Video Production Semester II Final

The Great Open Narrative

Mr. Cohen

Spring 2018

For your final project for the second semester, you will be producing a narrative film.

Your process:
Create your script, shoot and edit.

Time: 3:00-8:00 (Video 1) 5:00 - 12:00 (Advanced Video)

Genre: Open

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Identify characters, relationships and genre to help you write your script.
• Work with a crew that you can trust.
• Be proactive in planning and preparing. USE YOUR CLASS TIME WISELY.

Groups: 1-4 students may work together. You may work with students in other video classes

The Process:

• An outline that breaks down your sequences and Act Breaks. You must identify all the major parts of your story structure.
• A completed script in proper script format.
• A detailed shooting and production schedule. – This includes casting details and locations.
• SHOOT THE PROJECT – Try to stick to your schedule the best you can.
• Share and discuss your rough cut. – I expect an assembly of the majority of your project. Details/graphics and effects may not be completed yet. Credits are not necessary at this stage.
• Final product. – A final product that addresses issues raised in your rough cut and includes any reshoots and detail editing needed from the rough cut.

Due Dates:

Outline                                                         March 23                                  (20)
Script                                                           April 13                                     (40)
Production Schedule                                   April 16                                      (20)
Rough Cut                                                   May 16                                      (40)
Final                                                             May 28                                     (150)

Advanced Video Production Semester 2 Projects

OPEN CHOICE

Spring 2018

For this assignment, you must complete (3) of the below project options.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith_Mary Poppins_Option1_GenreShift_Script”).

Option 1: Film Trailer – Genre Shift (Individual Project)
For this assignment you will be cutting / re-cutting a film trailer but changing the genre of the film through the trailer. If it’s a family film, think of making it a horror film. A political thriller? Maybe you can re-imagine it as a slapstick comedy.

You may choose any film you like, but your trailer must be school appropriate.

Time:2 – 4:00

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Have some fun with the assignment, pick one of your favorite movies.
• You can use elements of the official trailer, but you may choose to pull additional clips from the film.
• Use of text and music can help you to bend / push the narrative into your chosen genre.

Samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=62&v=2T5_0AGdFic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdf2tqSy2zc

Option 2: Not Enough Memory;

Our memory is what shapes our future. We are a story we tell ourselves based in what we believe to be our memories. Memory is what gives education its utility. Our memories are also fleeting, intangible, impermanent. Our memories scar us, won’t leave us alone, and haunt us. We have personal memories, but memory can also work as a collective consciousness.

We live in a world where we externalize our memory in devices, images, objects and the cloud. There is now a strong connection between technology and memory that is undeniable. We now think of memory as storage. Is it a good thing?

As the world becomes more connected and is often overwhelmed by those connections, how can we be sure of our memory? How can we hold onto memories when, without losing ownership of them, and without them being overwritten by the next crisis or event.

Time: 2:00-7:00 minutes

Genre: Open

• Be creative with working with the theme – it does not need to be taken literally

Option 3: Advocacy Film (1-2 students)
Advocacy pieces can be done as narrative or documentary films. The key is the message or idea being conveyed. They can push a personal agenda, a social agenda, local or global.

Time:3

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick an idea or concept that you are passionate about.
• Consider a personal story (not necessarily your own) to aid your development. Feel free to dramatize or fictionalize if sensitive.
• Utilize source material / found footage if needed

Samples:

https://vimeo.com/8576264

https://vimeo.com/23389152

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq1iXU1WoTk&t=25s

Option 4: Documentary (Individual Project)

For this assignment, students will be producing a short documentary about a topic of their choosing. The subject can be something academic, about a hobby or passion of yours or a person. You will research the topic, shoot original footage and conduct interviews about the topic.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Time: 5:00-12:00 minutes

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick a topic that interests you.
• Pick a topic that will allow you to shoot footage / interviews instead of relying on entirely found/stock footage.
• Please take this seriously. Even if producing a Mockumentary, the subject matter should be treated with respect and importance.

Option 5: 60 Second Plot Synopsis (Individual Project)

For this assignment students will produce a 60 second plot synopsis/summary for a novel they have read in one of their classes. This can be presentational or presented as a trailer for the book. If there is a film version of the book, you may not use footage from the film.

Tips:

• Pick a book that you enjoy.
• Pick something that does not have too many subplots or intricacies.
• You may utilize a narrator.
• Be creative. This can take on a lesson format, a trailer format, or something entirely different.

Option 6: DIY Video (Individual Project)

Produce a short instructional film where someone shares a skill with the audience. This can be any sort of skill-set that can be taught visually.

Time: 2:00-9:00

Tips:

• Provide clear demonstrations
• Utilize the ability to use close-ups as well as wide shots
• YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE ONE DEMONSTRATING
• Pick something that not everyone knows how to do. Provide a service. (i.e. Brushing your teeth)

Samples:
https://vimeo.com/11435910
https://vimeo.com/51838899

You may choose an option that overlaps with something you did first semester, however, you may not do more than one of the same option for this project. – If you did the genre shift trailer for your semester 1 final, you may do another one this semester, but you may only do one of them.

Option 7: Biography (Individual Project)

Students will produce a biographical piece about another student. For this project, you will need to interview a student and get to know them. Learn about their life up to this point, and find a story to tell about them.

Interview them and their family members. Your subject may be a classmate in this class or a friend who is not a part of this class.

Time: 4:00-9:00 minutes

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick a student that has a story worth sharing.
• Interview their family members and friends.

Utilize family movies or photos from their childhood.

DUE DATES:

Option Choice – You will need to let me know what you are doing in advance – this includes which option and the topic (20 points each):
                  Project 1 – Due January 31
                  Project 2 – Due February 12
                  Project 3 – Due February 26

Script (Dialogue or Shooting/Editing Script or Storyboard) – No matter what project you are doing, there must be a plan in place (40 points each):
                  Project 1 – February 9
                  Project 2 – February 23
                  Project 3 – March 9

Final Project – Final projects turned into the Network drive (100 points each):
                  Project 1 – March 21
                  Project 2 – April 16
                  Project 3 – April 16

All assignments will be turned in via the network drive from computers, or via hard copy to Mr Cohen. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file:
(e.g. “Smith_MaryPoppins_Option1_GenreShift_Script”)

You have a large Final Project that we will be starting on in February, so I would not suggest waiting until March to begin all of this.

60 Second Plot Synopsis (Individual Project)

For this assignment students will produce a 60 second plot synopsis/summary for a novel they have read in one of their classes. This can be presentational or presented as a trailer for the book. If there is a film version of the book, you may not use footage from the film. Everything you use must be shot yourselves (or stock footage)

You must write a script for this project. This can either be a traditional narrative script; a story outline and storyboard; or a three-column teleplay format script.

Groups: 2-3 people are acceptable

Time: 60-180 seconds

Tips:

• Pick a book that you enjoy.
• Pick something that does not have too many subplots or intricacies.
• You may utilize a narrator.

Be creative. This can take on a lesson format, a trailer format, or something entirely different.

Due Dates

Groups & Books Chosen – Friday, February 23
Script – Monday, March 5
Final – Tuesday, March 27

Video Production1

The Biograpy

Mr. Cohen

Spring 2018

For this assignment, students will be producing a biographical piece about another student. For this project, you will need to interview a student and get to know them. Learn about their life up to this point, and find a story to tell about them.

You will research the student, interview them and their family members, shoot original footage share their story with the class. Your subject may be a classmate in this class or a friend who is not a part of this class.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Time: 4:00-9:00 minutes

Individual Project

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick a student that has a story worth sharing.
• Interview their family members and friends.
• Utilize family movies or photos from their childhood.

Due Dates:

• Student Subject Chosen – January 29 (30 points)
• Final Due – February 20 (100 points)

Advanced Video Production Semester I Final Project

OPEN CHOICE

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment, you must complete (1) of the below project options. Due dates are the same regardless of which project you choose to complete.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith_SemesterIFinal”).

You may work individually or in pairs.

Option 1: Film Trailer – Genre Shift; For this assignment you will be cutting / re-cutting a film trailer but changing the genre of the film through the trailer. If it’s a family film, think of making it a horror film. A political thriller? Maybe you can re-imagine it as a slapstick comedy.

You may choose any film you like, but your trailer must be school appropriate.

Time-  2:00 – 4:00

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Have some fun with the assignment, pick one of your favorite movies.
• You can use elements of the official trailer, but you may choose to pull additional clips from the film.
• Use of text and music can help you to bend / push the narrative into your chosen genre.

Samples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=62&v=2T5_0AGdFic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdf2tqSy2zc

Option 2: Not Enough Memory;

Our memory is what shapes our future. We are a story we tell ourselves based in what we believe to be our memories. Memory is what gives education its utility. Our memories are also fleeting, intangible, impermanent. Our memories scar us, won’t leave us alone, and haunt us. We have personal memories, but memory can also work as a collective consciousness.

We live in a world where we externalize our memory in devices, images, objects and the cloud. There is now a strong connection between technology and memory that is undeniable. We now think of memory as storage. Is it a good thing?

As the world becomes more connected and is often overwhelmed by those connections, how can we be sure of our memory? How can we hold onto memories when, without losing ownership of them, and without them being overwritten by the next crisis or event.

Time: 2-6 minutes

Genre: Open

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Be creative with working with the theme – it does not need to be taken literally

Option 3: Advocacy Film; Advocacy pieces can be done as narrative or documentary films. The key is the message or idea being conveyed. They can push a personal agenda, a social agenda, local or global.

Time:3

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick an idea or concept that you are passionate about.
• Consider a personal story (not necessarily your own) to aid your development. Feel free to dramatize or fictionalize if sensitive.
• Utilize source material / found footage if needed

Samples:

https://vimeo.com/8576264

https://vimeo.com/23389152

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq1iXU1WoTk&t=25s

DUE DATES:
Option Choice – November 27 at the beginning of class (25 pts)
Story Outline – December 5 at the beginning of class (25 pts)
Script (Dialogue or Shooting/Editing Script) – December 12 at the beginning of class (50 pts)
Final Project – January 12 at the beginning of class (150 pts)

Video Production1 Project 3

Commerical

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment, students will be producing an advertisement piece for a product of your choosing. You may pick an existing product or create something fictional to advertise.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Time: :30-:90 seconds

1-2 person groups – You may not work with someone you have already worked with

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• A product is not always an item that is purchased in stores.
• Be mindful of Maslow’s Five Basic Needs when deciding your approach to how you wish to advertise your product.
• This may be serious or satirical.
• Keep it simple.

Due Dates:

• Storyboards – December 1 (20 points)
• Final Due – December 12 (100 points)

Video Production1 Semester 1 Final Project

Documentary

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment, students will be producing a short documentary about a topic of their choosing. The subject can be something academic, about a hobby or passion of yours or a person. You will research the topic, shoot original footage and conduct interviews about the topic.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Time: 4:00-9:00 minutes

Individual Project

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Pick a topic that interests you.
• Pick a topic that will allow you to shoot footage / interviews instead of relying on entirely found/stock footage.
• Please take this seriously. Even if producing a Mockumentary, the subject matter should be treated with respect and importance.

Due Dates:

• Topic Chosen – December 8 (30 points)
• Final Due – January 11 (170 points)

Video Production

NOT ENOUGH MEMORY

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

This assignment will be a “gallery project” Periodically our school’s Art Gallery will be hosting mixed-media themed student art shows. Your next project can be submitted for the Art Show with the theme, “Not Enough Memory”.

Our memory is what shapes our future. We are a story we tell ourselves based in what we believe to be our memories. Memory is what gives education its utility. Our memories are also fleeting, intangible, impermanent. Our memories scar us, won’t leave us alone, and haunt us. We have personal memories, but memory can also work as a collective consciousness.

We live in a world where we externalize our memory in devices, images, objects and the cloud. There is now a strong connection between technology and memory that is undeniable. We now think of memory as storage. Is it a good thing?

As the world becomes more connected and is often overwhelmed by those connections, how can we be sure of our memory? How can we hold onto memories when, without losing ownership of them, and without them being overwritten by the next crisis or event.

Time: 2-6 minutes

Groups: 1-3 people (from any level)

Genre: Open

DUE:
November 16 for Gallery Consideration
November 20 for credit (no gallery consideration)

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Be creative with working with the theme – it does not need to be taken literally
• We saw a lot of different approaches in the last project, both traditional and nuanced, start incorporating what you are learning from classmates into your own work. Take a risk.

Advanced Video Production Project 2

Recreating The Music Video

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment you will be recreating a music video, shot for shot.

Choose a music video and replicate each shot, each edit, to the best of your ability.

You may choose any song you like, but your final product must be school appropriate. This means:
- If there is inappropriate video content, then you need to pick a different song/video

- Inappropriate lyrics (limited) must be edited as though this were being played on MTV or VH1 or wherever your generation views music videos that are censored for a wide audience.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Music Video”).

Time: 2 minute minimum (no maximum)

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Have some fun with the assignment, pick one of your favorite songs or bands/singers/groups.
• Choose something that is do-able, but understand that you may not be able to recreate exact costumes and locations. Get creative in how you cheat these things.
• Make sure you include Band/Song information

Samples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=47&v=w4aiwTkDwCY

Due: October 16

Video Production 1 Project 2

The Silent Story

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

This is an exercise in visual storytelling.

You will be creating a narrative video without any dialogue. This will test your ability to use the visual and editing techniques we have already learned to effectively convey story and meaning. This is a multi-step pre-production process designed to build the final project, step by step.

1. Students will write a short story. Due September 26
2. After writing your short story, you will storyboard the film to prepare to shoot it. Due September 29
3. You will then film and edit the project. Due October 12

This is a solo assignment and it may be of any genre (comedy, drama, etc). There may not be any dialogue or speaking, diegetic or non-diegetic. Music is required and should help to tell the story, sound effects are also encouraged and should be chosen to supplement and enhance the storytelling.

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Silent Story”).

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• This is an individual project
• Come up with a creative title.
• Credits for creatives, actors and music attribution required.

Due dates:
Short Story – September 26                           /15
Storyboard – September 29                           /25
Final Project – October 12                               /60

Silent Story Grading Sheet

Name:

Scores and Comments:

Short Story: ____ / 15

Storyboard: ____ / 25

Final Project: ____ /60

                  Cinematography:

                  Sound Design:

                  Editing:

                  Other/Misc:

Overall: ____ / 100

Advanced Video Production Project 1

The Art Film

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment you will be telling the story behind a work of visual art. You can choose any painting, sculpture, piece of architecture that inspires you. The piece of art must have been created prior to 1990.

Your process:
Research some classic artwork, and find something that inspires you.
Write a story treatment that tells the story of the subject of the artwork.
Create your script, shoot and edit.

Time: 2:00 - 6:00

Genre: Open

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• The painting/sculpture does not need to feature a person.
• You are not adapting someone else’s story based on a painting, but creating your own original work.
• Identify characters, relationships and genre to help you write your script.
• An image of the piece of art must be seen either at the top or close of your project. Consider using it as a background image during credits.

Due: Wednesday, September 27

Broadcast Journalism / Video Production1 & Broadcast Journalism1 Project 1

Film Terms Demo Reel Assignment

Mr. Cohen

Fall 2017

For this assignment, we will be defining the terms below then creating individual video reels demonstrating an understanding of each of them. This will help to familiarize you with all aspects of video production from pre to post. All definitions should be paraphrased from the Yale film guide or IMDB’s glossary on paper today. We will begin shooting the video and editing next week. In your videos, all Terms should be set up with title cards. Please leave two seconds of black between each definition. We will demo this on Monday and Tuesday.

Shots: Establishing Shot, Extreme Close-up, Close-up, Medium Close-up, Medium Shot, Medium Long Shot, Long Shot, Extreme Long Shot, Zoom Shot, Crane Shot, Low Angle Shot, Shot/Reverse Shot, Tracking Shot, Pan, Tilt, Whip Pan.

Sound and Lighting: Low Key Lighting, High Key Lighting, Back Lighting, Under Lighting, Diegetic Sound, Non-Diegetic Sound, Voice-Over Narration, Soundtrack.

Editing Techniques: Cut, Dissolve, Eyeline match, Jump Cut, Slow Motion, Wipe, Text Over Images

Credits: Opening and Closing

Extra Credit: Keying

This Assignment will be turned in via the network drive from computers. Please use your last name and the assignment to name the file (e.g. “Smith Demo Reel”).

Suggestions for filming and editing:

• Work with a partner and trade off shots
• Have some fun with the assignment, introducing a narrative thread or basic story
• Be sure to follow the guidelines above. Failure to put black between shots, title your shots or have opening and closing credits will hurt your grade.
• Treat this as your first chance to show me your work ethic. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should show that you care.