Filmmaking

FACULTY

Kirk German, Screenwriting
Buckner Cooke, All Film Courses

PHILOSOPHY

Students examine current trends in the industry and explore their personal creative process as they learn film production from concept to product. In a very hands-on approach, turn your concept into a screenplay and your screenplay into a film. Filmmakers are given the tools and support to create films of their choosing based on the theme for the final showcase. Each student proposes a film concept for approval on the second day of camp. The first week is spent writing the screenplays and engaging in film training classes. Week two, filmmaking majors are assigned a job on each film and each director is given a cast (campers from other majors). Each filmmaking major has the opportunity to write, direct, assistant direct, be sound operator, be light operator, and be editor as the students play a different role on each film being produced. The third week is for editing. The films are integrated into the final showcase and the filmmaking majors perform in at least one piece in the showcase.

CURRICULUM

Filmmaking at TAP Camp is a very hands-on experience. Students spend most of their time with Buckner Cooke, who guides them through the process, techniques and enjoyment of creating films from scratch. He teaches them the techniques necessary to create solid material and gives them the freedom to be creative and innovative. Filmmaking majors do take non-major classes in voice, dance, acting and technical theatre.

Katie McDowell, Filmmaking Major 2006/07, was awarded the Berkeley Video and Film Festival Grand Festival Award for Young Producers, the highest possible honor for her submission. She received this award for her film The Substitute, a 7-minute short that she created at TAP. Katie travelled to Berkeley, California in order to make a brief acceptance speech and to attend the screening of her film.

Berkeley Video and Film Festival

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PRACTICAL FILMMAKING

Students explore the practical aspects of filmmaking including script, storyboard, direction, cinematography, sound and editing techniques.

PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT

A comprehensive introduction to basic film production techniques and equipment. Proper procedures are explained for the use of cameras, lenses, lights, microphones, editors, and other equipment.

DIRECTING

Introduction to the crafts of acting and directing for the film medium; with emphasis on the visualization of the screen play, the junction of the actor in interpreting the script, and the role of the director in handling actors in the production of a film.

SCREENWRITING

Turn your concept into a screenplay by exploring plot, character, scenes and dialogue. Emphasis is on character development as well as shaping and refining the story. Learn the basics of screenwriting as you develop your own work.

TECHNICAL DIRECTING

Addresses the basic problems of designing and directing scenes for motion pictures. Some of the problems discussed are the relationship of film to reality, the meaning of cinematic techniques, continuity, shot selection, cut selection and visualization techniques.

EDITING

Hands-on experience in the creative and mechanical aspects of editing. Students will learn the practice of editing using Final Cut Pro HD and Apple G5s

THE MOTION PICTURE GRIP

In this hands-on course, students will learn basic grip skills and operate equipment and tools used on location and the motion picture stage.

LIGHTING

Examines the tools and techniques of lighting. Classroom time includes lecture but is primarily devoted to hands-on lighting and shooting exercises.

SOUND

This is an historical, technical and aesthetic overview that covers microphones, location sound recording problems, microphone types and placement, transfer, ADR, Foley, sound effects, sound editing and mixing.

THE HISTORY OF FILM

History of the development of motion pictures, with examples, from their beginnings to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the American feature film. In addition to lectures on film history, fiction films from the silent era to the modern day will be screened and discussed.

SPECIALS

The Filmmaking Majors have the opportunity to take make-up classes with David Valdes. David is a master at make-up for the stage. Beginners take the basics while more advanced students learn old age and scarring methods. Guest artists may be brought in for special topics such as Stage Combat, Resume Creation, Film Acting, Film Producing, Film Casing, etc.

PRACTICUM

Once the films have been written, the Filmmaking Majors spend their time on location filming each movie, and then they go into the editing room to create the finished products.

SHOWCASE

The films are integrated into the final showcase. In addition to the films themselves, the filmmaking majors perform in at least one piece in the showcase.

BOARDING CAMPS

Senior Camp

Ages 13-18
Dates June 15 - July 5
General Tuition $2450
Filmmaking Tuition $2650
$500 deposit

Advanced Camp

Ages 15-18
Dates June 8 - July 5
Tuition $2850
$500 deposit

Junior Camp

Ages 9-12
Dates June 22-28, 2008
Tuition $1050
$200 Deposit

MEALS
Three meals a day are provided starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with lunch on Saturday.

DAY CAMPS

Youth Art Camp

Ages 5-10
Dates June 9-13
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $150
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $275
$100 Deposit

Ceramics Camp

Ages 12-17
Dates June 9-13
9am-12pm $150
$100 Deposit

Youth Musical Theatre Camp

Ages 5-10
Dates July 14-18
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $175
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $325
$100 Deposit

MEALS
Lunch is provided everyday for Full Day Campers and on Friday for all Musical Theatre Camp Participants.