Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Filmmaking Fundamentals (Face-to-Face)

FILM 2100-01

Course: FILM 2100-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 32622

Course Description

Student teams are introduced to professional filmmaking workflow through a combination of camera, lighting, sound, and editing exercises. The course culminates with pre-production, production and post-production of a short narrative or documentary film.

No final film should be any less than 3 minutes or exceed 10 minutes. Times for each assignment will be indicated.

Required Texts

There is no required text for this course, however, students will be expected to purchase/ bring/ have the following materials:

  • SD memory card for the cameras: at least 32 or 64GB
  • External hard drive. Minimum: External hard drive with Thunderbolt 2/3 and/or USB 3.1 connection, 7200 rpm spin speed, and at least 1TB storage capacity
    Recommended: 500GB-1TB External SSD Drive. Note: This card and hard drive will serve you throughout the Film program. Buying a better/faster/higher quality drive means it will serve you better and for longer.
  • Notebook - Rhodia Black Dot Pad N 19, 8.2.5" x 12.5" (or similar)
  • Pens - (2) Red Pilot Precise V5 Roller Ball Stick Pen Precision Point Ink.5mm
  • Sharpie (2) - REGULAR. BLACK. SHARPIE
  • One pack of sticky notes - Any color(s)
  • Muli-tool: Screwdrivers; Phillips & Flat Head, Wrench, Pliers, Scissors
  • Work gloves, leather
  • Gaffer’s tape – Black 1”, 2”
  • Spiker tape – Red & green ó”
  • Camera Tape (white)
  • 3 Carabiners – belt loop size and ascending
  • On-the-go Oil Blotting Papers
  • Bongo ties
  • Tape Measure – small
  • Hex Keys/Allen Wrenches
  • Flashlight - small
  • Blower
  • Card Reader
  • Work shoes
  • Warm clothing/ layers

Learning Outcomes

Learning OutcomeActivity/AssignmentAssessment Method
Effectively utilize Mirrorless Cameras, unidirectional sound devices, 3-point lighting to complete video exercises & a short narrative or documentary film.Completion of multiple video exercises & a short narrative and short documentary film.Graded using rubrics for proper utilization of camera, sound, and lighting equipment at beginner level.
Graded using rubrics for proper utilization at beginner level.
Manage digital assets in projects.Completion of the production process for multiple video exercises & a short narrative and short documentary film using proper workflow and file management methodsGraded using rubrics for proper utilization of workflow and file management methods.
Effectively develop original ideas for a short narrative film or a documentary.Completion of a short narrative and short documentary film.Graded using rubrics for structure, content and style.
Effectively troubleshoot stages of the production process, demonstrating the ability to manage and communicate with involved personnel at all stages of the production process.Completion of multiple video exercises & a short narrative and short documentary film.Graded using rubrics for completion of various preparation stages of film production including proper script formatting, completion of a shooting script, short list, lighting and camera diagrams, storyboards, budget breakdown, call sheets, talent releases, location releases, and any other necessary paperwork specific to the project.

Course Requirements

GRADING
  • Attendance & Participation - 150pts (15%)
  • Exercises – 200pts (20%)
  • Camera Exercise #1 – 10pts
  • Camera Exercise #2 – 10pts
  • Camera Exercise #3 – 30pts
  • Audio Exercise – 25pts
  • Lighting Exercise – 25pts
  • Rough Draft – Short Doc – 50pts
  • Rough Draft – Short Fiction – 50pts
  • Shot List/Diagrams/Storyboard/Shooting Script (Each @ 25pts) - 100pts (10%)
  • Schedule/Call Sheets/Release Forms (Each @ 50pts) - 150pts (15%)
  • Short Doc Project – 200pts (200%)
  • Short Fiction Project + Course Self-Assessment - 200pts (200%)
Letter Grade Scale
  • A - 90-100% (900-1000pts)
  • B - 80-89% (800-899pts)
  • C - 70-79% (700-799pts)
  • D - 60-69% (600-699pts)
  • F - below 60% (0-599pts)
ASSESSMENT

STUDENTS WILL BE ASSESSED BASED ON THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE TECHNOLOGIES AND CONCEPTS COVERED IN CLASS & HOW THAT UNDERSTANDING IS REFLECTED IN THEIR CREATIVE WORK. FINAL GRADE WILL LARGELY REFLECT THE QUALITY AND SINCERITY OF STUDENTS' EFFORT IN THIS CLASS.

Course Outline

Week | Lecture | Lab | Assignments
Week 1 | Welcome! Camera Exercise #1
Check out the check out system! New year, New you - 5 moving images, 12 seconds eachMeet in the lab, be ready to take notes

Week 2 | Camera Basics & Discuss Short Doc - Exposure: Shutter + Aperture + ISO Camera Exercise #2 - Exposure: Shutter + Aperture + ISO Read: John Szarkowski – Intro to the Photographer’s EyeVery Small Things - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 3 | 5 things that create a frame | Review Camera Exercise #3 | Read: John Szarkowski – Intro to the Photographer’s EyeVery Large Things - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 4 | Lighting | Setting up lights | PINTEREST Board - Create a moodChange - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 5 | Audio Basics | Audio Exercise | Overheard - 5 audio files, no more than 7 seconds

Week 6 | Intro to Professional Gear | Intro to Professional Gear | My Utah - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 7 | Fiction Film Development & Pre-Production | Short Exercise Doc | Working on a Film TeamAssigned paperwork

Week 8 | No Lecture: Finish Shooting | No Lab – Finish Final Cut | Two Spots - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 9 | Short Doc – Screenings | 1) Finish watching docs & discuss Final Project Ideas 2) Select Final Projects | Truth - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 10 | Directing | Directing | Little Lies - 5 moving images, 12 seconds each

Week 11 | Visualizing the Script | Blocking for camera | Pitching to Clients - A Visual Method

Week 12 | Pre-Production & Set Operations | Pre-Production Documents + Scheduling & Call Sheets | Impossible - A Study of what’s Possible

Week 13 | Production Binder - Assemble 

Week 14 | Production Binder - Assemble | Production Binder - Publish

Week 15 | Final Project Screenings | Finish Project Screenings
Note: Additional articles may be assigned for reading. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Unexcused late work will not be accepted.
Homework is due in following week’s class unless otherwise noted.
An incomplete will not be given in this class except for extreme, verifiable emergencies as approved by the instructor.

Attendance Policy

Attendance in lectures (and labs) is required.

More than one unexcused absence in the lecture component of the class and more than one unexcused absence in the lab component of the class equal one full letter grade decrease.

You are allowed to miss TWO LECTURES with no penalties.

  • If you are going to have an unexcused absence, do not notify us about it.
  • Do not email the LAB INSTRUCTOR about your sick absence, bring a doctor's note.
  • If you are missing a large amount of time (several weeks or more), please notify the instructor and explain the situation.

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $150 Fee

Content Warning

Content Advisory
Warning: This course deals with the entertainment industry and popular culture. The instructor reserves the right to refer to and to exhibit any materials or discuss any themes that accurately reflect and enhance student’s understanding of the subject, including material meant for mature audiences. All material presented in class is deemed to exhibit scientific, literary, artistic and/or pedagogical value and is therefore appropriate for exhibition to college age students. The instructor does not endorse or subscribe to any opinions depicted in the course materials. If a student is unwilling to read or view certain types of content, please speak with the instructor with regard to the suitability of the class for the student in question.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite(s): FILM 1100  - Prerequisite Min. Grade: B
Registration Restriction(s): Filmmaking majors only

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.