THE COURSES
PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITING
(Taught in English)
Instructor: Carl Haber
30 hours
Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 – 13:00
Fall course: Oct 17- Nov 16, 2016
Winter course: Jan 9 – Feb 8, 2017
Course Fee: €700
This is an intensive university level course in the craft of professional screenwriting, teaching important techniques, formats, tips, tools and tricks of writing for film and TV. Focus is on film language, screenwriting rules, structure, creating interesting characters and their development arcs, writing dialogue, writing action, understanding genre, bringing scenes to life and finding originality in your writing. Lessons are in English but script exercises can be written in Italian or English.
Requirements: Students must download either “Final Draft” (FDX) or “Movie Magic Screenwriter” (MMSW) software. Students can share licenses to save money.
3-D ANIMATION with CINEMA 4-D or MAYA SOFTWARE
(Taught in Italian & English)
Instructor: Alessia Massimi
30 hours
Monday and Wednesday, 15:00 – 18:00
Fall course: Oct 17- Nov 16, 2016 (Cinema 4-D)
Winter course: Jan 9 – Feb 8, 2017 (Maya)
Course fee: €800
This course offers practical training in 3-D animation with the two most popular and key professional software choices, Cinema 4-D (taught in the fall term) and Maya (taught in the J-term), preparing students for potentially high-paid jobs in the field. With hands-on instruction with the software, taught by a professional animator, students learn the fundamentals and develop their own project.
Requirements: Students must have their own laptop computers. They will receive, free of charge, a legal one-month trial license to learn and use the software.
DIRECTING ACTORS FOR FILM
(Taught in Italian & English)
Instructor: Carl Haber
30 hours
Each Monday and Wednesday, 15:00 – 18:00
Fall course: Oct 17- Nov 16, 2016
Winter course: Jan 9 – Feb 8, 2017
Course fee: €750
Students learn methods of script analysis, the “detective work” in analyzing a script or scene, helping find the all important personal interpretation of the material; how to prepare to rehearse with actors and make creative choices in staging and shooting, and how to get great performances from actors. The class makes use of exercises and practical hands-on work directing scenes. Students will act in each other’s exercises, to experience working on both sides of the camera.
Requirements: Students should own their own laptop computer.
PROFESSIONAL EDITING TECHNIQUES
(Taught in Italian & English)
Instructor: Robert Buganza
30 hours
Each Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 – 13:00
Fall Course: Oct 18 – Nov 17
Winter Course: Jan 10 – Feb 9
Course fee: €700
Students will learn editing theory and technique, with hands-on practice with Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro software. Editorial for narrative film, ads and music videos. Titling, effects and sound.
Requirements: Students must download “Adobe “Production Suite” which they can do on a monthly basis for very low fees, and have their own laptop computers.
AFTER EFFECTS AND 2-D ANIMATION
(Taught in Italian & English)
Instructor: Robert Buganza
30 hours
Each Tuesday and Thursday, 15:00 – 18:00
Fall Course: Oct 18 – Nov 17
Winter Course: Jan 10 – Feb 9
Course fee: €600
This is a medium to advanced production and design course for film, TV, web, and mobile, with particular emphasis on integrating After Effects with Premiere, Photoshop, and Illustrator for narrative film and special effects across platforms. Course offers step-by-step training and exercises with hands-on practice to become proficient in a wide range of visual effects; those with expertise in After Effects are in high demand for jobs in the industry.
Requirements: Students must download “Adobe “Production Suite” software on their own laptop computers, which can be done on a monthly basis for low fees.
SMARTPHONE FILMMAKING
(Taught in Italian & English)
Instructor: Valerio De Berardinis
30 hours
Each Tuesday and Thursday, 15:00 – 18:00
Fall Course: Oct 18 – Nov 17
Winter Course: Jan 10 – Feb 9
Course fee: €600
This hands-on course teaches students to make the most professional use of their smart-phones to make short films, both shooting and editing on the small devices. Attention will be paid to fundamental photographic technique as well as storytelling choices.
Requirements: Students must have their own smart phone or tablet, and download or own iMovie-editing software
SPRING 12-WEEK “CRASH COURSE”
For the Spring 2017 semester RIFS invites 12 students to study with award winning faculty members, work on five films of fellow students and make his or her own film in our unique 12-week filmmaking course. Tuition for the semester is €6,500, which covers all classes and the use of RIFS’ high-end professional production equipment and facilities.
THE DETAILS OF THE SPRING “CRASH COURSE”
- Feb 20 – Mar 17: The first four weeks offer classes in direction, production, cinematography, screenwriting, editing and post-production, sound and production design. Additional seminars will be offered in directing actors and production.
- Direction – Mon/Wed 10:00 – 13:00
- Editing – Mon/Wed 14:30 – 17:30
- Screenwriting – Tues/Thurs 10:00 – 13:00
- Cinematography – Tues/Thurs 14:30 – 17:30
- Sound recording and sound editing – Fri 11:00 – 13:00
- Production – Fri 14:30 – 16:00
- Production Design – Fri 16:00 – 17:30
- Directing Acting – Sat 11:00 – 14:00 (weeks 2 and 3 only)
- Mar 20 – Apr 14: The second four weeks are dedicated to the production of the students’ 12 films, working in two groups of six. Each student will make his/her own film and work as supporting crew in rotating positions on the films of the other students in their group.
- Apr 15 – Apr 23: Easter / Spring Break
- Apr 24 – May 17: The final four weeks are dedicated to editing, post-production and completion of the films.
- May 18: Transfer films to DCP for screening
- May 19: Public Screening, Awards and Diploma Ceremony
**** Additionally a special event will be scheduled over one weekend this term, in which a notable film professional will offer a high profile and exciting presentation ****
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
With two groups shooting films simultaneously during the four weeks in the middle of the term, RIFS can provide both units with all the gear they will need. Students will shoot with professional 4K cameras and lenses and can choose the output and workflow they are most comfortable with. Lighting and grip gear will be professional, including tungsten and daylight units, C-stands and gobos, fluid head tripods, screens, nets, silks and other support gear.
SPRING SPECIAL EVENTS
RIFS will also be offering students the opportunity to participate in frequent exciting special evening events taking place both at RIFS itself and in the world of Roman cinema including screenings and film premieres and Q&A’s with notable filmmakers and guests.
THE SUMMER FILMMAKING COURSE
The summer program is scheduled for June 5-30, 2017
RIFS offers a 4-week summer course for 12 students. Two weeks are dedicated to classes, one for film production and one for editing. A screening and awards program wraps it up. The tuition fee for the course is €3,000, and covers all classes and the use of RIFS’ professional production equipment and facilities.
June 5 – June 16: Classes:
- Direction and Production – Mon/Wed 10:00 – 13:00
- Editing – Mon/Wed 14:30 – 17:30
- Screenwriting – Tues/Thurs 10:00 – 13:00
- Cinematography – Tues/Thurs 14:30 – 17:30
- Sound recording and sound editing – Fri 11:00 – 13:00
- Art directing seminar – Fri 15:00 – 17:00
June 17 – June 25: Film Productions
June 26 – June 29: Post Production
June 30: Screening and Diploma ceremony