72 HOUR FEATURE ROJECT

INSTRUCTOR: Kristie Alshaibi

SESSION: Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.*
8 weeks, beginning February 5, 2007

TUITION: $425 for 8 week course

DESCRIPTION:  Students will brainstorm and then refine ideas and plans of action for creating a feature length (70 – 90 minute) motion picture in three days or less.  Concrete examples will be used as models.  Students will have a public premiere at a Chicago theater at the end of the program.  This class is based on the original 72HFP, in which 11 groups of filmmakers successfully completed the challenge.

GOALS: To cultivate and plan engaging movies that are practical to produce, and to learn to work well within an extremely tight deadline with little to no budget.

PREREQUISITES: Experience with directing/shooting at least one short film/video, or previous work on a professional film set.  72 hours near the end of the class sessions to devote to the sleepless task of making a feature length movie.  Access to a video camera and desktop editing software (iMovie, Premiere, Vegas, Final Cut Pro, Avid, etc.).  Caffeine?

CURRICULUM:

  1. Past success stories – We will view and critique some of the successful 72 Hour feature projects from the past  We’ll talk about their strategies, scripts, pitfalls, and limitations.
  2. The rules – all rules, guidelines and exceptions will be outlined and all questions answered.  We will discuss creative ways of adhering to the limitations of the project.
  3. Scripting – Students will begin reading and critiquing scripts in class.
  4. Resources – We will discuss all the filmmaking resources available to you in Chicago.  We’ll talk about people, equipment, locations, editing, etc.
  5. Cast and Crew- students will find and assemble a cast and crew and begin rehearsing for the big event.  We will do a few in-class readings for those who would like critique.
  6. Legal – Getting your release forms, locations, and contracts in place.   Everything you need to know to make your movie ready for your premiere, festivals, press, and future distribution.   Where do you take yur film from here?
  7. Proposal – students will each present a completed plan-of-action, script, and timeline.  Instructor and students will critique and refine these proposals.

FINAL PROJECT: Create a feature length movie in 72 hours, and premiere it at a Chicago theater.

ENROLL NOW!

 

* NOTE: When feature length movies are screened, classes may run longer than three hours. Students will have the option of staying late to watch the entire film, or may leave and borrow the DVD/tape at a later date.