FOUR-WEEK DIGITAL FILM SCHOOL


LOCATION DATES TUITION
ABU DHABI, UAE Sep 14, 2010
Jan 30, 2011
Apr 03, 2011
 $ 3,000* (USD)
*Additional Equipment Fee: $500. Students will also incur additional expenses on their own productions. This varies depending on how much film they shoot and scale of the projects.
In our Four-Week Film School, each student writes, shoots, directs, and edits 3 of his/her own films and crews on 9 others
DIGITAL FILM OVERVIEW
The Four-Week Digital Film School is offered starting on the first Monday of every month of the year at our filmmaking school in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Additionally, the Academy operates digital filmmaking programs at every one of our summer locations where students can choose between two sessions of 4-Week Digital Filmmaking.

Students in the 4-Week Digital Film at the Abu Dhabi Film School are taught the language of filmmaking and the director's craft as applied to the digital format. Instead of being handed a book, our students begin to learn how to write, shoot and edit their own projects from their very first day of class onwards. Aspects of mise-en-scene, visual storytelling, continuity-style coverage, documentary filmmaking, directing actors and writing visually will be essential to the director's palette. In select locations a special three-Week session is also available.

Hands-On Digital Camera and Lighting Classes will help students master the digital medium including white balance, shutter speed, focus, video latitude, gels, and filters.

Each student in the 4-Week Digital Filmmaking Workshop directs three projects of increasing complexity. For each of these projects, the student will have to go through the process of writing, producing, directing and editing. The first film, shot at the end of week one, focuses on the art of the shot; the second, shot at the end of week two, on continuity and the conventions of the film craft. The last of the projects, shot at the end of week three, can be a documentary or narrative film of up to 7 minutes with a soundtrack. In addition to their directing opportunities, filmmaking students rotate among the key crew positions (director of photography, assistant camera person, and gaffer/grip) on their classmates' projects, which will give them the greatest understanding of the functions of the various departments.

Week four of the digital filmmaking program is comprised of additional editing classes and post-production. All films will be shot on DV with Lowel lighting packages, and edited on Apple Final Cut Pro digital editing systems.
OBJECTIVES
PRODUCTION GOALS
  • Write, Direct, Digitally Edit three short films on digital video. The last of the three projects can be up to 7 minutes in length with a sound track.
  • Be Cinematographer, Gaffer, and Assistant Camera on your crew's films.
LEARNING GOALS
  • Explore and understand the art and technique of visual storytelling including directing, digital cinematography, editing.
CLASSES
DIRECTOR'S CRAFT

Director's Craft serves as the spine of the workshop, introducing students to the language and practice of filmmaking. Through a combination of hands-on exercises, screenings, and demonstrations, students learn the fundamental directing skills needed to create a succinct and moving film. This class prepares students for each of their film projects and is the venue for screening and critiquing their work throughout the course.


EDITING

This class covers the language of editing and the organization of film and sound material. Films are shot on 16mm film and edited digitally with Final Cut Pro on Apple computers. While students learn how to use the nonlinear editing software, the emphasis is on the craft of editing which challenges students to create cogent sequences that best serve
the story.


SOUND RECORDING WITH THE DV CAMERA

In Sound Recording class students will learn about the camera's sound settings, booming, setting levels and recording dialogue. This class will prepare digital video students to get quality production sound.


WRITING

The writing portion of the filmmaking course adheres to the philosophy that good directing cannot occur without a well-written script. The course is designed to build a fundamental understanding of dramatic structure which is essential to writing an engaging film. Arc, theme, character, tension, and conflict are thoroughly explored.



HANDS-ON CAMERA AND LIGHTING

Beginning on day one, this is a no-nonsense digital camera class in which students learn fundamental skills in the art of digital cinematography. Students will also use the Lowel VIP Lighting Kit and its accessories. In the first week, students shoot and screen tests for focus, exposure, lens perspective, contrast, and lighting and will be instructed on white balancing and shutter speed among other camera functions.