FILM-256A: Advanced Film Directing 1

This course is designed to offer upper level film students an opportunity to complete a portfolio film of their choice. The class will cover the entire production process from script to final color-corrected answer print. Film-making has always been a collaborative art form as well as a mixture of art and commerce, which means it's full of right-brain and left-brain hyphenates. For example, there are writers who direct as well as directors (and actors) who produce, or independent filmmakers who pride themselves on shooting and editing their films all by themselves. This widespread hyphenating of roles in the movie business is mirrored in the fundamental relationship between the two (arguably) most powerful people on a Hollywood set: the Producer who "handles the money" and the Writer-Director who "handles the art," so to speak. This has led to a common misconception where the Producer is cast in the role of 'responsible adult' (or parent) while the Writer-Director plays the part of the brilliant but irresponsible child who is constantly in need of supervision. This is patently ridiculous, as anyone who has spent even a few moments on an actual film set knows. Creative collaboration among everyone involved is essential to the making of a successful film. And so, in this Advanced Directing 1 class, students will be asked to wear many "collaborative" hats over the fourteen-week semester. Some will come prepared to write and direct (and even produce) a single portfolio project of their own; while others will decide to collaborate on one or more of their colleagues' projects. But everybody will need to get their hands dirty in the practical realities of breaking down scripts, creating budgets and shooting schedules, finding locations, casting, assembling a crew, etc., etc. In other words, everybody will learn to become a collaborator who can bring a multitude of skills to the table. And so, if you are a student writer-director, be warned! If you don't know anything about cinematography or production design or casting - or even producing --- you will almost inevitably find yourself at the mercy of someone who does. Requirements for AD-1 are the following: 1) You must bring to class a COMPLETED SHOOTING SCRIPT for a short narrative film of your choice -- plus a detailed Production Plan for the 14 week semester. In order to be officially "greenlit" by the instructor, your project must also have recruited at least one or more Collaborators from the present class. Our first meeting will involve a table read of each of the "greenlit" scripts; 2) If you DO NOT have a script that is ready to shoot, Do Not Panic. You should come prepared to work as a Collaborator on one of your classmate's projects. Collaborators in the past have been Producers, Assistant Directors, Production Designers, DP's, Editors, etc. (Needless to say, collaborators will need the written permission of a writer/director in order to work on their project.)