Course Syllabus

Spring 2023 | FLM-1050-VJ01 - Digital Filmmaking I

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Samantha Davidson Green
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Gundy

General Education Requirements

Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

In this hands-on course, students are introduced to the basics of filmmaking. Students gain basic skills through technical exercises and then create short film projects. Topics include script development, pre-production planning, directing, lighting, cinematography, sound recording and editing. Visual storytelling practices and the history of film works will supplement student projects.

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate proficiency in the basic use and vocabulary of camera, lighting, sound recording, and editing skills through short exercises.
2. Develop story ideas and draft scripts for short films, focusing principles and practices of story development for various short-form filmmaking (commercial, public service announcements, experimental, narrative, documentary).
3. Apply skills of filmmaking, including camera work, lighting, sound recording, and editing by creating compelling and professionally executed 1-3 minute films.
4. Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique short films in historical, social, and cultural contexts.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Spring 2023 textbook/book details will be available on 2022-11-14. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

Through hands-on production exercises, demonstrations, screenings, and class discussion as well as independent viewing, reading, writing and production projects, students will develop a foundation in the essential techniques of making films with digital technologies. The course will emphasize creative and technical choices, crew functions and communication, and economic, political, and ethical aspects of filmmaking. Prioritizing process over product, the course aims to provide a solid foundation in visual and audio storytelling for further film and digital media production courses.

Evaluation Criteria

• Attendance and participation in classes and production activities as crew/cast for classmates. (20%)
• Satisfactory completion of Production Practica prior to advancement to successive stages of production: Camera, Gaffing/Gripping, Sound, Digital Editing (10%)
• Completion of 2 group production and editing exercises (20%)
• Completion of individual final filmmaking project produced with group. Content and grouping to be determined in conference with instructor. (25%)
• Completion of assigned readings, viewings, related activities, and responses via Canvas (10%)
• Pop Quizzes evaluating reading and mastery of course content. (10%)
• Completion of out-of-class film screenings (2 minimum) (5%)

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Participation in class is highly valued in this course and will be factored into final grades. Participation takes many forms, including:

• Constructive contributions to class discussions based on completion of viewing, reading and other homework assignments
• Reliable participation as crew for classmates' film productions
• Proactive communication with professor and fellow students, particularly for production activities

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments submitted late by previous arrangement with the professor will be considered for full credit. Assignments submitted late without previous permission from the professor will be considered for half credit (50%).Missing assignments will be considered 0%.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity