Spring at Tisch - Film & TV

Intro to Animation Techniques: FMTV-UT 41. 003 | 4 units

A beginning production course in which students learn the basic principles of animation, develop visual language, storytelling, observation, and communication skills. A freshman core production selection, but open to students at all levels. It is the prerequisite for several of the other animation and visual effects courses. Prior drawing experience is not necessary. The first half of the semester consists of weekly exercises in which students explore various styles and methods of animation including optical toys, stop motion, traditional drawn, and 2D digital animation. Students will be introduced to programs including Dragon Stop Motion, After Effects, Avid, Flash, and Photoshop. Various technical topics covered include aspect ratio, frame rates, storyboarding, editing animatics, scanning, working with image sequences, alpha channels, vector vs. raster art, compositing, rendering, using a Cintiq, and shooting stills with DSLR camera. During the second half of the semester students will complete a 15-30 second animated film with sound.

Storyboarding: FMTV-UT 1033. 003 | 3 units

Students will create a storyboard from an assigned literary property (i.e., fairy tales, folk tales, famous short stories, etc.) and research the chosen material visually in picture libraries, print and photo archives, museum/gallery libraries and online. From this basic research, the student will create and develop all the visual elements that lead to a final production storyboard; these elements include character model drawings; styling sketches for costumes and sets; experimental "inspirational" sketches exploring mood, color, and character relationships and experiments in animation and color test footage. Each week, students will “pitch," (i.e. present material) as it is being developed. Through weekly critiques from the instructor and students, elements and shape of the production storyboard is refined to its final form. The approved storyboard at the end of the semester should be ready to go into production, and must reflect character ,attitude, design, entertainment, mood, expressions, feeling and type of action. It must use dialogue, music/sound effects, and tell the story in the best possible way. 

Sight and Sound: Filmmaking: FMTV-UT 43. 002 | 6 units

Every student will conceive, produce, direct and edit five short projects (2 silent and 3 with sound) using digital filmmaking technology. Working in crews of three or four, students will produce a variety of specific assignments in visual storytelling that feature a broad spectrum of technical, aesthetic, craft and logistical problems to be solved. Collaborating with other students through rotating crew positions will be a central focus of all production work. Lectures, labs, critiques, technical seminars, screenings and written production books will be an important component of this class. All student work is screened and discussed in class.

Producing for Film: FMTV-UT 1095. 001 | 3 units

An examination of the creative, organizational, and managerial roles of the producer in narrative motion pictures. Topics include how a production company is formed, creating and obtaining properties, financing, budgeting, cost control, distribution. The course gives specific attention to the problems in these areas that will be faced by students as future professional directors, production managers, or writers. 

Sight and Sound: Studio: FMTV-UT 51. 002 | 6 units

The course provides an in-depth exploration of the creative capabilities (technical, logistical, aesthetic) of producing narrative-based studio production work in a multiple camera television studio environment. Students will be trained in working with actors and learning how to connect script and performance to the production of three short studio based projects (each of increasing complexity). Students will have the opportunity to develop a single idea into a full-scale production that will be produced “live” in the studio at the end of the semester. Some post-production is possible for the final project. Supplementing Sight & Sound: Studio will be the internal companion component, Rehearsal Techniques, where students will learn the theory and practice of directing actors for the screen. In addition, a series of in-depth lectures, demonstrations and studio exercises will further expose students to the ideas, principles and practices of producing compelling studio-based production work. The fundamental skills learned in this class (script, performance, lighting, camera, art direction, coverage) will serve as a foundation for all narrative, experimental, and documentary-based production work and will be applicable in all intermediate and advanced-level production classes. Note: some casting and rehearsals will need to be undertaken outside of class. 

Please note: Students should not schedule any other course on the same day as Sight & Sound. The Sight and Sound Studio class meets in their facility at Industry City in Brooklyn. 

Producing for TV: FMTV-UT 1028. 001 | 3 units

This course provides fundamental and practical instruction in the step-by-step realization of a television program. While productions will not be implemented through the class, students will individually serve as executive producers on projects of their own choosing, based on assignments by the instructor (based on student submissions which include news and cultural documentaries, performance and variety shows, and dramatic works). Student producers will engage in a detailed pre-production phase, which covers research, concept, format development, securing of rights and permissions, pitching to networks and studios, contracts and agreements, formation of the production plan, budget development, assembling staff and crew, identifying on-air talent, determining locations, photo and film archive research, refining the shooting schedule and budget plan. Analysis of why some projects succeed and others fail, an overview. 

Learn more about companion courses.