CP 310 Creative Producing
Summary
This course introduces students to the role of the Creative Producer. Students will learn how to
develop a feature film and understand what makes it a viable business venture. There will be an
emphasis on pitching, packaging, teambuilding, optioning material, and fundraising. The course
is taught through lecturing and hands-on learning; working in teams, students will complete all
aspects of packing a film project.
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
Grading
completely and on time; develop a positive and professional work environment; and be responsible and attentive to the demands of working with a group.
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.
Weekly Projects: 25%
Pitch Projects: 50%
Participation: 25%
Recommended Websites
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
Content Notes/Warnings
Your Name & Gender Pronouns
Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. I will gladly honor your request to address you by your name or gender pronouns. Please advise me early in the quarter so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. Please also note that students may choose to identify within the University community with a first name that differs from their legal name and may also update their gender. Your first name will appear in University related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is necessitated or required by University business or legal need. For more information and instructions on how to do so, please see: http://policies.depaul.edu/policy/policy.aspx?pid=332
Trigger Warnings
Some films, lectures, and discussion in this course may engage deeply with potentially sensitive or traumatizing material, such as:
• violence,
• sexual assault/rape,
• sexism,
• racism,
• police brutality,
• transphobia,
• homophobia,
• abuse,
• suicide,
• blood
• and body-shaming.
I will note especially graphic/intense content and will do my best to foster a classroom in which we can relate courageously, compassionately, and contemplatively with difficult and important content each week. If you would like more specific or personalized triggers identified throughout the course (especially ones that are not named above), please e-mail and I will do my level best to flag them. Films in “Content” will have triggers identified under “Description” of each film. If you believe the film may be potentially triggering to you, I will happily search for a replacement film for you to view and write about.
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