STORY & PERFORMANCE FOUNDATIONS

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Focus

• Story development

• Character creation

• Visual storytelling basics

• Acting fundamentals

• Team formation

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Theme: Introduction to Cinema Language

• Program orientation

• How short films work

• Screening and analysis of successful 3-minute films

• Exercises in visual storytelling without dialogue

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Theme: Screenwriting Fundamentals

• Story structure

• Character objectives

• Writing conflict

• Scene-building workshop

• Students begin story pitches

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Theme: Acting for Camera

• Emotional truth

• Physicality and blocking

• Improvisation exercises

• Actor/director communication

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Theme: Team Formation & Pitch Day

• Students pitch short film concepts

• Faculty approve projects

• Teams formed (4–6 students each)

• Assign preliminary roles:

  • Writer

  • Director

  • Producer

  • Lead actors

  • Camera/editor support

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Deliverable

• 1-page story concept

• Initial production plan

 

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PRE-PRODUCTION & DIRECTING

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Focus

• Script development

• Shot design

• Producing logistics

• Rehearsals

• Production planning

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Theme: Directing Actors

• Working with performers

• Blocking scenes

• Creating emotional beats

• Rehearsal methods

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Theme: Producing & Scheduling

• Budgeting basics

• Permits and locations

• Production calendars

• Call sheets and crew management

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Theme: Visual Directing

• Shot lists

• Composition

• Camera movement

• Storyboarding workshop

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Theme: Table Reads & Pitch Review

• Teams present:

  • Final script draft

  • Storyboards

  • Production schedule

• Faculty feedback sessions

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Deliverable

• Locked screenplay

• Shot list

• Shooting schedule

 

PRODUCTION WEEK

 

Focus

• Principal photography

• Crew collaboration

• Sound and camera execution

• Leadership under pressure

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Production Days

Teams shoot their films with rotating faculty mentorship.

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Daily Production Blocks

• Morning:

  • Crew setup

  • Scene rehearsals

  • Principal photography

• Afternoon:

  • Review footage

  • Pickup shots

  • Sound recording

  • Production troubleshooting

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Integrated throughout production week:

• Cinematography crash course

• Recording clean sound

• Lighting with minimal equipment

• Production design fundamentals

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Theme: Rough Cut Assembly

• Importing footage

• Editing fundamentals

• Music and pacing

• Faculty edit reviews

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Deliverable

• Rough cut of film

 

POST-PRODUCTION & SHOWCASE

 

Focus

• Editing

• Sound design

• Color correction

• Audience feedback

• Final exhibition

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Theme: Editing & Rhythm

• Narrative pacing

• Cutting performances

• Emotional continuity

• Fine-cut workshop

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Theme: Sound & Music

• Dialogue cleanup

• Basic sound mix

• Music licensing basics

• Final audio pass

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Theme: Final Delivery

• Exporting films

• Poster creation

• Writing synopsis and credits

• Festival submission strategy

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Final Screening Day Activities

• Red carpet/photo wall

• Public screening

• Faculty jury feedback

• Audience Q&A

 

Final Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, students will have:

• Completed one professional-quality short film

• Experienced a full production cycle

• Built a collaborative portfolio piece

• Developed practical filmmaking skills