Course Title: Plan and manage film and media pre-production

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: VART5091C

Course Title: Plan and manage film and media pre-production

School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6151 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact: Mandy Penton

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9202

Course Contact Email: mandy.penton@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nicole McKinnon

nicole.mckinnon@rmit.edu.au

ph: 9925 4375

 

Film and Televison Production

Teacher: Aish Ramji

Email: aish.ramji@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

None

Course Description

In this course you will cover skills and knowledge required to plan and manage all aspects of pre-production processes and facilities. It involves coordinating and supervising activities of the entire crew as well as administrative, financial and technical details of productions.

A complete course guide will be made available to students on the course learning management system, prior to commencement of classes.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAPPM603 Plan and manage film and media pre-production

Element:

1. Confirm scope of productions

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Consult with producer or director to clarify production expectations based on negotiations or decisions made during the development phase

1.2 Break down scripts scene by scene to establish detailed resource requirements

1.3 Identify, from script breakdowns, issues with budget or shooting implications

1.4 Prepare preliminary production and pre-production schedules

1.5 Prepare preliminary shooting schedule to compare with length of shoot allowed in budget, and adjust if necessary

1.6 Re-time scripts to estimate production times and to identify whether scripts need reducing to meet budget constraints

Element:

2. Finalise budgets

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Liaise with suppliers to establish costs and availability of required resources

2.2 Liaise with relevant personnel in different production and post-production areas to clarify requirements, roles and responsibilities

2.3 Identify potential problems with production requirements, and take appropriate action to resolve promptly

2.4 Present cost estimates to relevant personnel and negotiate changes as required

2.5 Compile final resource schedule, with contingency plans

2.6 Confirm budgets enable achievement of creative and technical production requirements and cover resource and personnel requirements

Element:

3. Manage pre-production

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Oversee establishment of pre-production processes and documentation before the start of pre-production activities

3.2 Set up the financial organisation of the production, and processes for reporting against budgets

3.3 Commission safety reports from appropriate sources and circulate reports to relevant organisations and personnel

3.4 Meet regularly with heads of departments to monitor expenditure against budget taking action as required to keep overall expenditure within budget

3.5 Circulate scripts to relevant personnel and establish and monitor the process for communicating script changes

3.6 Ensure all arrangements for access to locations are completed correctly and within required timeframes

3.7 Organise publicity and press briefings as required

3.8 Oversee pre-production activities of all departments, providing guidance and assistance as required

3.9 Finalise shooting schedules and circulate final production documentation to relevant personnel within required timeframes


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to confirm the scope of a production, finalise budgets and manage pre-production.


Details of Learning Activities

This course is delivered into two programs:

C6151 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media, Film and Television Production

and 

C6151IM Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Interactive Media,

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.

C6151IM Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Interactive Media, Teaching Schedule

WeekTopicAssessment 

Week 1

Introduction to Plan and Manage Film and Media Pre Production. 

Understanding the Role of Production Manager. 

Introduction for AT1.

Participate in class discussion on the role of a Production Manager.

 

Week 2

Prepare for Client meeting 1 - Individual work
Prepare document for the first meeting with the client about the planning for preproduction materials. 

 Timing the script - Group work
In groups Read through the script and work out the timing of the script ‘Textbook Romance’.

Roles, Tasks, Responsibilities - Group work
 
In your team, discuss the roles and task you think you will need to make this production including preproduction processes.

Introducing:
Part 1 D. Estimated resource schedule – individual work

 

Week 3

 

Finalise Part 1 D. Estimated resource schedule – individual work

Client meeting 2 - participate in a client meeting and write minutes – individual task

During this client meeting you will be assessed for AT1 Part E - through observation that you demonstrate 

  • Sophisticated listening and questioning techniques
  • Explain the estimated budget and schedule 
  • an understanding of the feedback 

AT1 Part E - in class

 Week 4

  • 10:00 - 10.30am

- AT1 Production Manage preproduction on a project for a client Due Week 8 ​

- recap of  week 3​

- any questions about week 3​

  • 10.30 - 11.00 am – Part 2.  A. Script Breakdown & B. Budget
    - Using a colour code (on front cover of script) mark up the script to categorise the assets needed​

- Based on the marked-up script, create a detailed budget​

  • 12. 30pm - Introducing: Part 3 Team Consultation Meeting 2 – in class week 5​
    - Before you go into the meeting team, collect a page of images as reference.​
 

Week 5

  • 10:00 - 10.30am

- AT1 Production Manage preproduction on a project for a client Due Week 8 ​
- recap of  week 4​
- any questions about week 4​

  • 10.30 - 12.30 pm – Part 3 Team Consultation Meeting 2 – in class week 5

Create a page of visual references that demonstrate the 3D visual style of 1) the characters, 2) the backgrounds (train station, trains etc). Done individually to show your team.

- Meet with key production team leaders ) 3D Designer Head 2) Sound Design Head. ​
- Get their feedback on the budget  from their specific areas that you may have not considered as the production manager.​

- Each student will attend 3 meetings with new team members, they will take on the role as​

  1. Production Manager in one meeting,​
  2. 3D Design Head in one meeting​
  3. Sound Design Head​
Submit AT1 Parts 1, 2 & 3
Week 6
  • 10:00 - 10.15 am

- AT1 Production Manage preproduction on a project for a client Due Week 8 ​

- recap of  week 5​

  • 10.15 am – Part 4 Budget Contingencies – “The bombshell” in class week 6

- The Client contacts you to let you know there have been some changes in the situation that will impact on your budget.​

 There are 3 issues you will receive 1

A. Write a budget contingency memo to the Client (use a word doc) that lists at least 5 problems that this sudden change will cause to your budget.​

B. Suggest 5 solutions (a contingency plan) as to what can be done to have the least impact on the budget - Individual work​

- C. Team Meeting for budget contingency - Team Meeting 3 - Group work. In teams of 3 - discuss your new situation. Record this meeting.​

 

Week 7

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am

- AT1 Production Manage preproduction on a project for a client Due Week 8 ​

- recap of  week 6​

  • 10.15 am – Part 5 Final Budget & Contingency Plan- individual work​

A. Create the final budget that takes into account the budget contingency. Use your excel spreadsheet detailed budget from Part 2 and make the necessary adjustments​

B. Make at least 3 changes to the costings and show that you have adjusted your budget.​

C. List the 3 changes you have made to the budget and explain the reasons you made these changes.​​

Part 6 Final script - Individual Work

- A. The client wants to add an extra half page to the script - that has the Textbook Guy waking up in his room, rushing to get dressed, and then seen rushing to the station which will include a big view of the outside of the Antwerp Train Station).​

- B. Do another read-through of the final script to work out the time duration of the final duration (this does not need to be recorded – just timed).​

 

Week 8

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am

- AT1 Production Manage preproduction on a project for a client Due Week 8 ​
- recap of  AT1 ​
- A look at the submission checklist​

  • 10.15 am – WIP (Work in Progress) Review

- catch up with teacher​

- check you have completed all parts of the assessment​

AT1: Parts 4, 5, 6, 7

Week 9

  • 10:00 - 10.30 am- Introducing AT2 Production Manage preproduction for an independent creative project​
  • 10.30 am 

-  Review the scope of an individual project for linear and interactive projects.​

- Prepare for the Part 1 Preliminary Producer meeting in week 10 - Individual work​

- linear / interactive?​

  • Ideas on visual style​
  • Ideas for technique ​​
  • Prepare a  Resource list and schedule 

- Set up a Onedrive folder for your documents.​

 

Week 10

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am-  AT2 Part 1 Preliminary Producer meeting – overview.​​
  • 10.30 am - Meet with Producer and present:​
    AT2_PRT1_PRELIM_PRODUCER_BRIEFING_template – It doesn’t' have to be finished, just present what you have completed, you will discuss:​

- linear / interactive?​

  • Ideas on visual style​
  • Ideas for technique ​
  • Prepare a  Resource list and schedule 

- After the meeting, include: ​

  • Write down 2 – 3 points from the conversation you had with the Producer on how your concept and the visual style you are considering will impact on the costs of this production​

12.30 pm -  Introducing - Part 2: Storyboard / Wireframes & Preliminary resource list and schedule – Individual work

  • Storyboard / Wireframes based on your script.​
  • Under each frame include a Resource section that itemises the resources​
  • Preliminary schedule​
 
Week 11
  • 10:00 - 10.30 am-  AT2 Storyboard & wireframe – looking at the best ways to present them.​
  • 10.30 am - Part 2: Storyboard / Wireframes & Preliminary resource list and schedule – Individual work​

Class time to work on this.

  • Storyboard / Wireframes based on your script.​
  • Under each frame include a Resource section that itemises the resources​
  • Preliminary schedule​

 

Week 12

  • 10:00 - 10.30 am-  AT2 Storyboard & wireframe – looking at the best ways to present them.​
  • 10.30 am – Present to Producer WIP of  Part 2: Storyboard Wireframes & Preliminary resource list and schedule – Individual work​

  • Storyboard / Wireframes based on your script.​
  • Under each frame include a Resource section that itemises the resources​
  • Preliminary schedule​
  • 12.30 pm -  Introducing - AT2 Part 3: Preliminary resource list and schedule Review week 13- GROUP WORK​

AT2 Parts 1 & 2 Due

Week 13

  • 10:00 – 10.15 am-  AT2 Recap​
  • 10.15 am – Part 3: Preliminary resource list and schedule Review week 13 – Group work

- You are reviewing the AT2: Part 2 Storyboard / wireframes & preliminary resource list and schedule

- As the role of Production Manager review another student's Preliminary resource list and schedule. The student must share their Preliminary resource list and schedule material with you, via the OneDrive.​

- As the role of Head of either Animation or Interactivity - review another student's Preliminary resource list and schedule. The student must share their Preliminary resource list and schedule material with you, via the OneDrive.​

Complete the PART 3: Preliminary resource List and schedule Review Checklist and Feedback documents

  • 12.30 pm: Introducing: Part 4 Finalised budget and schedule & Producer Meeting 2 week 14

 

Week 14

Part 4 Finalise budget and schedule & Producer Meeting 2 week 14

A. Finalise your budget and schedule, based on the feedback you have received in Part 3.

Complete detailed budget document using the excel template provided and will be colour coded in line with the marked-up script.

Observation Part 4 Finalise budget and schedule & Producer Meeting 2 week 14

 

Week 15

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am-  Class overview​
  • 10.15 am – Continue working on: Part 6 Publicity material

- Create 2 Style frames (fully rendered – colour and polished) of your production to use in publicity material​

- Create versions for 2 – 3 different Social Media platforms.​

- You will have to make the style frames to fit the orientation of those platforms. Label them​

- Write a snappy caption to go with it the images.​

Part 7 Online OneDrive Preproduction Files

12.30pm - Introducing AT3 Quiz and Self-Reflection

 

Week 16

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am-  Class overview​
  • 10.15 am – AT3 Quiz and Self-Reflection

​- Finalise assessment tasks prior to submitting.​

AT2: Production Manage preproduction for an independent creative project  Part 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

AT3 Quiz and Self-Reflection

Week 17

  • 10:00 - 10.15 am-  Class overview​
  • 10.15 am – Review and finalise assessments​

 

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.

C6151 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media, Film and Television Production

Week

Class Content

Assessment

1

Overview of the course, assessment and facilities

Student introductions

Defining production management

Broad historical and cultural context of production management in productions

Discuss requirements of Assessment 1

 

 

2

Analysis of Film Scripts

Interpreting the script into pre-production documents

Scheduling

Budgets

Filming parameters

 

 

3

Film production roles -

Production Manager and 1st Assistant Director

Writer, Director, Editor and Postproduction Supervisor

Production Designer

 

 

4

Script timing

Breakdown sheets and production scheduling

Budgeting for short film shoots

 

 

5

Assessment Task 1 – Prepare Pre-Production Documents, Finalise and submit

Assessment Task 3 - preparation

 

Assessment Task 1 due

 

6

A to Z of budgeting

Preparing a budget - Preproduction

Preparing a budget - Postproduction

 

 

7

Estimates and quoting

Revising your budget

 

 

8

Consultation session - group meetings with tutor

Discussion of budget requirements and constraints for Assessment 2

 

 

9

Studio Class - Assessment Task 2

Consultation with tutor

 

 

10

Assessment Task 2 – Initial Budget, Finalise and submit

Assessment Task 4 - preparation

 

Assessment Task 2 due

 

11

Pre-production meetings - minute taking and documenting the meeting

Responding to production issues

Consultation session - Assessment Task 3

Group Project Work - Assessment Task 4

 

 

12

Studio Class - Assessment Tasks 3 and 4

Consultation session and observation

 

 

13

Assessment Task 3 – Prepare Pre-Production Documents, Finalise and submit

Assessment Task 4 – Final Budget, Production Documents, Press Briefing, Finalise and submit

 

Assessment Task 3 due

Assessment Task 4 due

14

Studio Class - Assessment Task 5

Consultation session and observation

 

 

15

Assessment Task 5 – Quiz and Self Reflection,

Finalise and submit

 

Assessment Task 5 due

 

16

Review of assessment task 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Additional resources are available on course Canvas Shell

Remember that the University Library has many resources that will help you and  has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The Learning Lab
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub

English for uni workshops
 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops

 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in a range of class workshops and on-location projects that will help equip you with the skills to successfully manage a film production, using industry procedures.


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. 

C6151IM Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Interactive Media, Assessment Tasks

AT1 Production Manage preproduction a project for a client

Completing the assessment documentation will allow you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to plan and manage all aspects preproduction processes and facilities, including the coordination of relevant crew, administration, financial and technical details of productions.

Due week 8

AT2 Production Manage preproduction for an independent creative project

The student must adopt the role of a Production Manager to complete a range of procedures and to create a range of documents needed as part of the preproduction process and to meet regularly with team members and Producer for their own individual project that will be built in the following semester.

Due week 16

AT3 Production Manage preproduction Quiz and Self-Reflection

This is a knowledge quiz that gives you the opportunity to focus on essential knowledge required in the preproduction process.

Due week 16

C6151 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media, Film and Television Production, Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1- Prepare Pre-production Documents. For this assessment you will be taking on three separate film production roles on three seperate productions assigned by the assessor. Due Date: week 5

Assessment Task 2 - Initial Budget. This is a group assessment where you will each be taking on production roles within the group. Due Date: week 10

Assessment Task 3 - Prepare Pre-production Documents - group task. This is a group assessment where you will each be taking on production roles for the same script you worked on in Assessment 1. Due Date: week 13

Assessment Task 4 - Final Budget, Production Documents and Press Briefings. This is a group assessment where you will each be taking on production roles for the same script you worked on in Assessment's 1, 2 and 3. Due Date: week 13

Assessment Task 5 - Quiz and Self Reflection. This is a knowledge quiz that gives you the opportunity to focus on essential knowledge required in the preproduction process. Due Date; 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.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to 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.

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