Multimedia/Digital Video Production

Silent Film Project
iMovie or FinalCut Pro - You Decide

Silent films were all the rage ban in "the day." Silent movies are movies that have no spoken dialog, allowing the actors to communicate via actions and body language, usually supplemented by background music, subtitles, or both. For this project you will create a short dramatic film. The film should center around one of the following themes:

  • Crime drama—“Whodunnit” type film
  • Comedy—Slapstick type film
  • Other—by approval only

Criteria
  1. You (and you may work with a partner, but you will have to edit the film individually on your own computers) will create a complete pre-production storyboard.
  2. Save as Silent_Movie_2012_Yourname
  3. All projects must have at least 10 shots and between 2 and 4 minutes edited. Filming should be in an original location.
  4. You must have a distinct beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion that are clearly identifiable.
  5. You will include closing credits to acknowledge actors and resources used. Note where all musical sequences are from.
    Music should be “old piano” style like silent films typically use.
  6. When you edit the video, when you first import it, be sure to change the video color/saturation so it looks more “old timey” as these videos should not be full color. Experiment and age the film before you edit.
  7. Either PowerPoint or Photoshop may be used for title/subtitle cards.
  8. There is a PDF file about this project to help you.
  9. Finished films are to be shared to the Public folder/Multi-Media_2011-2012/Silent_Movies_2012/Silent_Movie_2012_Yourname
A basic sequence consists of the following shots:
    1. Establishing shot
    2. Medium shot of main character
    3. Reaction shot/cutaway of secondary character
    4. Close up (or sometimes medium) of main character
    5. Reaction shot/cutaway of secondary character
      (sometimes this can be a medium two shot— both main and secondary characters)
    6. Wide shot of both characters in their location
 Shot Sequence

 

 

 

SILENT FILM SCORING GUIDE
Movie Title: __________________________________ Students Name:_______________________________
 

Requirement

Points

Deducted
1. Title card includes: Copyright date
Jackson HS DV Pictures presents, title, and starring actor
A (Your Name as Producer) Production		 10  
2. Subtitle cards are all coordinated and use appropriate fonts and some embellishment 10  
3. Spelling/grammar of cards 15  
4. Use of varying shots/angles including establishing, medium, reaction/cutaway, and wide shots 15  
5. Acting is suitable for silent genre—overacted, obvious, etc. 10  
6. Clear introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion
**Write a paragraph or two below detailing each of these parts of the film		 20  
7. THE END to end the film 5  
8. Closing credits acknowledging all resources/actors 10  
9. Film looks aged and is desaturated 10  
10. Fast paced action/plot 10  
11. Appropriate old style music added 10  
  TOTAL 125  
       
  Sites with old music instrumental for silent films:    
  http://www.perfessorbill.com/index.html
http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/
Scroll down nearly halfway to "Sam Fox Moving Picture Music Volume 1" (1913)
by J.S. Zamecnik (MIDI files—see PDF for converter link)
http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/silentfilm.html
This one is already in MP3 format, so no conversion needed