Course Title: Shoot material for screen productions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: VART6206C

Course Title: Shoot material for screen productions

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4295 - Certificate IV in Screen and Media

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

Rowan Humphrey
(03) 99254842
rowan.humphrey@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

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

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to shoot screen material using a single-camera.
Camera operators apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit. Their prime responsibility is to capture screen images using a range of video equipment.
Operators in this context generally work under direction but perform all camera, sound and lighting functions. Occasionally they will be assisted by a camera assistant or sound recordist. On occasion, they may be required to assist other camera operators with the movement and handling of cameras and cables.
Mainstream activities include shooting for news and current affairs, short documentaries, and corporate and training videos.
More specialised duties may include the capture of materials for animations and stop-motion animated productions.
Typically camera operators are employed by television stations, production houses or corporate video units. In addition, there is a growing body of camera operators who work on a freelance basis.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFCAM301A Shoot material for screen productions

Element:

Element 1    Prepare for shoots

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Participate in pre-production briefings as required to
confirm production and post-production requirements.
1.2 Arrange equipment and accessories for shoots as
directed, ensuring that everything is clean and operational.
1.3 Safely charge batteries according to manufacturer
specifications and ensure sufficient supply of charged
batteries to meet the needs of production schedules.
1.4 Select required capture media and ensure sufficient
supply for the intended production.
1.5 Prepare and pack lighting equipment, including gels and
cables as required.
1.6 Undertake minor repairs on faulty equipment or report
significant faults to relevant production personnel.
1.7 Confirm location, shooting schedules and timelines with
relevant production personnel.
1.8 Complete appropriate documentation prior to shoots.
 

Element:

Element 2    Set up on location

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine camera positions to ensure that composition of
shots provides correct visual interpretation of production
requirements.
2.2 Liaise and collaborate with crew and talent and contribute
ideas to initial concepts.
2.3 Set up equipment and accessories to ensure the safety of
personnel on location.
2.4 Consider requirements for repositioning equipment and
accessories during shoots taking into account production
schedules.
2.5 Ensure cameras and other equipment are safely secured.
2.6 Label and load capture media and check camera
functions.
2.7 Position microphones as required and conduct audio
check.
 

Element:

Element 3    Set up lighting

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess the quality and quantity of available light and
determine the amount of correction required if necessary.
3.2 Mount and position lighting equipment following safety
guidelines.
3.3 Run lighting cables and connect safely to power sources.
3.4 Install colour frames and gels in accordance according to
requirements for the specific shoot.
3.5 Select lenses and filters appropriate to the prevailing
conditions.
 

Element:

Element 4    Position and operate camera to capture shots

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Consider camera shots and angles, where feasible, to
ensure cuts between shots produce the desired result.
4.2 Take account of editing or other post-production
requirements while shooting.
4.3 Ensure camera set-up meets criteria for shoot
4.4 Check camera movements to implement planned or
rehearsed shots according to direction from relevant
production personnel.
4.5 Shoot and record sequences as directed, maintaining
focus throughout.
 

Element:

Element 5    Manipulate cables and camera positioning

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Participate in pre-production meetings and rehearsal, if
required, and ensure that final camera and cable
movements are understood.
5.2 Communicate with relevant production personnel during
shoots and position and move camera cabling according
to instructions and cues received.
5.3 React consistently to cues received from relevant
production personnel and ensure consistency of timing
without undue lapses.
5.4 Move cameras and cabling without impeding the operation
of camera operators and work in cooperation with other
personnel to achieve the desired camera movements.
5.5 Ensure that camera operators do not collide with other
elements.
5.6 Complete cabling handling operations without damage to
equipment or injury to personnel.
 

Element:

Element 6    Wrap up the shoot.

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Check and pack equipment and accessories using safe
lifting techniques.
6.2 Ensure recorded material is labelled properly, together
with relevant documentation.
6.3 Report equipment faults and complete required
documentation.
6.4 Leave locations in original condition to ensure no adverse
effect on the site.
6.5 Review and reflect on performance and note areas for
improvement.
 

Learning Outcomes


In this course you will shoot material for screen productions.


Details of Learning Activities

In class activities will include a range of teacher directed group activities/projects class exercises to review discussions/lectures independent project based work online research group discussion
Out-of-class activities include completion of individual design and pre-production work, preparation for class presentations and location excursions.


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
1 Introduction to Cameras & Natural Lighting and the Course guide. Introduction to professional cameras, batteries & tripods. Recording formats. Mounting camera to tripod. Framing shots, panning & tilting. Sound. Ambient light Complete Sherpa Roster.doc
Home work- Watch TV to develop screen grammar. Read ‘ENG’ chapters from ‘Martha’
Explore the contents of Blackboard and check out Lynda.com via the RMIT library.		   1
 
2 Normalising, manualising. Following the camera check list. Basic audio connections. Shooting with available light.    1,2,4
3 A walk in the park. ENG style shooting. Setting up for run and gun. What have we forgotten? Shooting off the shoulder & from the hip. Flexifill. Weather.    1,2,4,5
4 Shoot footage. Shots that start and finish, cutaways, head shots and cut ins.    1,2,4,5,6
5 Shoot footage. Shots that start and finish, cutaways, head shots and cut ins.    2,3,4,5,6
6 SHOOT Formative Assessment # 1
Demonstrate set up of a camera onto a tripod for ‘ENG’ style shooting, following camera and sound checklists.		 Formative assessment # 1  2,3,4,5
7 SHOOT Formative Assessment # 1  Formative assessment # 1  2,3,4,5
8  SHOOT Formative Assessment # 1   Formative assessment # 1   2,3,4,5
9  Engaging with a professional camera to set recording format, exposure, white balance, focus, composition and viewing angle (focal length), depth of field and aligning audio.   1,2,3,4
 
10  SHOOT Formative Assessment # 2
Test shoot RoyMel segments, prepping Cam/audio, shooting, reviewing pictures and sound. Complete Location Production report and copy files to EDITSHARE server.		  Formative assessment #2  2,3,4,5,6
11  SHOOT Formative Assessment # 2  Formative assessment #2  2,3,4,5,6
12 SHOOT Formative Assessment # 2  Formative assessment #2 2,3,4,5,6
13 Analyse ‘Multivox’ brief, shooting to styles (topgear B&W), focus assists, exposure tools, manipulating depth of field, getting truly on mic sound and guaranteeing quality.    1,3
14  SHOOT Summative Assessment #3
Meet the quality requirements of a Broadcast Television segment in shooting and recording the vision and audio for a segment of Roy Melba’s InTuition, Newsline, or Multivox. Shots to include:-
• Subject sitting & standing
• Int/ext – day/night
• LS, MS, MCU & CU		  Summative assessment #3  1-6
15 SHOOT Summative Assessment #3 Summative assessment #3
 		  1-6
16  SHOOT Summative Assessment #3
Deadline for shooting is 3 June 2013 with final viewing and assessment by assessor on 4 June 2013		  Summative assessment #3  1-6


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Mollison, M., 2010, Producing Videos, ‘A Complete Guide’ 3rd Ed, Allen and Unwin, Sydney


References


Other Resources

It is recommended that you bring materials to classes to make notes, for example;
a pen and notepaper
a laptop computer


Overview of Assessment

Complete pre-production and production tasks to shoot a range of television productions and compile shot material for later editing.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks.

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and a grade for the summative assessment.

Formative Assessment

1. Set up a camera on a tripod for ‘ENG’ style shooting and record footage. In weeks 6,7 & 8.
2. Test shoot RoyMel segments, prepping Cam/audio, shooting, reviewing pictures and sound. Complete Location Production report and copy files to EDITSHARE server. In weeks 10,11 & 12


Summative Assessment

3. Meet the quality requirements of a Broadcast Television segment in shooting and recording the vision and audio for a segment of Roy Melba’s InTuition, Newsline, or Multivox. In weeks 14,15 & 16.
For further information on the assessments and grading criteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

CHD    Competent with High Distinction
CDI     Competent with Distinction
CC     Competent with Credit
CAG    Competence achieved – graded
NYC     Not Yet Competent
DNS     Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

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

Other Information

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy

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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview