DC 323 Introduction to Film Scheduling and Budgeting
Summary
Course Description:
The purpose of this class is to enable students to create an effective preproduction process for their film and projects.
This course will cover the development and pre-production of independent filmmaking. Students will operate as producers and be responsible to complete weekly tasks in order to design and execute an effective pre-production process. The roles of Producer, Line Producer, Unit Manager and Assistant Director will be examined.
Students will be working on acquiring material, financing, breaking down scripts, budgeting, scheduling and distribution.
Professional scheduling and budgeting software will be utilized.
The course will be Lecture/Discussion based with Lab time.
Texts
IFP/ Los Angeles Independent Filmmaker's Manual, 2nd edition by Nicole Shay LaLoggia and Eden H. Wurmfeld.
Grading
Participation: 10%, Assignments: 7%, Pop Quizzes: 8% Midterm: 15%, Breakdown: 10%, Schedule: 10%, Budget: 10%,
Final Project: 30%
Prerequisites
DC210
Class 1:
Lecture: Introduction, Class Overview, Preproduction overview
What can good preproduction do for a film? What are ways to save time and money?
Homework: ? name a film and ways time and costs were cut to get it made without sacrificing film. How did Monty Python and The Holy Grail save time and money?
Start looking for a short script 25-30 pages to work on in class.
READING AT HOME: Chapters 1: ?Before you begin? & 2 ?The Script?
Class 2:
Lecture: Finding a good script for your production, what is the goal of the film? 5 stages of production. How to start. Optioning scripts, LLCs, WGA and copyrights
READING AT HOME: Read Chapter 3 ?Financing?
Class 3:
Lecture: Fundraising, types of loans, financing and business plan
Treatments and pitching
Reading at home: Read Chapter 4 ?Breaking down a script?
Homework: Write a synopsis for the film you pitched in class.
You will need your short script 25-30 pages to work on in class. Starting Jan. 29th. Print it out for class.
Class 4:
Lecture: Script breakdown (by hand)
Script breakdown (Movie Magic):
Homework: Continue to breakdown sample script in Movie Magic
Class 5:
Lecture: Script breakdown (Movie Magic)
Scheduling : Time is everything. Basics of scheduling. How can time and cost be saved?
Homework: Breakdown your script into Movie Magic. Due 2/12
READING AT HOME: Chapter 5 ?Scheduling?
Class 6:
Lecture: Midterm Project
Homework: Continue to schedule your script in Movie Magic
READING AT HOME: Chapter 6 ?Budgeting?
Class 7:
Lecture:
Scheduling (Movie Magic), Moving your schedule into a budget.
In class Movie: ?Lost in La Mancha?
Class 8:
Lecture: Budgeting basics. Different categories in the budget
Homework: Research your expenses for your budget
Class 9:
Lecture: Budgeting in Movie Magic
READING AT HOME: Chapter 9 ?Pre-production?, Chapter 10 ?Festivals and Distribution?
Class 10:
Lecture: Festival circuits and different ways to get your project out in the public.
Final Projects / work on Movie Magic
In Class Movie : TBA
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296