Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: COMM7379C

Course Title: Shoot material for screen productions

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4422 - Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Course Contact: Suzanne Thomson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8428

Course Contact Email: suzanne.thomson@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

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 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 course. 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.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUACAM311 Shoot material for screen productions

Element:

1. Prepare for shoots

Performance Criteria:


1.1 Confirm production and post-production requirements by participating in pre-production briefings

1.2 Arrange equipment and accessories for shoots as directed

1.3 Confirm there are adequate supplies of charged batteries and capture media to meet production requirements

1.4 Prepare and pack lighting equipment

1.5 Identify and report equipment faults to required production personnel

1.6 Complete minor repairs on faulty equipment

1.7 Complete workplace documentation according to organisational procedures prior to shoots

Element:

2. Set up on location

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Contribute ideas to production concepts in discussion with required personnel

2.2 Plan camera positions that ensure composition of shots provides visual interpretation of material or subject according to production requirements

2.3 Set up and secure cameras and other equipment

2.4 Plan repositioning of equipment and accessories during shoots according to production requirements

2.5 Label and load capture media and check camera functions

2.6 Position microphones according to production requirements and conduct audio check

Element:

3. Set up lighting

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Determine whether correction is required by assessing quality and quantity of available light according to production requirements

3.2 Mount and position lighting equipment safely

3.3 Run lighting cables and connect to power sources safely

3.4 Install colour frames and gels according to production requirements

3.5 Select lenses and filters appropriate to prevailing weather conditions

Element:

4. Position and operate camera

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Select camera shots and angles that produce effective cuts between shots according to production requirements

4.2 Shoot and record sequences as directed according to production and post-production requirements

4.3 Implement planned or rehearsed shots according to direction from required personnel by checking camera movements

Element:

5. Manipulate cables and camera positioning

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Confirm final camera and cable movements by participating in rehearsals

5.2 Position and move camera cabling during shoots according to instructions and cues from required personnel

5.3 Avoid undue lapses in timing by responding to cues from required personnel

5.4 Move cameras and cabling without impeding work of camera operators in cooperation with required personnel

5.5 Handle cabling without damaging equipment or causing injury to others

Element:

6. Wrap up shoots

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Use safe lifting techniques when packing equipment and accessories

6.2 Label recorded material and associated documentation according to organisational procedures

6.3 Identify and report additional equipment faults and complete required documentation

6.4 Leave shoot locations in original or improved condition

6.5 Review and reflect on own performance and note areas for improvement

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will be able to shoot single camera productions, performing all camera, sound and lighting functions.


Details of Learning Activities

This course consists of 1 Unit of Competency. 

In-class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• tv studio practical workshops
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection

Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT


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 the availability of speakers and resources.

WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities
Week 1 12/2
  • Induction WHS
  • Subject introduction
  • Roles and responsibilities for personnel
  • Explore camera functions
  • Introduction to camera set up and checklist
  
Week 2 19/2
  • Camera Functions, camera setup, checklist and roles
  • Tripods
  • Camera shots and angles
  • Introduction to composition
  • Practical time with camera 
  
Week 3 26/2
  • Colour temperature 
  • White balance and f/stop 
  • Intro to lighting setup and 3-point lighting 
  • Camera and lighting exercise 
  
Week 4 4/3
  • Capture media 
  • Camera, cables and lighting accessories 
  • Camera and lighting exercise

Exercise 2: Shoot, Capture and Upload
Week 5 11/3
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
  • Camera setup checklist and shooting protocols 
  • Directing Action 
  • Prep for week 6 Camera Assessment 
 NO CLASS
Week 6 18/3 Dedicated time to complete the assessment

AT1 Due - Demonstrate Camera Setup
Week 7 25/3
  • Sound recording 
  • Single-System Sound Recording  
  • Sound recording exercise 
  
Week 8 8/4
  • Recce 
  • Lighting Design 
  • Preproduction 
  • Storyboards and Shot lists
  
Week 9 15/4
  • Preproduction briefing
  
Week 10 22/4
  • Preproduction briefing
  
Week 11 29/4
  • Focus on assessment content
 AT2 Due 28/9 - Film Shooting List & Knowledge Questions
Week 12

6/5
  • Shot list / Storyboard review 
  • Lighting Design continued 
  • Bumping-in and Bumping-out 
  • Production briefing 
  
Week 13 13/5
  • Preproduction 
  • In camera edit Review 
  
Week 14 20/5
  • Preproduction 
  • In camera edit Review 
  
Week 15 27/5
  • Preproduction 
  • In camera edit Review 
 AT3 Due  - In Camera Edit
Week 16 3/6 Review of assessments  
Week 17 

10/6

Public Holiday 

 Review of assessments NO CLASS


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS. 


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria

Assessment 01:Demonstrate Camera Setup

In this assessment task you will need to set up a camera on a tripod, normalise its main functions, colour balance, expose, frame up, and record a seated figure in a controlled space. While undertaking this practical activity you will be asked a series of questions regarding the basic principles of lighting that apply to screen productions. 

Due Week 6

Assessment 02: Film and Shooting List - KE questions

This assessment is in two parts. In part A you will work with both small crews to shoot and capture a list of required shots to upload to Canvas. You will primarily be responsible for operating the camera but must also position microphones on one occasion and set up lighting on another occasion for another student. While undertaking this part you must demonstrate your ability to create and maintain a safe work environment. 

This assessment allows you to demonstrate the level of quality you have been able to achieve with your camera work while setting up a variety of equipment in a variety of locations when crewing for other team members. 

Due Week 11

Assessment 03: In Camera Edit 

You will set up a camera and record an ‘In camera’ edit. You will also be required to act as crew and cast on several productions across the three weeks. Five camera kits will be available. 

The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to demonstrate an efficient set up of a camera/lighting and sound and to shoot a coherent series of shots that require minimal editing to tell a story. This task is relevant to content creation in fast turnaround work scenarios but also to efficient shooting ratios and getting the essential material to tell a complete story. 

Due Week 15

Assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview