Course Title: Write documentary scripts
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2018
Course Code: COMM7322
Course Title: Write documentary scripts
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: Brian McKenzie
Email: brian.mckenzie@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 140
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
Required Prior Study
Delivery of this course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
This course involves stimulated and critical engagement with the form of communication known as documentary. It looks at the skills and knowledge required to write the documents and scripts and develop factual narrative - including documentary film or series. It identifies and analyses current types, genres and trends in non fiction documentary screenwriting in establishing a specific project.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ASWDOC609A Write documentary scripts |
Element: |
1. Develop concept |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 A common vision for the project is developed and agreed upon by the creative team |
Element: |
2. Develop treatment |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 The script is examined for problems related to premise, story, structure, theme, character and genre. |
Element: |
3. Seek funding |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 An appropriate methodology is negotiated |
Element: |
4. Write a pre-shoot script |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Disagreements are aired openly and appropriately and effective compromises sought |
Element: |
5. Develop post-shoot materials |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Rewrite incorporates agreed solutions |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a factual narrative into the first draft of a documentary film or series.
Details of Learning Activities
This course involves a hands–on approach to documentary production. You are taken from concept development to a completed program, learning a range of craft and technical skills. You'll explore styles and approaches to documentary making, examine problems and ethical issues, and review the history of documentary work.
Examples of learning activities:
- class exercises – both written and practical
- practical demonstrations
- discussion regarding relevant web site and reading material
- film viewing and analysis
- group projects
- guest presentations
- research
- independent project based work
- ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1 | |||
Week |
Date |
Class content |
Assessment |
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Week 1
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Feb 9 |
Course introduction – production schedule, assessment briefs, historical overview, comprehension quizzes. Documentary styles - Demon Lover Diary, Touching the Void, Thin Blue Line, Chicken Ranch. |
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Week 2
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Feb 16 |
Research and approach exercise. Murakami’s Underground. Assessment brief 1. Lumiere Bros. the first documentaries. Individual projects – themes, triggers. How to find your subject. Quiz 1. |
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Week 3
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Feb 23 |
Underground exercise: Presentations. Discuss projects progress - subjects & stories. Nanook of the North. |
Assessment task 1 |
Week 4 |
Mar 2 |
Present project ideas (pitches). Feedback & discussion. Prop. writing for Documentary - Assessment 2. Subjects, story and themes. Examples. Quiz 2 Propaganda – Night Mail, Man with a movie camera, Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will. |
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Week 5 |
Mar 9 |
Camera workshop 1: cine camera, digital camera controls. |
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Week 6
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Mar 16 |
Writing for documentary (cont'd) Releases & permissions. Proposal consultations - drafts. Quiz 3. The camera. The War Game. Culloden. |
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Week 7
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Mar 23 |
Camera workshop 2: Camera style and coverage |
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Week 8
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Mar 30 |
Good Friday - no class |
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Easter Break Friday March 30 - Friday April 6 inclusive |
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Week 9 |
April 13 |
Proposals due. Wk.1. The interview set up. Errol Morris. Tabloid. Fog of War. |
Assessment task 2 |
Week 10 |
April 20 |
Wk.2 Interview w’shop. Radio mikes. Project consultations - subjects. production plans. |
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Week 11 |
April 27 |
Production problems. Locations, access, relations with subjects. Safety etc. To Be and To Have. Salesman. |
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Week 12 |
May 4 |
Story strategies. The hook, thwarted ambition, mystery & surprise, the dénouement. Tenses. Last Train Home, Darwin’s Nightmare |
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Week 13 |
May 11 |
Experimentation. Personal Diary. The Gleaners and I. Sherman’s March. |
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Week 14 |
May 18 |
Edit program with Alex Joseski . Use of archival materials. (Errol Morris again) Students Films. |
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Week 15 |
May 25 |
No scheduled class - assessment |
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Semester Break: Monday May 28 - Friday June 29 inclusive |
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Semester 2 |
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Week 1 |
Jul 6 |
Project reviews - present filmed material. Feedback & discussion. Searching for Sugarman. Finding Vivian Maier. |
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Week 2 |
Jul 13 |
Edit program tutorial with Alex Joseski. Review filmed scenes. |
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Week 3 |
Jul 20 |
Narration. Screen Jaguar. Atmosphere & theme: Robinsons of Mantsinsaari. |
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Week 4 |
Jul 27 |
Rough cut presentations wk.1 |
Assessment task 3 |
Week 5 |
Aug 3 |
Rough cut presentations wk. 2 Finance and Marketing. Student films |
Assessment task 3 |
Week 6 |
Aug 10 |
Rough cut presentations – final wk. Quiz 4 (finance and marketing) |
Assessment task 3 |
Week 7 |
Aug 17 |
Review edits Thesis and campaign documentaries. Michael Moore. |
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Week 8 |
Aug 24 |
Review edits. Music in documentaries. Don’t Look Back. Amy. Tosca’s Kiss |
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Week 9 |
Aug 31 |
Review edits. Documentary meets drama 1. The Italian neo realists. Bicycle Thieves. |
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Week 10 |
Sep 7 |
Doc meets drama 2. Dardenne Bros. The Kid with the Bike. Mike Broomfield. Ghosts. La Pivellina. |
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Week 11 |
Sep 14 |
Review edits. Post: Narration, music, grading, titles, etc. with Alex Joseski. |
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Semester Break: Monday September 17 - Friday September 28 inclusive |
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Week 12 |
Oct 5 |
Project presentations. |
Assessment task 4 |
Week 13 |
Oct 12 |
Polish & Post production of compile. With Alex Joseski |
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Week 14 |
Oct 19 |
Anthology screening. Review |
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Week 15 |
Oct 26 |
No scheduled class - assessment |
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Additional references are provided throughout the course. In addition to hard copy handouts, some material is made available on Blackboard, or can be accessed via the web. Recommended books will be discussed in class. |
Other Resources
Suggested Texts
Rabinger – Directing the Documentary. Bill Nichols – Introduction to Documentary. Robert Richardson – Literature and Film. These are publications suggested for reference. They are not prescribed.
References
You are advised to consult myRMIT for course information and updates.
Films screened in class are available in the library.
The Screen Australia web site provides information regarding documentary development and finance.
Other Resources
Digital cameras, tripods & radio mikes are available at the equipment store, rear ground floor, Building 94. Closes 4.30 pm. Tel: 9925 4355. Equipment can also be booked through AV loans. Tel: 9925 8888
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, practical exercises and your documentary project.
Assessment Tasks
To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment (refer to Canvas for assessment criteria).
There are four assessment tasks for this course.
Assessment Task 1: Style and approach. Write a short outline for a documentary based on Murakami’s interviews regarding the attack on the Tokyo underground. Present to class and field feedback.
Due date: Semester 1, Week 3, Feb 23
Assessment Task 2: Submit a written proposal for a short documentary. Describe the subject, the story, the approach or style aspects, and the themes.
These should conform broadly to the topic of students who have relocated to live and study in Melbourne. The individual projects will combine in an anthology able to be presented at forums and online platforms. Each documentary will exist as a stand-alone portrait and include interview material and observed scenes, and be edited with a sound track.
The theme/s and style are for each student to define. They may consider issues such as challenges with language, family demands, isolation and cultural identity, accommodation and friendship. They may focus on an event, on a relationship, on daily routines, on a crisis, etc. They may be historical and they may include archival materials and music
The proposal should include production plans, a schedule and a signed release from the subject.
Due date: Semester 1, Week 9, April 13
Assessment Task 3. Present a rough edit of filmed material.
Due date: Semester 2, Weeks 4-6, July 27, Aug 3 & 10
Assessment Task 4: Present a completed short documentary, edited and including observed scenes, interview material and a sound track.
Due date: Semester 2, Week 12, Oct 5
Once you have demonstrated competency, your final assessment task will be graded (refer to Canvas for grading rubric).
Grades
HD 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 information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course Canvas 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
Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised 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.
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.
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.
Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):
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.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
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) 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.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview