Undergraduate Program
Unique No. 07525
Faculty: Pierson
Class Time: MW 3:30-5
Room: GEA 101
Writing Comp: Yes
Comm/Culture Req: No
Closing Limit: 64
Cross-listed: No
Prerequisites
Must be an RTF major with a UT GPA of at least a 2.25 and have upper-division standing. Letter-grade basis only. Software costs borne by the student. The following prerequisites: RTF 305, 317, 318, and 3 additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in RTF with a grade of at least C in each course; and RTF 317 and 318 with a grade of B or better in each.
Consent requirements
This course does not require consent. Registration is open via TEX to all RTF majors.
First class day policy
Student must attend the first class day or will be dropped.
Course description
RTF 367K, Producing Motion Pictures, is an intensive class with a heavy work load—and great benefits to students who want to understand how the media industries work. Students are expected to enter the course prepared with an idea for a motion picture project, for which they will develop a 20-page business plan over the course of the semester. See the Course Requirements section below.
RTF 367K explores how things work in the supposedly noncreative side of the entertainment industry. The primary focus of the course is on feature length fiction productions, exploring the ways that such projects can be produced both inside and outside of Hollywood. While nonfiction projects as well as television series will be briefly discussed, these are not the primary emphases of the course. Rather, this course surveys the function and duties of a motion picture producer as he or she shepherds an idea through a project "life cycle": development, financing, pre-production, post-production, marketing and distribution.
Lecture topics mirror the project life cycle while students concurrently develop their own business plans/prospectuses for original film or television projects of their choosing. At the end of the semester, each student turns in a complete and realistic business plan for a film or video project, one which is ready for presentation to entertainment industry contacts and financiers.
John received his BFA from New York University Film School in 1976 and has been at the forefront of U.S. independent film since then. He wrote one of the definitive books on independent film entitled Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes (reissued as Spike Mike Reloaded this year) and also helped launch many independent films in the 80's and 90's. This included serving as a producer's representative for Richard Linklater's Slacker and Spike Lee's first film She's Gotta Have It and other independent films. John also participated in the sale of Michael Moore's film Roger and Me to Warner Bros. in 1989.
Course Requirements
Please note: This is an intensive class with a heavy work load. Students are expected to enter the course with an idea for a project which can be produced for less than $5 million (it can be much less). The semester is then spent synthesizing materials culled from lectures, course readings and additional outside research into a workable business plan of approximately 20 pages in length.
Along with the business plan (which is due in increments over the course of the semester), there are two exams as well as two one-hour labs which meet outside of regularly scheduled class time. These lab workshops and exercises place particular emphasis on production management-project budgeting and scheduling, with the intention that these skills will be put to use in other production courses.
Should you wish to see samples of projects from previous semesters, or a more detailed description of the business plan project, these documents are available for your perusal on UT e-reserve: http://reserves.lib.utexas.edu/courseindex.asp. The password for the course is "producing"; please remember all materials are subject to change.