Sample Schedule

Acting for the Camera - One semester course
Prerequisites – Permission of Moving Pictures and Theatre department chairs
Fees – None
Acting for the Camera investigates the process of acting as it applies specifically to the medium of film. The student learns through script analysis, scene study, improvisation, and then acting in a scene that is filmed and edited. The class is taught in conjunction with the Theatre Department.

Cinematography - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – $1,000
In Cinematography students begin with the basics of photography: composition, lenses, exposure, film type (black and white or color), formats, and camera angles; and then proceed to those aspects specific to the moving image: camera movement, shutter speed, frame rate, focus pulling, point of view, etc. The study of lighting and the use of lighting instruments and grip equipment are emphasized throughout. Students must bring a digital still camera (7 Megapixel or better).

Directing - One semester course
Prerequisites – Non-majors must have permission of instructor.
Fees – None
Directing is an entry-level, practical exploration of the craft of the film director. Combining lecture, demonstration and hands-on exercises, students learn how a director goes about preparing a picture, casting it, capturing strong performances, staging the action, designing shots and editing.

Editing - One semester course
Prerequisites – Introduction to Filmmaking and at least one semester of Production Workshop.
Fees – None
Editing introduces the experienced Moving Pictures student to the finer creative and aesthetic aspects of editing. Topics include cutting dialogue and action, transitions, pace, coverage, invisible cuts, jump cuts, when not to cut, the importance of sound, music, preparing for the final mix, etc.

Film History - Full year course - Successful completion is an Arts Certificate requirement
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Film History is designed for students who are interested in the history and aesthetics of the film medium. The films chosen for screening illustrate distinctive directorial styles, film genres and/or national cinema styles. By concentrating on the historical development of filmic mise-en-scene, the photographic image, editing, cinematography, and the relation of sound to the image, students learn to view film as a complex picture language and to understand how the combination of sound and image articulate film’s narrative, psychological, social and ideological purposes. Film History is required for all Moving Pictures majors.

Film Scoring - One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Film Scoring investigates all aspects of music as it is used in film from scoring to source. This class is offered when enrollment permits.

Introduction to Filmmaking – Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – $1,500
Introduction to Filmmaking teaches the students the basics of the digital video camera, composition and shooting style, location and studio lighting, field and studio sound, how to design “coverage,” crew positions, and the overall production process. Also includes learning the basics of the editing process and how to work with Final Cut Pro. The course culminates with the making of short documentary projects. This course is required of all Moving Pictures majors.

Photography for Filmmakers - One semester course
Prerequisites – 35mm manual still camera and lightweight tripod
Fees - $500
Photography for Filmmakers investigates the art of photography as a means of personal expression and communication in the cinema. The course covers focal lengths, filters, exposure, composition, formats, lighting techniques, and basic darkroom procedures.

Post Production - Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Post Production covers everything that happens to a film after principal photography is completed. Efficient workflow, editing (principles and aesthetics), post-sound design, music (original and/or obtaining music rights), and the final mix are emphasized. Further instruction in Final Cut Pro, along with various special effects, animation and sound programs may be a part of this course as well, time permitting.

Production Workshop – Full year course
Prerequisites – Introduction to Filmmaking
Fees – $1,800
Production Workshop is the workhorse of the Moving Pictures program. This is the course where the students’ “greenlit” films are made. The students will experience everything from pre-production to production to post-production in a fully hands-on fashion. As a result, students are expected to be self-disciplined, motivated and organized. The art of collaboration is stressed as each student will be assigned crew positions and be expected to work well with each other. Production Workshop is required of all Moving Pictures majors.

Producing – One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Producing seeks to give students a handle on the amazing scope of a producer’s responsibilities as well as the skills and knowledge to self-produce their own projects in the future. A typical producer is involved in every decision on a film. No creative decision is made without a financial consequence and good producers are as equally at ease in the company of bankers, lawyers, gap-financing entities, publicists and studio executives as they are with directors, screenwriters and actors.

Screenwriting – Full year course
Prerequisites –None
Fees – None
Screenwriting introduces the student to the techniques of visual story-telling and how to write the Short Film (15 pages or under). We will workshop all student work, from script ideas, synopses, beat sheets and outlines to various drafts of the screenplays. Students will learn about characterization, story structure, dialogue, tone and timing. Screenwriting is required for all Moving Pictures majors.

Screenwriting II – Full year course
Prerequisites – Screenwriting or equivalent
Fees – None
Screenwriting II takes place in a workshop environment in which everyone takes part in the critique of the student work. Students will be expected to develop stories, and structure, write, rewrite and sharpen projects towards being “greenlit” for production in Production Workshop. Screenwriting II is required for all Moving Pictures majors.

Screenwriting III – Full year course
Prerequisites – Screenwriting II
Fees – None
Screenwriting III takes the highly motivated student through the process of writing a feature-length screenplay from original idea to first draft. Students actively participate in the development and analysis of each other’s work to create original and professionally savvy scripts.

Senior Project Workshop – One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – Dependent on the project
Senior Project Workshop is designed for Moving Pictures majors in their senior year of study. Students concentrate on one particular aspect of their filmmaking education. Areas of study may include any of the following: additional screenwriting, a longer documentary or narrative film project, digital photography/cinematography, a deeper study of acting and/or directing, producing or editing.

Senior Seminar – One semester course
Prerequisites – None
Fees – None
Senior Seminar is required of all seniors at Idyllwild Arts. The class is divided into two parts: common sessions where all seniors participate under the direction of the college counselor and address such topics as college applications, essays and standardized testing; and breakout sessions which address department/discipline-specific needs such as audition preparation, audition travel, and portfolio development.

Sound Design – Full year course
Prerequisites – None
Fees - None
Sound Design focuses on the use of sound as a key creative storytelling component. Students will learn the art of sound design, location sound recording, sound effects, sound editing, foley, mixing sound for picture, digital sound synthesis and additonal dialogue recording.

Sample Schedule

Morning: Academics
.	Monday	.	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	.	Saturday
8:00-8:45	.	8:00-9:20	Phys Ed	Intro to Lit	World Cultures	French III	8:00-8:45	French III
8:50-9:35	Algebra I						8:50-9:35	Life Skills
9:40-10:25	World Cultures	9:30-10:50	Algebra I	.	Algebra I	.	9:40-10:25	.
10:30-11:15	Intro to Lit	10:55-11:35	.	.	.	.	10:30-11:15	.
11:20-12:05	.	11:40-1:00	World Cultures	French III	Phys Ed	Intro to Lit	11:20-12:05	.
12:10-12:55	.						12:10-12:55	.
Afternoon: Arts
2:00-3:00	Cinematography		History of Film	.	.	Intro to Film		.
3:00-3:30	Cinematography		History of Film	.	.	Intro to Film		.
3:30-4:00	Cinematography		.	.	.	Intro to Film		.
4:00-4:30	Cinematography		Film Scoring	.	.	Intro to Film		.
4:30-5:00	Cinematography		Film Scoring	.	.	Intro to Film		.
5:00-5:30	Film Scoring		Film Scoring	.	Directing	Screenwriting		.
5:30-6:30	Film Scoring		.	.	Directing	Screenwriting		.
.	History of Film		Screenwriting	.	.	.		.
.	.		.	.	.	.		.
.	.		.	.	.	.		.