Media & Communications

MC52007A Screen Fiction

Spring Term 2015

Module Convener:

Gerry McCulloch

g.mcculloch@gold.ac.uk

Module Tutor:

Mark Aitken

m.aitken@gold.ac.uk

Technical Adviser:

Stefan Zambinski s.zambinski@gold.ac.uk

MC52007A Screen Fiction - 2015

Introduction
This module aims to:

foster the development of interpersonal/ collaborative skills in team enterprises.

facilitate the practical and conceptual understanding of audio-visual storytelling

as a cinematic rather than a literary process.

devise and write short scripts, treatments and storyboards stemming from
dramatic storytelling.

develop an understanding of emotional subtext within dramatic structure and

performance with actors.

provide an introduction to the range of crafts associated with non-sync film

production while using digital cameras.

stimulate awareness of the specific characteristics of the short film format.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, each student should have:

gained the organisational, problem solving and collaborative skills appropriate

to film production.

developed the ability to recognise the essential elements which form the
construction of a screen story.

acquired a knowledge of the key aesthetic and critical issues relevant to the
production of non-sync narrative films.

acquired proficiency in the use of the technologies associated with non-sync

film production.

completed, as part of a small group, a non-sync film in digital format with nonsync sound.

completing a module log/ diary that depicts your learning methods, ideas,
1

research, lists of reading and viewing materials, influences, etc.

Learning Methods

Ten weekly sessions (Tuesdays: 10am-4pm) comprising of seminars,

workshops, exercises, screenings and directed reading.

Additional shooting, editing and facilities access.

Practical hands on learning of the crafts involved in filmmaking alongside

creative and critical development.

The 2nd year film module aims to encourage students to tell stories by using
cinematic rather than literary means - through the careful manipulation of the
staging of action, photographic composition, lighting, sound treatment and editing.
No dialogue should be employed to drive the narrative of the films produced.
The module will introduce students to fundamental processes of screen narrative
and each student will be encouraged to discover the essential elements which form
the construction of a story.
The module is organised around the production of 2 minute films in 4 teams of 4
students. After the first week of the module, no new students will be admitted
this is without exception.
Key Roles are:

Producer / Assistant Director

Director / Writer

Sound Recordist / Editor

Camera Operator / Lighting

We work to the principal of constraints inspiring creativity and decisiveness.

The following constraints are designed to encourage you to be both creative and
decisive in your storytelling:
2

Maximum film length of 2 minutes.

Camera file storage space limited to 20 minutes. This represents a shooting

ratio of 10:1.

Use of Black Magic digital cameras.

Use of digital sound recorders.

Use of a fixed focal length lenses - no zooming.

Record non-sync sound and build a soundtrack in editing.

No use of voiceover or on-screen text.

A maximum of 2 days to shoot.

A maximum of 3 days to edit (including sound mix).

Assessment
Assessment of learning outcomes is by:

Examination of the finished film project.

Examination of your contribution to the work produced, with particular
emphasis on your key production role. These reflections are written up in the
form of a Production Log.

Professionalism, collaborative abilities and punctuality are core requirements for

the module.

Script Development for the 3rd year

Towards the end of the 2nd year module all students will view four short films that
have been pre-selected as films to adapt for production in the 3rd year.
A discussion as to how the films might be adapted for the module given changes
of locations, budgets, cast etc. will follow.
Four writers will be selected by the class to write scripts based on the pre-selected
films over the summer holidays. The scripts will be presented to the entire group
3

on the first day of the 3rd year module. The writers will have first choice on
directing the ten minute films due for production early in 2016.

Production Logs
You will be required to hand in two copies of your log by April 2015. This is the
journal of your 2 min films. It should include notes, drawings, etc. and be
presented on A4 sheets. The reason why this is required is for you to reflect on
your work process. A good question to ask is what you are curious about each day
and then note how the module does or doesnt answer that question. The module
should be a process of discovery and this log is evidence of that.

The 3rd Year Film Module (MC53034A)

The 2nd year module is in many ways a preparation for the more ambitious
projects of the 3rd year which builds upon fundamental storytelling principles and
introduces more ambitious shooting strategies including sync dialogue techniques.
Four pre-selected short films will be adapted by the class for production next
Spring. Each student will be required to specialise in Key Filmmaking Roles at the
beginning of the 3rd Year module.
You will also be required to take on at least two of these roles.
Specialisms are:

Cinematography Camera/ Lighting/ Production Design

Editing/ Sound/ Sound Design

Producing/ Assistant Directing

Directing/ Writing

The whole of the Autumn term will be spent intensively training in the key
filmmaking areas, and in developing the films. Pre-production for the main shoots
4

will begin towards the end of the Autumn term.

The Spring term is devoted exclusively to producing four non-sync films.

Week by Week
Week 1

(Jan 13)

Introduction

Week 2

(Jan 20)

Scripts & Roles

Week 3

(Jan 27)

Sound & Camera

Week 4

(Feb 3)

Pre-production

Week 5

(Feb 10)

Camera & Lighting

Monitoring Week (Feb 1620)

Pre-production
Week 6

(Feb 24)

Shoots

Week 7

(Mar 4)

Scriptwriting

Week 8

(Mar 10)

Editing

Week 9

(Mar 17)

Editing

Week 10

(Mar 24)

Screening

Week 1 - Introduction
Tue 13 Jan PSH Seminar 117
Seminars
Introduction to the module. Laying out a clear framework for this year and
next years screen drama module. Overview of the module structure and its
requirements: Attendance, Access & Bookings, Safety issues, Reading &
Research, Tutorials, Deadlines, Production notes, Module evaluation,
Assessment criteria.
Specifics of the module group dynamics, collaboration, adapting films,
auteurs, they submit work for examples.
Establishing knowledge of film from the group. Protagonist/ Antagonist, etc.
Screen Storytelling. What makes a good short film?
Story points, short film narrative, visual narrative, experimentation, using the
limitations of the non-sync format as an advantage.
Imaginative locations.
Introduction to the Black Magic camera by Nigel Smith.
Plan the pitching session for next week.
Assignments
Generate Story Ideas for week 2.
Involvement in 3rd Year Shoots.

Week 2 - Scripts & Roles

Tue 20 Jan PSH Seminar 117
Seminars
Pitching scripts to the class and democratic Script Selection by voting.
Q & A session following pitching session.
Selection of scripts for production.
Allocation of groups and Key Production Roles. Hand-out role descriptions.
Begin Pre-production. Overview of the Film Production Process / Crewing /
Shooting Procedures / 180 degree rule / Script Breakdown / Storyboarding /
Casting / Rehearsal / Locations / process of Synopsis to first draft to further
drafts
Assignments
Script development writing the synopsis and treatment.
Pre-production - Group Production Meetings.
rd
Involvement in 3 Year Shoots.

Week 3 - Sound & Camera

Tue 20 Jan

PSH Seminar 117 (Mark) / Studio (Nigel)

Seminar
Two groups with Nigel and two with Mark in the morning, then swap round.
Camera and sound demo with Nigel.
Synopsis and treatment presentations with Mark.
Pre-production (with Mark): Storyboarding / Casting / Rehearsal / Locations /
etc. Learning how to plan a film shoot in detail.
Learning how to break the script down into shots and scenes. Gaining an
understanding of the procedures necessary for the efficient running of a shoot.
Workshops (with Nigel)

Introduction to non-sync Sound Recording on a digital recorder.

Introduction to Cinematography on the Black Magic.

Assignment
First draft of script.
Involvement in 3rd Year Shoots.
Group Production Meetings.

Week 4 Pre-production
Tue 3 Feb PSH Seminar 117 (Mark) / Studio (Nigel)
Seminars/ Workshops

Two groups with Nigel and two with Mark in the morning and then swap round.

Camera and lighting workshop and exercises with Nigel and booking equipment
out with Nigel for practice.

Presentation and discussion of First Drafts. Next deadline is set.

Script development with actors.

Casting contacts students are required to approach actors to work on the

films and attend a workshop on the module.

Week 5 - Camera & Lighting

Tue 10 Feb - PSH Seminar 117 (Mark) / Screen 3 (Nigel)
Workshops
Two groups with Nigel and two with Mark in the morning, then swap round.
Review camera exercise and grading workshop with Nigel and booking
7

equipment out with Nigel for practice.

Presentation and discussion of Second Drafts. Next deadline is set.
Improv script development with actors (if available).
Storyboard Meetings.
Casting and auditions.
Locations, permissions, fees.
Pre-production: Preparations for shooting, schedules, script breakdown, shot
lists, etc.

Assignments
Pre-production - Group Production Meetings.

Monitoring Week
1620 Feb
Assignments
Group Production Meetings. Final Pre-production for Shoots.

Week 6 - Shoots
Tue 24/ Wed 25 Feb

Two day shoot.

Mark is available on Tuesday

Week 7 Editing/ Screenwriting

Tue 3 Mar PSH Seminar 117
Seminars
Return Equipment & Exposed Stock. Dealing with the Lab.
Editing demonstrations on structures and styles
View 4 short films for adapting in year 3 and discuss.
Screenwriting - Introduction to the Media & Communications Year 3.
Introduction to the fundamental processes of screen narration. Recognition of
the essential elements which form the construction of a screen story.
Screening of two ten minute shorts and discussion about adaptation.
Discussion about module logs.
Assignment
Log rushes for editing in week 8.
8

Preparations for Editing/ Editing Schedule.

Week 8 - Editing
Tue 10 Mar Edit Suite (Nigel & Mark)
Seminar/ Workshops
Avid Editing refresher with Nigel. Importing and organizing rushes.
Gaining an understanding of the craft of Editing within filmmaking as a whole to
inform the process of directing a scene/ to inform all the other filmmaking craft
areas.
Practical info on assembly through to fine cut and sound editing.
Assignment
Continue Editing on non-module days.

Week 9 - Editing
Tue 17 Mar Edit Suite (Nigel & Mark)
Seminar
Viewing of rough cut and discussion.
Discussion on scripts for the competition and 3rd Year module.
Plan set for invitation of audience for afternoon screenings next week.
Assignment
Continue Editing on non-module days.

Week 10 - Screening
Tue 24 Mar PSH Seminar 117
Seminar
Screening of the 2 minute film productions screening one in the morning
with film makers and screening two in the afternoon with an invited audience.
Consolidation of knowledge gained in completing a Film Production
Evaluation of the relationship between the original idea, the production process
and the realisation of the finished film.
Preparations for the 3rd Year Film Module.

Bibliography
Locations are given for books which are held in the library.
Titles marked * are available in Gerry and Nigels office for reference but are not to
be taken away.
Bold titles are very highly recommended.
Film Language & Aesthetics
*Bordwell & Thomson Film Art, an Introduction 1995
*Monaco, James
How to Read a Film
2000

791.4301
791.4 MON

Scriptwriting
Dancyger & Rush
*McKee, Robert
*Field, Syd

Alternative Scriptwriting

Story
Screenplay

1995
1998
1994

791.432 DAN
791.432 MCKE
791.432 FIE

1991
1997
1991

791.4302
791.4302 RAB
791.4302 KAT

Directing
*Mamet, David On Directing Film
*Rabiger, Michael
Directing
*Katz, Steven
Film Directing, Shot by Shot
Production
Bernstein, Steven
*Rea & Irving
Oversize
*Jones & Jolliffe

Film Production
1994
Producing & Directing the Short Film
1995
The Guerilla Filmmakers Handbook

791.4302 BER
& Video
791.45029 REA
2000

Sound
*Thom, Randy Audiocraft
*Alkin, Glyn Sound Techniques for Video and TV
*Alkin, Glyn Sound Recording & Reproduction

1989
1989
1989

791.4:621.38416
791.45025
791.45025

10

Editing
Murch, Walter
Dmytryk, Edward
*Kauffmann, Sam

In the Blink of an Eye

On Film Editing
Avid Editing

1995
1984
2000

778.535 MUR
778.535 DMY

Cinematography
Bernstein, Steven
*Millerson, Gerald
*Malkiewicz, Kris
Pincus & Ascher
*Malkiewicz, Kris

Film Production
1994
791.4302 BER
The Technique of Lighting for Television & Film
1991
778.5 MIL
Cinematography
1973
778.5 MAL
Filmmakers Handbook
1984
778.5 PIN
Film Lighting
1986
778.5343 MAL

Useful Websites
Depict.org
Filmlondon.org.uk
Castingcallpro.com
Spotlight.com
Castnet
Sylvia Young Drama School 0207 402 0673
Shooting people

11