Course Title: Originate and develop concepts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: BUSM6217C

Course Title: Originate and develop concepts

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Noel Maloney
Phone: 9925 4307
Email: noel.maloney@rmit.edu.au
 

Teacher: John Reeves
Phone: 9925 4895
Email: john.reeves@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

This course has no pre-requisites or co-requisites.

Course Description

Originate and Develop Concepts delivers the skills and knowledge required to develop your ideas for the screen. In this course you will have the opportunity to create, develop and refine, in groups, projects which take advantage of multiple platform delivery. You will also develop a pitch document and short sample script.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts

Element:

1. Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Research and evaluate existing information that informs new concept development 

1.2. Where appropriate, identify and use gaps in current range of products , programs , processes or services  as the catalyst for generating new ideas or concepts

1.3. Expand the potential of new ideas through exploration of opportunities beyond the obvious 

1.4. Identify factors  that could have an impact on ideas or concepts to be developed, including potential for commercialisation

1.5. Determine whether other players are filling identified gaps or investigating similar opportunities

1.6. Develop preliminary ideas on innovative and different ways to address needs and opportunities

1.7. In consultation with relevant stakeholders , agree on broad parameters for developing ideas and concepts to meet market requirements

Element:

2. Develop a range of creative approaches

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Use a range of creative thinking techniques  to generate innovative and creative concepts to address identified needs

2.2. Challenge, test and experiment with different concepts and ideas as part of a collaborative process

2.3. Evaluate concepts in terms of their suitability for the target audience or purpose, their feasibility and their commercial potential

2.4. Take account of social, ethical and environmental issues as concepts and ideas are generated and discussed

2.5. Identify resources  required to achieve desired creative and innovative outcomes

2.6. Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies for achieving desired outcomes

2.7. Select concepts or approaches that achieve required outcomes in an innovative and feasible way

2.8. Present proposed concepts or approaches in an appropriate format 

Element:

3. Refine concepts

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Ensure concept development process is open to ongoing refinement and testing

3.2. Seek input and feedback on concepts from relevant stakeholders

3.3. Seek specialist advice on creative and technical aspects of proposals as required

3.4. Compare concepts with best practice examples of similar products, programs, processes or services

3.5. Use a range of creative and practical criteria  to determine the advantages and disadvantages of different concepts

3.6. Evaluate constraints  on the realisation of concepts or ideas

3.7. Refine proposals based on analysis and feedback

Element:

4. Develop concepts to an operational level

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Use refined concepts as the basis for developing detailed implementation specifications 

4.2. Present specifications to relevant parties for approval, funding or endorsement

4.3. Reflect on methodology used to generate concepts and ideas and note ways of improving this in the future


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into an early draft of a script.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place in a classroom and at home. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent research and study.

In class activities may include:

• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• seminar presentations
• guest lecture
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• workshops
• online research
• independent project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• tutorials
• workshopping/production of student projects

Out of class activities may include:

• online research
• independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

Week Class content Assessment due date
1

Overview of course content and assessment requirements.

Research existing programmes, platforms and technologies.

Introduction to web series production - initial brief re character, setting, theme

Studio based workshops that will introduce you to basic camera and directing skills for live production, will be also be scheduled.

 
2

Further discussion re web series production, and revised brief re character, setting (set design), theme

Groups formed. Episode ideas workshopped.

 
3

Script workshops

 
4

Script workshops

 
5

Script readings of first drafts

Assessment 1
6

Script readings of first drafts

Assessment 1

Approaches to working with actors

Concepts and scripts will be further workshopped and redrafted.


 
8

Approaches to directing for camera.

Concepts and scripts will be further workshopped and redrafted.

Casting

 

9 Second draft readings

 Assessment 2 

10

Second draft readings

Assessment 2
 

Mid-semester break: no classes from Friday 14 April to Monday 21 April, inclusive

 
11

Rehearsals and pre production

 
12

Final rehearsals.

 
13 Production - rehearsing & shooting (call sheet TBA) Assessment #3
14 Production - rehearsing & shooting (call sheet TBA) (cont’d) Assessment #3 (cont’d)
15 Production - rehearsing & shooting (call sheet TBA) (cont’d) Assessment #3 (cont’d)
16 Final editing,  review and feedback Assessment #3 (written reflection) due

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material will be provided in class by your teacher.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site through myRMIT for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the vast repository of Carlton and Swanston Library 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 writing tasks.
 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive written feedback on all assessment (refer to Blackboard for assessment criteria).

This course will involve the development of a webisode project, in which students will participate as either a writer, producer, director or designer. 

Assessment #1
Working in small groups, each of you will present a reading of a proposed first draft episode script for the webisode series, in class. 

Presentations in class Weeks 5 or 6 (9 & 16 March), or by arrangement with teacher.

Assessment will be by observation.

Your teacher will then select scripts for production.

Assessment #2
Working in small groups, each of you will present a reading of a second draft episode script of your script for the webisode series, in class. You will also participate in a discussion about your response to the feedback from the first draft. As well, other members in your team will offer suggestions for the direction of the episode, and identify any production challenges.

Following the second draft readings, your teacher will select seven scripts for production, and will also assign seven production groups. 

Each group member will be assigned production roles as either director, script editor, writer or production assistant. 

Script readings in Weeks 9 or 10 (6 & 13 April). Assessment be by observation. (Please note there will be no class on Thursday 20 April.)

Assessment #3
Assist and support the production, direction, editing and production of a web series episode in Weeks 13, 14 and 15,, and participate in a review of the project in Week 16. The review will provide an opportunity to reflect on what you, as a writer, can you take away from the overall process? Production in studio Weeks 13, 14 or 15 (dates to be confirmed); written reflection due Week 16 (1 June).

Please note that for this course, competency based assessment only will apply.


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

Other information
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

How to submit work
Your assessment brief will specify how you should submit your work – as hard copy, digital copy or electronically through Blackboard. When you submit your work, you must include a declaration of authorship.

For submissions on Blackboard, you need to agree to an assessment declaration when you submit.

For all other submissions, you must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=x3ddsmsrwa1hz

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. We strongly advise that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

We request that you speak to your teacher if regular attendance becomes difficult.

Assessment feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work.  Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qwxbqbg739rl1

Student progress
Monitoring academic progress is helps us to assist you in achieving your learning potential. 

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress

Adjustments to assessment
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kehn9bz22r41

Academic integrity and plagiarism
Academic integrity is about the honest presentation of work that is your own. RMIT University has a clear policy on plagiarism (see web page for more detail).

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Credit Transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview