The Academy: Mission and Courses

The Rookie - Level 1

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 21:10:06 +0530

Good films don’t magically happen. They are primarily the result of good scripts. Each student will write a treatment followed by a script for a 2 minute film in any language. They will learn to polish the story using vocabulary that is visual, dramatic, evocative and specific to film.
Students will concurrently learn basic camera operation, measuring f-stop with a light meter, measuring and pulling focus. They will learn to white balance the camera and read zebra bars to gauge exposure.
Framing, composition, mise-en-scene, acting, sound and rules of filmmaking will be introduced through screenings of clips from Hollywood films. Students will learn story-boarding using fixed frames.
A production plan is made for the film shoot of every student. The plan assigns specific crew roles (Asst Director, Sound Engineer, Set Designer etc.) to each student for each film. These crew roles are rotated among students. The aim is to give students a different perspective of filmmaking with each film. Each student prepares and will perform his/her crew role, in consultation with director and the script of the film. The student director will also be the cinematographer shooting with a Canon XL1.
Film shoots are usually on weekends. Attendance of shoots is mandatory. Shoots are timed and should not exceed 8 hours per film. Each student will shoot his/her film on scheduled day.
Each student will edit his/her film using Final Cut Pro and set music using Soundtrack Pro on a Mac. For more info, visit our studio.

The Contender - Level 2

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 16:45:04 +0530

Writing - Building on skills acquired in Level 1, students write a treatment and script for a 4 minute film. They will hone their writing skills by training to think like a camera. The goal is to convey their story visually using minimum dialogue.
Camera - Introduction to lenses and perspectives and depth of field. Working with the moving camera (pan and tilts) and the blocking of actors in the frame. Introduction to lighting (3 point). Bouncing, mixing and balancing available versus artificial light. Creating drama and mood with light.
Sound - Introduction to sound in cinema. Planning and using sound to enhance your story. Recording location sound with a Sennheiser External Microphone - shotgun and boom pole.
Acting - Understanding actors and preparing them for performances in front of the camera. Working non-professional actors and theatre actors. Rehearsing actors to illicit realistic performances.
Shooting - Each film will be shot in 8 hours in one day. Shoots are timed. The director of each film will also be its cinematographer. A production plan will assign crew roles to each student for each film. Crew roles are rotated through the class. No student performs the same role twice. The instructor will be present during the shoot.
Editing - This is done using Final Cut Pro. Films are titled using LiveType. Understanding the usage of music in cinema to further the story. Students will individually set music to their films using SoundTrack Pro. They will learn to mix music and sound tracks to create a master track.

The Pro - Level 3

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 07:07:08 +0530

Writing - Intended to groom the ultimate filmmaker, each student at this level makes a 6 minute film based on a script they write. Scripts are fast-paced, character driven and scoped to be extended into longer films.
Camera - Films are shot in High Definition (HD) using the Panasonic AG-HVX200 camera and its P2 Card workflow. This level is characterized by the moving camera to compliment fast-paced scripts. Students will be taught to use the Steadicam Merlin and the Varizoom Camera Controller. They will do exercises in lighting using a Lowel Lighting Kit and apply practical methods to their films.
Shooting - Each film will be shot over 2 days and nights. Shoots are timed. The director of each film will also be its cinematographer. A production plan will assign crew roles to each student for each film. Crew roles are rotated through the class. No student performs the same role twice. The instructor will be present during the shoot.
Editing - Advanced topics in sound mixing and effects using Soundtrack Pro will be covered in this level. Students will be taught to create visual effects (as called by the script) using Motion.