Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: COMM5972C
Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6151 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
Course Contact: Nat Bates
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3326
Course Contact Email: nat.bates@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nicole McKinnon
nicole.mckinnon@rmit.edu.au
9925 4815
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
None
Course Description
In this course you will cover the skills and knowledge required to develop a narrative, storyline or story structure for film, animation or interactive products.
It applies to individuals who work on a range of film, television and digital media productions. They work collaboratively with content developers, editors, and producers.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAWRT502 Develop storylines and treatments |
Element: |
1. Plan and prepare to write production material |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Define script writing construction, style and formats required for the production and clients 1.2 Define and develop ideas and concepts based on analysis of genre, audience and purpose 1.3 Develop elements of narrative, including visual and aural components, dialogue and other communication techniques, such as symbols and icons, to convey information in production material |
Element: |
2. Develop storylines or treatments |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify components of script development required by concept proposals 2.2 Develop concepts to synopsis stage or equivalent as required by production format or genre 2.3 Develop treatment and scene breakdown as required by production format or genre 2.4 Evaluate narrative development with relevant personnel and incorporate feedback as required 2.5 Develop material in a format appropriate for story conferencing or pitch presentation to client 2.6 Adopt safe ergonomic practices when using screens and keyboards for long periods of time |
Element: |
3. Finalise storylines or treatments |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Present materials for discussion to production team responsible for story conferences or pitching to clients 3.2 Redraft materials incorporating feedback as required 3.3 Make relevant material ready for next stage of production within agreed timeframes and budget requirements |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to develop storylines and treatments for media products in the creative industries.
Details of Learning Activities
This course consists of 2 Units of Competency that are clustered together for delivery and assessment. The other unit of competency in this clustered course is: CUAPPR605 Evolve ideas for professional creative work
In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:
• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• 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 availability of speakers and resources.
| 1 |
Concept 3 Introduction Research
|
Introduction to Concept 3 Introduction: AT1 Develop a concept 1 Commence research In class you will undertake research animation / motion graphics inspired by music. You will be given a list of reference works, but can also research your own. Screen and keyboard safety Reflect on the hazards that occur when working screen and keyboards for long periods of time. Finding creativity Read the article : https://coschedule.com/blog/innovative-content-marketing/ (Links to an external site.) and answer the questions. Homework: Work on Part A. |
AT1 Part A - Due |
| 2 | Developing concepts |
Coming up with concepts Listen to 3 of the music tracks for inspiration & Develop rough ideas. Write a short description of an animation / motion graphics concept for each piece of music. Join up with 1 or 2 students and share your 3 ideas with them, get feedback on the ideas from them. Choose the idea that you will continue through to preproduction stages. Homework: create a rough thumbnail storyboard of the concept. |
|
| 3 | Storyboards and Visual style |
Storyboard development. From rough thumbnail storyboard to refined storyboard. Work on the refined storyboard for AT1 Develop a concept 1. Undertake Visual style research Research 1 visual style that inspires you and you think suits your concept. Homework: work on and complete refined storyboard an visual style research ready to present in class |
|
| 4 | Presentation |
Presentation in class Student will present the following?
Collect 2 points of feedback you have received. Animatics How to make them How to refine your storyboard in preparation for the animatic. Style frames How to make them Homework: Make any changes required after the presentation to the refined storyboard and work on the animatic and Style frames. |
AT1 Develop a concept 1 Part B - C - Due |
| 5 | Animatics, style frames & sample animation |
Finalise Animatics and style frames. Creating a sample of the animation Homework: Continue working on the animation sample. |
|
| 6 | Animation sample |
Continue working on Animation sample. WIPs continue. Reviewing Part G Review and evaluate. Homework: Continue working on the animation sample. |
|
| 7 | Animation sample & Reviewing |
Continue working on Animation sample. Finalise Part G Review and evaluate. Homework: Finalise the animation sample and complete Part G Review and evaluate. |
AT1 Develop a concept 1 Part D, E, F, G submission - Due |
| 8 | Introduction to AT2 Develop a concept 2 |
Introduction to AT2 Develop a concept 2 Getting ideas – where do ideas come from?
Writing a synopsis Write up 3 ideas as 3 synopsis for you individual project. They may be based on the class writing exercises or from somewhere else. Undertake a story conference - Get feedback from at least 2 other students or other people and find out from them which idea they prefer, collect the feedback and the names of the students. Homework: finalise AT2 Part A Writing workshop and Part B Research. |
|
| 9 | Writing a Script |
Script formatting There is a specific and internationally recognised way for formatting a script. In class, you will practice formatting a script, you will also make adjustment to that script to suit a different genre. The 3 Act structure Homework: finalise Part C Script formatting. |
AT2 Part A, Part B, Part C due - Due |
| 10 | Designing a Pitch Document |
Pitch Documents Start working on you script (for linear) or Detailed Project Treatment (interactive) Homework: Continue working on script or Detailed project treatment. |
|
| 11 | Pitch document |
Pitch Documents Homework: Finalise Pitch documents |
|
| 12 | Pitch Document |
Pitch Documents Answer questions and discussing the concept development process: Homework: Finalise Pitch documents |
AT2 Part D & E Pitch presentation - Due |
| 13 | Pitch Document Presentation |
Pitch Documents Finalise Pitch documents Homework: Finalise Pitch documents |
AT2 Part D & E Pitch presentation - Due |
| 14 | Introducing: AT3 Finalise preproduction and review |
Introducing: AT3 Finalise preproduction and review Part A – Final drafts Part B - Reviewing the concept development and the script writing process Homework: Finalise your final drafts |
|
| 15 | Reviewing concept |
Part B - Reviewing the concept development and the script writing process Homework: Finalise Part B |
|
| 16 | Reviewing concept |
Part C - Budgets and schedules. Part D – safety Homework: Finalise Part C & D |
AT3 - Due |
| 17 | Refine Assignments and course review |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.
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.
AT1 Develop a concept 1
Undertake the preproduction processes for an animation / motion graphics inspired by a 30 seconds piece of music. It can include: characters, or be completely abstract - it is entirely up to you.
You will undertake research, developmental steps, collaboration with other students to come up with a storyboard, animatic and at least 5 - 10 seconds of the animation completed. (If you have time, you should try and complete this animation as it may make an excellent folio piece.)
Due week 7
AT2 Develop a concept 2
In semester 2 you will undertake an independent creative project in Undertake Project Work Course. In this assessment you will be doing some of the concept development for that project.
Due week 13
AT3 Finalise preproduction and review
In this assessment you will finalise the script (linear projects) / project treatment (interactive projects) based on feedback you received during the AT2 Pitch presentation as well as other preproduction requirements. You will also reflect on the process of developing scripts, concepts, and how it impacts on your role in the digital media industry.r concept.
Due week 16
Assessment in this course uses the following grades:
CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit
Assessment Matrix
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.
Other Information
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.
Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
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.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
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