Course Title: Conduct research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5916C

Course Title: Conduct research

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4197 - Certificate IV in Creative Industries

Course Contact : program Administration - Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976

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

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Adam Spellicy
Email: adam.spellicy@rmit.edu.au

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

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

Course Description

This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of how a story is told on screen. It will develop a visual and aural literacy and will place screenwriting in a cultural context by examining examples of both contemporary and historical Australian and international cinema.

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 3.4 Develop conclusions and recommendations as required in consultation with relevant personnel
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

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to;
1. Develop synopsis and treatment using story conferencing techniques.
2. Identify visual drama components.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the skills and techniques required to convey the rhythm of the visual narrative and its appropriate disruption.
4. Produce scenes conveying the emotional state and development of character without use of dialogue or narration.

Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Teacher directed group activities
o Practical exercises
o Independent project based work
o Class presentations
o Group discussion

Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Online research
o Group work

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	Other	Elements
Week 1-16 Semester 1	TBC Topics to be covered include; • The screenwriter in the scheme of things • Different forms of screenwriting • Creating stories • Creating characters • Visual storytelling, visual drama components and visual characterization • Film language. Semiotics, subtext and symbolism, metaphor and the power and meaning of images • Culture and story • The three act structure • Adaptation • Synopsis and treatment • Creating scenes • Writing dialogue		1-4

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Handouts

References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. • SCRIPTWRITING UPDATED: New & Conventional Ways of Writing for the Screen, Linda Aronson • THE SCREENPLAY: A Blend of Film Form and Content Margaret Mehring • HERO WITH 1000 FACES Joseph Campbell • THE WRITERS JOURNEY: Mythic Structure for WritersChris Vogler • STORY Robert McKee • ON FILM-MAKING Alexander MacKendrick

Other Resources

Pen, paper, laptop computer.

Overview of Assessment

You will be required to present a story board, do a presentation to class on a screen play, workshop and develop a draft short film script or treatment and participate in class activities.

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.

1 Presentation of a storyboard of 30 static images (photos or drawn) that tell a short story. Visual only – no dialogue or captions (30%) DUE TBC
2 Class Presentation – Discuss the screenplay of one Australian film by examining elements such as structure, characterization, themes etc. (30%) Due TBC
3 Through workshopping, develop and write the first draft of a ten (10) minute short film. Approximately ten to twelve pages of formatted script. (30%)

OR

Through workshopping, develop and write a treatment for a thirty (30) minute short film. Approximately three to five pages of prose. (30%) Due TBC

4 Participation in class discussions and workshopping (ongoing) (10%)

NB: Assignments will be assessed with an eye to story, plot, structure, character, imagery and subtext.


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