Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Directing for the Screen (Face-to-Face)

FILM 3200-01

Course: FILM 3200-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Filmmaking, Art, & Design
CRN: 31742

Course Description

Theory and prac-ce of film direcing, including script analysis, interpretation, conceptualization and visualization, subtext, directng the actors, and collaborating with the crew. LAB

Required Texts

  • Each student needs to purchase an SD memory card for the cameras: at least 32 or 64GB, Class 10 and an external hard drive. Minimum: External hard drive with Thunderbolt 2/3 and/or USB 3.1 connec-on, 7200 rpm spin speed, and at least 1TB storage capacity for edi-ng. Recommended: 500GB-1TB External SSD Drive. Note: This card and hard drive will serve you throughout the Film program. Buying a be<er/faster/ higher quality drive means it will serve you be<er and for longer.

Learning Outcomes

MEDIA PRODUCTION
  • Effectively utilize Cinema Cameras, unidirec-onal sound devices, ligh-ng, and non-linear edi-ng to complete direc-ng exercises and a short narra-ve film.
COMMUNICATION
  • Effective visual communication techniques
  • Effec-ve crew communica-on techniques
CRITICAL THINKING
  • Effectively troubleshoot stages of directing process
  • Effectively interpret scripts and subtext

Course Requirements

Assignments and activities
  • Comple-on of direc-ng video exercises and a short narra-ve film.
  • Comple-on of direc-ng exercises involving to communicate ideas derived from the interpreta-on of the script
  • Comple-on of rehearsals, staging of actors, communica-on of directors’ vision to film crew, pre-visualiza-on through shoo-ng script, shot lists and storyboards.
  • Comple-on of direc-ng exercises u-lizing cameras and actors, and u-lizing script breakdowns, shoo-ng script, shot lists and storyboards within produc-on limits set by the instructor and budget.
  • Comple-on of direc-ng exercises involving rehearsals, staging of actors, placement of camera to communicate ideas derived from the interpreta-on of the script
Grading components
  • Adendance & ParDcipaDon - 10 Pts
  • Exercises – 90 pts
  • Script and Character Analysis – 15pts
  • Director’s Statement & Look-book – 15pts
  • Pre-visualizaDon– 15pts
  • Rough cut Short Film – 5pts
  • Final Short Film - 40 pts
Grading scale
  • A 93-100%
  • A- 90-92%
  • B+ 86-89%
  • B 83-85%
  • B- 80-82%
  • C+ 77-79%
  • C 74-76%
  • C- 70-73%
  • D+ 67-69%
  • D 63-66%
  • D- 60-62%
  • F 59% or less
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

MODULE 1: SCRIPT INTERPRETATION
9/3Lecture: Syllabus & ExpectaDons, IntroducDon to direcDng concepts and terminology | Handout: Character/Script Analysis Sheet
9/8Lecture: Dialogue The Four quesDons: Breakdowns and InterpretaDon.
9/10Lecture: Character Analysis | Assignment: | Due: Watch Blue
9/15Script Reading workshop/ character Analysis
9/17Script Reading workshop/ character Analysis
MODULE 2: DIRECTING THE ACTOR
9/22Lecture: Working with Actors DirecDng Actors | Assignment: | Due: Final Script, Script/CharacterAnalysis Sides for Cas-ng Call Handout: Director’s statement and lookbook
9/24CASTING SESSION | Assignment: | Due: Reading on canvas Prepare for Rehearsals with Actors choose a scene and sign up for a -me to rehearse.
9/29Lab: Working with Actors, CasDng Guest Speaker | Assignment: | Due: Reading on canvas
10/1Lab: table reads & Rehearsing with Actors | Assignment: | Due: Director’s Statement and lookbook
10/6Lab: table reads & Rehearsing with Actors
10/8Lab: Table reads & Rehearsing with Actors
MODULE 3: DIRECTING THE CAMERA
10/13DirecDng the Camera | Assignment: | Handout: Shot list, diagrams & storyboards
10/15Camera Rehearsals
10/20NO CLASS-FALL BREAK
10/22Camera Rehearsals | Assignment | Due: Handout: Shot list, diagrams & storyboards
10/27Lab: Camera rehearsal with Actors
10/29Shoot & Edit Workshop
11//3Shoot & Edit Workshop
11/5Shoot & Edit Workshop
11/10Shoot & Edit Workshop
11/12Shoot & Edit Workshop
11/17Watch & CriDque Rough Cuts | Assignment | Due: Rough cuts
11/19Watch & CriDque Rough Cuts | Assignment: | Work towards a fine cut
11/24-11/26Thanksgiving Break | Assignment: | F inalize Edit, Color correc-on/sound final Film
12/1Edit workshop- Finalize film
12/3Edit workshop- Finalize film
12/8Watch & CriDque Final Cut of Film | Due: | Final Cut of film
12/10Watch Final Cut of Film
12/16 or 12/17Winter Film Showing

Note: AddiAonal arAcles may be assigned for reading. Also, although unlikely, addiAonal producAon exercises may be assigned to the groups.

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

  • No use of cell phones in class. No disruptive behavior. No chitchatting & raise hand when wishing to address the class.
  • Unexcused late work will not be accepted.
  • An incomplete will not be given in this class except for extreme, verifiable emergencies as approved by the instructor.
  • Instructor reserves the right to alter the course outline at any time during the semester.

Attendance Policy

Students are allowed two absences during the semester without an attendance-related grade penalty.

Beginning with the third absence, the student’s final course grade will be reduced by one-half of a letter grade for each additional absence, regardless of the student’s current grade in the course.

For example:

  • 0–2 absences: No grade reduction
  • 3 absences: Half-letter-grade reduction (A becomes A-, B+ becomes B)
  • 4 absences: One full letter-grade reduction (A becomes B, B+ becomes C+)
  • 5 absences: One-and-a-half letter-grade reduction (A becomes B-, B+ becomes C)
  • 6 absences: Two full letter-grade reduction (A becomes C, B+ becomes D+)
The two permitted absences are intended to account for circumstances that may arise during the semester, including illness, personal matters, appointments, or other unexpected situations. Students are responsible for all material, assignments, exercises, and information missed during an absence.

Arriving significantly late or leaving class early may be counted as a partial absence. Repeated tardiness may also be converted into an absence at the instructor’s discretion.

University-approved absences and accommodations will be handled in accordance with SUU policy.

Course Fees

$50 per credit. 

Prerequisites and Registration Restrictions

Workload Expectations

WORKLOAD: Students, especially those who are new to higher educa-on environment, are encouraged to create a -me management calendar. During a Monday through Friday schedule, there is a total of 120 hours. Aber subtrac-ng approximately 40 hours for sleep, 80 hours remain. Average student takes 5 classes each semester, which equates to 15 hours of classroom -me per week. 65 hours remain. Three hours per day for meals and socializing equals 15 per week, leaving 50 hours. Aber the 6-hour minimum of homework -me per class is factored in: 6x5=30. 50-30=20. The remaining 20 hours are for work or extracurricular ac-vi-es. In addi-on, students have an addi-onal 48 weekend hours, por-on of which they can devote to school assignments,

  • M-F = 120 hours
  • Sleep = 40 hours (maximum)
  • Ea-ng and socializing = 15 hours (3 hours per day)
  • Class -me and travel = 15 hours (12.5 class -me per week for five classes)
  • Homework = 30 hours (minimum; 5 classes x 6 hours per class)
  • Work (or extracurricular ac-vi-es) = 20 hours
  • Weekend = 24 hours of addi-onal homework and/or work -me

Coming to classroom unprepared is not conducive to a successful university career, and could result in severe penal-es to students' grade.

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.