Course Title: Direct cinematography for screen productions
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
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
null
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: |
1 Prepare for shoots. |
Performance Criteria: |
|
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 |
Element: |
3 Shoot content. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Supervise technical and creative operations of camera shoots during productions consistent with actions devised during rehearsals. |
Element: |
4 Wrap up shoot. |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Supervise dismantling, packing and storing of equipment and accessories and complete necessary documentation. |
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
Your learning activities will take place in a studio, workshop or classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake 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. |
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 |
Easter break | ||
8 | Lighting plans (ungraded assessment). Skills and knowledge review. Pre production for graded assessment task. |
CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
9 | Production A/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 CD, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 | CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
12 | Production E, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 | CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
13 | Production F, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 | CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
14 | Production G, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 | CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
15 | Production G/H, Assessment Tasks 6, 7 & 8 | CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
16 | Production G/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) |
CUFCAM601A / 1 - 4 CUFDRT604A / 1 - 4 CUFLGT501A / 1 - 4 |
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Burum, Stephen H., 2007, American cinematographer manual Vol. 1 and 2, ASC Press Hollywood, Calif |
References
• Camera manual for Panasonic P2 |
Other Resources
Portable hard drive
Camera assistant gaffer items and expendables, eg,
various pens
torch
wodden pegs, etc.
A full assistant’s kit will be described in class.
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
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.
Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.
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:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online
Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)
Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees
Course Overview: Access Course Overview