Course Title Introduction to Filmmaking
Target Audience independent filmmakers
Prerequisites (if any) Video Camera (for e.g. DSLR) is preferred. However, participants will be taught to work with their smartphones.
Language of Instruction Bilingual (English & Urdu)
Course Description
In this course, participants will acquire the skills to produce an industry-standard short film despite limited resources. The program commences with a
thorough exploration of the core values inherent in each filmmaking element, covering aspects from pre-production to post-production. Learning objectives
include cultivating an aesthetic, critical, reflective, and managerial understanding of filmmaking.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, the students should be able to:
LO1: Understand film production in its three phases - pre- and postproduction.
LO2: Understand various ways to cut down on budget in all departments while maintaining quality.
LO3: Learn specialised roles in filmmaking.
LO4: Practice various exercises to deliver visual and audio quality on a limited budget.
LO5: Light a scene without using specialised equipment.
LO6: Understand editing as a storyteller rather than an operator.
LO7: Learn stages of screenwriting from idea to final draft.
LO8: Understand production in terms of budget and overall management.
LO9: Emphasis on Sound Design.
Assessments/Graded Components
Making short films in groups, with allocated film production roles, e.g. direction, sound or editing.
Week Module Name Key Concepts/Topics Covered
1 Screenwriting Origins of Idea
How to write a logline
(it costs no money to write Inciting Incident
a compelling script) Beat - Scene - Sequence - Act - Story
How to write a true character
Protagonist and Antagonist
Step-outline
Understanding Sub-Text
5 Secrets to Scene
Crisis and Conflict
World of story and its Setting
How to write dialogues
Climax and Resolution
2 Film Crew and its Understanding and dissecting each role of a film production crew and its collaborative aspects:
Hierarchy Production
Production Design
Sound Design
Postproduction
Cinematography
Creative Crew
Distribution and Marketing
3 Sound Design Understanding sound design in terms of its elements:
On location
(there are ways to do it Postproduction sound
with limited or no budget) Follies, ambience, Dialogues and SFX
Background Music / OST
4 Understating the Camera Aperture/Exposure/Iris
and its features Shutter Speed and ISO
White balance
(equipment is secondary – Frames per second
do not worry about Depth of field
expensive ones) Lenses-Prime & Zoom (telephoto, standard, wide, macro & fisheye)
Highlights, mid-tones and shadows
Tonal range
Colour Temperature
5 Cinematography and Using the available source
production design Understanding the direction of light
Controlling the intensity of light
(How to light a scene Placement of character
without using lights) Choice of lens
DOP & Production Designer - most essential collaboration
Mise-en-scene
6 Editing An editor as a storyteller, not just an operator of software
Walter Murch's 6 motivations for CUT
The basics of Davinci Studio software
7 Indie feature film analysis How the lighting was done with a single light
How props and wardrobe were arranged
Acquiring locations as a producer without a budget
where to save while shooting and how
8 Outdoor Exercise How to set a scene
How to light
(filming a scene) How to stage the actor
How to direct the actors
collaboration between crew
How to manage schedule
Supplementary Material/Reading Material
BOOKS:
STORY by Robert McKee
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Painting with light
5 Cs of cinematography
Directing - film techniques and aesthetics
In the blink of an eye by Walter Murch
Shot by Shot
MOVIES (references for various aspects)
Interstellar
Godfather
Marriage Story
Batman
Joker
Where is my friend’s house
A song of a sparrow
Snatch
Dunkirk
LEARNING:
The cutting edge - documentary
a piece of apple pie - screenplay
Masterclass - James Cameron
Half cooked - short film
The nights I spent with a stranger - indie feature
Baghdad Messi - short film
