Course Title: Conduct research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2010

Course Code: COMM5916C

Course Title: Conduct research

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting

Course Contact : Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher contat details:

Cameron Clarke - cameron.clarke@rmit.edu.au

Telephone - 99254895

Location: 94.02.06

Nominal Hours: 30

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 course delievers the skills and knowledge required to conduct research in response to a brief. It is delievered in conjunction with Originate & Develop concepts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFRES401A Conduct research

Element:

1. Clarify research brief.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Confirm topic or content to be researched with relevant personnel , including deadlines for completion

1.2 Identify research and data gathering techniques that best meet the requirements of the brief

1.3 Discuss research ideas fully and constructively with relevant personnel and identify any implications for research briefs

1.4 Reach agreement with relevant personnel on the format for presenting research findings

1.5 Identify issues of a culturally sensitive or legal nature that affect research briefs

1.6 Alert relevant personnel to potential difficulties in meeting briefs and agree on alternative strategies or outcomes

1.7 Where specialist research expertise is required, identify potential subcontractors and organise subcontract arrangements in consultation with relevant personnel


Element:

2. Conduct research.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify sources of information and potential contributors relevant to research briefs

2.2 Design research tools as required

2.3 Contact a sufficiently wide range of valid sources to optimise information gathering in line with research briefs and agreed methodology

2.4 Approach relevant sources promptly and in a way most likely to elicit the required information

2.5 Adjust research strategies as required, without compromising required outcomes

2.6 Maintain accurate and comprehensive details of information sources

2.7 Adjust contact information when requirements of research briefs change and keep records up to date

2.8 Record all data gathered in a system that allows easy access and retrieval of information in the analysis phase

Element:

3. Analyse research findings.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Analyse and interpret data or information gathered

3.2 Check all facts before including them in research findings

3.3 Make judgements about how much information to include in research findings and be clear on the rationale for doing so


Element:

4. Present research findings.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Organise information logically and clearly in the agreed format

4.2 Present information to relevant personnel by agreed deadlines

4.3 Identify key issues for further research or discussion with relevant personnel

4.4 Seek feedback on the quality of research outcomes and note areas for improvement



Learning Outcomes


N/A


Details of Learning Activities

•• lectures
• demonstrations
• guest lecturers
• peer teaching and class presentations
• exercises
• discussion
• group activities/projects
• workshopping

Classes will include planned lectures, class exercises to review what has been learnt in class, practical demonstrations, workshopping of students’ own projects, analysis/critique of screenwriters’ work.


Teaching Schedule

WEEK TOPIC COMPETENCY/ELEMENT
1 Introduction to the semester’s material and assessment.
(Discussion of the research brief.)
The Screenwriter in the Scheme of Things
BSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities 
CUFRES401A  - Clarify research brief
2 The Concept Document
(Discussion of research ideas and techniques)
BSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities
- Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Clarify research brief
3 Creating Stories
(Discussion and update on research assignments)
BSBCRT501A - Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A – Conduct research
4 Creating characters

(Discussion and update on research assignments)
BSBCRT501A - -Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Analyse research findings
5 Creating scenes

(Discussion and update on research assignments)
BSBCRT501A - -Develop a range of creative approaches
CUFRES401A - Analyse research findings
6 Present Research Assignments CUFRES401A - Analyse research findings - Present research findings
7 Present Research Assignments CUFRES401A - Analyse research findings - Present research findings
8 Visuals
(Discussion and review of research projects)
BSBCRT501A - Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Analyse research findings
9 Film language BSBCRT501A - Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Conduct research - Analyse research findings
10 Screenwriting in a Cultural Context BBSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities
- Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Conduct research - Analyse research findings
11 The 3 Act Structure CUFRES401A - Conduct research - Analyse research findings
- Present research findings
12 The Short Film BSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities
- Develop a range of creative approaches
13 The Short Film BSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities
- Develop a range of creative approaches
14 Synopses and Treatments BSBCRT501A - Refine concepts
- Develop concepts to an operational level
15 Dialogue BSBCRT501A - Develop a range of creative approaches 
CUFRES401A - Conduct research
16 Pitching BSBCRT501A – Develop a range of creative approaches
- Refine concepts
- Develop concepts to an operational level
17 The Storylining Conference BSBCRT501A - Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities
- Develop a range of creative approaches


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

You will assessed on your knowledge and ability to clarify research briefs, gather reliable and valid information from a range of sources in response to a brief, analyse and and present a report on your research findings.


Assessment Tasks

Class presentation BSBCRT501A Originate and Develop Concepts, CUFRES401A Conduct Research
– in groups, research and discuss a project which takes advantage of cross-platform delivery. Examine the nature of the project, including who is behind it creatively, where funding for the project comes from, and whether or not the project achieves its potential.

Concept Document BSBCRT501A Originate and Develop Concepts
In groups, write a three to five page Concept Document for a project which takes advantage of cross-platform delivery.

Short Film Script BSBCRT501A Originate and Develop Concepts
Through workshopping, develop and write the first draft of a ten minute short film. Ten to twelve minutes of formatted script. Assignments will be assessed with an eye to story, plot, structure, character, imagery and subtext.


Assessment Matrix

BSBCRT501A Originate and Develop Concepts Presentation Concept Doc Short Film Script

ELEMENTS:
Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities

X

X

 
Develop a range of creative approaches  X X  
Refine concepts  X X X
Develop concepts to an operational level X X X

SKILLS:
communication and teamwork skills to work collaboratively on ideas and to articulate the rationale for concepts in ways that promote constructive discussion with others                         

X

X

 X
creative thinking skills to generate a range of innovative concepts and ideas, to use lateral thinking and to take a visionary approach to developing concepts and ideas
X X X
initiative and enterprise skills to pro-actively identify market requirements X X X
planning and organising skills to take account of practical issues for concept implementation
X X X
self-management skills to meet deadlines. X X X

KNOWLEDGE:
broad context in which concepts are being developed

 X

X

X
cultural, social and environmental issues and impacts to be considered in developing new concepts X X X
issues and requirements to commercialise the concept X X X
legal requirements that affect work in a given industry context
X    
practical and operational issues to be considered in a specific work or community context X X  
range of broad practical and operational issues that determine whether a concept can be implemented (in any context) X X X
techniques for generating creative ideas and solutions, and for translating these ideas into workable concepts. X X X
CUFWRT401A Conduct Research      
ELEMENTS:
Clarify research brief

 

X

 X X
Conduct research X    
Analyse research findings X    
Present research findings X    

SKILLS:
communication and teamwork skills sufficient to:

present information and research findings in a way that is easily understood by others

X

 X   
use industry and community networks as sources of information
X X  
negotiate changes to research briefs
participate in and act on feedback sessions with colleagues 		X X  
initiative and flexibility sufficient to:
follow new leads in the course of research activities 		X X  
respond to difficulties encountered during the course of research activities
planning and writing skills sufficient to: 		X X X
organise information logically in line with its intended purpose
X X X
analytical and literacy skills sufficient to interpret and summarise information and research findings X X X
self-management skills sufficient to work under pressure and meet deadlines X X X

Other Information

These assessment tasks are designed for you to demonstrate competency in the required skills and knowledge of this unit.

In addition to competency based assessment, this unit will be graded. Your teacher will provide a grading guide for you at the commencement of the course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview