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Junior High Summer Institute - Special Effects

Instructors

Thomas B. Anderson, Director of Photography

Thomas B. Anderson is a director of photography, as well as a University of Southern California faculty member. His years of professional and academic motion picture and commercial photographic production experience range from newsreel, industrial, commercial photography and special visual effects cinematography, to designing digital optical effects for independent and studio productions.

Concurrently a part time instructor at USC and owner of T&T Optical Effects Company, Mr. Anderson is a craftsman, with a love for the potential and impact of the motion picture.  He is also an innovative teacher, with a devotion to education and teaching.  Finally, he is a motivator and a team player.

 

Course Description

Hollywood  special effects right here in the Junior High Summer Institute!  Students in the special effects track will be introduced to production techniques used by the special effects teams on the studio back lots to create effects for movies and TV.  Each special effects student becomes a member of a six-person special effects production team.  Special effects team will write, cast, produce and edit a short screenplay with effects theme, incorporating the special effects techniques learned in camp.

 

Week 2 June 22 - June 26, 2009

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:30 - 9:00 a.m drop off
Instructor: Camp Counselor
Drop off (extended care early drop off 8:00 am) Drop off (extended care early drop off 8:00 am) Drop off (extended care early drop off 8:00 am) Drop off (extended care early drop off 8:00 am) Drop off (extended care early drop off 8:00 am)
9:00 - 10:45
(1 hr 45 min)
Block A

Instructor: Tom Anderson
CAMP OVERVIEW Safety guidelines
Pre-production day for short film project
Safety guidelines
Pre-production day for short film project
Safety guidelines
Production day. Each six person team will shoot screenplay
Safety guidelines
POST Production day. Each six person team will edit screenplay
10:45-11:00
(15 min break)

Instructor: Camp Counselor
15 min Break 15 min Break 15 min Break 15 min Break 15 min Break
11:00 - 12:45
(1 hr 45 min)
Block B

Instructor: Tom Anderson
Practical Exercise
Demo Special effects technique. Choose project team partners.
Practical Exercise
Demo Special effects technique.
Practical Exercise
Demo Special effects technique.
Practical exercise
Production day – shoot screenplay
Practical exercise
Each six person team will edit screenplay
12:45 - 1:45
Instructor: Camp Counselor
60 min Lunch 60 min Lunch 60 min Lunch 60 min Lunch 60 min Lunch
1:45 - 3:30
(1 hr 45 min)
Block C

Instructor: Tom Anderson

Project for today:
Make-up effects – create scars

Project construction time
Miniature effects – shrink a person and stuff them in a bottle

Project construction time
Finish all construction on effects props. Cast, rehearse & scout locations for final screenplay

Production day

Screen final four screenplays
3:30 Pick-UP
Instructor: Camp Counselor
Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up Pick Up
3:30 - 5:30
Instructor: Camp Counselor
Extended care available to 5:30 for preregistered and prepaid Extended care available to 5:30 for preregistered and prepaid Extended care available to 5:30 for preregistered and prepaid Extended care available to 5:30 for preregistered and prepaid Extended care available to 5:30 for preregistered and prepaid