on commenting heavily on what you do online. You will know immediately how you are doing because you'll receive instant feedback. This may take some getting used to, but I think it will be much more effective that not working this way. You have to be prepared to use a variety of technologies in today's world, so it makes much more sense to work in this manner than in the manner of paper and pencil. (Plus, pencils tend to disappear in the classroom anyway!!)
Monday:
Film viewing, and completing a corresponding assignment. The assignment will focus on one area of film such as shot composition, sound, dialogue, interviewing strategies, copyright, screenwriting, lighting techniques, genre, etc. The assignment will also ask for basic information from the film, especially the plot, characters and character development, setting, etc. You will need to complete this assignment while watching the film, as the major elements we will look for will be the subject of the discussion for the following class.
Tuesday:
Complete the film, if necessary, and complete the discussion of relevant information by going through the worksheet. You may also take some notes on the subject matter. Your notes will be online, and will be in your own words so you can remember. You will also receive your weekly assignment on Tuesday. The weekly assignment, or "challenge," will begin on Tuesday with a brainstorming session as a part of the pre-production phase of filmmaking. You will be responsible for completing a brainstorm project proposal related to your idea, and should plan on bringing in whatever you might need to begin working on Wednesday.
Wednesday:
The meat of your work for your project will occur on Wednesday. You should come to class ready to go, as you will only have 90 minutes to complete the major parts of the task.
Thursday:
You will be given some time to complete your assignment, and to prepare for the end of the class period where everyone will share what they completed during the week. If you have not completed anything, you will still be responsible for sharing something. Think carefully about what that might be!!
Bear in mind that this is only the generic format for the week. As we progress, we may be working on larger projects that will run into additional weeks. For the first part of the year, however, we will try to keep our projects to one week only. This way, when you leave on Thursday, you should be done with everything and I will be able to keep you up to date with your grades. I plan on commenting heavily on what you do online. You will know immediately how you are doing because you'll receive instant feedback. This may take some getting used to, but I think it will be much more effective that not working this way. You have to be prepared to use a variety of technologies in today's world, so it makes much more sense to work in this manner than in the manner of paper and pencil. (Plus, pencils tend to disappear in the classroom anyway!!)
Class Period Expectations
Everyday, you will come to class on time, ready to work. You will either come to the class webpage to get your assignment, or look on the board. You will log in to the computer, and your webpage, and complete the opening assignment as specified on the board or online. You will have no more that 10 minutes to complete this assignment before the class moves on. If you miss this assignment, it is your responsibility to get the assignment off the webpage and complete it. (Seriously, there are no excuses for this one!!) Each of these openers is worth 10 points, and you have the opportunity to receive up to 40 extra credit points throughout the semester for really thought provoking responses that demonstrate you put extra effort into your work. These are easy points, and they start the class on the right track.
Now, a quick word about doing an online journal. First of all, I'm expecting that when you are online, you are completing the assignment that you need to complete. There should be no issues with this!! If you have difficulty with this concept, you will lose your computer privileges and will instead use paper and pencil. Also, as your work will be posted online, only appropriate language and content will be tolerated. Freedom of expression is encouraged, provided it is done in an appropriate way. We will discuss this further in class.
Once you have completed your journal, you will be asked to focus up to the front of the class for 5-10 minutes of discussion with your instructor about what will occur in the class, and what you will need to have. Then, you'll get to work!!
Everyday, the class will spend the last 10 minutes cleaning up, and reflecting on the day. I may call on one or two of you at random to share something. I may ask you to write a little note to me online. The reason we will do this is two-fold: first, you will remember what you did in class and second, I will know what you got out of the class and perhaps what we need to cover better.
This class has the potential to be the most creative class you have ever had. I ask that you come ready to contribute. I also ask that you leave issues and cliques at the door. The Echo Effect is its own clique. We don't need any divisiveness in this class!
Now, a quick word about doing an online journal. First of all, I'm expecting that when you are online, you are completing the assignment that you need to complete. There should be no issues with this!! If you have difficulty with this concept, you will lose your computer privileges and will instead use paper and pencil. Also, as your work will be posted online, only appropriate language and content will be tolerated. Freedom of expression is encouraged, provided it is done in an appropriate way. We will discuss this further in class.
Once you have completed your journal, you will be asked to focus up to the front of the class for 5-10 minutes of discussion with your instructor about what will occur in the class, and what you will need to have. Then, you'll get to work!!
Everyday, the class will spend the last 10 minutes cleaning up, and reflecting on the day. I may call on one or two of you at random to share something. I may ask you to write a little note to me online. The reason we will do this is two-fold: first, you will remember what you did in class and second, I will know what you got out of the class and perhaps what we need to cover better.
This class has the potential to be the most creative class you have ever had. I ask that you come ready to contribute. I also ask that you leave issues and cliques at the door. The Echo Effect is its own clique. We don't need any divisiveness in this class!
Assignments From the Project Workbook
The following images will show you the kinds of projects you might see on this sight for completion in class. Your assignments will be shared by the instructor at the opening of class as a component of the online journaling. Be sure to check this site daily.
Personal Impact Story
You will be responsible for sharing a personal story that had an emotional impact on you. Emotions come in many shapes and sizes-- You could focus on a time when you were most happy, a time when you felt disappointment, when you felt let down, or angry. Choose your experience, and give at least a 1/2 page detailed account of the experience. Remember, you're telling a story. I'm not looking for your grammar and punctuation, I'm looking for your ability to share the tale.
We will work on this for about 20 minutes. When we are all comfortable with our stories, we will share the story in class, on camera. For each story, I will need:
1. Storyteller: sharing the tale
2. Filmer: listening to the director, and filming the storyteller
3. Director: providing the count a quieting the set, sharing with the filmer one new way to film the storyteller:
-zooming in or out on the storyteller
-adjusting the focus manually
-shooting the individual from a different angle than straight on
-adjusting the location of the camera or the storyteller for lighting purposes
Each student in the class will be responsible for performing each role, and the instructor will be grading you on your completion of all roles.
We will watch and edit at the end of the class.
We will work on this for about 20 minutes. When we are all comfortable with our stories, we will share the story in class, on camera. For each story, I will need:
1. Storyteller: sharing the tale
2. Filmer: listening to the director, and filming the storyteller
3. Director: providing the count a quieting the set, sharing with the filmer one new way to film the storyteller:
-zooming in or out on the storyteller
-adjusting the focus manually
-shooting the individual from a different angle than straight on
-adjusting the location of the camera or the storyteller for lighting purposes
Each student in the class will be responsible for performing each role, and the instructor will be grading you on your completion of all roles.
We will watch and edit at the end of the class.
Class Project: Documentary Filmmaking
The first quarter was dedicated to looking at some specific skill-sets required to make a film. Each of you should have had a variety of experiences, from filming to acting on camera to editing. These skills will come into play now as we create one class film.
There will be opportunities for you to do independent assignments, and this will become more clear as we look at individual and group duties for this project. The entire quarter, however, will be dedicated to this overall project. We will work together to write the treatment, the questions, create the storyboard, etc. You will learn about copyright, as well as additional strategies for interviewing and capturing shots. We will also look at examples of other films that have been created. Below, you will see a schedule that we will fill out as a class. We will stick to our schedule to complete this project.
For the first day, we will look at ideas of issues that we discussed back in September. I will list these for us to discuss. Some of the individual ideas will be used as individual projects. We will each be working on different things throughout this project, and will create teams to work through the duties.
Preproduction: Done as a class.
Production: Teams.
Postproduction: Teams.
When we aren't working as a class, some teams will work on the class project while others will work on individual pursuits. You will be expected to be able to work independently at times. If that is not done, less project-oriented assignments will be given.
Check out the following link: www.safilmschool.com
There will be opportunities for you to do independent assignments, and this will become more clear as we look at individual and group duties for this project. The entire quarter, however, will be dedicated to this overall project. We will work together to write the treatment, the questions, create the storyboard, etc. You will learn about copyright, as well as additional strategies for interviewing and capturing shots. We will also look at examples of other films that have been created. Below, you will see a schedule that we will fill out as a class. We will stick to our schedule to complete this project.
For the first day, we will look at ideas of issues that we discussed back in September. I will list these for us to discuss. Some of the individual ideas will be used as individual projects. We will each be working on different things throughout this project, and will create teams to work through the duties.
Preproduction: Done as a class.
Production: Teams.
Postproduction: Teams.
When we aren't working as a class, some teams will work on the class project while others will work on individual pursuits. You will be expected to be able to work independently at times. If that is not done, less project-oriented assignments will be given.
Check out the following link: www.safilmschool.com
film_activities.doc | |
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9_week.pdf | |
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Class VideosPeriodically, you will watch a short film in the class and be asked to respond to it as a journal. Visit the Class Videos page to watch the videos and see the assignments.
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Echo Effect Project WorkbookYou will have access to the project workbook by downloading individual chapters onto your computer. We will read these chapters occasionally, and there will be activities you will need to work on throughout.
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