DC 275 Cinematography I
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Summary
This course will be an intensive exploration of the craft, technologies and aesthetic principles of cinematography and lighting techniques for motion picture and digital video production. Lectures and in-class demonstrations will cover film and video formats, film cameras, HD cameras, DSLR cameras and accessories, exposure, lenses and optics, lighting units, lighting placement, lighting control, camera support, and camera movement. All class sessions will consist of lectures, demonstrations, ?hands on? with cameras and lighting units, exercises, and screenings of selected film and video clips which demonstrate specific cinematography and lighting techniques.
Texts
Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Blain Brown
Grading
Class Attendance and Participation 10%
Production Assignment # 1 10%
Production Assignment # 2 20%
Production Assignment # 3 30%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%
Course Policies
Course Policies: in addition to DePaul University course policies (see student handbook), the following special policies will apply to this course.
Attendance: Classes will consist of lecture, screenings, discussion, and creative exercises. Attendance is mandatory. An absence is defined as not showing up for class, or showing up 15 minutes or more late. Any absences will result in a reduction of the attendance/participation grade.
Assignments and Exercises: Assignments and exercises must be completed by the due date as indicated in the syllabus. Late work will not be accepted without prior consent of the instructor.
Examinations: Students who do not take exams during the regularly scheduled time will receive a failing grade for the exam unless they have contacted the instructor in advance to arrange for a make-up exam. Make-up exams will be administered by the College according to its make-up exam schedule.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism on assignments or cheating on exams are serious offenses and earn the student a failing grade for the class. Please read the Academic Integrity Policy (AIP) at: http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/handbook/code16.html.
Course Lectures/Reading Assignments: The assigned readings offer an opportunity for independent learning that supplements the lectures. Lectures will introduce material not available in the readings, and the readings will explore concepts not mentioned in class. The exam will cover both lecture and reading materials as specified by the instructor.
Content Changes:Depending on time factors, the assignments projected for the term may require slight alteration or rescheduling.
Working in Groups: For Production Assignments in this course you will be working in groups of 3. A major component of producing films and videos is teamwork. In this course many of you will be working as a creative team for the first time. Most student teams work very well together. But sometimes personality conflicts or creative conflicts can arise. It is your job as a team to work through these conflicts, because if you don?t, your project will suffer. If things get really difficult you can come to me as a team and I will help mediate/resolve the situation.
Office Hours/My Availability: I enjoy working with my students and am always available for advising, answering questions, etc. For those of you who want to learn more about technologies beyond the scope of DC 275 feel free to make an appointment and pick my brain. To meet with me your best bet is to email me and set up an appointment during my office hours. If you stop by during my office hours I may be in the building, but not in my office. If that is the case, call me on my mobile and we?ll connect up.
Introduction, organization, assignments
Lecture: A brief history of film/video technology, film formats
Lecture: Video Cameras, basic video technology, video formats. The DSLR phenomena.
Lab: Hands on HD CAMERAS, tripods, accessories
Reading: Brown ?Video and High Def? pp. 193-212
Lecture: Lenses ? Focal length, f-stop, Focusing
Lab: Shoot Production Assignment # 1 with HD cameras
Reading: Brown ?Optics? pp. 177-192, ?Exposure? pp. 103-126
Lecture: Lenses - Depth of Field, Composition.
Lab: Hands on Lighting/Camera
Creative Projects: Groups meet for creative conferences for Production Assignment # 2
Lecture: Electrics, basic lighting units, lighting control, Lighting set-ups.
Reading: Brown ?The Tools of Lighting? pp. 141-156
Screen and Critique Production Assignment # 2 Lecture: Color Temp and Lighting
Creative Projects: Groups meet for creative conferences for Production Assignment # 3 (Final Project).
Reading: Brown ?Color Theory? pp. 127-140, ?Controlling Color? pp. 167-176
Lecture: Advanced lighting, lighting set-ups, green screen, camera movement, Dollys and dolly shots, Cinematography Tips and Tricks.
Reading: Brown 1st 5 Chapters, pp. 1-10
On set: the DP, AC, operator, gaffer, grip, PA. New technologies, the future of cinema. Reading: Brown ?Set Operations? pp. 241-256, ?Technical Issues? pp. 257-275.
Final Exam
Screen and critique ruff cuts of Production Assignment #3.
Lab/Hands on: Red One or Red Epic camera system.
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