IB Short Film and Portfolio Process

It's time to set deadlines for our preparation of your final IB Films and Portfolios.

Completing the following assignments will prepare you to accomplish this goal!!

Your project must be the BEST you can produce and include the following:

  • 4-5 minutes in length as SL with credits / 5-7 Minutes HL w/30 sec. Trailer
  • a typed treatment that explains your big idea and production details
  • 3-5 page script that includes some dialogue using the format on the site
  • a shooting script/storyboard that numbers, describes, and sketches the shots for each scene
  • Well developed scenes that clearly develop character and conflict with subtext
  • Good production value in audio and cinematography
  • Audio score that relates to the moods and emotion explored in the film
  • Visual effects that enhance the impact of the film
  • A feature opening title sequence of your name, piece or production company
  • Closing credit sequence
  • A production log that details all your contributions to the film.
  • A website for your film that hosts all of your contributions.

Key Dates:

1. Treatment due:

2. Script due:

3. Shot List due:

4. Prodcution clips by:

5. Final Project Due: Friday March 26th (no exceptions)

6. Portfolios Due: Monday March 29th.

 

Step 1-. Research short film topics for treatments:

Use the following sites to screen sample short films for inspiriation:

IB Support Site with Samples

http://vimeo.com/user3109788

http://www.studentfilms.com/

http://vimeo.com/categories/films

http://www.campusmoviefest.com/movies/index.php

Task: Post a review of one film you found that might inspire a style or topic of your film on your blog. Include a link and 3 screen shots if possible. Use our textual analysis questions to identify key elements of the film.

Due- Thursday Feb. 18th-

Step 2- Brainstorm a short story idea

1. Develop a short film concept using the 3 Act structure referred to in class: The Setup, Maze, and Feeling.

A few detials to remember:

Remember your are shooting for 4-5 minute film w/titles

Try to make it as active as you can.

Keep it limited to a few characters.

Consider a setting/location you can control and will help the film.

Some suggestions:

A character discovers something.....

A character lies....and there are consequences-

A characters fixed ideas are challenged---or shattered-

A character completely misreads a situation--there are consequences.

A character experiences love at first sight and ...

A character must confront their worst fear...

Task: Create a basic flow chart to illustrate the moments/actions that lead to the climax.

Step 3- Rough Draft of Treatments- Due:

Write a rough draft of your treatment for a pitch session with the class. Bring copies for your group. Use the treatment description on the web to help organize your ideas.

Once written, please answer the following questions in a peer review of your draft:

  1. Who are your characters?
  2. What details reveal your character’s personality and issues?
  3. What is the major conflict that the character or characters are faced with (plot line/big idea)?
  4. What will be your 3 Act structure: Beginning, Middle, and End?
  5. What scenes and locations will you need to tell your story?
  6. What twist in the plot can you add to keep your audience guessing?
  7. What charaters, props or locations operate on a symbolic level?

Step 4 - Professional Pitch to Class

Sell you idea to the class. You will dress professionally, like a business meeting and sell your idea to the class. Your presentation must include:

  1. Genre Reference
  2. Log line
  3. A description the Setup, Maze and Feeling in your narrative
  4. Casting and Character profiles

STEP 5 - Scripts

Convert your treatments to a script using the format outlined in class. Please peer review your script with your team members and once again answer the questions from the treatment above.

 

STEP 6 - Create- IB Short Film Portfolio Site for your Group-.
Using google sites, please create a central site that will house all of your supplemental film material as well as your reflection on the process in a running log as you move towards the completion of the IB short film portfolio. View sample sites created for past projects: 1, 2.

Directions:

  • Step 1- Create a google site and invite your members and myself as editors.
  • Step 2- Create a new page for each of the following and create table of contents on the side bar.
    • Pre-production-
    • Cinematographer-
    • Director-
    • Editor-
    • Sound Recorder-
    • Writer- 
    • Production Designer-
  • Step 3- Assign members roles in production
    1. Please include name, rationale, daily logs that discuss your contribution to the film -
    2. (This can be a google doc embedded into the page for your specific role on your google site)
    3. Additions to your log will serve as evidence of your contribution to the film, so please incldue the following:
    ? Research on genre conventions and films screened.
    ? Screen shots from other films
    ? Notes on your contribution to EACH scene of your film
    ? Location and casting photos and notes
    ? Storyboard drawings for key scenes and filmic moments
    ? Descriptions of props and wardrobe and implied symbolism
  • Step 4- Title Page Must include the following-
    1. Title of Film
    2. Logline
    3. Genre influences
  • Step 5- Develop Preproduction Page- create links to the following published google docs
    1.   Copies of  Script
    2.   Shooting Script
    3.   Location Diagram
    4.   Production Schedule
    5.   Prop List-Make Up/ Wardrobe
  • Step 6. Production Checklist- test the following equipment setup and prep for shoot-
    1.   Camera-
    2.   Boom Mic
    3.   Boom Pole
    4.   Xlr Mic Cable
    5.  Lighting Kit
    6.   Preview Monitor
    7.   Gaffers Tape
  • Step 7. Production Schedule-
     Create a scheduel for the production of your filme:
      Date/ Time/ Scene #/ Location

 

 

Review the IB Support Site for details and samples of student work.
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