Film and Video Production Class (aka Media Arts) Philosophy- This class is being taught as a visual arts class. This means that the emphasis is put on creativity and visual communication of that creativity. Your work will be evaluated as a piece of art, not as entertainment. This does not mean that your art work can't be fun, but it does mean that it can't JUST be fun. It also has to be good. We will talk about what makes a good piece of film or video, what sorts of changes have been made in film in history, and we will learn to use the media of video to effectively tell a story and/or communicate ideas. Necessary Discipline Policy- This course allows a great deal of freedom. If you at any point prove yourself undeserving or incapable of handling that freedom, you will be removed from the class. NO EXCEPTIONS! In order for you to be able to make films, you will need to leave the room and be unsupervised in the hallway with your group. The following will be grounds for being dismissed from the class: 1. disturbing classes This includes popping your head in the doorway to say hi to a friend, doing a little dance outside the door to grab attention, or making loud noises in the hall outside of a classroom. 2. leaving school grounds You may leave the building with my permission, but you may not leave school grounds at anytime. 3. engage in illegal activities You will not only be excused from the class, you will be turned in to the police. 4. bring guns or other weapons, or anything that looks like a gun into the school building 5. taking school equipment off of school grounds without permission You must return the camera equipment immediately after use. This policy may seem harsh but this is a course for people who can operate independently. If you think that you wont be able to follow these rules, you may asked to be moved to another class. Supplies- 1 notebook, 2 Mini DV tapes a flashdrive (also known as memory stick or thumb drive) Other things that are helpful to have but not necessary- digital video camera tripod computer at home with imovie or other editing software digital still camera Camera Usage Policy- We currently have two broadcast level cameras that are available to check out for students who would like a higher level of visual picture, and are mature enough to handle the equipment responsibly. If you check out a camera, you will be responsible for replacing it should it be lost, broken, or stolen. The other cameras are available for check out at the library for a class period only. All equipment must be returned at the end of the class period. You must have a school ID to check out the cameras from the media center. If you decide that you would like to bring your camera from home, we will not be responsible for any loss or damage to the camera. Rated R Movies- We will be watching movies in class that may be rated R. If a movie is rated R we will probably only watch a portion of that movie. I will try to choose a less offensive portion of that movie, and will try to stick to movies that are rated G, PG or PG13. Unfortunately, many of the more important movies of the past few decades have been rated R, and I don't want to be completely restricted from using them. If you or your parents would like you to find an alternative assignment when watching these movies, please indicate that below.