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Topics in Film/Video/Audio Production (379-0-20)

Topic

Making the Science Fiction Film

Instructors

Jeff Clayton Brown

Meeting Info

Louis Hall 106: Mon 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This is the second course in the new Science Fiction Sequence (any student meeting the prerequisite of RTVF 190 is welcome to enroll, even without having taken the first course). Students will pre-produce and shoot two science fiction short screenplays that were selected from the Writing the Science Fiction Film course. Department heads for each production will be chosen via pitch (or assigned). The six students working on each film will prepare a pre-production presentation and plan the entire shoot for their film. Each film will be shot outside of class time over two weekends using cage equipment. Students will be expected to be on set for the film they've selected to (or been assigned to) work on. Additional students from outside the class can be recruited to help in various positions.

In class, we will meet for weekly production meetings, demonstrations of Visual Effects techniques, screenings, viewings, and workshops, including watching edits of each film. Each group will arrive at a rough cut of their film by the end of the quarter. The films will then be handed off to Science Fiction Post-Production in the spring.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn the pre-production process for a film, including the pipeline for visual effects. Students will learn new visual effects techniques, including (but not limited to) working with a Virtual Set, some additional in-camera (analog) effects, and some compositing / green screen.

Class Materials (Required)

You will need a hard drive for your footage. Any readings will be provided by the instructor.

Class Notes

The course will meet weekly for three hours.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for RTVF Majors with the RTVF 190-0 prerequisite or be in Writing: MFA or Documentary Media: MFA programs until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone with the prerequisite.