Film References and Storytelling Reminders!

FILMS:

Luxo Jr.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-R4MobqW8E

http://www.pixar.com/short_films/Theatrical-Shorts/Luxo-Jr.

The Blue Umbrella:

http://vimeo.com/93015909

Review the formula for a movie's "Three Act Structure" at these links:http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThreeActStructure
http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm
http://scripteach.com/?page_id=223

Those wanting to research storytelling: Consider the following outline:

Storytelling elements:

• Inticing incident
• Plot Point 1
• Setbacks in act 2 (a minimum of 3)
• Plot Point 2
• Climax
• Denouement/Resolution
• A clear beginning, middle, and ending.

Within that outline, be sure to point out these major sections of questioning:

ACT 1: (25% of your film's runtime)

1. Who is(are) the protagonist(s)?
2. What is the setting of the film?
3. How does the film begin?
4. What is the inciting incident? (What triggers the main plot of the story?  What is the protagonist looking for?)
5. What is the major first plot point that moves the story into act II?

ACT 2: (50% of your film's runtime)

1. What setbacks does the protagonist face in Act II?
2. How does the protagonist deal with those major plot points?
3. What is the second major plot point that finally kicks the protagonist's butt in gear? What is the jumping off point for Act 3?

ACT 3: (25% of your film's runtime)

1. What is the climax of the film? Does the protagonist get what is wanted, what is needed, or something else entirely?
2. In the Denouement, how does the film relax itself back to a state of equilibrium? How is everything resolved?
3. How does the film end?

PARAMETERS for MAJOR PROJECT 2!

MAJOR PROJECT 2!  DESIGNING YOUR OWN SHORT FILM!

You are to create (alone, or with a group) a short film using inanimate objects as characters! These characters must move in ways that elicit human emotion from the characters, as well the audience!

GRADING PARAMETERS:  Your film must have the following at bare minimum:

• Full interplay between light, shadow, characters, and camerawork.
• Efficient texturing.  I will give a grade for the quality of each.
• Character requirements: The BARE MINIMUM of characters needed is 2.  One inanimate object that behaves like a person. And another inanimate object that behaves like a… well… inanimate object. You can add things like trinkets and accessories to your characters, but work smart!
• Storytelling quality! I need to feel emotions and reactions to the events at work!
• Teamwork and coordination! If you work in a team, make a copy of your production worksheet from earlier this semester and keep giving me updates every class of what you have created.
• You will not be required to create sound for this film, but if you are interested in including sound, we will create a smart timeline to add basic music or sound to your film in adobe premiere!

Schedule for classes:

October 28th:

Project Started! Film Discussion, Groups Assembled, Preproduction begins!

October 30th:   General story idea established by this date!  

November 4th:

 Story must be finalized by this date!

November 6th:

All keys and most in-betweens must be made! Use the weekend to finalize polish! Light, Shadow, and the like!

November 11th:

Film must be complete @ 4:20! And fully rendered out! ZERO EXCEPTIONS!

Production methods tips:

• Make a master scene! This project is dependent on all of you staying organized!  Use the master scene to import in objects made from different people!  
• As you get further in, you will need to reload textures into your work, so start making basic shaders first!  Have models made with basic shaders applied. And have different people put together different sections!
• Design a *smart project...* something that can be completed in two weeks, but also lets you do the cool things you’ve always wanted to do!

Assignment for Tuesday, October 21st!

Using the skills you developed in class! Please produce the following for monday!

A. Three (3) Scenes with exceptionally accurate lighting!

• One Interior Scene
• One Exterior Scene
• One Scene from a 3D animated film of your choice! (Lighting in this scene will be focused more on cinematography! Use a number of cubes to represent characters in the shot!)

Match the colors, materials, and lighting of those scenes!  If things are glass, do the best you can to create glass!  Do not add tons of extra textur  This assignment is about Layout, Composition, and Lighting!

B. When you are finished, produce 3 renders of your scene at HD1080 resolution! You will be graded on your layout and lighting accuracy!  We will look at these in addition to your videos for critique!

C. Have your video completed and ready to show in class! Have your snapshots of your scene assembled as well so you can showcase your scene in the round!

D. Turn your work into the RENDERED VIDEOS folder before class! I will check for work at 4:20! We will start critique at 4:30!

*** If you have not completed it, read The Cinematography of the Incredibles, Parts 1-3 in the post below this one!

Before critique starts, I'll show you how to reload your textures in case you ever need to work on alternate computers.

Assignment for Thursday, October 16th!

First, remember what is due on Friday by 5:00 PM!

10 rendered images:

5 rendered in Maya Software

5 rendered in Mental Ray

10 snapshots of your scene, using WIREFRAME ON SHADED.  This is so I can check edge loops! 

Your project folder, loaded on the server as well!

Due on Thursday:

Your 20-second rendered video! Remember there is a video demonstration in the server under DM310 > DEMONSTRATIONS.  The test file in the video is also located in there.

As a precursor to Thursday's class: read part 1, 2 and 3 of THE CINEMATOGRAPHY OF THE INCREDIBLES.  (click that name for the link!)

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

To look at a nice example sof rudimentary cinematography and shot choice, click these links!
3-Point Lighting

30 Basic Camera Shots
Review of 3-Point Lighting and basic camera shots!

A fun link for cinematographers offering their advice when shooting a live action film. This works great for 3D and 2D animation as well!