TV PILOT: COMEDY & DRAMA
With the pilot as a focal point, this course explores the opportunities and challenges of telling and sustaining a serialized story over a protracted period of time with an emphasis on the creation, borne out of character, of the quintessential premise and the ongoing conflict, be it thematic or literal, behind a successful series.
Early in the semester, students may be required to present/pitch their series idea. During the subsequent weeks, students will learn the process of pitching, outlining, and writing a television pilot, that may include story breaking, beat-sheets or story outline, full outlines, and the execution of either a thirty-minute or hour-long teleplay. This seminar may include reading pages and giving notes based on the instructor but may also solely focus on the individual process of the writer.
Students may only enroll in one TV Writing workshop per semester.
- R 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
- R 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- F 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- R 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Benjamin Robbins
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Instructor:
Alice O'Neill
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Instructor:
Emily Hornsby
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Instructor:
Michele Palermo
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
CINEMATOGRAPHY
This course serves as a hands-on introduction to both the aesthetics and craft of cinematography geared for the non-cinematographer. The syllabus is designed to deepen students' understanding of the craft and develop the communication skills that enhance a filmmaker's collaboration with a Cinematographer.
VISUAL EXPERIENCES
The course seeks to bridge two intimately related studies that currently exist within the Film Program: 1. intensive academic analysis of filmmaking practices/principles and, 2. the practitioner’s creative/pragmatic application of those practices/principles in their own work. Students will study, through screenings, lectures and personal research, an overview of various directing forms/methodologies (conventional coverage, expressive directing, comedy directing, subjective directing, objective directing, multiple-protagonist narrative, etc.) with a primary focus on the Western classic narrative tradition. The visual grammar, axiomatic principles, structural necessities of a variety of directing forms/genres will be analyzed and compared with works of art from other disciplines (poetry, painting, sculpture, etc.) and cultures. The ultimate goal is student implementation of these principles in their own work, exposure to and examination of some works of the established canon, as well as a greater understanding of the context in which creation occurs.
- F 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Eric Mendelsohn
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
BUSINESS OF TELEVISION
Explores the different types of television and the ways in which producing is defined differently from theatrical narratives. Covers series television (both scripted and unscripted), made-for-TV movies, mini-series and other forms of television; the roles of the writer/producer, the show runner, and the director in different forms of television; how television is developed; and the implications of changing business models. Open to all SoA students.
- M 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Richard Perello
Info - 1.5 points
DIGITAL STORY TELLING II
- M 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Lance Weiler
CULPA: 1 Wikipedia Info - 3 points
World-Building and Unbuilding
What happens when we reject the classic hero’s journey in favor of new myths? From folktales to franchises, this course from the Digital Storytelling Lab will explore transportive worlds and the methods used to create them. Collectively, we will deconstruct the idea that World-Building is a private practice and instead, uplift the notion that it is a creative tool to strengthen stories and expand ideas. As Author and activist Clarice Lispector writes: “Creating isn't imagination, it's taking the great risk of grasping reality,” but what happens when we use World-Building to shift the systems that govern our reality?
Leveraging storytelling techniques of Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) and Role Playing Games (RPGs), we will collectively build a world that transcends the classroom and moves into the outside world, ultimately bringing participants together to tackle complex issues and redefine solo authorship as a collaborative space. This course culminates in the collective experience of each other’s worlds and the Alternate Reality experiences therein. There are no prerequisites for this course.
- R 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Char Simpson
Info - 3 points
ENTERTAINMENT LAW FILMMAKERS
- F 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Domenic Romano
Wikipedia Info - 1.5 points
FILM FESTIVALS:THEORY&PRACTICE
- M 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Mynette Louie
Wikipedia Info - 3 points
Tech Arts: Advanced Post Production
Tech Arts: Adv Post Produ
Tech Arts: Advanced Post Production covers advanced techniques for picture and sound editing and the post production workflow process. The goal of the course is to give you the capabilities to excel in the field of post production. We will focus extra attention to concepts and workflows related to long-form projects that can contain a team of technical artists across the post production pipeline. We will cover preparing for a long-form edit, digital script integration, color management and continuity, advanced trimming, and advanced finishing. The hands-on lessons and exercises will be conducted using the industry-standard Non-Linear Editing Systems, Avid Media Composer, and Davinci Resolve.
Each week’s class will consist of hands-on demonstrations and self-paced practice using content created by the students and provided by the program.
- R 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Michael J Cacioppo Belantara
Info - 1.5 points
INDEPENDENT PROJECTS
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Instructor:
Ronald Gregg
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Instructor:
Matthew R Fennell
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Instructor:
Jack Lechner
Info - 1-3 points
SCREENWRITING THESIS WORKSHOP
Screenwriting concentrates who are focusing on Screenwriting MUST take Screenwriting Thesis Workshop with their advisor at least once during Research Arts matriculation in order to graduate. Students may take this class with their advisor whenever it is offered. They should consult with their advisor if they are considering taking Thesis Workshop at the same time as Script Revision or TV Revision.
- T 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
- T 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
- T 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Andrew S Bienen
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Instructor:
Katherine Dieckmann
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Instructor:
Trey Ellis
Wikipedia Info - 0 points
SCREENWRITING THESIS WORKSHOP
Screenwriting concentrates who are focusing on Screenwriting MUST take Screenwriting Thesis Workshop with their advisor at least once during Research Arts matriculation in order to graduate. Students may take this class with their advisor whenever it is offered. They should consult with their advisor if they are considering taking Thesis Workshop at the same time as Script Revision or TV Revision.
- T 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Jamal Joseph
Info - 0 points
TV WRITING THESIS WORKSHOP
TV WRITING THESIS ADVISEMENT
- R 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Blair Singer
Info - 0 points
WORKSHOP IN SCRIPT REVISION
- T 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- R 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Galt V Niederhoffer
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Instructor:
Jeanne Donohoe
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TV REVISION
FILM AF 9120 TV Revision
The goal of TV Revision is to bring in a completed pilot and then completely revise it in one semester. Students will initially present their full scripts for feedback in class discussion, then map a plan for rewriting with their instructor. Deadlines throughout the semester will focus on delivery of revised pages.
The work can range from an intensive page 1 rewrite to focus on selected areas in a script. Reading of all scripts in the workshop and participation in class discussion is required.
There is an application process to select students for the class.
- W 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- M 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Courtney M Baron
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Instructor:
Matthew R Fennell
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DIRECTING THESIS ADVISEMENT
- W 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Ramin Bahrani
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Instructor:
Hilary Brougher
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Instructor:
Bette Gordon
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Instructor:
Tom Kalin
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Instructor:
Eric Mendelsohn
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Instructor:
Bogdan G Apetri
Info - 0 points
DIRECTING THESIS ADVISEMENT
- M 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Instructor:
Anocha Suwichakornpong
Wikipedia Info - 0 points
PRODUCING THESIS ADVISEMENT
- T 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
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Instructor:
Jack Lechner
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Instructor:
Mynette Louie
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Instructor:
Maureen A Ryan
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Writing for the Screen
A great TV series starts with a great pilot episode. You have one chance to intrigue an audience and stand out from hundreds of other series—599 were released in 2022, and that only includes the English language releases! This course will share the building blocks needed to write the next compelling series, starting with the pilot. Not all buyers want to read a finished pilot, but as the creator, you’ll need to know your pilot inside out and become an expert in your series’ genre if you want to sell it. This course will be a combination of pilot outlining and scene writing with an exploration of character and theme. All this through the lens of the marketplace and your authentic, lived experience—the magic combination for a winning series. We will workshop your outlines and scenes in class. Any assigned readings, screenings, and exercises will be focused as much as possible on inspiring material that relates to your pilot/series idea.
This course will support you if you want to write a full pilot script. However, the main objective is to finish the course having written a pilot outline and key scenes, as well as other material that's vital to a successful pilot and series such as character and season one breakdowns. You should come to the first class with at least two original logline/elevator pitches for series ideas to which you have a strong personal connection.
Existing ideas that you feel would benefit from this coursework are also welcome.
- T 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
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Instructor:
Jeremy A Robbins
Info - 0 points
FILM RESEARCH ARTS INTERNSHIP
Internship for Film Research Arts Students Only
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Instructor:
Hanna Seifu
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Instructor:
Jack Lechner
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Instructor:
Mynette Louie
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Instructor:
Maureen A Ryan
Info - 1-6 points