CP 310 Creative Producing
Summary
CP 310 introduces students to the role of the Creative Producer. Students will learn how to build a film and television slate by identifying intellectual properties and developing them into viable projects. There will be an emphasis on optioning material, talent packaging, and financing. The current state of the motion picture industry will also be examined.
The class will also study the evolution of the business of the film industry and how it has changed as a result of social, political, economic and technological advancements, including the emergence of streaming services and their impact on the overall production and distribution of movies.
Students will analyze the role of independent producers from idea origination and script development to financing, and study the structure of organizations and groups crucial to the entertainment industry such as studios and talent agencies.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to introduce and expand students entrepreneurial and business skills to accomplish creative and filmmaking goals. At the end of the term, a student will be expected to be able to find a viable film project and create a pitch presentation.
Texts
Required Texts
The Movie Business Book, (4th Edition) Jason E. Squire
Recommended Texts
The Kid Stays in the Picture, Robert Evans
The Big Picture, Edward Jay Epstein
Recommended Websites:
www.deadlinehollywood.com
www.variety.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com
www.thewrap.com
www.boxofficemojo.com
www.boxofficemagic.wordpress.com
Grading
Grading:
Personal film assignment 10%
Industry News assignments 20%
Initial project assignment 10%
Class Participation and Personal Growth 10%
Final 50%
A = 100-93, A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-88, B = 87-83, B- = 82-80, C+ = 79-78, C = 77-73, C- = 72-70,
D+ = 69-68, D = 67-63, D- = 62-60, F = 59-0. A indicates excellence, B indicates good work, C indicates satisfactory work, D indicates unsatisfactory work, and F is a failure to demonstrate an understanding of course concepts.
Course Requirements, policies, assignments
Course Requirements
You are expected to: participate in class; prepare your assignments completely and on time; and be responsible and attentive to the demands of working with a group.
Course Policies
Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. Participation in class is essential. You are permitted two unexcused absences. More than two absences and excessive late arrivals will affect your course participation grade.
Assignments: Assignments must be completed by the date to which they are assigned in the syllabus. Consequently, one letter grade will be deducted for each class period the assignment is late.
Introduction to course and instructor, Discussion of final project. Early Film History.
Assignment - Read Squire - The Movie Business Book - Chapters 2
Pick the movie which has made the biggest impact on you and write a 1/2 page essay on why it did so, along with how the film performed at the box office. Provide a link to the trailer if it exists.
Assignment - Read Squire Chapter 3
Assign final project groups. 1st current events assignment group individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Assignment - Read: Squire Chapters 12-13
Group 2 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read: Squire Chapter 5
Group 3 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read: Squire Chapters 9, 14
Group 4 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read: Squire Chapter 19
Group 5 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read: Squire Chapter 20
Group 6 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read Squire Chapters 24,25
Group 7 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Read: Squire Chapters 27, 28, 32
Group 8 individuals will choose an article from the trade journals regarding recent events in the motion picture industry and write an essay as to why they found it interesting and relevant. Send a link to the article and the essay to professor 1 day Prior to next class.
Exhibition, Revenue Streams, First 1/2 Final project presentations
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
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