http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss pattersone@uncw.edu © Eric Patterson, Ph.D. Mon, 04 Apr 2005 18:01:32 -0400 Mon, 04 Apr 2005 18:01:35 -0400 iBlog 1.4.1 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E979114779/index.html Please plan to start right away at 5 p.m. tomorrow! Bring some cash for order-out, and also bring money for stock if you haven't paid, yet, please. ]]> Mon, 04 Apr 2005 18:01:26 -0400 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E979114779/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E382555397/index.html As we mentioned in class, there will be no formal meeting on Tuesday. Take the time to make sure you've finished the reading on the schedule. (There will be a quiz the next class on the latest couple chapters). Also, make sure you shoot your Super-8, have Project 4 good-to-go, and have a pitch to present for your final project.
For the final project, shoot for a 3-5 minute short that fits the 3-act structure. Spend some time brainstorming for good characters that have clear motivations, a catalyst that goes against your main character's motivation to create an interesting conflict, a few specific obstacles to elevate that conflict, and an interesting resolution. For a short project, it's always good to consider a twist on your audience's expectations, too. Bring the ideas, and we'll discuss what you've got.
Also, try to reserve April 1st as the tentative date for the 16mm shoot and be prepared to choose positions for the production. ]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:12:34 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E382555397/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E708922015/index.html I'm sure you'll have no problem doing something fun that requires absolutely no thought about 201 or any of your other classes ;-) Maybe it will be something that will inspire a film project later! Be safe, though, and see you back in class. ]]> Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:19:27 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E708922015/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1825666999/index.html The Super-8 stock is here. I've got it in the fridge in my office, so feel free to coordinate with me to pick it up for your shoot. I won't be around during break but will be back on Monday the 7th.
You'll have to coordinate with Tony Creech to check-out one of the Super-8 cameras and a tripod. You should consider grabbing a reflector kit with diffusion, too. Once again, make sure you lock those tripods down securely and guard the cameras very carefully!
(Everyone should plan to bring $35 for the total stock budget by the 15th of March, please.) ]]> Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:17:56 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1825666999/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1362189958/index.html There's a new schedule posted! Some of the changes:
- Project 4 pre-production and project pushed back a week. We'll talk about this more on Tuesday after break.
- Change in possible dates for Super-8 and 16mm shoots. ]]> Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:14:21 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1362189958/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C1625145304/E2106024630/index.html Here is a written description for project 3 with more details. ]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:37:00 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C1625145304/E2106024630/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E572295509/index.html Don't forget about the test -- covering readings so far (Ch 1-5, and part of Ch 9 as in schedule) and material from class meetings.
We'll also workshop Project #3 storyboards and talk about a few more things to incorporate.
Bring your Super-8 story ideas as well. We'll discuss them and plan some more. ]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2005 09:50:23 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E572295509/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1408066657/index.html Here is the .pdf file for the script that will be used with projects 2, 3, and 4. ]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2005 14:02:45 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1408066657/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E850273871/index.html A schedule document has been posted. It will be revised more soon but should give you a close idea at this point of the general plan for the semester. ]]> Tue, 25 Jan 2005 13:16:51 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E850273871/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C2051019646/E334369148/index.html For this week, read Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 through page 47. These chapters introduce a lot of terms for "film grammar" and the general construction of a scene. As you read it, pay particular attention to how each framing, angle, and type of shot can be used as a dramatic tool to give more information. With the techniques for composition we've already discussed and these as well, you'll have a lot of power to reinforce or even imply additional or different meaning in your projects apart from just what's spoken or shown on the characters' faces.
There will be a brief quiz as usual, and it will focus on some of the main terms and some of the book examples on how proxemics, angle, etc. have been used in film. ]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2005 10:37:05 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C2051019646/E334369148/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C1036557222/E426549525/index.html Several parts:
1) Pay your $20 insurance! You'll be stuck shooting in Leutze Hall all semester if you don't!
2) Complete a brief (one page or so, typed) essay about yourself, either autobiographic and/or describing an interest or interests that you have. Take and include a photographic self-portrait that relates to your theme. Attempt to be "cinematic" with your effort. Include the specifics of the camera, exposure, and media (type of film or digital file) used. Bring this to class Tuesday or email me before class Tuesday with an electronic form of your work. (Write FST201 HOMEWORK and your name in the subject line, please.)
3) Think of a few films as well as stories from other media that you think fit a "three-act" structure, and be prepared to discuss these in classes. Also be brainstorming for ideas of your own.
4) Be prepared to finalize groups for the semester, choose meeting times, and exchange information.
5) Be thinking about ideas for "The Picture Tells the Story," your first project. It will entail composing a single shot that reveals or implies as many elements of a well-constructed story as you can in this sole shot. ]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2005 21:33:07 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C1036557222/E426549525/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C2051019646/E599533410/index.html Read Chapter 1 on starting the process. There's not a lot of in-depth information, so don't worry about memorizing too much, but do try to learn the terms in italics and also pay attention to the general process it talks about and the different ways of making a production, such as "shooting on film, editing on video, and finishing on film."
Also, read pages 184-194 from Chapter 9 on composition. This will help you get into a mindset of planning and decisively framing every single shot you do this semester and from now on! It will also help with the first project "The Picture Tells the Story" which will be due in two weeks, and next week's quiz will focus on this composition material as well. ]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2005 21:14:58 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C2051019646/E599533410/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1648495227/index.html Unfortunately, I have to be out-of-town on Tuesday. I'm sure that you'll be excited to know, though, that we will still have class, of course! ;-) Since you're most likely reading this after class has begun, you'll already know that, though.
Plan to briefly cover the gist of the course and syllabus. There is no schedule posted on the web, yet, but I hope to post one very soon and keep this blog updated as well, so check back often.
Also, enjoy "Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography." It's a great documentary with a lot of useful info and history. There will be several bonus questions on next week's quiz about the highlights of it. The rest of the quiz will be on your first reading. That and your homework will be posted here which I will try to do throughout the semester. ]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2005 21:03:30 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1648495227/index.html http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1242578855/index.html Greetings, everyone, and welcome back to a new semester! Things appear to be up and running with the course website. I've included a place to put resources for the class and also eventually link class projects for everyone to enjoy. I'll use this "blog" (aren't we trendy?) to place general announcements, somewhat related ramblings, and information about class assignments and quizzes, of course.

For the true geeks, you can even subscribe to an rss feed -- get your class updates on your newsreader or mobile device, even ;-)

Please let me know if you find any broken links, etc. Suggestions are always welcome about the course and web pages in general, too. ]]> Mon, 10 Jan 2005 12:35:45 -0500 http://people.uncw.edu/pattersone/201/201blog/C707957498/E1242578855/index.html