Week 1 - Aug 28, 2018
Who is Frederick Gardner? Discuss education and work experience.
Frederick Gardner Film/TV Credits
Class structure will be as close to a studio environment as possible.
Artists will participate in Life Drawing :30 min before Call Time in the studio. One volunteer will be asked to pose for various 3 minute poses while the rest of the artists execute quick gesture drawings in pen and marker, pencil or other medium of choice. The goal is to have the model sit for 8 poses in :30 min. Life Drawing will be held every week before the studio lecture and production time.
Life Drawing Examples:
Suggested Materials for Life Drawing:
- Small Sketchbook to fit in pocket or backpack. Paper quality is important! Moleskin Sketch Book is the best brand.
- Pencil and Pencil Sharpener
- (or) Mechanical Pencil
- (or) 30% Gray Marker and Fine Point Black Sharpie
- (or) Black, Sepia or Brown Brush Pen
Lecture 1 - "World Building, Materials & Creating Drama"
Discuss the production design of the Book of Life. Note the difference between the 2 worlds, wood (Land of the Living) and stone (Land of the Dead). How do the materials affect the story and limit the characters?
Discuss the concept of a world made of fabric. What are the inherent limitations? How do the materials guide the story and the character quest?
Introduction to the story, War Horse. War Horse is a children's book, musical and movie (directed by Steven Spielberg).
Assignment:
- Explanation of (Western) film 3 act structure.
- Sequence v. scene. Props are set dressing that the character touches or that moves in the scene.
- What are fx?
- Read the script for War Horse
- Breakdown a sequence in the film and note the characters, location, props and fx.
Textbook:
- The Noble Approach by Tod Polson (& Maurice Noble)
The Noble Approach on Amazon
