First Semester
| Title of Class | Overview |
|---|---|
| Film Law & Policy | This course is primarily devoted to film law, covering issues related to copyright, legal contracts, and other issues that producers need to know when making films or running their own film companies. Since every country's laws are different, we will concentrate on general concepts and then discuss how specific laws may vary in different countries. In addition, we will examine the diverse ways in which governments approach film policy around the world. |
| Film Genres | Film genres provide a framework through which viewers around the world consume and interact with cinema. As producers of films, it is important to understand the nature of this dynamic, and so we will explore the idea of genre from a variety of perspectives, ranging from Aristotle to thinkers of the present day. Through analysis of various genres, we will explore diverse ways of reading films to give fellows a wider perspective on the complexities of meaning that exist within every film. |
| Project Proposals | This course is designed to provide fellows with guidance and practice in preparing the written texts (loglines, synopses, filmmakers' statements, etc.) that make up film proposals and applications for various kinds of support programs |
| Topics in Film Producing | A step by step analysis of the producing process of feature films from the planning to the distribution centered on the producer’s work. This course explores new potentials for film producing under historical, cultural and industrial environment of each Asian country and its process of globalization. Fellows will explore the role and related issues of producers in all stages from script development, financing, scheduling and budgeting, casting and talent management, location scouting, cinematography, visual effects, sound design, editing, music, digital intermediate and mastering, distribution and marketing. |
| Film Industry Seminar | Advanced entertainment business is based on film and media “industry”. This course is designed to provide fellows to establish a framework for understanding the dynamics of the film, media and technology industries, and their intersecting points in global film market. Beginning with a systematic overview of key players in relevant sectors, and principles that apply to entertainment industry. Based on their own researches, fellows will present the current environment of film and media business of each Asian country. The ultimate goal of this course is to become fully aware of fundamental tools for producers working across and beyond Asia, and to broaden potentials for international coproduction in Asia. |
| Storytelling & Script Development | Whether you are a writer, director, or producer, understanding dramatic principles in a story is in order to facilitate storytelling and script development. Fellows examine films and analyze their scripts, learning how vital information is conveyed, how story elements are communicated visually, how dramatic momentum is built with cause and effect, and what makes a character credible and complex. An in-depth analysis of screenplay’s storyline, characters, dialogue, images, and theme reveals various narrative techniques and storytelling styles, from Hollywood to independent and everything in between. Fellows end the term with the ability to break down the required dramatic principles and story elements for their project/screenplay ideas. Through the vigorous work done every week, fellows will have completed a revised treatment of their screenplay idea. |
| Financing, Distribution, Marketing |
This course is about sharing information and developing skills in raising funds, budgeting, investment & distribution in Korea and South East Asia, marketing, and overseas sales as a producer.
(Tentantive) ▶ 1st week: financing(funding) ▶ 2nd week: investment/distribution/marketing Korean films ▶ 3rd week: sales/supply/distribution ▶ 4th week: OTT in Asia ▶ 5th week: OTT in Korea ▶ 6th week: IP development and producing (webtoon, drama, etc) |
| Project Development Workshop | This course provides an intensive hands-on training for fellows willing to produce their own fiction feature film projects. Each fellow is to turn one selected idea into a pitchable story with development notes made by the fellows themselves or by their partners working in their own countries, referring to constructive feedback from the faculty members and from the colleagues either through group discussions or through man-to-man mentoring. Step by step, each fellow will be given a step-by-step tailored guidance in developing the subject, narrative, the visual style, and marketability of his or her project. The desired outcome of this course is to create atleast a solid treatment or a step-outline by the end of the semester. |
| Screening | This course is to broaden understanding of Film Genres and Storytelling by watching one film related to the lectures each week and writing a review about the film. (12 weeks, 1 film for each week) |
Second Semester
| Title of Class | Overview |
|---|---|
| Topics in Specialized Films | This course is structured around niche films that are differentiated from mainstream commercial movies. Starting from classical essays that are still valid on art cinema practices, fellows will come to understand key concepts and historical frameworks for conceptualizing and analyzing arthouse films (including experimental films) by comparing their narrative strategies and alternative aesthetics with those of conventional cinema. Secondly, this course will provide essential aspects of non-fiction films, through discussions on documentary modes, documentary film producing and markets, essay film and first-person filmmaking, ethical issues on historical representation of collective memories on violence and trauma etc. The ultimate goal of this course is to broaden fellows’ knowledge on different landscapes of art cinema and its future potentials for producers in different Asian countries. |
| Media & Technology | With the development of science and technology, we will examine the latest trends in film production and evolving theatrical environment. We analyze the effects of the advanced video technologies for cinematography and sound design in film production. We also study the progress of cinematic experiences created by newly developed digital technologies: virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) etc. This course will also provide latest trends in multi projection technologies in theatre screenings: 3D, 4D, and Screen X, as well as the new media consumption platforms and the use of artificial intelligence in cost input and profit making. Finally, we will discuss the future potential of movie business in Asia in the rapidly changing digital world. |
| Asian Film History | This course is designed to provide a general overview of the historical development of cinema in various countries throughout Asia. We will learn about influential filmmakers, ideas and film movements from both major film-producing nations and also comparatively overlooked national cinemas. Fellows will also be encouraged to share their thoughts and knowledge about their own countries' film industries. The overarching goal of this course is not so much to examine a list of the most famous films, but to gain a deeper appreciation of the ways in which film form and style has been constantly evolving in Asia over the past century and more. |
| Film & Psychology | This course is designed to provide fellows with selected knowledge from the field of psychology. We will focus specifically on topics that will be useful to film producers in their work, and in creating stories with convincing characters and situations. We will devote time in class to learning and discussing new ideas and theories, analyzing films from a psychological perspective, and considering different ways in which movies affect an audience. |
| Communication Strategies | This interactive and reflective course will give you the strategies and tools to communicate effectively at every step of the way from script to screen. Together, we will explore different approaches to being a producer - from Networker to Leader, Entrepreneur, Presenter, Psychologist and ultimately as a Visionary. Contingent to all these roles is the ability to communicate effectively both on paper and in person. By the end of these extensive twelve weeks we will set a strategic direction for you (and your company) and build your capacity as business professionals in the creative industries. |
| International Co-Production | As SVOD platforms continue to rise, we are seeing the emergence of new markets and, indeed, new audiences for international films. The opportunities are wide open, however, there are still a host of challenges for the “international” Producer to navigate, including: finding the right partners and locations; treaties and contracts; financing and tax credits/rebates; negotiating agreements; working practices and employment laws; sales and distribution; revenue sharing (hopefully) and, not to forget, writing endless applications! I’ll admit, it doesn’t actually sound like much fun but, by actually going through this process you will discover a great way to develop your story, and, to make sure that potential investors and stakeholders can see both the commercial potential and practical possibility of your film. In addition, we will be exploring case studies from leading international producers who are successfully working between Asia and the ROW (Rest of the World). The course will combine lectures, interactive elements as well as practical exercises in order to understand and put the learning into practice. |
| Project Development Workshop 2 | This course provides an intensive hands-on training for fellows willing toproduce their own fiction feature film projects. Each fellow is to turn one selected idea into a pitchable story with development notes made by the fellows themselves or by their partners working in their own countries, referring to constructive feedback from the faculty members and from the colleagues either through group discussions or through man-to-man mentoring. Step by step, each fellow will be given a step-by-step tailored guidance in developing the subject, narrative, the visual style, and marketability of his or her project. The desired outcome of this course is to create at least a solid treatment or a step-outline by the end of the semester. |
| Screening | This course is to broaden understanding of Film Genres and Storytelling by watching one film related to the lectures each week and writing a review about the film. (12 weeks, 1 film for each week) |
