THEATRE 359 Directing I Instructor: Peter James Cirino Fall 2014 Office Hours –M/W 12:00 to 1:00 or by appointment Email- pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu phone 619-729-5549 Course Objectives Introduction of the basic fundamentals of directing for the stage and screen. Define and explore the audition process. Create an interview system. Examine play structure and analysis. Building communication with the actors and designers Develop a rehearsal process. Define an aesthetic for performances. Explore the art of storytelling. Presentation of scenes. Examine and practice the duties of being a director’s. Build a vocabulary for analysis, collaboration and staging of a film and stage production. Define an aesthetic for performances. Build skills that develop the craft of directing along with finding the aesthetic of each script. Help the director develop the inquisitive process needed to direct. Exploring the method of collaboration that is essential to directing. Build the managerial skills that develop multi-tasking, deal with schedules, organize designers and manage timelines. Assignments: This class will require time outside of class and your grade will be calculated on your participation. You will be expected to direct two projects one play and one film this semester. A one act play(reworked to be filmed) or short film or cutting of a longer script (no longer than 15 minutes) for the final. I. You must purchase the Fall Season Theatre and Film pass, plus one outside production and write a brief critique on the directing. 1.Rabbit Hole September 26th – October5th SDSU Experimental Theatre (due Oct 6 by 10 pm) 2. Water By the Spoonful October 24th November 2nd SDSU Experimental Theatre (due Nov 3 by 10 pm) 3. Les Misérables — Concert Version Dec 4th – 7th SDSU Don Powell Theatre (due Dec 8 by 10 pm ) 4. Film Festival and Filmmakers’ Showcase Sept 18 and 19 or Dec 15 Don Powell Theatre (due Dec16 by 10 pm) II. You will direct a 5 minute scene from a play or a five minute play. Guidelines for play selection are: 1. Any work from the recommended list of writers is acceptable. 2. You may not direct a musical, although you may use music in your play. 3. Avoid plays with massive amounts of props or that rely on a specific costume or prop gimmick for the plot of the show. 4. Limit your cast to no more than 6. 5. Select a play that you are able to cast from among the general student body. 6. You must use rehearsal furniture as provided or that you rent from the properties department and only if you make an official request and rental agreement. 7.You must return all furniture etc. to storage after every rehearsal 8. Do not let the technical aspects of productions, lights, costumes, props, set, etc. take over your production. 9. You may not borrow items from the costume shop. 10. Keep your Lighting needs to the basics. No special lighting for any individual show. 11. You may use music, effects or/and projections but you must have someone other than yourself run it for you. 12. Projectors will be provided upon the request. 13. As a director, it is your responsibility to be sure that your actors are prepared and available for the due date of a performance project. 14. Crew for one other class production other than your own. Basic Guidelines for production of your plays/films 15. Cast and direct a 5 minute play. Due October 13th &15th 16. Journal (items below are included in the journal.) Create a Production Script and the complete script in a digital format must be provided. Due on date of the final performance. You will be responsible to find and read the entire play/screenplay. An Analysis of the scene must be provided. A complete overview an arc of the play must be provided. All Research must be provided. You will also establish a rehearsal schedule and the goals for each rehearsal and provide a copy of each. Ground plan a 1/4 " scale ground plan showing all furniture, windows, doors, etc. Blocking notes with actor business and character notes. Maintain a rehearsal log so that you can see your success and the areas that need improvement (provide a copy). Elements Performance Given circumstances Used floor plan to its full potential Blocking was effective to the demands of the plays and versatile. Composition is defined. Has a clear focus. The meaning is germane and cogent. The pace is compliant to the action and the arc of the play. Tempo must be efficient and Fluid. Characterization must have clarity. Action must be multi-layered. Idea clearly conveyed III. Cast and direct a 10 to 15 minute film. Due Dec. 8th &10th Journal (items below are included in the journal.) Create a Production Script and the complete script in a digital format must be provided. Due on day of the final performance. You will be responsible to find and read the entire play/screenplay. An Analysis of the scene must be provided. A complete overview an arc of the play must be provided. All Research must be provided. You will also establish a rehearsal schedule and the goals for each rehearsal and provide a copy of each. Ground plan a 1/4 " scale ground plan showing all furniture, windows, doors, etc. Blocking notes with actor business and character notes. Maintain a rehearsal log so that you can see your success and the areas that need improvement (provide a copy). Elements Performance Given circumstances Used floor plan to its full potential Blocking was effective to the demands of the plays and versatile. Composition is defined. Has a clear focus. The meaning is germane and cogent. The pace is compliant to the action and the arc of the play. Tempo must be efficient and Fluid. Characterization must have clarity. Action must be multi-layered. Idea clearly conveyed IV. Participation Participate in class discussions (from required readings, viewings and audio on online materials) and participate in activities in class regularly. Complete assignments on time. Attend 90 minutes of rehearsal for Rabbit Hole. From August 25 to September18 rehearsals run Mon to Thurs from 6pm to 10pm in the Experimental. Class Schedule August 25- Intro to class August 27- September 3 Assign first directing project. Go through production book. Concepts of directing and begin process of analysis of script. Read or Listen http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bwbkm Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umfiwI-7I0M September 8 and10 Continue work on analyzing script. Develop an audition process and an interview system. We will address specific questions you may have regarding rehearsals. We will consider specific rehearsal techniques. Read or Listen http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bwbfp Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-4S9IN9QE September 15 and 17 Choose script read rough draft of scripts. Casting, what is involved and how to make the best choices. Cast this week. Read or Listen http://www.directorsnotes.com/category/podcasts/ Watch. http://arts.columbia.edu/mfa-directing-concentration September 22 and 24 The design process. Costumes,Sets, Locations, Sound , props and all. Read or Listen http://www.media-courses.com/blog/tag/film-directing-article/ Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbdtvYMXsaI September 29 and October 1 Rehearsal and rough runs. Go through concepts and working in a collaborative. Assign final presentations. You will pitch your Directorial Vision of the play/screenplay Read or Listen. http://therearehymnsweshout.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/directing-anddirecting-and-being-an-opinionated-obstruction-i-choose-c/ Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbdtvYMXsaI October 6 and 8 Rough runs and notes. Read or Listen. http://showbusinessweekly.com/article-1506-directing-theater.html Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49oZmT6Pif4 October 13 and 15 Presentation of five minute scenes. Production book due by midnight email to pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu We will discuss aspects of text analysis and rehearsal planning as well as overall aesthetic of the 5 minute presentations. October 20 and 22 Presentation of five minute scenes. Production book due by midnight email to pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu Continue to discuss aspects of text analysis and rehearsal planning as well as overall aesthetic of the 5 minute presentations. October 27 and 29 Read through of final presentations and give concept notes. Continue to discuss aspects of text analysis and rehearsal planning as well as overall aesthetic of the 5 minute presentations. Read or Listen. http://www.danillitphil.com/base.html Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZVfNJ4Ub4U November 3 and 5 Complete concept notes and assign production groups. We will address specific questions you may have regarding rehearsals. We will consider specific rehearsal techniques. You will pitch your Directorial Vision of the play/screenplay Read or Listen. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/23/entertainment/la-ca-directorsroundtable-20110123 Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZVfNJ4Ub4U November 10 and 12 Rehearsal and/or location. Read or Listen. http://www.ifp.org/resources/directing-actors-without-leaving-your-bed/ Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbgyU4OYfu0&list=PL2D8EEB3616D493EE November 17 and 19 Rehearsal and/or location shoot. Read or Listen. http://www.moviemaker.com/articles-directing/wim-wenders-50-golden-rulesof-moviemaking/ Watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-4S9IN9QE November 24 rehearsal Rehearsal and/or location shoot. Rough run optional. December 1, 3, 8, 10 and 15 Final presentation in class and evenings (If needed) Production book due by midnight December 10 please email to pcirino@mail.sdsu.edu GRADE SCALE I. 10% II. 30% III. 45% IV. 15% Final Monday Dec.15 from 1:00 to 3:00 Directing Writers Sam Shepard Neil Labute Terence Malick Hossein Amini Cody Diablo Neill Blomkamp Naomi Iizuka Chan Wook Park Harmony Korine Nicolas winding Refn Guillermo del Toro Aaron Sorkin David Lynch Sylvain Chomet André Ovredal Robert Kirkland Vince Gilligan Erik Ehn Jason Grote Caridad Svich Eveline Diaz Cruz John Patrick Shanley Moises Kaufman David Lindsay-Abaire Nicky Silver August Wilson David Mamet Edward Albee Aurorae Khoo David Rabe Here are a few sources for scripts Daily Script Simply Scripts IMSDB Why Insanity (Movie monologues) Actors Pages (Audition sides) Awesome Film Script-o-Rama Screenplays Online West Wing Transcripts Suggested Textbooks: Play Directing: Analysis, Communication and Style. 6th edition Francis Hodge and Michael McLain. Allyn and Bacon. ISBN 0-205-41923-2 Misdirecting the Play. Terry MC Cabe. Ivan R. Dee. Publisher; ISBN: 1- 566-63353-2 A Sense of Direction: Some Observations on the Art of Directing. William Ball. Drama Book Publishers. ISBN 0-89676-082-0 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic integrity is one of The fundamental principles of a university community. San Diego State University expects the highest standards of academic honesty from all students. Violations of academic integrity include the following: (1) unauthorized assistance on an examination, (2) falsification or invention of data, (3) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise, (4) plagiarism, (5) misappropriation of research materials, (6) unauthorized access of an instructor’s files or computer account, and (7) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor. If your academic integrity is not maintained on a test or assignment, you will automatically receive a grade of zero for That test or assignment and you will be reported to the Dean’s Office, in accordance with SDSU academic integrity policy. Penalties can be severe. More specific information is available in The SDSU Bulletin, both in print and on-line. STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES Students who need accommodation of Their disabilities should contact me privately to discuss specific accommodations for which They have received authorization. If you have a disability, but have not contacted Student Disability Services at 619 594-6431 (Calpulli Center, Suite 3101), please do so before making an appointment to see me. The web site for Student Disability Services is: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/index.html Use good judgment and appropriate behavior in class in all aspects of the class. I reserve the right to adjust the schedule and/or syllabus during the semester. If there are concerns about any aspect of the class, please make an appointment to meet with me to discuss them so they can be addressed.