Course Title: Direct cinematography for screen productions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: VART5922C

Course Title: Direct cinematography for screen productions

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6087 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Mr Mark Lane
Phone: 9925-4976
Email: mark.lane@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

None

Course Description

Cinematographers are responsible for providing screen productions with their unique visual look. They work closely with directors and camera and lighting crews to achieve the required creative outcomes. Direct cinematography for screen productions covers the skills and knowledge required to devise and manage camera shoots across a wide range of screen, media and entertainment productions.

Direct Cinematography for screen productions CUFCAM601A is delivered and assessed alongside Devise camera coverage CUFDRT604A and Conceive and develop lighting designs CUFLGT501A.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFCAM601A Direct cinematography for screen productions

Element:

4 Wrap up shoot.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation.
4.2 Ensure locations are left in original or improved state.
4.3 Participate in post-production editing activities as required, including providing additional materials, such as pick-ups.
4.4 Participate in post-production debriefings and reflect on own performance and that of production crews, noting areas for future improvement.

Element:

1 Prepare for shoots.

Performance Criteria:


Performance Criteria: 1.1 Participate in pre-production conferences with relevant production personnel to establish overall production requirements for shoots.
1.2 Undertake comprehensive review of scripts or screenplays to understand fully the required artistic and visual outcomes.
1.3 Conduct appropriate research relevant to needs of productions and contribute creative and technical solutions and ideas as required.
1.4 Develop or refine existing camera plans according to production requirements.
1.5 Negotiate amendments to camera plans and circulate final camera specifications to relevant
production personnel.
1.6 Prepare lists of required equipment and accessories, including supplies of stock, and arrange for acquisition in collaboration with relevant production personnel.
1.7 Block shots for use during rehearsals and actual productions in collaboration with relevant
production personnel, taking into account impact on overall production requirements.
1.8 Assemble and brief relevant production personnel on production requirements, including equipment and accessories required for shoots.
1.9 Follow OHS requirements as they apply to the preparation and implementation of shoots.

Element:

2 Set up for shoots

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Manage selection and set-up of equipment and accessories to meet planned shots, ensuring safety of relevant production personnel and other
participants.
2.2 Ensure cameras are matched correctly and check lighting is appropriate for intended shots and scenes.
2.3 View proposed shots and set-ups through viewfinder or on monitors and make creative and technical adjustments as required.
2.4 Participate in rehearsals, noting required changes and instruct camera and lighting crews accordingly.
2.5 Ensure shots and lighting requirements are marked up and established to reflect artistic and style needs of the shoot.
2.6 Maintain ongoing supervision and collaboration with relevant production personnel to maximize creative outcomes.

Element:

3 Shoot content.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Supervise technical and creative operations of camera shoots during productions consistent with actions devised during rehearsals.
3.2 Monitor output of camera operations to ensure cuts and dissolves between shots produce required technical and creative outcomes.
3.3 Operate camera where applicable while maintaining overview of creative and technical criteria.
3.4 Ensure camera movements are planned to avoid interference with other camera operators, technical personnel or performers.
3.5 Respond to cues received from relevant production personnel in a timely manner.
3.6 Communicate clearly to relevant production personnel unavoidable variations from predetermined plans.
3.7 Attend daily viewings of rushes to assess quality and relevance of recorded material and schedule reshoots where necessary.

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to work collaboratively with others to manage camera shoots for screnn productions.


Details of Learning Activities

You learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• presentations
• discussions
• industry speakers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises
• group planning & development of camera & lighting assessments.
• analysis/critique of writings of students’ work
• screenings

2. Out-of-class activities:.
• independent project based work
• reading set texts
• online and other research
• practice
• screenings
• independent study


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.
 

 

SEMESTER 1    
Week Class Content Competencies/Elements
1 Course Introduction.
Assessment tasks explained.
Multiple Choice Q & A (ungraded assessment).
Film Versus Video.
First scheduling round for Assessment Task 8.
Intro to camera coverage and camera plans.		 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
2 Introduction to film cameras.
Loading and handling techniques.
Camera operation and principles.
Focus pulling		 CUFCAM601A / 1, 2
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
3 Camera coverage plans (ungraded assessment).
Exposure meters.
Film Stock characteristics.
Exposure tests using digital cameras (ungraded assessment).		 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
4 Lenses, Depth of Field and Field of View.
Filters - Colour Temperature and Colour Correction.
Film labs and digital telecine.
Logging, shooting ratios and continuity.
Second scheduling round for Assessment Task 8.
Pre Production for week 6.		 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 3
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
5 Approach to lighting
Lighting plans
Contingency plans
Scheduling
Locations		 CUFCAM601A / 2
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
6 Film, lens and camera tests. (Send exposed stock to lab.)
Pre production.
Labour Day public holiday (Monday)
Group 2B Monday class will be rescheduled.		 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1,2,4
7 View rushes from camera tests (ungraded assessment).
Lighting plans.
Camera and lighting crew roles.
Communication with other departments.
Shoot protocols and slating procedures.
Final scheduling round for Assessment Task 8.		 CUFCAM601A / 1, 2
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
8 Lighting plans (ungraded assessment).
Skills and knowledge review.
Pre production for graded assessment task.		 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
9a Production A, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
  Midsemester Break  
9b Production B, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
10 Production C, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
11 Production C, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
12 Production D, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
13 Production E, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
14 Production F, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
15 Production G, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
16 Production H, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4
CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4
CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4
17 Assessment Week Screenings (Date to be announced)
Combined class presentations, 2A, 2B and 2C,
including Q & A sessions (Location to be announced)		  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Burum, Stephen H., 2007, American cinematographer manual Vol. 1 and 2, ASC Press Hollywood, Calif

Lorenze, Catherine, 2004, Dream gear : cool and innovative tools for film, video, and TV professionals, Studio City, CA : Michael Wiese Productions

Viera, Dave and Maria, 2005, Lighting for film and digital cinematography, Belmont, Calif. : Wadsworth ; London : Thomson Learning

Uva, Michael, 2009, The grip book, Amsterdam ; London : Focal


References

• Camera manual for Panasonic P2
• Camera manual for 16mm Aaton LTR
• Camera manual for 16mm Aaton A-Minima
• Camera manual for 16mm Arriflex SR
• Hollywood Camera Work DVD box set (Vol. 1-6)
• www.hollywoodcamerawork.us
• Screen Production Guide
• Production docs on Screen Blackboard
All manuals are held at the schools equipment store.
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You require a personal hard drive as well as camera assistant / gaffer items and expendables, eg: various pens, torch, wooden pegs etc. A full ‘assistants’ kit will be described in class.

In the case of film student teams purchase their own film stock and laboratory services.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester and will involve practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical group projects.
This course will be delivered and assessed in conjunction with Devise camera coverage - CUFDRT604A and
Conceive and develop lighting designs - CUFLGT501A.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this unit are either ungraded or graded. Ungraded tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for more substantial (graded) 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.

All students will be required to plan and produce ’mini’ productions (in teams of 2 or 3) to a final cut standard for presentation and graded assessment. Students are also required to crew on and support fellow student productions. Attendance is vital to the successful outcome of all productions and the completion of all assessment items. 

Semester 1
ASSESSMENT TASKS (ungraded):
1. Multiple choice Q & A
2. Camera coverage plans
3. Exposure tests
4. 16mm film camera tests
5. Lighting plans
ASSESSMENT TASKS (graded):
6. Production documents (Due at start of production)
7. Workplace observation of crew roles
8. Edited and graded production (Due in Week 17, date to be announced)

Grades used in this course are as follows:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment

For further details on these assessment tasks and the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.
 


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

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.

Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information including information on late submissions and plagiarism

Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this 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.
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;



 

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