MOVIE MAGIC TA19A

Online (Web Enhanced)

 

Instructor: James Callner MA james_callner@wvm.edu or

jamescallner@sbcglobal.net

 

Office Hours: T-Thurs 3-5pm via: Email james_callner@wvm.edu

                                   

Office Phone: 741-2456

E-mail for any questions anytime:

jamescallner@sbcglobal.net 

OR james_callner@wvm.edu

How this class works?

First read the syllabus in its entirety.

If you are not already in Angel, login in using your student ID # for the "Username" and your 6 digit birth date for the password. Here is the link to Angel :

http://wvmccd.angellearning.com

Begin each week by doing the following:

1.     Click on the Lessons tab. 

2.     Click on the number of the current week and follow the instructions for that week, clicking on the Weekly Viewing/Reading Assignments. Some weeks have additional links such as an essay assignment. Make sure you click on these and read the directions.

 

3.     Wthe weeks episode of Movie Magic.

4.     Do not click on a test until you are ready to take it, as you only have one chance to take each test. Tests will appear in the appropriate weeks folder during that actual week. If you go into a week with a test early you will not see the test.

5.     Remember to check your course e-mail. This is found under the communicate tab.

Note: You have the full week to complete most assignments except for classes that have tests (TA15 and TA19A). It is very important to keep up with the assignments. If you need to Email the instructor please use the Angel Email system.

 

CONTENT:

You will see 13 thirty minute videos on SF/X. "Movie Magic" has licensed WVC a special grant to show a full season of their series. In addition you will be able to read the most current state-of-the-art digital SF/X in the required reading material. The intent of this Online course is to educate students about Special Effects in the cinema. This course will show you how SF/X are done in specific movies. This course will also give you the state-of-the-art (past and present) information on digital SF/X.

 

SPECIAL REMINDER TO ALL STUDENTS:

This course has two elements that you need to know.

 

1. The video's, which will give you information on specific SF/X.

 

2. The ILM book, which will give you information on current digital SF/X.

 

Note: Many times the chapters required in the reading material will not correspond to the video's. Don't panic, just absorb as much info' as you can. The art form is moving at a very rapid pace. To keep up with as much current information we designed this course to supply you with a variety of SF/X modes, live action, models, digital and computer from the ILM book, blue and green screening etc.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

BOOK: INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC: INTO THE DIGITAL REALM

PURPOSE:

DVD's or Videos: Rent them at West Valley College. Information on how to rent them below.

 

 

HOW TO RENT THE VIDEO'S from West Valley College

Here's the Procedure:

1.  Go to the WVC Cashier at ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS and pay the $50

rental fee for the American Cinema Videos. 

2.  Get a Student I.D. Card, if you don't already have one.

3.  Take your receipt to the A.V. Circulation desk in the WVC Library,

show them your Student I.D. Card and sign the rental agreement.

4.  You will receive all of the online lessons on VHS/DVDs videotapes

recorded in the  SLP (6 hour) mode to sue throughout the session at

your convenience.

5.  You have agreed, by renting the tapes, to return the complete set

of video tapes along with tape cases to the A.V. Circulation Desk by

the end of the session (BEFORE Test #3).  Upon return you will receive

a voucher for a $25 refund obtainable at the Admissions Office.

6.  If you do NOT return the tapes your grade will be on "hold" until

you do!  If you lose any of the videos a $35 per tape replacement cost

will be charged to you.  Unreturned cases will cost you $1 per case... 

So give 'em back!

**REMEMBER, our Licensing Agreement with PBS does not allow us to sell

the video tapes.  You do not have the option of keeping the rented

tapes at the end of the session.  If you do ... NO GRADE!

 

Note: you must return the videos to the library or your grade will be held

 

Online in the Weekly Viewing and Reading Assignments section (found in the Lessons Tab in Angel) you will be instructed what to read and/or view.

 

 *TAKE NOTES ON THE VIDEOS!

 THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! YOUR 3 TESTS AND FINAL WILL BE Online (dates in the Week to Week section) AND OPEN BOOK AND OPEN NOTES TESTS. THIS MEANS YOU MAY USE YOUR BOOK AND NOTES DURING THE TESTING. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU KEEP UP WITH THE READING THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER AND TAKE CLEAR NOTES ON THE VIDEO'S WHEN YOU VIEW THEM.

 

                                                                                                     

Makeup Policy: We want you to succeed!

If you miss a test (or tests) you may makeup the test (or tests) during the next test period.
However, we do not recommend this for you because you will be taking two (or three) tests in the same period.
Please try and stay on schedule the best you can.

Test Scores are graded as follows for Tests 1, 2 & 3

Total Possible Points = 45

45 - 40 = A
39 - 33 = B
32 - 23 = C
22 - 15 = D
14 or less = F

Test Scores are graded for Final (Test #4)           

Total Possible Points = 30

30 - 24 = A
23 - 19 = B
18 - 13 = C
12 - 7 = D
6 or less = F

Semester grades are calculated as follows:

Total Semester Points = 165

135 - 165 = A 
114 - 134 = B
105 - 113 = C
95 - 104 = D
94 or less = F

 

 

*Important Note:

Below, is a sample of the Weekly Viewing and Reading Assignments assignments. Go to the West Valley web site at: www.westvalley .edu and click on the Angel Login-in Page. Find Movie Magic TA19 and the Weekly Viewing and Reading Assignments Page. There you will find all the required viewing and reading and tests with Weekly Viewing and Reading Assignments dates so you can keep up with the class!

 

REQUIRED VIEWING - REQUIRED READING

Tape 1 Make-up F/X             (None)

                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Tape 2 Digital Domain          Chaps 3, 6                          

 

 

Tape 3 Blue and Green Screen F/X    Chap 8,10 & Pgs 123-139

                                                                                                                                               

************

Tape 4 Animatronics                    Chap 4

 

 

Tape 5 Underwater F/X                  Chap. 3 & Pgs 193-200,

 

 

Tape 6 Scale Models                    Review Chap3,4 Cupboard

**************                                                 Read Chap 9

 

 

Tape 7 Computers                            Review Chap 6

                                                             Read Pgs132-140

 

Tape 8 Miniatures/Digital                   Review Chap 9

                                                     Read Pgs107,284,285,37,50.        

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Tape 9 Movie Aliens                 Review Chap 4                                                           

                                                    Read Pgs193-236

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

********************                                                                                                                                      

Tape 10 SF/X Photography         Chap 1

                                                                         

                                                                                               

 

Tape 11 Creatures             Rev.Pgs 193-214

 (Stan Winston F/X)                                                                

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Tape 12 Aerial F/X                     Review Cap 8

                                                                                                               

 

 

Tape 13 Animatronics                Pgs. 271-273/133-137.

 

                                            

SHORT RESEARCH PAPER:

Ten point extra credit assignment. May be turned in anytime up until the final exam.
Extra credit is to your advantage.

 

Research and write a 3-5 page double spaced paper with the following requirements:

 

1. Choose a current movie, your choice. e.g. Star Wars, Spider man, etc.

 

2. Choose one effect from that movie (e.g. digital F/X, Green screen, etc.)

 

3. Explain in technical terms the way the effect was accomplished

Be specific.

 

Note; You can go to the web or other sources to research the process of the effect.

 

 

4. Email your short research paper to me within Angel, as an attached Word document, using Angel email (found under the communicate tab).

 

 

 

FINAL REMINDER: TAPES/DVDs MUST BE RETURNED TO LIBRARY AT THE END OF THE COURSE OR YOUR GRADE WILL BE HELD!

 

NOTE To All Students:

The instructor may make changes to the syllabus during the semester.  It is the student's responsibility to stay informed of these changes. Students may also wish to have a study partner whom they can contact if they miss class.

 

 

Required WVC Disclaimers and information

ADA Statement:  The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation required that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact DESP (Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-2010).