Course Title: Shoot a wide range of television content

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: VART5931C

Course Title: Shoot a wide range of television content

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4197 - Certificate IV in Creative Industries

Course Contact : Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Andrew Harrison
Email: andrew.harrison@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

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

There are no pre-requisites or co-requisites for this unit

The competency VART5931 Shoot A Wide Range Of Television Content is taught in conjunction with VART5930C Edit Screen For A Fast Turnaround.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required by a camera-person who usually works without supervision to shoot television content using professional video equipment. The person undertakes the preparation and technical aspects of a shoot, including camera, sound and lights.
On occasion, the camera-person works with a sound recordist or lighting technician and may coordinate their operations. Other duties may include manipulation of cameras, e.g. on dolly tracks and cable control.
Program styles covered by this unit include news and current affairs, corporate videos, coverage of events and relatively complex documentary materials. Typically the camera person contributes creatively to outcomes and works collaboratively with producers or directors, either as an employee of a production house or as a freelancer on assignment.
The competency VART5931 Shoot A Wide Range Of Television Content is taught alongside VART5930C Edit Screen For A Fast Turnaround


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFCAM401A Shoot a wide range of television content

Element:

1 Prepare for shoots

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Attend pre-production briefings and contribute creative ideas for the visual interpretation of intended productions
1.2 Appraise ideas for shots, taking into account the potential impact on costs, timelines, scripts and technical feasibility
1.3 Survey locations prior to shoots as required
1.4 Plan, prepare and pack required equipment and accessories for shoots, including special requirements, such as lenses and filters
1.5 Ensure equipment is in working order and fix minor faults or arrange to have them fixed
1.6 Select capture media that is appropriate and sufficient to meet production requirements
1.7 Anticipate OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots
1.8 Complete required documentation

Element:

2 Set up shoots

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Survey sites and determine camera positions to achieve shots and compositions best suited to
production requirements
2.2 Generate a range of ideas that offer creative solutions for particular productions
2.3 Appraise ideas for potential impact on cost, schedules, technical feasibility and suitability to meet
production requirements
2.4 Set up and implement lighting plans, and install required cables
2.5 Confirm light temperature and exposures are sufficient for production requirements by utilising appropriate light meters
2.6 Position microphones and conduct audio checks
2.7 Liaise and collaborate with other production personnel and talent to maximise creative outcomes
2.8 Rehearse shots as required

Element:

3 Shoot content.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Check camera movements to implement planned and rehearsed shots where applicable
3.2 Ensure captured shots meet editing and other post-production requirements
3.3 Employ photographic and composition techniques to achieve aesthetic requirements and to capture well-composed and well-focused shots
3.4 Collaborate with other production personnel where applicable and respond to directions as required
3.5 Coordinate inputs from other crew members as required to achieve the desired images
3.6 Ensure safe work practices are applied at all times
3.7 Record audio using appropriate microphones or coordinate sound operations as required

Element:

4 Wrap up shoots.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Pack and store equipment using safe lifting practices
4.2 Ensure recorded content is identified, labelled and available for post-production
4.3 Ensure locations are left in original state
4.4 Brief editors and producers on post-production issues as required
4.5 Complete necessary documentation
4.6 Review and reflect on own performance and note areas for improvement


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to apply creative camera techniques to a range of media productions.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning Activities will consist of
• demonstrations
• workshops
• practical exercises
• productions
• discussions
• screenings
• reading set texts
• research
• planning and development of camera assessments
You will be responsible for your learning and will be expected to engage in independent research, reading, study, practice and screenings


Teaching Schedule

Teaching schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.


Week Class Content Assessment Elements
Week 1 • Orientation to the course – Camera and Editing
• Introduction to resources, assessments and course expectations
• Screening – previous students work
• Digital video camera OH&S and operational procedures
• Introduction to digital video terms and principles
• Introduction to digital video camera operations and handling
• Introduction to principles of editing – three point edit
• Introduction to Final Cut Pro set up and operation: AV settings, sequence settings, scratch disc, media formats, file management, FCP interface, browser and bins, import, viewer, canvas and timeline
Includes – class exercises and discussion
Assignment 4:
Camera major project – Chase short film handed out
Assignment 7:
Editing major project – structuring a sequence through manipulation of rhythm and tempo; Chase short film
CUFCAM401A
1,2
CUFPOS401A-
1,2
Week 2 • Revision of week 1
• Correct camera handling, calibration, white balance, tape usage, footage recording and playback
• Focus, framing, aperture, composition
• Introduction to production documentation
• Survey locations
• Initiate formation of production groups for Assignments 2,3,4
• FCP operation: media formats, log and capture, file management
Includes – class exercises and discussion
Assignment 1: Camera operations test – finalise student assessment order. Test due week 4 CUFCAM401A
1,2,3
CUFPOS401A-
1,2
Week 3 • Revision of week 2
• Audio for digital video – set up, calibration, operations, recording technique
• Camera handling – pan, tilt, camera track, hand held camera technique
• OH & S procedures and protocols for location shooting
• Finalise formation of production groups for Assignments 2,3,4
• FCP operations: Introduction to audio – filters, transitions, formats, sound editing, sound mixing
Includes – class exercises and discussion
Assignment 1: Camera operations test – finalise student assessment order. Test due next week CUFCAM401A
1,2,3,4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2
Week 4 • Assignment 1 assessment – Camera operations test
• Results and feedback at conclusion of test
Assignment 1: Camera operations test due CUFCAM401A
1,2,3,4
CUFPOS401A-
Week 5 • Assignment 2: Camera Exercise - Focus, Aperture, Framing and Composition
• To be completed during scheduled class time
• Log, capture, archive and submit Assignment 2 footage and documentation
Assignment 2:
Camera exercise due
Assignment 4:
Preproduction documentation due week 9
Assignment 5: FCP operations test – Test due week 8
CUFCAM401A
1,2,3,4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2
Week 6 • Assignment 3: Camera Exercise – Composition, Camera Movement and Audio
• To be completed during scheduled class time
• Log, capture, archive and submit Assignment 3 footage and documentation
Assignment 3:
Camera exercise due
Assignment 2:
Camera exercise results and feedback
Assignment 4:
Preproduction documentation due week 9
Assignment 5: FCP operations test – finalise student assessment order. Test due week 8
CUFCAM401A
1,2,3,4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2
Week 7 • Revision of FCP operations – interface, file management, sequence settings, import, audio
• FCP operations: keyframing, scaling, transitions, filters (effects), colour correction, titling, basic 3D, markers
• Exporting Media: FCP - QuickTime movies, stills, audio
• Exporting Media: Compressor – DVD, Mov, Web
• Principles of Editing: editing for narrative/storytelling
• Assignment 4: Group pre-production meeting
Includes – class exercises and discussion
Assignment 3:
Camera exercise results and feedback
Assignment 4:
Pre-production documentation due week 9
Assignment 5: FCP operations test – finalise student assessment order. Test due next week
Assignment 6:
Editing short answer written test due week 9
CUFCAM401A
1
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
Week 8 • Assignment 5: FCP Operations test and practical demonstration
• Results and feedback at conclusion of test
• Assignment 4: Group pre-production meeting – Finalise location surveys, equipment list, props list, talent and pre production documentation
Assignment 5: FCP operations test due
Assignment 4:
Preproduction documentation due week 9
Assignment 6:
Editing short answer written test due week 9
CUFCAM401A
1,2
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
  MIDSEMESTER BREAK – 29 AUGUST to 2 SEPTEMBER    
Week 9 • Assignment 6: Editing short answer written test
• Results and feedback at conclusion of class
• Assignment 4: Group pre-production documentation submitted
• Assignment 4: Camera major project – Group exercise chase short film; All groups begin shooting
• Log, capture and archive Assignment 4 footage (in progress)
ssignment 4:
Pre-production documentation due
Assignment 6:
Editing short answer written test due
CUFCAM401A
1,2
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
Week 10 • Assignment 4: Camera major project – Group exercise chase short film; All groups shooting
• Log, capture and archive Assignment 4 footage (in progress)
• Begin offline edit
• Assess rushes for technical and thematic quality
• Make modifications for next scheduled shooting time (if required)
• Make modifications to production documentation (if required)
Assignment 4: Shoot camera major project – chase short film
Assignment 7:
Log, capture and archive A4 footage
CUFCAM401A
1,2,3.4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3
 Week 11  • Assignment 4: Camera major project – Group exercise chase short film; All groups shooting
• Log, capture and archive Assignment 4 footage (in progress)
• Continue offline edit
• Assess rushes for technical and thematic quality
• Make modifications for next scheduled shooting time (if required)
• Make modifications to production documentation (if required)
 Assignment 4: Shoot camera major project – chase short film
Assignment 7:
Log, capture and archive A4 footage
 CUFCAM401A
1,2,3.4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3
 Week 12  • Assignment 4: Camera major project – Group exercise chase short film; FINAL SHOOTING DAY
• Log, capture and archive Assignment 4 footage (in progress)
• Finalise offline edit
• Assess rushes for technical and thematic quality
• Assignment 4 appraisal document due next week (week 13)
 Assignment 4: Camera major project footage and logging sheets due
Assignment 7:
Log, capture and archive A4 footage
 CUFCAM401A
1,2,3.4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3
 Week 13  • Assignment 7: Editing major assignment – structuring a sequence through the manipulation of rhythm and tempo
• Organise footage and media for editing
• Set up and save FCP project
• Ensure all media project files have been correctly backed up
• Preliminary edit
 Assignment 4: Appraisal document due
Assignment 7:
Editing major assignment:
Due week 16
 CUFCAM401A
4
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
 Week 14  • Assignment 7: Editing major assignment – structuring a sequence through the manipulation of rhythm and tempo
• Refine the edit
• Reshoot segments or shots (if required)
 Assignment 7:
Editing major assignment:
Due week 16
 CUFCAM401A
2,3
CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
 Week 15  • Assignment 7: Editing major assignment – structuring a sequence through the manipulation of rhythm and tempo
• Prepare to finalise edit
 Assignment 7:
Editing major assignment:
Due next week
 CUFCAM401A

CUFPOS401A-
1,2,3,4
 Week 16  • Assignment 7: Editing major assignment – structuring a sequence through the manipulation of rhythm and tempo
• Finalise edit for export
• Submit final version of Assignment 7
 Assignment 7:
Editing major assignment due
 CUFCAM401A

CUFPOS401A-
3,4
 Week 17  Assessment and review    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Mollison, M 2004, Producing videos: A Complete Guide (2nd Ed), Allen and Unwin, Australia


References

Musburger, R 2010, Single-Camera Video Production (5th Ed), Focal Press, USA (available in the library)
Weynand, D 2009, Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 7, Peachprint Press, USA (available in the library)
Wohl, M 2010, Apple Pro Training Series: Final Cut Pro 7 Advanced Editing, Peachprint Press, USA (not available in the library)
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

• Portable Hard Drive – Firewire 800
• USB Stick or passport drive
• HDV/DV Tapes
• Production documents on Creative Industries blackboard
• Creative Industries Production Guide
• Creative Industries Safety Checklist


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will involve practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical group projects.

This course will be delivered and assessed in conjunction with Edit screen content for fast turnaround – CUFPOS401A


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

ASSESSMENT TASKS:
# Assessment Task Value Due Date
1 Assignment 1 – Camera Operations Test 20% TBA
2 Assignment 2 – Camera Exercise 20% TBA
3 Assignment 3 – Camera Exercise 20% TBA
4 Assignment 4 – Camera MP: Chase Video 40% TBA
Total 100%

The details on these assessments and the grading criteria for this competency can be found on the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview