About

Table of contents

  1. About
    1. Enrollment
  2. Lecture
    1. Readings
    2. Materials
    3. Attendance
    4. Electronics
  3. Labs
  4. Grading
  5. Assignments
  6. Final Project
  7. Academic Honesty
  8. Department Resources

About

Note: this page is still under construction. Information may be subject to change

This course provides an introduction to visual storytelling through motion pictures. No prior experience is required. All you need is a strong interest in filmmaking and enough time to direct a short film. However, if you have already taken production classes such as FILM 185: Intermediate Moving Image Production, FILM 186: Advanced Moving Image Production or are highly experienced in filmmaking, this class may not be an appropriate class for you. Students will encounter the entire process of film production from pre-production to production and post-production. This course can be an opportunity for students to learn the foundations of cinematography, lighting, sound design, and editing.

This course will enhance students’ knowledge of the basic filmmaking process through visual storytelling, learning how to direct, and editing. By the end of this course, students will be able to create a variety of lighting setups, capture and process audio on set, and successfully complete a short film

Enrollment

This is a 2 unit DeCal. Since it is a DeCal, the course is P/NP. You must apply for the course. If you are selcted, we will send you a course enrollment code.

Lecture

More details here

Readings

The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video by Tom Schroeppel, How to Make Storyboard: Movie Storyboarding Examples by Jennifer Albright. All reading materials can be found on bCourses.

Materials

Required Materials: Laptop, Hard Drive, 64GB UHD SD Card for camera and 16GB SD Card for audio recordings Students enrolled in the course will not have access to the Digital Media Lab or any of the technology in Film’s equipment room (cameras, etc.).

Attendance

Attendance will be taken after 10 minutes “Berkeley Time”; you will be marked absent if you are not present at that time so please be on time. Our course is practice-based, which means that missing classes affects the work of other students and can be difficult to make up.If you are feeling sick or extremely stressed, please reach out to one of the instructors and we can give you extra homework or try to figure out the best way to catch up with the class. Students who have more than 2 unexcused absences will get an automatic NP (Non-Pass).

Electronics

Students may use their electronic devices (laptop or tablets) to access course materials during lecture, BUT NO electronic devices are permitted during the lab.

Labs

Talk more about what the labs are here

Students must wear dark, loose-fitting clothing while using a camera. This will prevent reflections and allow for free movement. Bright colored clothing will reflect in the background and distract shots or actors. Wear dark colored clothing that you can move freely and get dirty which you don’t need to worry too much (Week 2 & 5).

Grading

All grades will be graded Pass or No Pass by attendance, participation, class assignments and final project.

  • Attendance and Participation - 30%
  • Assignments - 50%
  • Location Document - 10%
  • Video Scavenger Hunt - 5%
  • Montage - 5%
  • Script - 10%
  • Storyboard - 10%
  • Shot List - 10%
  • Final Project - 20%

Assignments

Assignments will be assigned weekly. No reading will be assigned if there is an assignment. All assignments are due by 6:00 pm before the class starts and should be submitted on bCourses. If you need an extension, please contact one of the instructors before class so we can come up with a new deadline.

  • Location Document - 10%
  • Video Scavenger Hunt - 5%
  • Montage - 5%
  • Editing a montage:
  • Script - 10%
  • Storyboard - 10%
  • Shot List - 10%

Final Project

Our class will end with a final filmmaking project. This project will synthesize all the filmmaking process from pre-production to production and post-production that we’ve been studying and working on throughout the course. Each student will create one 5 to 10 min short film, and choose either narrative or documentary film (or something experimental, just let your instructor know what types of film you are going to make). More details on the final project will be given as the course proceeds.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to conform to the UC Berkeley Honor Code which states: “As a member of the UC Berkeley community, I act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others.” This code has been adopted by the student community, and you can read more about it: https://asuc.org/honor-code-landing/ Plagiarism results in failing the course (NP) Please respect the rights of others to express their points of view in the classroom.

Department Resources