CP 310 Creative Producing
Summary
CP 310 examines the function of a movie production company, primarily focusing on story genesis. The methods for identifying and aquiring the rights to intellectual properties and the developing of these properties into finished films will be examined.
The class will study tthe development process.
The class will also examine the current state of the film industry through discussion of industry current event articles.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to introduce students to the role of Creative Producer in finding and developing material and the methods for creating a clear chain of title,
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
The Complete Film Production Handbook, (3rd Edition) Eve Light Honthaner
Contracts for the Film and Television Industry, (2nd Edition) Mark Litwak
Recommended Websites
www.deadlinehollywood.com
www.variety.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com
www.thewrap.com
www.boxofficemojo.com
www.boxofficemagic.wordpress.com
Screen Actors Guild: www.sag.org
Writer's Guild of America: www.wga.org
Independent Feature Project: www.ifp.org
Illinois Film Office: www.illinoisbiz.biz/dceo/Bureaus/Film/ProductionGuide
Illinois Secretary of State: www.sos.state.il.us/services/services_business.html
U. S. Copyright Office: www.copyright.gov
Grading
Grading
Class Participation 10%
Personal film assignment 10%
Industry News assignment (x2) 20%
Pitch Assignments (x3) 60%
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: get to class on time; participate in class; prepare your assignments completely and on time; develop a positive and professional work environment; 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.
DISCLAIMER
This syllabus is a loose template and is subject to change at the whim of the instructor. Be sure to listen and check your emails for up to date assignments.
Introduction to course and instructor, student introductions. Discussion of assignments and projects. The role of Creative Producer.
Assignment - Read Squire - The Movie Business Book - Chapter 2.
Pick the movie which has made the biggest impact on you and write a 1/2 - 1 page essay on why it did so, along with how the film performed at the box office. Try to identify the company that produced it. Provide a link to the film's trailer.
Impactful Film discussions
Case Study - "Normal Life", Assignment - Read Squire Chapter 3.
Choose PUBLIC DOMAIN Material
Group 1 - 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.
Material - Writers - Agencies. Discuss Public Domain choices
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.
Public Domain Pitch Decks
Case Study - "The Borrower"
Assignment - Read: Squire Chapter 5 - Find True Story for pitch.
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.
True Story Choice presentations- Financing
Assignment - 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.
True Story Pitch Decks
Packaging/Talent agencies
Assignment - 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.
Production
Assignment - Read: Squire Chapter 20 Begin final Project
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.
Film Festivals
Assignment - 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.
Marketing - Final Project Assignment Presentations- 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, Final project presentations contd.
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.
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