Cuyahoga Community College
ZNMC0112 - Indie Script to Screen: Crafting Production on a Limited Budget
Course Description
Taught by producer Nat Dinga, this dynamic six-week course is designed for aspiring filmmakers eager to write and produce media content with the resources they already have. We'll demystify the process of low-budget filmmaking, showing you how limitations can spark creativity.
Inspired by success stories like The Evil Dead and Clerks, you'll learn to identify and leverage your available actors, locations and equipment to bring your unique vision to life. Through assigned activities (detailed outlines, treatments, scripts) and peer feedback, you'll develop a polished script or concept tailored for realistic production. We'll cover essential strategies for story structure, strategic plotting and practical production decisions that maximize your resources across various formats, including short films, music videos, web series and other digital content.
By the end of this course, you'll have a clear understanding of how to turn your ideas into a tangible project, poised to launch your career in independent film, television or digital media.
Course Outline
Week 1:
- What resources do you have available for production (actors, locations, money and equipment)? How can you effectively leverage these tools to create a produce-able and effective script?
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Case Studies: Evil Dead, Clerks
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Participants should return in Week 2 with a minimum of three ideas for a short, feature, pilot or internet production that utilizes available resources.
Week 2:
- Participants will present their ideas to the class and receive feedback from the instructor and their peers.
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Case Study: Paranormal Activity
Week 3:
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Participants will present updates and receive feedback regarding their respective projects.
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Case Study: Flowers in the Attic (miniseries)
Week 4:
- Review script outlines/rough drafts
- Storytelling and production methods for "nontraditional"/emerging platforms (YouTube)
Week 5:
- Real-world low-budget production and pitfalls: Nat Dinga discusses the making of Fix (starring Olivia Wilde)
- Pitching strategies
Week 6:
- Participants will pitch their projects to the class.
- Next steps: Funding your project, development opportunities and distribution (film festivals, streaming)