Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2013
Course Code: VART5924C
Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions
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:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teachers:
Ian Pringle
Tel: 9925 4514
Email: ian.pringle@rmit.edu.au
John Reeves
Tel: 9925 4895
Email: john.reeves@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 50
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
Pre-requisites – none
Course Description
Establish the creative vision for screen productions (VART5924C) covers the skills and knowledge you need to produce effective written scripts, and to transform written scripts into screen productions through the use of sound and visual images.
This competency is delivered in two different contexts: Feature Film, and Story To Screen.
In Feature Film, you build upon and complete the work on your feature project begun in the first semester in the competency COMM 7326 Script Edit a feature film.
In Story To Screen, through working on a practical project you learn what is involved in the different aspects of creating a screen production.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFDRT601A Establish the creative vision for screen productions |
Element: |
1. Review and interpret scripts. |
Performance Criteria: |
|
Element: |
2. Prepare shot plans to realise visual narrative. |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Mark up working script into its component scenes and identify key dramatic elements and technical parameters within each scenic unit. |
Element: |
3. Review and communicate proposed shot plan. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and document areas of productions that may be affected by script versions and discuss changes with colleagues, |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to transform written scripts into screen productions through the use of sound and visual images.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• industry speakers
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent and group project based work
• online and other research
• discussion and comment via blackboard
• independent study
In Feature Film, you will maintain the creative relationship with another writer established in Semester 1.
In Story to Screen, you will be working in self-managed teams to establish the creative vision of the scriptwriter, through the completion of a practical project. This will involve working outside class hours on planning, filming and editing the nominated film script. You will spend a minimum of 18 hours outside class time working on this team-based project with the support of your teacher.
Teaching Schedule
FEATURE FILM
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Content | Assessment Due | Elements |
| 1 - 12 | Delivery of student’s one page strategy for 2nd draft – outlining, if applicable, changes to: structure, plot, storytelling, tone, POV, etc. | Assessment #1: date by negotiation | 1, 2, 3 |
| 13 -15 |
Students writing of 2nd draft. One on one sessions with lecturer dealing with problems encountered in the writing process. (Note: between weeks 11 and 12 there is a two-week mid-semester break) |
Assessment #2: date by negotiation | 1, 2, 3 |
| 16 | Delivery of 2nd draft. | Assessment #3 due | 1, 2, 3 |
STORY TO SCREEN
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Content | Assessment Due | Elements |
| 1 | Explanation of course content and assessment requirements Discussion of goals Experience inventory Overview – previous class films |
1,2 | |
| 2 | Overview – previous class films (cont’d) Initial script discussions |
2 | |
| 3 | The short film – briefing Possible production roles Script discussions (cont’d) |
1 | |
| 4 | Script development Discussion of storyboards and their purpose Storyboarding a short script |
1,2 | |
| 5 | Studio – intro to camera, lighting, sound, switching for drama | 1 | |
| 6 | Studio – single camera operation | 1 | |
| 7 | Forum Guests #1 & #2 Script development Storyboard presentations |
1,2 | |
| 8 | Forum Guests #3 & #4 Script development (cont’d) Storyboard presentations |
1,2 | |
| 9 | Forum Guests #5 & #6 Pre-production Week #1 |
1,2 | |
| 10 | Forum Guests #7 & #8 Pre-production Week #2 |
1,2 | |
| 11 |
Studio – refresh camera and crew production skills prior to shoot (Note: between Weeks 11 and 12 there is a two-week mid-semester break) |
1,2,3 | |
| 12 | Film Shoot: Studio/Location (attendance may also be required on Friday of this week) | 1,2,3 | |
| 13 | Second Unit/Film Editing | 1,2,3 | |
| 14 | Film Editing | Assessment #1: all forums due to have been completed by this date | 1,2,3 |
| 15 | Film Editing | Assessment #2: all storyboard presentations due by this date | 1,2,3 |
| 16 | Film Screening | Assessment #4: Production reports due on this date | 1,2,3 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the Internet
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is on going throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in practical projects, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks, which are graded.
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
FEATURE FILM
Formative Assessments
Assessment #1: Second draft treatment. Due date to be negotiated with individual students.
Assessment #2: Present a storyboard of a selected sequence from your feature film script which effectively conveys your vision for the project. Due date to be negotiated with individual students
Summative Assessment
Assessment #3: Second draft of a feature film script. Due in Week 16.
STORY TO SCREEN
Formative Assessments:
Assessment #1: CLASS FORUM
Organize and present a one-hour class visit, workshop, excursion or demonstration with an industry professional in a key production role.
Your work may include:
- Research production role and guest
- Develop brief for the class including aims and format of the visit
- Select and present material for workshopping, case study or use as examples
- Manage the presentation of the event, including class participation, so as to illuminate the relationship of each professional role with the writer and the script throughout the production process
Due date: As scheduled throughout the semester
Assessment #2: STORYBOARD
Create a storyboard for a short film, and present it to other team members in a way that effectively conveys your vision for the project.
Due date: In class as scheduled
Summative Assessments:
Assessment #3: PRODUCTION
Collaborate effectively with all other members of the creative team in the creation and realisation of a script into a visual format.
Due date: As scheduled
Assessment #4: PRODUCTION REPORT
At a screening of the produced collaborative project, report to class on your role in the process and outcomes of the group production including:
- The challenges and concerns of the various roles in interpreting and realising the script
- The input and cut-off points for the writer in the collaborative process
- The transformation of the script through the production process, and the value added by other players at the various levels of creative input
Written report to be supplied: 1200-1500 words.
Due date: Week 16
The competency Establish the creative vision for screen productions is graded. The grades used are as follows:
HDI Competency with high distinction
CDI Competency with distinction
CC Competency with credit
CAG Competent graded
NYC Not yet complete
DNS Did not submit
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. This is available through the course contact in Program Administration
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
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 go to Academic Integrity
Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview