Course Title: Develop self as artist
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2020
Course Code: BUSM8837C
Course Title: Develop self as artist
Important Information:
This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact: Penny Johnson
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email: svdsc.mac@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher:
Tim Marshall
Nominal Hours: 60
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. You are advised to complete the Semester 1 course Screen Industry so as to build your industry knowledge prior to enrolling in Screen Practice.
Course Description
In this course you will consider and develop plans for your own screenwriting practice. You will focus on a particular project from your growing slate of material, aiming to create a visual proof of concept and an oral pitch for your original feature film, TV series, webseries or other project.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUAPPR404 Develop self as artist |
Element: |
1. Refine arts practice skills |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Plan strategies to improve own arts practice skills 1.2 Identify and use relevant practice, feedback, discussion and evaluation opportunities to continuously improve own technical and creative skills 1.3 Identify and use relevant sources of information to keep up-to-date with industry trends and issues 1.4 Identify and use a range of opportunities to develop own arts practice |
Element: |
2. Develop own style or voice in arts practice |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Explore a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and integrate them into own arts practice 2.2 Discuss ideas with relevant people and apply knowledge gained to inform own practice 2.3 Use practice time to experiment safely and sustainably with new ideas in a range of genres and interpretations 2.4 Study the work of others to stimulate own conceptual and technical skills and consider intellectual property implications 2.5 Explore and use technology where appropriate to expand own practice |
Element: |
3. Evaluate own work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Seek and apply constructive feedback from relevant people to improve own work 3.2 Evaluate work against planned strategy for developing own arts practice 3.3 Identify place of own work in relation to other artists in own area of practice 3.4 Adjust processes, techniques and practice as necessary to improve technical, conceptual and commercial outcomes |
Element: |
4. Pursue work opportunities |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Identify and review sources of information on work opportunities 4.2 Identify and access industry networks and events to generate work opportunities 4.3 Develop and distribute promotional material about self as required |
Learning Outcomes
On completing this course, you will have added to and enhanced your slate of original projects, created a proof of concept item for a particular project, and gained experience in pitching your own material.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Date |
Content |
Assessment due |
1 |
Jul 10 |
Overview of content and discussion of course content Finding your voice in the screen industry Rejection - methods for coping Thinking about pitching – yourself and your work New Screenwriters 2021 – briefing and planning your page Graduate showcase website New Screenwriters 2021 explained and discussed Formation of groups for Assessment Task #1 |
|
2 |
Jul 17 |
Further discussion of Assessment Task #2: Your New Screenwriters 2021 page Industry Q&A: Writer/Director Annika Glac |
|
3 |
Jul 24 |
Discussion of Assessment Task #3: Proof of concept Speed pitching: an exercise |
|
4 |
Jul 31 |
Guest Q&A: Olivia Horner - graduate Screenwriting student/runs New Screenwriters website - Q&A on career life after RMIT & further info on New Screenwriter's website Guest Lecture:Writer/Director Neil Triffett dissects his journey from proof of concept short film to feature film 'Emo the Musical' (now on Netflix) |
|
5 |
Aug 7 |
Your work, your voice presentations Guest lecture:Pitching yourself and your work via social media with Bree Whiting, Film and TV social media marketing expert. Pairing up for Assessment #2 Part 2 |
Assessment task #1: Your work, your voice |
6 |
Aug 14 |
Your work, your voice presentations Face-to-face discussion, feedback and review |
Assessment task #1: Your work, your voice (cont’d) Assessment task #2 due: Self-Promotional activities |
7 |
Aug 21 |
Your work, your voice presentations Proof of concept: workshopping |
Assessment task #1: Your work, your voice (cont’d) Group 3 |
8 |
Aug 28 |
Your work, your voice presentations Proof of concept: workshopping cont'd RMITV Presentation - intro and opportunities |
Assessment task #1: Your work, your voice (cont’d) |
|
|
Mid semester break – Monday 31 August - Friday 4 September inclusive |
|
9 |
Sep 11 |
Guest lecture - Australian Writers’ Guild Part of the Union: Contracts and industrial clout, with the Australian Writers’ Guild - Peter Mattessi and an AWG Contract Lawyer |
|
10 |
Sep 18 |
Proof of concept workshopping final 1 on 1 meetings Pitching Practice Session |
|
11 |
Sep 25 |
Pitching to the professionals (Day #1) Producer: Lucy Hayes |
Assessment task #3 due: Proof of concept Assessment task #4: Your pitch |
12 |
Oct 2 |
Pitching to the professionals (Day #2) From Matchbox Picture/Tony Ayres Development team: Neil Triffett |
Assessment task #4: Your pitch (cont’d) |
13 |
Oct 9 |
Pitching to the professionals (Day #3) Producer: Katrina Fleming |
Assessment task #4: Your pitch (cont’d) |
14 |
Oct 16 |
Debrief from pitches - overview of learning and next steps in your career. |
|
15 |
Oct 23 |
No scheduled class: semester review TBC |
|
* Schedule may need to change due to availability of guests.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None |
References
Resources available on Canvas. |
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library 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
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course will be via group work, creation of original material for the screen and performance media, and oral pitching of your work to industry representatives.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as 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.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment 1: Your work, your voice
(Due Weeks 5 to 8: 30 Aug)
As a group, research the career of a successful Australian screenwriter, contacting them with a brief list of questions, and deliver a presentation on their work and voice. Show a full-length episode of their work and explore the reasons and strategies for their success. Your due date for the presentation will be negotiated with your teacher and will be scheduled in a time slot following week 4.
Assessment 2: Self-Promotional activities
(Due Week 6: 16 Aug)
Design your own entry for the graduate showcase website, including photo, contact details, project slate and other information as decided, give and receive feedback, and submit it both as hard copy and in an electronic format.
Assessment 3: Proof of concept
(Due Week 11: 27 Sep)
Create a “Proof of concept” document, sizzle reel or artefact that integrates and develops the characters, story, themes and ideas of one of the original screen projects on your development slate.
Assessment 4: Your pitch
(Due Weeks 11 to 13: 9 Oct)
After research, drafting and workshopping, present a 3–5 minute pitch for a particular project to industry personnel as if you were seeking to gain their involvement in the project. You will have 3–5 minutes to further discuss the project and field questions.
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
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
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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview