| Open Enrollment - Non-credit or College Credit
| Certificate Program Requirement
SUMMER 2008 CORE CLASSES
LAUNCHING YOUR SCREENWRITING CAREER
TUESDAYS, JUN 24-AUG 5, 6:30-9:30PM
Randall Johnson Many of the factors that determine the length, vitality and relevance of a writer's (and director's) career have little to do with script content or quality. The successful screenwriter must understand the common business practices of the field, be able to set realistic goals, and sustain themselves in times of chaos. This class examines the day-to-day life of professional screenwriters and offers practical tips, techniques, and hard information for those considering an entry into the pro arena. Topics include: getting an agent, the agent-client relationship, the importance of "face time," pitching projects, anatomy of The Big Deal (options, sales, assignments), attorneys and contract language, working with prickly personalities including producers, directors and stars, riding the emotional highs and lows, how to avoid being a one-hit wonder, and, last but not least, maintaining the long-distance Portland-LA romance. No pre-requisites though completion of SCREENWRITING or general knowledge of screenplay structure is highly recommended.
7 SESSIONS TUITION: $495
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MEDIA ARTS ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS DOCUMENTARY ARTS ACADEMY
Monday-Friday, June 23-27, 9 AM-4 PM + Open Lab
Learn to plan, shoot and edit films about interesting people or timely social issues. Help your students bring their ideas to life through fun and engaging processes which integrate visual arts, writing, oral presentation and technology. This hands-on week-long professional development institute is open to K-12 educators from all grade levels and endorsement areas. No previous experience or artistic ability is necessary, and all equipment is provided. Available for 4 undergraduate or graduate credits in cooperation with the Portland State University Department of English.
Documentaries vastly range in style and form. From controlled and premeditated, spontaneous and unpredictable, lyrical and impressionistic, starkly observational, or some combination of each, at the heart the genre is the creative treatment of reality. In this hands-on workshop, teachers will learn to plan and implement documentary projects from start to finish, setting realistic timelines and goals for students, and practicing appropriate techniques for audio and video recording, lighting and editing. Participants will work in small groups to make a 3-6 minute portrait that explores a person, place or concept with the intent of revealing its essence through creative interpretation. In addition to gathering footage in the field, teams will have access to free online found footage for additional source material. During post production, groups will build up to six audio tracks incorporating narration, dialogue, music and soundscapes, and create credits and titles to professional standards. Available for 4 undergraduate or graduate credits in cooperation with Portland State University's Center for Excellence in Writing, Department of English. Enrollment Limit: 16
Click here for the Registration form.
5 SESSIONS TUITION: $325 $275 for two from the same school. PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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MEDIA ARTS ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS ANIMATION ARTS ACADEMY
Monday-Friday, Aug 11-15, 9 AM-3PM + Open Lab
Learn to create 2D or 3D animated stories with images and narration. Help your students bring their ideas to life through fun and engaging processes which integrate visual arts, writing, oral presentation and technology. This hands-on week-long professional development institute is open to K-12 educators from all grade levels and endorsement areas. No previous experience or artistic ability is necessary, and all equipment is provided. Available for 4 undergraduate or graduate credits in cooperation with the Portland State University Department of English.
Help your students bring their ideas to life. Thanks to inexpensive animation software, young people of all grade levels and abilities can creatively manipulate drawings or objects to illustrate concepts in science, health, math and other subjects, or to create two- or three-dimensional short animated stories (fiction or non-fiction) with images and narration uniquely their own. In this hands-on workshop, teachers will learn to plan and implement animation projects from start to finish, setting realistic timelines and goals for students, and drawing upon a basic computer and video camera. Participants will make their own short animated films, learning about storyboarding and set design, character development, how movement is created and recorded frame by frame, adding sound and narration, editing and file management. The workshop will also provide an overview of the history of animation and screen the work of noteworthy Northwest animators and K-12 students. Available for 4 undergraduate or graduate credits in cooperation with Portland State University's Center for Excellence in Writing, Department of English. Enrollment Limit: 16.
Click here for the Registration form.
5 SESSIONS TUITION: $325 $275 for two from the same school. PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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Intro to Digital Video COURSE #100
SECTION 1: THURSDAYS, JUN 26-JULY 31, 6:30-9:30PM SECTION 2: MONDAYS JUL 21-AUG 25, 6:30-9:30PM
Andrew Blubaugh Interested in digital video production but don't
have the time to take a semester-long course, or just want a brief
introduction so you can then do it yourself? Learn the basics of DV
planning, shooting and editing, from storyboarding, scripting and
camera technique, to post production using Final Cut Pro editing
software in the Film Center's digital editing lab. Everything you
need is provided: scripts you can practice with, camera and editing
equipment for use in class, and other classmates who will crew with
you to project completion. The pace will be fast as the basics are
laid out in sequence, and projects progress from week to week.
Outside time is not required, as projects can be completed during
class meeting time, though participants are welcome to rent equipment
from the Equipment Room between class meetings if they desire.
Review and critique will take place along the way. Gain the
confidence to proceed on your own project once the course ends. Open
to all; no previous experience required. In-class equipment use
provided through Equipment/Lab fee.
6 SESSIONS TUITION: $365 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $55 Lab fee does not include camera rental. PSU CREDIT FEE: $90 (OPTIONAL)
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The Art of Filmmaking COURSE #101
WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 25-AUG 27, 6:30-9:30 PM
Bushra Azzouz This foundation course, a comprehensive introduction to film production and basic film analysis, uses the Super-8mm format to examine the aesthetic properties of light, movement and time as they relate to the art of filmmaking. Students will also achieve a working knowledge of the nonsync film production process by producing an original short film either individually or in a group, and they will be encouraged to develop their own artistic vision of the subjects they wish to pursue. Basic camera operation and shooting technique will be examined, as will basic principles of editing. In-class screenings, discussion and critiques will support each stage of production activity. Students should expect to spend outside time on their film production. Equipment provided through equipment/lab fee. Film, processing and minor supplies are a student responsibility. Textbook ($12) required. 
10 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $195 PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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DOCUMENTARY VIDEO PRODUCTION COURSE #115
THURSDAYS, JUN 26-AUG 28, 6:30-9:30PM
Bushra Azzouz This hands-on class for beginning or intermediate videomakers investigates different methodologies in documentary practice by exploring a single subject through different concepts. While working on a common project, each student or team of students will be responsible for a segment of the documentary from research and development through practical, aesthetic and ethical concerns during production and creative choices in editing. Using broadcast and consumer digital video, the course emphasizes documentary production as a process of discovery, experimentation and collaboration between subject and filmmaker. Outside class time is required for research, shooting and editing. Basic equipment provided through equipment/lab fee. Previous production experience recommended. 
11 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $195 PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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Shooting Digital Video COURSE #117
TUESDAYS, JUN 24-AUG 26 + ONE SESSION TBA
Bushra Azzouz Your digital video camera is a powerful tool of artistic expression! This camera-in-hand course explores the fundamentals of digital video camera operation and encourages the beginning mediamaker to look/see with fresh eyes. For those interested in short dramas, documentaries or the experimental genre, this class investigates the creative possibilities of composition, light, motion, color and sound in creating the vision of a film, as well as the necessary technical knowledge for recording effective visuals and sounds. Learn to visualize using digital storyboards and experiment with different shooting styles and ways of storytelling. Class also clarifies what various camera features do, outlines pre-production processes (including location scouting) and introduces basic digital editing software. Access to a video camera is required. Bring your own or rent one from the Equipment Room for an additional charge. Open to all; no production experience required. Videotape is a student responsibility. 
11 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $95 Lab fee does not include camera rental. PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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Screenwriting COURSE #151
MONDAYS, JUN 23-AUG 25, 7-10:30PM + ONE SESSION TBA
Roger Margolis This introductory course will explore the art and business of screenwriting, acquainting students with various markets and the techniques necessary to produce professional quality dramas for film and television. Emphasis will be on character development, story construction, dialogue, conflict and resolution. Students will turn in work to be critiqued by classmates and the instructor. Enrollment is limited; please register early. Textbooks ($25) required. 
11 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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Digital Video Editing COURSE #171
WEDNESDAYS, JUN 25-AUG 29, 6:30-9:30PM
Enie Vaisburd A hands-on introductory class in which students develop basic off-line video editing skills. Insert and assemble editing techniques, audio tracks, continuity development, rhythm and pacing, matched action cutting, montage techniques, pre-planning/organization and other topics will be covered. Multiple editing exercises will center on cutting to dialogue, to music and developing creative ways of relating images to sound. Hands-on demonstrations and critiques are central to the learning experience and will occur throughout the term. Editing time outside of class is required and can be reserved to fit a variety of schedules. Previous completion of THE ART OF FILMMAKING is highly recommended. 
10 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $195 PSU CREDIT FEE: $180 (OPTIONAL)
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Directing Intensive: Make a Short Film in 3 Days COURSE #262
FRIDAY, JUN 13, 8AM-6PM; SATURDAY, JUN 14, 8AM-6PM; SUNDAY, JUN 15, 8AM-8PM
Randy Sellers Everything you need to direct your own short film in three days is provided: script, cast, crew and equipment. Participants will apply the techniques of master cinema directors using digital video equipment and experienced actors as production unfolds from planning to final edit:
DAY ONE: Learn basic DV camera and sound techniques, how to break down a script, to interpret scenes visually by creative actor/camera blocking, and to cover a scene for optimal editorial options.
Day Two: Block, direct and shoot a script with actors and crew. Operate the camera and supervise audio for other class directors.
Day Three: Supervise the editing of your film on Final Cut Pro with the assistance of experienced editors.
The class culminates in a final screening on Sunday to critique class work. No prerequisites. Equipment provided through Equipment/Lab Fee, which includes one copy of completed class films on VHS video.
3 SESSIONS TUITION: $565 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $175 PSU CREDIT FEE: $135 (OPTIONAL)
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ADVANCED DIGITAL EDITING: DOCUMENTARY EMPHASIS COURSE #371
MONDAYS, JUN 23-AUG 25, 6:30-9:30PM
Enie Vaisburd This intermediate level course exposes participants to the techniques of documentary editing and provides the extended hands-on opportunity to develop deeper digital editing skills using Final Cut Pro software. Participants will organize, rough cut and fine cut a documentary piece of extended length from footage provided by the Film Center. Interacting with the director of the work, students will play the roles of assistant editor and editor, discussing aesthetic choices and style extensively. The storytelling role of the editor and professional approaches to problem-solving will be emphasized throughout. Significant outside class time is required. Equipment is provided through equipment/lab fee. Enrollment priority will be given to those who have successfully completed DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING.
10 SESSIONS TUITION: $695 | EQUIPMENT/LAB FEE: $195
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