Your assignment: Write, Direct and Edit an action sequence in class (or on location). This builds off of the documentary we just watched, “The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing”
Steps
- Form a crew of 3
- Come up with an idea for your action sequence with your crew
- Write a script (in screenplay format) for the dialog scenes
- Draw a storyboard for each shot in the action sequence. (The storyboard form is at the bottom of this post, and is handed out in class)
- Scout locations, find props as needed, and cast actors from class (pre production)
- Shoot your film during class time, somewhere on campus; OR, with permission, shoot outside of class.
- Edit
Guidelines
- No weapons, sexual references, drug references or profanity. No fight scenes. No blood.
- Characters: Two characters. You may get students in the class to act in your film.
- Plot: The film should start with an “instigating event”–some situation that starts the action. The chase ensues. The chase must resolve or end in some way with a final short scene
- Dialog: You must have a short dialog scene (at least three lines each character) at the start and end of the film.
- Shots: At each moment in the film, the editor should have at least 2 shots to cut to (this is called coverage).
- Style: The dialog scenes need to follow a traditional shot-reaction shot structure (2 singles and a two shot). The action sequence must be shot two different ways–for example, all in close ups and all hand held.
- Edit: Each crew member edits their own version, with an alternate ending!
- Length: 3-5 minutes total
- Music: Edit the chase to music
- Finishing: Titles and credits
A storyboard form is here:
Advertisements
