​Calendar

Spring 2021

WEEK 1

Mon. 1/10
In class:
Introductions.
Discuss syllabus.
Sign up for presentations.
 
Wed. 1/12
Due:
Hear and Now, directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky. 2007. 85 minutes. Available on HBO Max and to rent on Amazon Prime.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned film.

WEEK 2

Mon. 1/17
No class in observance of Martin Luther King Day
 
Wed. 1/19
Due:
“Introduction.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 5-12.
 
“Step 1. Develop a Singular Script.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 17-35.
 
“Step 2. Set a Start Date.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 38-41.
 
 “AE Lock iPhone and Filmic Pro” by Troy A. Hale 2020. 19 minutes.
 
In class:
 
Discuss assigned reading and video.

WEEK 3

Mon. 1/24
Due:
Minding the Gap, directed by Bing Liu. 2018. 80 minutes. Available on Hulu.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned film.
Initial Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section A (5 students).
 
Wed. 1/26
Due:
“Step 3 Find a Line Producer.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 44-54.
 
“Step 4. Lock Down a Schedule and Budget.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 56-79.
 
“Exposure Camera Tutorial” by Peter Johnston. 2020. 16 minutes.
 
“White Balance Camera Tutorial” by Peter Johnston. 2020. 10 minutes.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned reading and videos.
Initial Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section B (5 students).

WEEK 4

Mon. 1/31
Due:
Good Hair, directed by Jeff Stilson. 2009. 95 minutes. Available for free on Tubi and commercial free on Amazon Prime.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned film.
Initial Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section C (5 students).
 
Wed. 2/2
Due:
“Step 5: Write a Business Plan.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 20018. Pages 82-85.
 
“Step 6. Find a DP, Editor and Key Cast.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 88-101.
 
“Step 7. Shoot an Awesome Teaser Trailer.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 104-111.
 
“Taskam Audio Tutorial” by Peter Johnston. 17 minutes.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned reading and video.
Initial Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section D (6 students).

WEEK 5

Mon. 2/7
Due:
Stories We Tell, directed by Sarah Polley. 2012. 108 minutes. Available for free on YouTube and Tubi.
 
In class:
 
Discuss assigned film.
 
Wed. 2/9
Due:
“Step 8. Start and LLC/Raise the Money.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 114-125.
 
“Tripod Tutorial” by Peter Johnston. 2020. 5 minutes.
 
“Focus Camera Tutorial” by Peter Johnston. 2020. 8 minutes.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned readings and videos.

WEEK 6

Mon. 2/14
Due:
Elena, directed by Petra Costa. 2012. 80 minutes. Available on Netflix.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned film.
 
Wed. 2/16
Due:
“iPhone Lighting” by Troy A. Hale. 2020. 4 minutes.
 
“Lighting 2” by Troy A. Hale. 2020. 16 minutes.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned readings and videos.

WEEK 7

Mon. 2/21:
Due:
Dick Johnson Is Dead, directed by Kirsten Johnson. 2020. 29 minutes. Available on Netflix.
 
In class:
Revised Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section A (5 students).
 
Wed. 2/23
Due:
“Step 9. Crowdfund: You Must Do It!” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 128-139.
 
“Step 10. Recruit Your Crew.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 142-151.
 
In class:
Revised Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section B (5 students).
Discuss assigned reading.

WEEK 8

Mon. 2/28
Due:
Shirkers, directed by Sandi Tan. 2018. 97 minutes. Available on Netflix.
 
 
In class:
Revised Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section C (5 students).
 
Discuss assigned film.
 
Wed. 3/2
Due:
“Step 11. Cast Your Smaller Roles.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 154-157.
 
“Step 12. Pre-Production Essentials: You Cant Plan Too Much!” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 160-165.
 
“Step 13: Get your Movie ‘In the Can.’” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 168-179.
 
In class:
Revised Ideas on Short Documentary Presentations Section D (6 students).
 
Discuss assigned reading.

WEEK 9

Mon. 3/7
No Class: Spring Break
 
Wed. 3/9
No Class: Spring Break

WEEK 10

Mon. 3/14
Due:
Val, directed by Ting Poo and Leo Scott. 2021. 109 minutes. Available on Amazon Prime.
 
In class:
Discuss assigned films.
 
Wed. 3/16
Due:
“Step 14: Post-production Essentials: Editing, Music, Sound, Color.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 182-197.
 
“Step 15: Submit to Festivals.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 200-211.
 
“Step 16: Execute Your Distribution Plan.” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 214-220.
 
“Vive La Revolution!” Shoot from the Heart: Successful Filmmaking from a Sundance Rebel by Diane Bell. 2018. Pages 224-229.
 
In class:
Discuss your filmmaking process and any issues you may be facing.
 
Discuss assigned reading.

WEEK 11

Mon. 3/21
Due:
Work on your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 1 Screening and Discussion Section A (5 students).
 
Wed. 3/23
Due:
 Work on your film.

In class:
Short Documentary Draft 1 Screening and Discussion Section B (5 students).

WEEK 12

Mon. 3/28
Due:
Work on your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 1 Screening and Discussion Section C (5 students).
 
Wed. 3/30
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 1 Screening and Discussion Section D (6 students).

WEEK 13

Mon. 4/4
Due:
Work on your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 2 Screening and Discussion Section A (5 students).
 
Wed. 4/6
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 2 Screening and Discussion Section B (5 students).

WEEK 14

Mon. 4/11
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 2 Screening and Discussion Section C (5 students).
 
Wed. 4/13
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Draft 2 Screening and Discussion Section D (6 students).

WEEK 15

Mon. 4/18
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Final Draft Screening and Discussion Section A (5 students).
 
Wed. 4/20
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Final Draft Screening and Discussion Section B (5 students).

WEEK 16

Mon. 4/25
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Final Draft Screening and Discussion Section C (5 students).
 
Wed. 4/27
Due:
Work in your film.
 
In class:
Short Documentary Final Draft Screening and Discussion Section D (5 students).
 
Fri. 4/29
Due:
Distribution plan and link to your final film. Due by 11:59pm.