Digital Filmmaking: From Initial Concept to Final Edit
In this workshop based course, participants learn all the basics of making a strong, visually-driven short film with an emphasis on narrative storytelling. The course focuses on the fundamentals of video production: essential film grammar, story development, script, camera, sound, music and editing.
Working in small groups, students shoot three “exercises” before making their final films. The exercises start off simply, adding a new element of filmmaking with each new assignment.
Students work sequentially through the stages of production: initial concept, synopsis, treatment, script, storyboards, and final shooting and editing. During pre-production participants learn how to work in a group to plan for and realize a short film from concept to shooting script. During production they work together to coordinate and shoot their scripts. And finally in post-production they edit and polish their projects. The instructor provides guidance throughout the process, emphasizing the students’ responsibility for carrying the project from inception to completion.
The emphasis throughout the three weeks is on collaborative teamwork. Over the course of the various exercises, each student takes on a variety of different roles within the production teams, such as director, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, sound. For the final project each student will write and direct a 1-2 minute short film collaborating with their teams The final film will employ everything that the student has learned about storytelling and the technical aspects of filmmaking (camera work, costumes. sound, props, lighting. etc.).
On the last day of the program, students screen their completed films at a film festival attended by all sections of the digital filmmaking course. The completed films can be used for submission to short film festivals and as portfolio pieces for film or art school applications.
Laptops are recommended but not required for this class. Cameras and other film production equipment are provided.