Course

Unit I

Story – Script – Screenplay – Structure, Identification of story idea, theme, subject and genre, Character and Goal, Scene design, drafting process and the screenplay format, Importance of conflict, character development in films, Protagonist and Antagonist, Expansion and Compression of time and story, Writing dialogues, Using beat sheets to form scene flow, Introduction to screenplay writing software, Reading various screenplays of acclaimed films

Unit II

Who is a director? Responsibilities of a director, Reading, Understanding, Interpretation: The Script, Directors and actors, Directing the camera, Continuity, Camera Coverage, Mis-en-scene, Staging and blocking, Studying the auteurs and understanding their style, understanding emotional and technological aspect of Direction – Cinematography, Editing, Music and Role of continuity – Role Hierarchy, Role of Casting Director, Role of Art Director and Set Designer, Role of Action and Dance Director, Role of Music and sound Director, Role of Associate and Assistant Director

Unit III

Screen direction – Visual and Verbal concept of Visualization – Principles of Composition- Unity, Balance, Movement, Rhythm, Emphasis and Focal point, Contrast, Pattern, Proportions – Pictorial balance – Dynamic composition and its theory – Asymmetry, Dynamic subject, Diagonals, Dutch angle, Dynamic emotions, Golden triangle, Fibonacci spiral – Using Dynamic Composition – Curves to the Picture, Figure to ground, Variety of head height, Sitting versus Standing/ Direction of body, Depth.

Unit IV

Role of Producer and Production Management, Fundamentals of Production Organization-Action, Camera Viewpoint, Limitations/restriction, Understanding of Production Pressure, Production Tools and techniques, Characteristics of the medium (distorting space, proportions, scale, etc.), Shot size, Camera viewpoint, moving subject and/or the camera.

Unit V

Shooting Schedule- Breakdown of the scenes, Talent availability and requirement on the Set, Timeline, Cast, and Day breaks, Call Sheet, Scenes and shot details according to script, Reviewing the shooting plan using shooting schedule, Film Pre-Production, Production, Postproduction, Promotion and Marketing, Do’s and Don’ts for a Successful Shooting

Course Objective:

This course was designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in film direction and screenplay writing, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the field.

Course Outcomes (COs):

After completing the course, learners should be able to:

1. 1. Write screenplay/script for films and breaking them down them into shots, scenes and sequences.
   2. Direct actors and lead rest of the team while producing a film.
   3. Manage the film production and communication among different parties: audience and the crew.
   4. Depict shot division for a give scene or  sequences.
   5. Simulate the shoot in the pre-production, schedule and plan the shoot

CO – PO Mapping:

References:

1. Visual Storytelling: How to speak to your audience without saying a word by Morgan Sandler
2. On filmmaking by Alexander Mackendrick
3. The five C’s of Cinematography by Joseph Mascelli
4. Film directing shot by shot – visualizing from concept to screen by Steven Katz
5. The film director prepares by Myrl Schreibman
6. Story by Robert McKee
7. Save the cat! by Blake Snyder
8. Film Production Management by Bastian Cleve