Chicago Filmmakers WINTER 2008 Classes

CHICAGO FILMMAKERS WINTER 2008 CLASSES

SCREENWRITING I
This course covers the fundamentals of writing a feature-length screenplay and is designed for beginning students and writers. Through screenings, outside readings, discussion, and critiques, students will engage with such issues as character development, dialogue, structure, and what to do with a finished screenplay. Students should use this course as a springboard towards generating the first draft of a feature-length screenplay.
8 weeks: January 21 - March 10
Mondays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 10 students

SCREENWRITING 2
This course is designed for students with a basic knowledge of the screenwriting craft and the elements of structure, form, theme, plot, action, and character. The class will allow the advanced student to move from story idea and character backgrounds and profiles towards plotting and structuring issues. Students will present writing to the class and instructor each week for feedback and critique. Students should have a screenplay underway in order to take the class.
8 weeks: January 20 - March 9
Sundays, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 5 students

PRODUCING
Pre-production and proper planning are essential to a successful project. This series of four seminars will cover some of the critical areas every filmmaker should have set before beginning a production. The four main topics, Budgeting, Scheduling, Grant Writing, and Legal Issues, will be covered in depth, one per week, by experts in the fields.
4 weeks, February 20 - March 12
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $180/$170 members

DIRECTING
This course will emphasize working with actors but will also cover other basic elements of directing. Topics covered include text analysis, characterization, casting, rehearsal, and performance. The approach will focus on the relationship between the director and the actor: building effective communication with actors, developing a sense of trust, recognizing unexpected strengths in an actor, understanding what actors are looking for from a director, etc. The role of the director and how the director relates to the film production process will be examined. Students will work in groups to plan the execution of a film scene with shooting scripts, floor plans, and storyboards; audition and cast actors and work with them in rehearsals; and shoot their scenes for evaluation.
8 weeks: January 12 - March 1
Saturdays, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuition: $475/$460 members
Limit: 12 students

DEVELOPING THE DOCUMENTARY
Discover the techniques and styles best suited for your documentary idea, then shape that idea into a work that can be funded and completed. This course will give you an overview of documentary forms and teach you how to research your project, write a treatment and synopsis, target interested funders, determine when to use film and when to use video, write a proposal, make a budget and prepare a shooting schedule. Screenings and possible guest lecturers will also be included. Students should come to class with a specific documentary idea they wish to develop.
6 weeks: January 8 - February 12
Mondays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $325/$310 members
Limit: 16 students

MOTION PICTURE CINEMATOGRAPHY
This is an introductory course in 16mm cinematography. Workshops will cover camera operation, negative and reversal film stock and format, the principles of exposure, light metering, depth of field, basic lighting for film, image composition, camera movement, the film lab and telecine transfer. 16mm cameras covered in the course include the Bolex Rex5, the Canon Scoopic, the CP-16, and the Arriflex S. Groups will work together and individually to film scenes of a larger, cinematic project that by the end of the course will be ready for editing into a finished, short film.
10 weeks: January 13 - March 16
Sundays, 2:00- 5:00 pm
Tuition: $700/$685 members
Limit: 12 students

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL CINEMA
This is an introductory course in narrative, digital video production. Digital video is rapidly becoming a tool of choice for many filmmakers and this class is designed to bring the beginning, aspiring filmmaker up to speed. This class will cover all of the basics you need to know, including a thorough introduction to the professional DV camera, important aspects of lighting, sound, shot composition, visual storytelling devices, working as a filmmaking crew, and editing. In-class demonstrations and exercises will allow students to work collaboratively on group projects as a digital cinema team. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy and ability to work with others.
10 weeks: January 9 - March 12
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $595/$580 members
Limit: 12 students

ADVANCED DIGITAL CINEMA
In this class students will be challenged to take their digital cinema skills to a higher level. This course will build on the basics from the introduction class, emphasizing pre-production planning, advanced videography, sound acquisition, editing skills, and finishing techniques. Students will write, shoot, and edit their own, short 2-6 minute final project. Prerequisite: Introduction to Digital Cinema or consent of the organization.
10 weeks: January 24 - March 27
Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $595/$580 members
Limit: 12 students

LIGHTING FOR FILM & VIDEO
This course addresses the issues involved in lighting for digital video. A number of approaches will be examined and students will participate in lighting and shooting a variety of situations in class. Classic lighting styles and the 3-point lighting philosophy will be discussed. Lessons will center on how to light with a minimum of equipment and time. Students will also learn basic care and safety issues when working with lights.
7 weeks: February 12 - March 25
Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $495/$480 members
Limit: 12 students

FINAL CUT PRO
This course will introduce students to Apple's Final Cut Pro 6 digital editing software for the Macintosh computer platform. The class will provide instruction on the complete process of digital editing from logging footage to mastering onto DV tape. Topics covered include basic editing, transitions, titling, sound, filter usage, and an intro to editing aesthetics. Students may sign up for 10 hours of additional practice time outside of class to familiarize themselves with the system. No previous film/video editing experience is required. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy.
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 6 students
SESSION I:
5 weeks: January 8 - February 5
Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
SESSION II:
5 sessions: March 3 - March 31
Mondays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

ADVANCED FINAL CUT PRO
This course will focus on the advanced special effects, compositing, and color correction features of Apple's Final Cut Pro 6 digital editing software for the Macintosh. Instruction and exercises will be provided, but the student will also be encouraged to experiment creatively. The special effects topics covered include advanced keyframing for transitions, filters, and motion control, compositing with video layering, matting, and keying. FCP's powerful color correction tools will be covered along with the software's built-in video scopes for calibrating final output. Students may sign up for 10 hours of additional practice time outside of class. Prerequisite: Final Cut Pro.
5 weeks: January 10 - February 7
Thursdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $395/$380 members
Limit: 6 students

DVD AUTHORING
This course will cover DVD Studio Pro and how to use this program to create professional-looking DVDs. From the basics of storyboarding the layout, preparing media, and creating menus to more advanced features like creating slideshows, chapter indexing, sound options, and more, this class will show you how to get the look and features you want.
4 weeks, January 14 - February 4
Mondays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tuition: $240/$230 members
Limit: 6 students

Enrollment in Chicago Filmmakers classes usually fills quickly, so we recommend that you register early. Member discounts on fees apply to members of the Co-op, not to general members. Membership in the Co-op is $50.00 per year. You may become a Co-op member at the time of enrollment to receive the member's discount.

To register by phone, call (773) 293-1447 with a Credit Card. To register by mail, download a registration form from www.chicagofilmmakers.org and mail to: Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640. Or stop by our office Monday-Friday, 10 am - 6 pm to register in person.

The full class fee is due at the time you register. Walk in enrollment on the first day of class is not permitted.

Refund Policy: Since classes have a strictly limited enrollment, withdrawal from a class must be at least two weeks prior to the start of the class to receive a full refund (minus a $25 processing fee). Withdrawals after the two-week mark will forfeit $50 of the class fee, with the balance refunded. There are NO refunds or credit given less than three business days before the first class.