Course Title: Devise camera coverage
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2018
Course Code: VART6435C
Course Title: Devise camera coverage
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6151 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
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
Teacher: Aleksander Joseski
Phone: 03 9925 3081
Email: aleksander.joseski@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
None
Course Description
In this course you will cover the skills and knowledge required to develop camera coverage for a screen productions.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUADRT604 Devise camera coverage |
Element: |
1. Interpret creative briefs |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Analyse scripts and related documentation to determine creative and technical criteria for productions 1.2 Participate in preliminary concept meetings to discuss scope of production requirements 1.3 Identify factors that may determine and affect development of camera plans 1.4 Generate a range of preliminary ideas for camera coverage in response to briefs and provide creative solutions to production requirements 1.5 Discuss and refine ideas with production personnel until a workable approach emerges |
Element: |
2. Identify camera coverage requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Review reference material that could assist decisions about camera coverage 2.2 Identify basic structural camera shots for realising scenes and investigate their potential for achieving narrative outcomes 2.3 Confirm camera coverage is appropriate to contextual and stylistic requirements 2.4 Evaluate ideas in collaboration with relevant production personnel to determine viability of proposed concepts 2.5 Prepare and distribute documentation about proposed camera coverage for use by production personnel |
Element: |
3. Develop draft camera plans |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Develop camera coverage that addresses visual and narrative aspects of production 3.2 Approach camera coverage to enable the narrative to be controlled and carried forward throughout the production 3.3 Organise testing of draft camera plans to verify photographic outcomes can be achieved 3.4 Complete camera plan’s associated documentation within agreed timeframes |
Element: |
4. Finalise camera plans |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Present draft camera plans and specifications to production personnel in an appropriate format 4.2 Negotiate modifications to creative and technical criteria and amend camera plans as required 4.3 Agree to final plans and produce accurate and comprehensive documentation to support implementation 4.4 Present final plans and specifications to production personnel and confirm that all production requirements have been me |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use key elements of scripts or shot plans as the basis for devising camera coverage for screen productions.
Details of Learning Activities
Your learning activities will take place in a studio, workshop or classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
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.
| Week | Class Content | Assessment | Elements |
| 1 | Overview of the course, assessment and facilities OH&S: Risks and Hazards, safety requirements for correct equipment handling and technique, safety requirements for the TV studio (teaching space) | CUADRT604: 1,2 CUALGT504:1,2 CUACAM601: 1 | |
| OH&S: Risks and Hazards, safety requirements for correct equipment handling and technique, safety requirements for the TV studio (teaching space) | |||
| Screening and analysis of previous student work | |||
| Introduction to HD video camera operations and handling: Canon EOS C100 | |||
| Recording formats, sensors, resolution, codecs and data wrangling – ATOMOS Drives, 8 and 10 bit recording | |||
| Introduction to camera supports and location audio recording equipment | |||
| Introduction to professional lighting for digital video: safety, equipment handling, types of lights, lighting terminology | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 2 | Revision of week 1 | Assessment Tasks (non-graded and graded): Form production groups | CUADRT604: 1,2,3 CUALGT504:1,2,3 CUACAM601: 1,2 |
| Grip equipment and camera supports | |||
| Lighting for HD Video | |||
| Camera set up, calibration, operation and troubleshooting | |||
| Light and colour | |||
| Using colour in storytelling | |||
| Camera and Lighting plans | |||
| Camera and logging reports | |||
| Camera coverage and shot selection | |||
| Crew roles and responsibilities, shoot protocols and slating procedure | |||
| Form production groups for Assessment Tasks | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 3 | Revision of week 2 | CUADRT604: 3 CUALGT504:1,3 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 | |
| Video latitude and broadcast safe | |||
| Bit depth and banding | |||
| Controlling the HD image – HD Video Exposure and lighting | |||
| Controlling exposure | |||
| Colour balance, temperature and filters | |||
| Colour correction | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 4 | Revision of week 3 | Reminder: Assessment Task 1 – Due Next Week | CUADRT604: 1,2,3 CUALGT504:3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Exposure meters and ‘correct’ exposure | |||
| Exposure: overall and balance within the frame | |||
| Exposure: greyscale and the zone system | |||
| Optics and focus – reflection, refraction, exposure | |||
| Camera Lens: depth of field, f/stop, focus pulling, circle of confusion and field of view | |||
| Preparation for Assessment Task 1 | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 5 | Assessment Task 1 (non-graded) | Assessment Task 1 (non-graded) | CUADRT604: 1,2,3,4 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Creating a look: planning, shooting and lighting an interview | |||
| Revision of weeks 1 to 4 | |||
| 6 | Review Assessment Task 1 (non-graded) – student presentation of edited work | Assessment Task 1 (non-graded) – Review of student work | CUADRT604: 1 CUALGT504: 1,3 CUACAM601: 1,4 |
| Revision of week 1 to 5 | |||
| Conceptual tools of Cinematography | |||
| Genre, subtext, metaphor and shooting methods | |||
| The lens, frame, visual storytelling and continuity | |||
| Lighting for storytelling and metaphor | |||
| Case Study – cinematographers and directors | |||
| Production operations – planning coverage, script breakdown and the shot list | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 7 | Revision of week 6 | CUADRT604: 1,2 CUALGT504: 1,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 | |
| Camera movement – types of moves, moving shots | |||
| Camera mounting – handheld and shoulder mount | |||
| Introduction to the dolly | |||
| Camera and lighting plan for camera movement shots | |||
| Narrative motivation and camera movement technique | |||
| Lighting for camera movement | |||
| Exterior shooting – camera operation, lighting and conversion gels | |||
| OH&S: Risks and Hazards, safety requirements for correct equipment handling and technique, safety requirements for exteriors and location filming | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 8 | Revision of week 7 (continuation of week 7 class exercise) | CUADRT604: 3,4 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 | |
| Dolly – terminology, handling and technique | |||
| Camera and lighting plan for dolly movement shots | |||
| Other camera mounts | |||
| Exterior shooting – available light and sunlight | |||
| Revision – location sound recording | |||
| OH&S: Risks and Hazards, safety requirements for correct equipment handling and technique, safety requirements for exteriors and location filming | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 9 | Revision of week 8 | CUADRT604: 1,2,3 CUALGT504: 1,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 | |
| Using colour in storytelling | |||
| Camera Gamma settings | |||
| Introduction to LUT’s (Look Up Tables) | |||
| Applying LUT’s to footage in Premiere | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 10 | Revision of week 9 (continuation of week 9 class exercise) | Reminder: Assessment Task 2 – Due Week 11 | CUADRT604: 1,2 CUALGT504: 1,2,3 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Gamma setting and exterior shooting | |||
| Colour theory and LUT’s | |||
| Preparation for Assessment Task 2 | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 11 | Assessment Task 2 (non-graded) | Assessment Task 2 (non-graded) | CUADRT604: 1,2,3,4 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Developing a mood: planning, shooting and lighting a drama sequence | |||
| Revision of weeks 1 to 10 | |||
| 12 | Review Assessment Task 2 (non-graded) – student presentation of edited work (continuity edit) | Assessment Task 2 (non-graded) – Review of student work | CUADRT604: 1,2,3 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Revision of weeks 1 to 11 | |||
| Prepare for Assessment Task 3 | |||
| Includes class exercises and discussion | |||
| 13 | Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part A | Assessment Task 3 (graded) – Part A Due | CUADRT604: 1,2,3,4 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4,5 CUACAM601: 1 |
| Interpreting a story: planning, shooting and lighting a short drama film | |||
| Part A - Submit individual marked up script, camera and lighting plans, storyboards and shot list for narrative script (Due beginning of class) | |||
| Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part B | |||
| Group pre-production preparation | |||
| Part B – work on group pre-production folio for narrative script (Due beginning of class next week). | |||
| Prepare for shooting next week – Part C: Day 1 | |||
| 14 | Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part B | Assessment Task 3 (graded) – Part B Due | CUADRT604: 1,2,3,4 CUALGT504: 1,2,3,4,5 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Interpreting a story: planning, shooting and lighting a short drama film | |||
| Part B – Submit group pre-production folio for narrative script (Due beginning of class) | |||
| Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part C: Day 1 | |||
| Finalise equipment and prepare for filming | |||
| Part C – Begin group shooting of Assessment Task 3: Day 1 | |||
| Submit shooting day 1 footage (Due end of class) | |||
| Review and edit day 1 footage | |||
| Prepare for day 2 shooting (next week) | |||
| 15 | Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part C: Day 2 | Assessment Task 3 (graded) – Part C Due | CUADRT604: 3,4 CUALGT504: 4,5 CUACAM601: 1,2,3,4 |
| Interpreting a story: planning, shooting and lighting a short drama film | |||
| Review day 1 filming and prepare for day 2 | |||
| Part C – Complete group shooting of Assessment Task 3: Day 2 | |||
| Submit shooting day 2 footage (Due end of class) | |||
| Review and edit day 1 and 2 footage | |||
| 16 | Assessment Task 3 (Graded) – Part D | Assessment Task 3 (graded) – Part D Due | CUADRT604: 4 CUALGT504: 5 CUACAM601: 2,3,4 |
| Interpreting a story: planning, shooting and lighting a short drama film | |||
| Review all footage and complete continuity edit | |||
| Part D – complete group based edit and export (Due start of class) | |||
| Part D – complete individual evaluations and appraisals (Due end of class) |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Viera, Dave and Maria 2005, Lighting for film and digital cinematography, Belmont, California, Wadsworth , London, Thomson Learning |
|
Burum, Stephen H 2007, American cinematographer manual Vol. 1 and 2, ASC Press Hollywood, California |
|
Lorenze, Catherine 2004, Dream gear : cool and innovative tools for film, video, and TV professionals, Studio City, CA, Michael Wiese Productions |
|
Brown, Blair 2012, Cinematography Theory and Practice 2nd Ed, Elsevier, Oxford |
|
Uva, Michael 2009, The grip book, Amsterdam, London, Focal Press |
References
Production documents on Screen Blackboard |
|
All manuals are held at the schools equipment store. |
|
Screen Production Guide |
|
Hollywood Camera Work DVD box set (Vol. 1-6) |
|
Camera manual for Canon C100 |
|
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester and will involve practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical team based location productions.
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 and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.
Assessment Tasks (ungraded):
1. Assessment Task 1: Creating a look: planning, shooting and lighting an interview (ungraded). This is a group based practical filming and lighting task completed on campus. You will give a short presentation of your completed work. Due Date: Week 5, presentation - Week 6
2. Assessment Task 2: Developing a mood: planning, shooting and lighting a drama sequence (ungraded). This is a group based practical narrative filming and lighting task. You will give a short presentation of your completed work. Due Date: Week 11, presentation - Week 12
Assessment Task (graded):
3. Assessment Task 3: Interpreting a story - planning, shooting and lighting a short drama film. This is the production of an approved short film. Assessment for this project is divided into four (4) parts:
Part A: Individual pre-production documents folio. Due - Week 13
Part B: Production Group pre-production folio. Due - Week 14
Part C: Group based filming of short film. Camera footage from filming to be submitted at conclusion of shooting. Due - Week 15
Part D: Group based continuity edit of short film and individual evaluations. Due - Week 16
Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3 are to be finalised by no later than end of Semester 1 Week 16
Grading criteria for graded assessment can be found on the course canvas site.
You will be assessed using the following grades:
CHD 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
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant 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: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students
Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy
Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/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.
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.
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview