The Evening Producing Workshop is an intensive study into the the world of film producing. The schedule is designed for students with other daytime commitments who can only devote themselves to part-time study. The course meets on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and some Saturdays. Additional time will be required outside of class for project preparation.

PROJECT 1

MOS Project: 3 Minute Total Running Time
This narrative, silent project is written, directed, photographed, lit, produced, and edited by small production teams designated by the instructor. Within the construct of this project, students learn how to collaborate and network with each other.

Every producer has an opportunity to see their 3-minute MOS screenplay, which they have been constructing in Screenwriting class come to fruition.

PROJECT 2

Narrative Project: 1- 3 Minutes Total Running Time
This narrative project informs the producer as to the relationship between dialogue and dramatic action in filmmaking.

This project serves as the students’ foray into using sound as an addition to the elements studied in the previous project.

CLASSES

PRODUCER’S CRAFT
Producer’s Craft serves as the mainstay of the creative producing workshop, introducing students to the language and practice of producing and filmmaking. Through a combination of lecture, screenings, and hand-outs, students learn the fundamental producing skills needed to begin to understand creative producing in an increasingly complex global marketplace. This pivotal class prepares students for each of their digital-film projects and is the venue for screening and critiquing their work throughout the course. Producing students learn how to bring stories all the way from development through post-production and beyond. The creative producers are afforded an opportunity to develop their skills and voices through their creative instincts, all the while developing their communication and problem-solving abilities. The basics of pitching, development, schedules and budgets, basic finance, distribution, packaging, and marketing principles are studied. Current events that impact production are discussed.

SCREENWRITING FUNDAMENTALS
The writing portion of the producing course adheres to the philosophy that good producers must have a basic understanding and familiarization with the elements of storytelling to enhance their producing abilities. Producers must comprehend the dramatic structure, theme, tension and conflict, and have an understanding of logline, film genre, structure, dialogue, character arc, and commerciality all necessary to understanding the ever-important screenplay “coverage” used in every film production company.

HANDS-ON CAMERA AND LIGHTING
Beginning on day one, this is a no-nonsense camera class in which students learn fundamental skills in the art of cinematography. Unlike many film school programs, students shoot and screen tests for focus, exposure, lens perspective, slow/fast motion, contrast, and lighting during their first week of class.

SOUND DESIGN
In this class, producing students learn to incorporate voiceover, sound effects, and music into their final film projects. Students will have access to our extensive library of sound effects and sound recording equipment.

FINAL CUT EDITING
This class covers the language of editing and the organization of film and sound material. Films are shot digitally and edited digitally with Final Cut Pro on Apple computers. While students learn how to use the nonlinear editing software, the emphasis is on the craft of editing which challenges students to create cogent sequences that best serve the story.

DIRECTING FOR PRODUCERS
The director’s vision shapes the look and feel of a film. He or she is one of the creative forces that pull a film together, and is responsible for turning the words of a script into images on the screen.

Through directing exercises, this class will allow producers to understand how directors organize their vision. Students learn the necessity of shot lists, story boards, floor plans, and working with actors.

In crews, students develop, prep, shoot and edit two 3-minute short films. Through immersion in the director’s craft student producers quickly understand and confront the complexity and commitment required of this discipline, and complete the course with the ability to recognize those qualities that are necessary in directors to get the best out of any screenplay.

ENTERTAINMENT LAW
This class explores the legal and business issues related to film and television for creative producers. Producer basics including intellectual property and contracts are covered.

BRANDING/MARKETING FOR PRODUCERS
A good producer must be creative and conceptual. Producers must have managerial and administrative skills and strong capability to deal with finance, marketing and distribution. Branding begins with the producer and his or her Mission Statement. Each producer must discern the type of work he or she wants to make and where in the world of film and television this work will fit creatively and fiscally.