Framing Film

Thinking in Pictures

 

When the independent director/writer/editor John Sayles decided to write a book about the production process for his film, Matewan, he called it Thinking in Pictures.

The purpose of this assignment is twofold: you will become more familiar with aspects of film language, and you will create some of the concepts, images and words that lead to a film or video production.
You will need access to one 35mm, disposable or digital still camera for each group’s project.

Concept: for your project, follow this structure:

A meets B and uses C to get to D. for example, in a piece Caryn did many years ago a boy (A) wants to take his bike out, but it is locked up and he does not have the key. His mother (B) leans out the back door to give him his key (C) which allows him to unlock his bike (D) and go for a ride with his mother.

The Steps:
1. write a concept
2. pitch your concept to the class. Working in small (2-3 people) groups, choose a concept to produce
3. pre-production: scene outline, treatment, script and tentative storyboarding (drawing, stick figures, collage, etc), and budget.
4. shoot the piece as a series of stills, using a 35mm disposable or digital camera. Develop the shots.
5. mount shots on a board,and add text or dialogue underneath each shot as appropriate.
6. present your storyboard to the class. All materials documenting the steps in your project become part of your Portfolio.

Evaluation: Productions will be evaluated on concept, creativity, neatness, completeness, and collaboration.

Due Wednesday, May 11

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