Winter Break Assignment (optional): Movie Review of Hugo or The Artist

Click here to view a guide for writing your (optional) Winter break assignment from the American Film Institute.

Remember: Make sure that the ticket stub is attached to your typed movie review.

Trailers
Hugo - Movie Trailers - iTunes
The Artist - Movie Trailers - iTunes

Tickets
ArcLight Cinemas - Hugo
ArcLight Cinemas - The Artist

The Umbrella Man

Period 2

Juniors,
Here is a new and very beautifully stylized short documentary by Errol Morris. Enjoy.


The Umbrella Man

- A. Manriquez

Avid Media Composer 6 Tutorials

MC 6 for FCP Users

In The Cut - The Dark Knight

Periods 3, 4, & 5

Today you're going to have a taste of deconstruction for the sake of understanding spatial continuity. If you have no idea what I just wrote, you will after this assignment.

Follow these directions CAREFULLY and IN ORDER.
1. CLICK this link
2. READ the article on the page (ignore the Comments section)
3. READ the script pages from The Dark Knight that the article references.
4. WATCH the second video clip on the page. It is the scene you just read. Enjoy the explosions.
5. WRITE a paragraph describing the scene you just watched. Does it match the script?
6. Now, WATCH the first video clip to see the deconstruction and analysis of the scene.
7. Lastly, in the same document as step 5, ANSWER the question: Do mismatches in spatial continuity ruin this scene, why or why not?

Note: Use your mymail account to complete this assignment in Google Docs. Don't forget to name the document (e.g., P3_Lastname_DarkKnight), and use a proper heading. If you forgot your mymail password, I feel bad for you, son.

Due at the end of the period on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

- A. Manriquez

Final Cut Pro X Tutorials (FREE!)

2nd, 3rd and 5th Periods

If you're looking to get ahead at learning Final Cut Pro X, take a look at the link below to watch some free tutorials that will do the trick.

http://www.izzyvideo.com/final-cut-pro-x-tutorial/

Enjoy!

- Manriquez

11th Grade NMA - Beat Sheets

Period 2

This Wednesday, November 9th, your documentary trailer outline or "beat sheet" is due.

Documentary Beat Sheet Considerations

• Who will you interview?
• What questions will be asked?
• What stylistic visual elements will be used? (color, composition, title design)
• Is there a single connecting element? (interviews, narration, title cards)
• What type(s) of music will be used?
• How will the story be divided into three acts?
• Other than interviews, what specific elements will be collected?

For reference, take a look at this blog entry from writer John August:
WTF is a beat sheet?

- Manriquez

11th Grade NMA - Doc Pitch Project - Graphic Organizer

Juniors!


Fill out this graphic organizer template and turn it in by emailing it to me by Friday at 10:23 a.m.


- Manriquez

Happy Halloween

Made by Sam Chavles

Framing Heights

Click here to download a printable PDF of the image below.

NMA Seniors: Summer Assignment

NMA Seniors (Yes, you're seniors now):

As I explained to you twice during the last week of school, you have a summer assignment.

To make sure you keep sharp on your filmmaking and storytelling skills, your assignment is to watch and summarize all 20 episodes of the 2 Reel Guys podcast.

Type up all your summaries in a Google Docs document and share it with me as soon as you get started. Each summary should be a few sentences, but no more than a paragraph.

If Norman & Larry publish any more episodes in the next two months, watch and summarize those ones too.

For most of you, a lot of these podcasts will cover material you are very familiar with. A good review never hurt anyone though. All new information you learn from these podcasts is essential for your success this school year.


BONUS ASSIGNMENT:
If you want to hit the ground running with our Avid Media Composer training this Fall, I urge you to start watching these official tutorials videos from Avid.


Have a great summer!

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Period 6

Since your projects are being shot on the Canon 5D Mark II, and you've had some hands-on time with it, you might be feeling the need to get more familiar with it when it's not in your hands.

So here's a 360 view with labels of all the buttons and dials so you can get better acquainted with it. And just because you're not the Cinematographer on a project, doesn't mean you shouldn't get to know the 5D. Have fun!

- A. Manriquez

Genre Study

Period 4:

Seniors,
As a supplement to viewing Part 1 of A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies, I'd like you to throughly read and explore the website linked below.

Film Genres

After doing so, please pick three genres, then three sub genres from each genre. Give a brief (like one sentence) description of each sub-genre, then list three examples of movies within each of the nine sub genres chosen. Make this list in a Google Docs document, shared to me.


This is due at 11: 59 p.m. TODAY.

Hint: This might be useful for the project assignment you will get tomorrow.

- A. Manriquez

The Interrogation

Periods 1 & 3:

Now that you know how to record dialogue on set and plan your shots using Celtx for an overhead schematic, it's time to put that knowledge to good use. Each group must shoot this interrogation scene where a detective named Walsh, questions a person named Farrow who may or may not be guilty of some crime. (The choice is yours!)

Production gear will be released to you as soon as your group complete the overhead schematic.

New editing techniques will also be used to cut this together, but that's next week. Enjoy!

- A. Manriquez

Dolly & Crane Training Videos & Manuals

Period 6

VIDEOS:
Click here watch Indie-Dolly's setup video.

Click here to go to Kessler's official training video page for the Kessler Crane. Make sure to watch and study all of them!

MANUALS:
Indie-Dolly Universal Dolly
Indie-Dolly Main Accessory Platform
Indie-Dolly Column
More information on Indie Dolly (Look at column on the right of page)

Kessler Crane KC-12 Manual
Kessler Crane Support Cables Manual

EL Student Interviewing Questions

Period 6

Click here for the interview questions for the EL Student project.

A. Manriquez

Interviewing Techniques

Periods 2, 4, &  6

Click here for the Interviewing Techniques we covered in class. Quiz to follow next week.

- A. Manriquez

How To Make A Great Documentary

Periods 2 and 4

For your mini doc and mockumentary projects, please read the linked article, then follow the directions below.

How To Make A Great Documentary

The article has five main points on what makes a great documentary. What are they and how do they relate to your project? This assignment is to be done individually, not by group. 1/2 page to 1 page shared through Google Docs. Due 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 10.


- A. Manriquez

Silent Movie Title Card Border

Periods 1 & 3

Click here for an example of a silent movie title card border.