The Art of Filmmaking
Intensive Workshop (suitable for beginner to advanced students)
Taught by Franc Piret or Zofie Feytons.
Click here for Franc's profile.  Click here for Zofie's profile.

The goal of this course is to introduce amateur filmmakers to the art of professional filmmaking.  The class meets for five hours each time, which will give us ample opportunity to set up and conduct shoots.  Students will have an opportunity to participate in every facet of filmmaking, including as a director, actor, cameraman, gaffer (light man), perch man (sound) and editor.  By the end of the five weeks, our team and crew will complete a short film from concept to final product, everything from camera setting to video editing.  Please note, for this course, students do not need to have their own camera, as the course will be taught with professional equipment provided by the instructor.  The team will work on a short movie project with one HD camera, one 35 mm adapter, one set of lenses, one fluid-head tripod, one set of movie lighting, one set of wireless microphones, one external set of sound recording devices, etc..  The aim of this course is to give you the knowledge and skills to build your own team and shoot your own short movies in the future.  The following topics will be learned through first-hand exposure and hands on experience:

Storytelling – We will transform a short script into storyboard format and then translate it into audio-visual format eventually cutting it into scenes.
Camera work including angles, movement, and setting to capture the action.
Lighting that achieves the correct exposure and sets the mood.
Direction of actors to bring out the best performance for the desired effect.
Acting according to traditional and modern techniques.
Recording sound to emphasize the emotion of the image (sound design).
Mastering continuity, composition, and camera angle from scene to scene.
Getting an editing rhythm and style to complete the project for distribution.

This is a hands-on workshop-style class with each student participating in every aspect of the production.  Essentially, the students will become the entire production crew for our short movie.

Part 1 (5 hours)

Story-telling:
Introduction to the usual mistakes made in amateur movie-making.
Building up story and work flow from start to finish for better results.
Short story construction in three acts.
Visualization: Getting from words to cuts.
Notion of transition and rhythm.
Check list of needs: actors, locations and equipment.

Camera control:
Understanding the full range of professional cameras and formats: 35mm, 16mm, and HD video.
Understanding video format and compression issues.
Introduction to professional camera functions: recording mode, white balance control, shutter speed, zoom and focus control, zebra, knee and gamma settings, etc.
Introduction to equipment: tripod, lighting, sound recording, microphone, media, etc.
Introduction to exposure control with monitor.
Discovering the complete computer workflow from back up to editing.

Part 2 – Shooting the story (15 hours)

Introduction to the functions of light and composition to create a three dimensional image.
Mastering composition by using various camera angles, positions, and lens ranges.
Mastering "mise en scene", with actors, props, and light position.
How to direct people to get the best acting performance.
Mastering camera movement while keeping control on focus.
Introduction to the concept of continuity: How to set camera positions and actor movements to link shots.
How to record voice and sounds.
How to back up all data into computer and prepare the edit line.

Part 3 – Editing (5 hours)

How to import all needed images, sounds, and footage into your project.
How to create a timeline, insert cuts, and start the edit.
How to add titles, transitions, sounds, and music.
How to export the movie.

This course is taught by Franc Piret.  Please click below to view Franc's showreel.  (This movie requires Adobe Flash plugin.)

Please see below a sampling of the equipment that will be used in the class.

Course Title: Filmmaking
Tuition Fee: RMB 3200
Auxiliary Fee: RMB 800 (for assistants, actors, make-up artist, etc.)

Spring Session 2010: March 14th to April 11th

Section A: Sunday afternoons (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
5 weeks from March 14th to April 11th (Course Code: FM103)
Location: ELC Learning Annex

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE

Registration Procedure:
Please register online first to reserve your place.  You will then receive a confirmation email with further details.  Next, payment must be made on site at the ELC Learning Annex during the payment dates shown below (you can come in person or send someone).

Tuition payment for the Spring Session 2010 will take place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, February 26th, 27th, 28th, and March 1st, 2010, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m..  Payments will be received in Ground-Floor Classroom at our ELC Learning Annex.  Click here for map.

Please note: classes are kept small for the students' benefit (generally between 6 and 12 people).  Register early to reserve your place.  Payment must be received on time to complete your enrollment and maintain your reservation in the class(es) for which you have registered.  (Any course that does not meet sufficient enrollment may be cancelled and a full refund provided upon presentation of your original receipt.)
 

For detailed information, please feel free to contact one of our program coordinators: Telephone: 55889133 Fax: 55889133 EMAIL: inquiry(at)shanghai-classes.com
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