Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: VART5924C

Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Tim Marshall

Email: timothy.marshall@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Pre-requisites – none 

 

Course Description

Establish the creative vision for screen productions (VART5924C) covers the skills and knowledge you need to produce effective written scripts, and to transform written scripts into screen productions through the use of sound and visual images.
This competency is delivered in two different contexts: Feature Film, and Story To Screen.
In Feature Film, you build upon and complete the work on your feature project begun in the first semester in the competency COMM 7326 Script Edit a feature film.
In Story To Screen, through working on a practical project you learn what is involved in the different aspects of creating a screen production.
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFDRT601A Establish the creative vision for screen productions

Element:

1. Review and interpret scripts.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Read available drafts of scripts and arrange meetings with appropriate creative personnel to discuss potential interpretations of the vision
1.2 Assess the intended creative aims of scripts, define proposed objectives and explore how they may be realize visually or through the use of sound.
1.3 Generate and consider a range of ideas for visualizing scripts until a clear narrative emerges.
1.4 Identify research and reference materials to inform creative directors and to assist in providing the context for productions
1.5 Review script drafts in collaboration with writers, agree on the need for any re-writes and organise timetables for completions.
1.6 Prepare clear development notes for script writers to produce scripts re-drafts as required.
1.7 Document perceived visual and dramatic elements in scripts as the basis for shot plans.

Element:

2. Prepare shot plans to realise visual narrative.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Mark up working script into its component scenes and identify key dramatic elements and technical parameters within each scenic unit.
2.2 Plot key dramatic elements within each scene and between scenes to realise the transformation of the written narrative into its visual representation.
2.3 Consider the whole of the narrative and scenes to determine the location of the characters and other elements for each individual shot.
2.4 Assess the photographic qualities of proposed shots and how they may impact on the story overall and within each scene.
2.5 Ensure overall shot plans allow both narrative and visual aspects to be controlled and carried forward to meet overall production requirements.
2.6 Discuss shot plans with relevant production personnel prior to development of any story boards.

Element:

3. Review and communicate proposed shot plan.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and document areas of productions that may be affected by script versions and discuss changes with colleagues.
3.2 Arrange sign-off for final script with producers if applicable and ensure it is distributed to relevant creative personnel.
3.3 Maintain an ongoing review of script and shot plans and organize for any further rewrites while production is underway.
3.4 Provide relevant production personnel


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to transform written scripts into screen productions through the use of sound and visual images.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through: 


1. In-class activities:

  • lectures 
  • teacher directed group activities/projects 
  • industry speakers 
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • site visits
  • group discussion

2. Out-of-class activities

  • independent and group project based work 
  • online and other research 
  • discussion and comment via blackboard 
  • independent study

In this course, you will be working in self-managed teams to establish the creative vision of the scriptwriter, through the completion of a practical project. This will involve working outside class hours on planning, filming and editing the nominated film script. You will spend a minimum of 18 hours outside class time working on this team-based project with the support of your teacher. 

 

 


Teaching Schedule

 

Week

Content

Assessment due

 1

 No class this week

 

2

Explanation of course content and assessment requirements

Discussion of goals

Experience inventory

Overview – short film examples

Script to Screen analysis exercise #1 (Screenplay to Screen – what changes)

 

3

How to pitch your idea

Initial Short Film script discussions

Script to screen analysis exercise #2 (Mise en Scene: Cinematography, Production Design/Costume)

 

4

Short film ideas Pitching session

The short film – briefing

Possible production roles

Script to screen analysis exercise #3 (Sound, Editing)

 

5

The role of producer

Discussion of storyboards and their purpose

Storyboarding a short script (Director’s Coverage Analysis Exercise)

Director’s Statements

 

6

Studio #1 - intro to camera, lighting, sound

Script Development

 

7


Studio #2 – in camera edit exercise

Script Development

 

Assessment Task #2

8

Forum Guests/Presentation

Script development

Storyboard presentations

 

9

Forum Guests/Presentation

Script development (cont’d)

 

10

Forum Guests/Excursion

Pre-production Week

Assessment Task #1: All forums/presentations due to have been completed by this date.

11

Film Shoot: Studio/location

 

 

 Mid-semester break: 18-29 September

 

12

Film Shoot: Studio/location

Film Editing

 

13

Film Shoot: Studio/location

Film Editing

 

14

Film Editing

 

15

Film Editing

 

16

Film Editing

Assessment #3: Screening of short film

Assessment #4: Production reports due

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the Internet.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is on going throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in practical projects, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all of the following assessments to a satisfactory standard. You will receive written feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria). Once you have demonstrated competency, your final two assessment tasks will be graded (refer to Blackboard for grading rubric).

Assessment #1: Class forum/excursion (Due date: as scheduled, but by Week 10, 4/5 September)

In groups, organise and present a one-hour class visit, workshop, excursion or demonstration with an industry professional in a key production role.

This may include:

- Researching production role and guest

- Developing brief for the class including aims and format of the visit

- Selecting and presenting material for workshopping, case study or use as examples

- Managing the presentation of the event, including class participation, so as to illuminate the relationship of each professional role with the writer and the script throughout the production process

Assessment #2: Storyboard (Due date: by Week 7, 14/15 August)
Create a storyboard for a short film, and present it to other team members in a way that effectively conveys your vision for the project.

Assessment #3: Production of a short film (graded) (as negotiated, by Week 16, 30/31 October)
You will collaborate effectively with all other members of the creative team in the creation and realisation of a script into the production and completion of a short film. The short film will be a dramatic narrative with a running time of between 5 and 7 minutes. You will have a chance to undertake multiple roles in the production. All roles are vital to the project’s outcome.

You will be assessed on your ongoing contribution to the successful making of the short film and by teacher observation.

Assessment #4: Production report (graded) (Due Week 16, 30/31 October)
At the screening of the produced collaborative project, you will report to class on your role in the process and outcomes of the group production. You will also supply a written report of 600-750 words addressing these points.

The written report must be emailed to your teacher as an attachment in either Word or RTF. A signed copy of the cover sheet must also be attached. In the program blackboard site you will find a copy of the cover sheet along with instructions on how to set up and use a digital signature. Your teacher may also request a hard copy of the report.

The grades used in this course are as follows:

CHD Competency with high distinction
CDI Competency with distinction
CC Competency with credit
CAG Competent graded
NYC Not yet complete
DNS Did not submit
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. This is available through the course contact in Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

How to submit work
Your assessment brief will specify how you should submit your work – as hard copy, digital copy or electronically through Blackboard. When you submit your work, you must include a declaration of authorship. 

For submissions on Blackboard, you need to agree to an assessment declaration when you submit.

For all other submissions, you must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. We strongly advise that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

We request that you speak to your teacher if regular attendance becomes difficult.

Assessment feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

Student progress
Monitoring academic progress is helps us to assist you in achieving your learning potential. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress

Adjustments to assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

Academic integrity and plagiarism
Academic integrity is about the honest presentation of work that is your own. RMIT University has a clear policy on plagiarism (see web page for more detail).

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Credit Transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview