Music Video Production (V318) 4 Credit Hours Winter 2015 Course Description: Workshop for three-minute music videos, from conception to final product. Students write their own scripts, prepare schedules and budgets, recruit cast and crew, produce, direct and shoot their spots, and post produce as well – editing, SFX, music, dubbing, etc. Course Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Express artistically the film type known as the music video. Conceptualize a music video. Prep, shoot, and post a music video. Demonstrate the relationship of music to the visual art of film. Critique music videos with a legitimate grounding.

Assignments & Evaluation: Each student will make a three-minute (approximately) music video that must be at least partially made on-campus during class time. Therefore, at least one segment of the music video (e.g. the performance portion) must be shot on-campus under the supervision of the instructor. The remainder of the music video can be shot off-campus or on-campus outside of class time provided the student obeys all the rules regarding equipment use of the College and all safety procedures. You will be evaluated on your pitch and concept for your music video, your presentation package designed to sell the concept, your shot list and the execution of the music video itself. Your shot list should demonstrate creative flair and practical know-how. It should be a good plan for the on-set shooting of your music video. Your presentation package includes a cogent director’s statement as well as storyboards and proof of concept footage. The execution of your music video will include the demonstration of the use of the techniques demonstrated and discussed in class. You will also be evaluated on how your controlled you set including if you worked well with your crew. 1

You are also expected to be an enthusiastic crew member for the music video production of your peers. In addition, depending on the size of the class, we might make a class video where everyone participates either as director, crew, and actors. Students who made their music videos towards the end of the quarter will be allowed some dispensation regarding the time frame – and they will be allowed to screen rough cuts – provided they supply a finished video to the instructor in time for grading. (The instructor must hand in grades by no later than the first day of the subsequent quarter.)

Grade Values: Participation in Class Discussions: Participation in Assigned Work (Crewing) Quality of the Pitch/Concept Presentation Package Shot List Execution of the Music Video Attendance

10% 15% 10% 10% 10% 40% 5%

Class Policies: -

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You are expected to arrive BEFORE class starts. After 7 pm you will be considered tardy. Please remember that if you are late or absent when doing an assignment you will unfairly affecting the rest of your team, particularly the director of that assignment You are not allowed to wear open-toed shoes in the classroom/ studio area Behavior and language should be workplace-appropriate Missed classes or late assignments cannot be made up without PRIOR consent of the instructor ALL electronic devices should be switched OFF in the classroom. Special permission may be granted by the instructor Please inform the instructor ahead of time if you are going to be late or absent from class. This is especially important if we are filming an assignment.

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Applied Hours: In order to fulfill the requirements of this course a student should expect to spend two hours for every credit hour or eight hours per week outside of classroom time engaged in reading, class preparation, assignments, and other requirements. It is expected that students will spend more hours outside class time in preproduction, production and post production of their video than in weeks when no engaged in these efforts. It is also expected the student will view music videos outside of class and bring their questions and analysis to class discussion.

Attendance Policy: Attendance Policy: You will be allowed two (2) absences for the quarter in this class. Any absences or tardies above two absences will result in a failing grade for the class. In addition, students who miss the first two classes of a course in which they are registered may be administratively dropped. Each missed class counts as a full absence. Three tardies count as one absence. In keeping with CCH Policy (as published in the Scholastic Catalog and listed below), attendance will be taken at the outset of each class session. CLASS ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS (as published in the Scholastic Catalog) Attendance is critical to learning, academic success, and support for other students particularly during production shoots. Regular and prompt attendance at all Columbia College Hollywood classes is required. Instructors are not obligated to assign extra work or prepare additional examinations for classes missed. Class attendance policies are determined by each instructor and must be included in the course syllabus distributed the first class session. The College recommends as a minimal policy that students who are absent 20% of the course will be failed. What constitutes an excused absence is a matter between the student and instructor although The College expects leniency for documented illness and hospitalization, bereavement, personal emergency, military service, and observance of a religious holiday. Students who do not attend the first two class meetings of a course in which they are registered may be administratively dropped. If a student wishes to contest the instructor’s application of the attendance policy he/she may petition the Dean of the College. The Dean will conduct an investigation and respond to the petition as quickly as possible. Students who have filed such a petition may attend class sessions while the matter is under review.

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Grading: In keeping with CCH policy, grading is designated as follows: 92.5 - 100 = A 90 – 92.49 = A87.5 – 89.99 = B+ 82.5 – 87.49 = B 80 – 82.49 = B77.5 – 79.99 = C+ 72.5 – 77.49 = C 70 – 72.49 = C67.5 – 69.99 = D+ 62.5 – 67.49 = D 60 – 62.49 = DBelow a 60 = F

Definitions of Letter Grades: A: Performance of the student is at the highest level and demonstrates full and uncompromised commitment and effort. B: Performance of the student is at a high level and demonstrates consistent and effective achievement in meeting course requirements. C: Performance by the student has been adequate to meet the basic requirements of the course. D: Performance by the student has been sub-par to basic requirements, though meets minimum standards. F: Performance of the student has been such that the minimum course requirements have not been met.

Cheating and Plagiarism: As with any academic institution, Columbia College Hollywood considers cheating on exams, assignments, and projects, as well as plagiarism, and knowingly furnishing false information as unacceptable behavior on the part of a student. This behavior is punished severely. Refer to your Scholastic Catalog for the CCH Policy on Academic Honesty. Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another to obtain academic credit for work by use of any dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Note: Use of a script written for one class or footage shot for one class for academic 4

credit in another class is considered cheating unless you receive approval for such use from your instructor. Plagiarism comes from the Latin word for “to kidnap.” It means you are stealing someone else’s words, thoughts, and/or conclusions. To avoid plagiarism, be sure to reference with source any words or materials you take from the published or otherwise disseminated work of another person or persons. If you are unschooled in or confused about how to source your work, the Librarian is available to answer your questions. CLASS SCHEDULE WEEK 1 – REVIEW OF THE SYLLABUS The history of music videos, from music promos sent to the local stations around the country with afternoon dance shows to the pioneering of the Beatles and others), the dawn of MTV, the watershed that was ‘Thriller’ in 1984 and advent of videos that were financially over the top. The implications of MTV starting to show the name of the director onscreen in 1992 and what that meant for the careers of directors The various directors who ‘made their name’ in music videos before becoming feature filmmakers, such as David Fincher, Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Mark Romanek etc. and how their work in music videos influenced their work in features. How music videos can sell you as a director. We will illustrate these talks with examples of music videos, to be screened on dvd and discussed We will discuss the 3 broadly different types of music video1) The performance video 2) The concept video 3) The most common : a combination of the first 2 Assignment For Next Week – Pick your favorite music video of all time and tell us why you liked it so much and what made it stand out. Make a DVD of the video and bring to class for discussion. Everyone will prepare a concept pitch for the same song to show how diverse creative ideas can be. 5

WEEK 2 – EXAMING THE VARIOUS STYLE OF MUSIC VIDEOS INCLUDING THOSE DONE IN FOREIGN MARKETS. -

How music videos evoke different emotions for different audiences. What makes a music video stand out from others? The approach different genres take. The unique approach of music videos in foreign markets.

WEEK 3 - HOW THE BUSINESS WORKS -

The process a director goes through to ‘get the gig’ – forming a concept, proving that concept through the use of storyboards, art, mood-boards, etc. The director’s concept and how to write an effective one How the music itself should be organic to the forming of the concept Meeting the record company execs – what they need, what they want to hear etc Meeting the artists – what they need to hear from you the director The challenges and opportunities involved in “working with the talent” and how best to do it Working with the music video editing houses and their editors. Collaborating with a new artist to make a spec video which benefits you and the artist. Selling yourself and your work on You Tube. What is the marketplace for music videos, today – My Space, Facebook, Fuse, Websites, etc.

Assignment for Next Week - Everyone will prepare a concept pitch for the same song to show how diverse creative ideas can be.

WEEK 4 - THE CONCEPT AND THE PITCH & STYLE AND TECHNIQUE* Students will also explain to the class why they picked the music or song, and what it means to them. Students will then pitch their concept for the video, as if the rest of the class were music company executives. Students can support their pitch with any materials they already have – storyboards, mood boards etc. Students will receive feedback on their pitches and concepts, including their pitching style

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Finally, in each case, we will discuss the “presentation package” the student will need to support his or her vision The role of the director on the set of a music video Shot lists versus storyboarding Communicating with the talent; how they are different than actors and how to direct them. Best ways to communicate with your D.P. and crew. Should you be a shooter-director? How to hire crew? How big should it be? Types of equipment used in music videos. Types of shots, length of shots, different lens choices, frame rates, lighting effects, special FX etc The emotional and storytelling impact of the different types of shots All of the above will be illustrated with clips from music videos and movies Ways to ensure the shot list is achievable in a shooting day – and how much coverage is necessary. Using the technique of editing video as you shoot How do you compromise your vision with that of the artist? Who wins. Assignment For Next Week – Pick a piece of music that you intend to make into a video and play for the class. [This can be an established piece of famous music – your favorite song, a song you have a great vision for – or it can be from an unknown band, even your own band if you have one – it is up to the student – basically: anything goes]

WEEK 5 - THE PRESENTATION PACKAGE & PRODUCTION Students must present their “Presentation Packages” to the rest of the class; as if they were they were the recording artists In each case the presentation will vary but may contain such items as a Storyboard, a Shot List, a Director’s Statement, a Mood Board, etc.

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Presentation Packages will be discussed and critiqued – but must also be handed in for grading (see above for grading policy) We will also discuss the specific equipment needs for each video. 2 directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation). This is CLASS PARTICIPATION and to WORK AS A TEAM. Possible Field Trip to Sunset Edit, top music editing house, in Hollywood. WEEK 6 – PRODUCTION Two directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation)

WEEK 7 - PRODUCTION Two directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation) WEEK 8 – PRODUCTION Two directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation) WEEK 9 – PRODUCTION Two directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation)

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WEEK 10 – PRODUCTION 2 directors will make at least a part of their music video/ the class will split into two crews, giving each director 4 hours to achieve his or her shooting. The rest of the class will work within the 2 crews (and learn by observation) WEEK 11 – WRAP All Directors will finalize their production in post for presentation to the class next week. WEEK 12 – THE FINISHED PRODUCT: Students will show their finished music videos An overview of what we’ve learned so far. *Depending on availability we will have a guest speaker who will be a director, music director, artist or editor during one of our sessions.

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CLO Rubric CLOs CLO 1: Express artistically the film type known as the music video. CLO 2: Conceptualize a music video.

A -Demonstrates ability to fully develop the concept

B - Demonstrates a general knowledge of the concept of the video

C - Demonstrates a basic understanding of the concept of the video

D -Demonstrates minimal understanding of the concept of the video

F -Does not demonstrate ability to develop the concept

CLO 3: Prep, shoot, and post a music video.

-Demonstrates superior ability to pitch a concept for music video -Demonstrates a professional level ability to produce every aspect of a music video, including all the necessary steps to prep, shoot and post

-Demonstrates general ability to pitch a concept for music video -Demonstrates sufficient level ability to produce every aspect of a music video including all the necessary steps to prep, shoot and post

-Demonstrates sufficient ability to pitch a concept for music video -Demonstrates basic level ability to produce every aspect of a music video, including all the necessary steps to prep, shoot and post

-Demonstrates minimal pitch a concept for music video -Demonstrates minimal level ability to produce every aspect of a music video, including all the necessary steps to prep, shoot and post

-Does not demonstrate sufficient ability to pitch a video -Does not demonstrate ability to produce a music video

CLO 4: Demonstrate understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film.

-Demonstrates superior understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film from prep to the final product

- Demonstrates a true understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film from prep to the final product

- Demonstrates sufficient understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film from prep to the final product -Participates and demonstrate the basic

-Demonstrates basic understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film from prep to the final product

-Does not demonstrate understanding of the relationship of music to the visual art of film

-Attempts to participate and

-Does not participate

CLO 5: Critique music videos

- Fully participates and demonstrate the

-Sufficiently participates and

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with a legitimate grounding.

ability to critique and understand your music video, as well as those of other class members, with a legitimate grounding with a clear understanding of the director’s concept

demonstrate the ability to critique and understand your music video, as well as those of other class members, with a legitimate grounding with a clear understanding of the director’s concept

ability to critique and understand your music video, as well as those of other class members, with a legitimate grounding with a clear understanding of the director’s concept

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demonstrates limited ability to critique and understand your music video, as well as those of other class members, with a legitimate grounding with a clear understanding of the director’s concept