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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
F/TV D098H
Course Title (CB02)
Fiction Workshop (The Technical Crew)
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
This is an advanced workshop course in cinematography, lighting, art direction, sound recording, and other craft skills essential to the production of narrative/dramatic film and video projects. Emphasis will be placed on working as a team in a class-wide collaborative project.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is intended to meet the requirement of the A.A. degree in Film/TV: Production and also serves as a CSU transferable undergraduate course. This course provides a collaborative learning experience focused on developing skills in production camera, lighting, and sound in the context of an on-set, large scale shoot.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

F/TV D020.

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

In-class screening and critique of assignments and lab exercises

Assignments

  1. Preliminary discussions of technical decisions to be made and how they fit into the director's concept.
  2. Technical tests and analysis of potential problems.
  3. Application of the assigned technical role to the filming/taping situation.
  4. Viewing and discussion of rushes and various stages of editing.
  5. Class discussion or written statements analyzing overall creative and technical elements of the project.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Group analysis of technical decision-making based on appropriateness of decisions for role and project.
  2. Evaluation of technical problem-solving shown through in-class shooting exercises that demonstrate problem solving appropriate to the project.
  3. Demonstrated level of technical competence in chosen area exhibited during the filming/taping.
  4. Final evaluation of technical competence in chosen area through analysis of the project in various states of editing.
  5. Evaluation of student's level of organization, creativity, and ability to communicate with others as evidenced by class discussions and written preparation for the project.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Heavy-duty work gloves, preferably double-lined or leather
Essential College Facilities:
  • Fully equipped video or film studio, video and sound editing facilities, screening room.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Irving, David and Peter Rea. "Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video." 5th ed. London: Routledge, 2017.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Brown, Blain. "Cinematography: Theory and Practice." 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 2016.
Brown, Blain. "Motion Picture and Video Lighting." 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2018.
Holman, Tomlinson. "Sound for Film and Television." 3rd ed. Woburn, Mass.: Focal Press, 2010.
Hurbis-Cherrier, Mick and Michael Rabiger. "Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics." 5th ed. Woburn, Mass.: Focal Press, 2013.
Katz, Steven. "Film Directing Shot By Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen - 25th Anniversary Edition." Studio City: Michael Wiese Productions, 2019.
Long, Ben and Sonja Schenk. "The Digital Filmmaking Handbook." 6th ed. Higham, Mass.: Charles River Media, 2017.
Rose, Jay. "Producing Great Sound for Film and Video." 4th ed. London: Routledge, 2014.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Collaborate with the director, producer, and other crew members in a professional manner.
  • Make creative and technical decisions in production based on the script.
  • Identify the pattern of crew organization and the reasons for the particular structure chosen.
  • Apply technical skills necessary to the specific role assigned.
  • Discuss and evaluate the results of the collaborative and technical decisions by viewing the project footage in the various states: "rushes" to "final cut."

CSLOs

  • Assume the role of camera, sound, gaffer, or grip on a television or film project.

  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills in working collaboratively on a crew-based project.

Outline

  1. Collaborate with the director, producer, and other crew members in a professional manner.
    1. Responsibilities of a particular role and personal relations in the collaborative process: learning how to relate to director, producer, and crew members under a variety of production conditions
    2. What "not" to say
    3. How to say what should be said even under complex conditions
    4. Differing approaches with different people
  2. Make creative and technical decisions in production based on the script.
    1. Script as touchstone for collaboration
    2. Acting style chosen
    3. Blocking decisions
    4. Choices made in creating physical environment through art direction: costume, props, makeup, set design
    5. Choices made in creating environment through lighting
  3. Identify the pattern of crew organization and the reasons for the particular structure chosen.
    1. Choices of crew size
    2. Selection of roles: who is responsible for what?
    3. Differences from project to project
      1. Compare and contrast which roles can be eliminated
      2. Determine combined roles
      3. Determine additional roles needed
    4. Line of command: who should talk to whom and why?
  4. Apply technical skills necessary to the specific role assigned.
    1. Director of photography
    2. Production designer/art director
    3. Sound recorder
    4. Camera operator
    5. Boom operator
    6. Continuity/script supervisor
    7. Makeup and wardrobe
    8. Gaffer
    9. Grips
    10. Camera assistants
  5. Discuss and evaluate the results of the collaborative and technical decisions by viewing the project footage in the various states: "rushes" to "final cut."
    1. Technical errors and how to solve them
    2. Appropriateness of lighting decisions
    3. Appropriateness of art direction decisions
    4. Appropriateness of blocking
    5. Clarity of director's story decisions
    6. Clarity of character

Lab Topics

  1. Camera operation and crew structure
  2. Lighting for the script
  3. Art direction and mise-en-scene
  4. Sound issues on set
  5. Operating grip and gaff equipment
  6. On set protocol
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