A short project for my COM 443 Advanced Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. For this project, you will be shooting footage to complete a “silent” black-and-white experimental or narrative motion picture project. Only exterior settings should be used. There should be a visual storyline and/or theme, but no voice-over or dialogue. Your MOS project must be 2 minutes long. You are to use no fewer than 12 unique shots and no more than 30 shots in your final cut.  Make sure your project has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Again, limit your scope as you only have a small amount of screen time to tell the story or explore your theme. The theme for this project is “The Sounds of Winter.” Your images must adhere to this theme either literally or metaphorically. You may use sound effects for this project, but absolutely NO SYNC SOUND.

A Puff Piece project for my COM 253 Introduction to Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. The guidelines were as follows: For this project,you will be creating a 3-minute “puff piece”style documentary. The theme for this project is “The American Dream.” The subject of your project is up to you. A person, place or thing always has a good story to tell. Your job is to find that story that fits our theme and tell it cinematically. Structure your story by using:(A) a talking head interview(s), (B) well-composed, cinematic B-roll (C) and appropriate music. Synopsis: one or two paragraph synopsis describing your subject, story,and/or topic as well as a shot list of 10 b-roll shots you will shoot for your project. Identify what is happening in these shots and what type of shots you plan on getting (close-up, wide-shot, medium, etc.). The final editing piece should be 3 minutes, excluding credits. Anyone who turns in a project above or below the required runtime will be docked a letter grade. I will allow a plus/minus buffer of 10 seconds. The length requirement for this project will be enforced. Deadlines are firm. We will not meet on Production Days but the classroom will be open and I will be available to assist in whatever way I can. SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: a.Use the theme “The American Dream” b.A 1-2 paragraph synopsis uploaded to Canvas describing your subject and your story. This project is not just about asking your subject questions. You must have a clear idea about the story you want to tell and how you’re going to tell it BEFORE you shoot a single frame.c.A shot list detailing your camera setups.d.The use of 2 distinct angles and/or shots for the interview(s) e.Effective use of at least 5 of your 10 B-roll shots(footage that supports your story). f.Upload a proper 1920 x 1080 HD movie file to the server. Also, include an opening 5-second title card with your name and the production exercise (“Documentary”) as well as any applicable closing credits should include crew members. These titles and credits will NOT be counted as runtime. g.You must work on at least 1 of your classmate’s films in some capacity. If you do not, you will lose one letter grade on your own project.

A short project for my COM 483 Practicum Preparation class at the University of North Alabama. Produce a 60 to 90-second visual pitch for your practicum using original video, titles, and sound assets. Your objective is to produce a project with captivating imagery and sound to test drive your concept. This project will also give you a chance to explore the cinematic world of your practicum. It’s a great opportunity to see if your abstract concept can be translated into a realized professional short narrative film. A visual pitch (or demo) will “sell” your practicum to supporters and collaborators, as well. You should use all original footage shot on a prosumer grade camera (I’d prefer for you to rent one of the C-100s or Sony cameras for this project to familiarize yourself with them) and you must record some synced audio (whether in a scene-setting, voice-over, or interview) and you must use a sound element to tie the pitch together (note: this is NOT a music video or teaser trailer). You must bring your footage into Adobe Premiere Pro and edit a 60-90 second cohesive reel. I urge you to think in shots for this. Not in scenes. When you think of your project, what images do you see in your head? Create a shot list and “make real what, without you, may have never been seen.” This work will NOT be incorporated into your final practicum projects, but you will be utilizing the footage for your crowdfunding campaign pitch video realized in Project 5.

A short project for my COM 423 Intermediate Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. PORTRAIT OF A LOCATION Guidelines were as follows: Create a visual portrait of a location that gives the locale a strong feeling. Find a visually interesting location, shoot it and edit the footage in such a way that it will create a specific feeling about that place in an audience. Duration: One minute maximum. No dialogue or artificial text(s).

A short project for my COM 423 Intermediate Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. THE PURSUIT Guidelines were as follows: Show a  character  pursuing  something. The  reason  for  this pursuit must  have  real  emotional  consequence  and  is  far  more  important than  the  pursuit  itself. Don’t  forget  to  establish what  is  at  stake! Also, a  pursuit  does  not  necessarily  mean  chase  and  turning  the exercise into an action sequence is discouraged. Duration: One minute maximum. No dialogue or artificial text(s).

A short project for my COM 423 Intermediate Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. MOMENT OF DECISION Guidelines were as follows: Show a character making a difficult and dramatic decision. Illustrate how the character is faced with a predicament affecting their well being, visualize their process of consideration, and show that they have made a decision. Duration: One minute maximum. No dialogue or artificial text(s).

A short project for my COM 423 Intermediate Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. CHARACTER THROUGH ACTION Guidelines were as follows: Show a person performing an action that tells the audience something about what kind of person they are—not what they do. Duration: One minute maximum. No dialogue or artificial text(s).

A short project for my COM 423 Intermediate Film Production class at the University of North Alabama. THE DREAM Guidelines were as follows: Using a variety of shots, illustrate a dream with incongruous and seemingly disparate components that clearly conveys an honest and personal fear or desire the maker of the project feels deeply. Duration: One minute maximum. No dialogue or artificial text(s).