Course Title: Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: GEDU6132C

Course Title: Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - 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

Teacher: George Viscas

george.viscas@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

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

Building knowledge and understanding of the history and theory of film genre is central to your development as a screenwriter. This course looks at the skills and knowledge required to use investigative and critical thinking techniques when evaluating the history and theory of film genre and distilling key themes and ideas. It grounds this study in cinema language and provides a comprehensive overview of the way in which contemporary screen language has developed. You will research concepts and theories around genre in screenwriting, and explore ways in which these theories can be applied to your own creative work.   This course addresses the following unit of competency: CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUARES403 Research history and theory to inform own arts practice

Element:

1. Research history and theory

Performance Criteria:

1. Research history and theory 1.1 Discuss research ideas with appropriate people and identify implications for own arts practice 1.2 Identify and investigate new and alternative information sources for relevance to own arts practice 1.3 Use formal and informal research techniques to access information 1.4 Organise research materials and findings for current and future use

Element:

2. Link research to own arts practice

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Evaluate information in context of own arts practice and work of others 2.2 Assess ways in which different aspects of history and theory may be used, adapted and challenged 2.3 Extract key themes, ideas and opinions to assist in clarity of thought 2.4 Develop conclusions from research findings in consultation with appropriate people

Element:

3. Update and maintain knowledge of trends in own arts practice

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand own knowledge of history and theory 3.2 Incorporate knowledge into own arts practice 3.3 Seek feedback on quality of research methodology and outcomes, and note areas for future improvement


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the performance criteria. You will be able to inform your own artistic practice through the application of the concepts and theories underpinning the craft of screenwriting, and have thoroughly researched screen language and genre relating to your own work.


Details of Learning Activities

You will learn through: 


1. In-class activities:

  • lectures
  • looking at examples of film genre
  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • peer discussion and class presentations
  • guest speakers
  • group discussion

2. Out-of-class activities: 


  • independent project based work 

  • watching and critiquing films
  • building knowledge through reading 

  • online and other research 

  • 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. The last 30 minutes of every class is reserved for you to discuss your current research projects with other students or with your teacher.

Week

 Date

Class Content

Assessment Due

1

 

Feb 12

Explanation and discussion of course content and assessment.

Identification of formal and informal research techniques.
 


Discussion of the nature of creativity in screenwriting. 
Early film history: Lumiere Brothers, Georges Melies and D.W. Griffith. 
Introduction to Screen Language: production and story elements

 

2


Feb 19

How to identify and prioritise authoritative sources of information

Development of montage from D.W. Griffith to modern day. 
Discussion of period of film-history and key contributions of selected filmmakers.

Screening of selected excerpts of films followed by class discussion – language, theories and applications

Assessment Task 2 starts

3

 

Feb 26

 

Using data bases for research – speaker from the RMIT library

German Expressionism and the Dark Side


Discuss characteristics of this; Expressionism in art and screen excerpts of selected films from various filmmakers. Expressionism in film and its theories – yesterday and today. Expressionism and its use in Hollywood.
 

 Assessment Task 1 – notes due

4


Mar 5

Organising and making sense of your research – how to take good notes.

Silent film

 

5


Mar 12

 

How to create a bibliography – Harvard referencing style.

Film Noir in world film culture 

Study Hollywood’s use of Expressionism in this genre. WW2 and its effects on Noir and film culture. Screen excerpts from Noir films and Rules of Noir documentary. Class discussion.
 

Assessment Task 1 presentations start and continue until Week 12, as scheduled with your teacher

6


Mar 19

 

Rarely seen Film Noir 


Class discussion about film’s elements: Does it follow all the rules of Noir? What’s there? What isn’t? Does it hold up today? 
Can any of its theories of Noir be used creatively today? 
 

 

7


Mar 26

 

Neo-Noir

Its legacy from Expressionism to Film-Noir explored. Screening excerpts from selected Neo-Noir films; 
Discussion of its history; contrast past to present Noir.
 

8


Apr 2

 

Neo-Noir cont. 

Class discussion of Neo-Noir elements and the differences between these and the ordinary Thriller Genre. Contrast with remake and discuss cultural context in history and theory of genre and the differences of this remake as compared to its original Film-Noir concept. 


Discussion of research for Genre assignment – students to bring in their research to date.

9

 

Week beginning

Apr 9

 

Horror

Looking at the elements of horror and its legacy from expressionism. Differences between past and present day elements. What makes Horror so easy to make and so hard to master? 
Screening of documentary.


10

 


Apr 16

 

Horror cont. 

Are the elements of Horror the same worldwide? Do the theories of one culture overlap with another? Screening and discussion of documentaries. Exploring various types of world horror and discussion of how the theory is applied in practice. 
 

 

 

Mid-semester break: Good Friday April 19 to Friday April 26 inclusive

 

11

 

Apr 30

Genre and censorship

Censorship, its history and role in film genre. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the censorship system.
 Screening of documentary examining censorship and its effects on various filmmakers. Is it a necessary evil? 
 

 


12

 


May 7

Study of a culture through film

Does film reflect daily life of culture? Fantasy of its inhabitants? Do the theories of film in the West necessarily fulfil other cultures’ requirements of what makes a film? Looking at a culture’s film history. Film screening. Discussion around similarities/differences to Western film practices and genre development

13

 


May 14

 

Contemporary filmmakers

Introduction to new filmmakers and their effects on modern day directors. How ‘influence,’ plays an important part as ‘homage’ in creativity.
 Screening of various scenes as well as full film in discovering new and /or forgotten filmmakers.

Discuss their importance/non-importance.
 

 Assessment Task 2 – final post due

14

 


May 21

 

Review of history and theory behind genre development and how these are contextualised in aspects of the films studied. Exploration of how these concepts can be applied to your own work

 Assessment Task 3 due

15

 May 28

No class meeting: TBC semester review

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You 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.
 

While there are no prescribed texts it is strongly recommended you make use of the recommended references.  A list of recommended reading and viewing will be up on Canvas. You are advised to look at the course myRMIT site for ongoing updated information.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment 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 on Canvas for full assessment criteria.

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. You will have one opportunity to resubmit your work.

Assessment Task 1: To complete this assessment task, you need to research a film and use this research as the basis for a 15-minute presentation. In your presentation, you will choose two film elements and analyse them in relation to two scenes from your chosen film. You will discuss how they contribute to clarifying the film’s narrative and characters and establishing the film’s genre. You will also discuss the relevance of your findings to your own practice.

Due date: Research must be uploaded to Canvas in Week 3 (February 26); Presentations are due for delivery in Weeks 5–12 (March 12 – May 7, as scheduled with teacher).

 

Assessment Task 2: To complete this assessment task, you need to select a film genre that interests you and watch a minimum of 5 films that fit this genre. You will be provided with a list of suggested films. After you have watched each film at least once through, you will post a response for discussion. Posts should be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 400. You are asked to reflect on your response to the film and on how the filmmaker has used, adapted or subverted the genre and consider how this may inform your own practice as a screenwriter. You are also required to write comments in response to at least 5 posts from students in your class.   

Due date: Film discussion posts should be published in Canvas at 2 or 3 week intervals throughout the semester. Your last post should be made by Week 13 (May 14).

 

Assessment Task 3: To complete this assessment task, you need to select and research a film genre and submit either a 1500-word research essay or a 15-minute digital version of a presentation, discussing the historical development of that genre including an explanation of the constituents of the genre. In your discussion, you should consider films that demonstrate key aspects of the genre, referring to specific genre conventions, examples of typical story elements and typical production elements and features. As part of this assessment, you should also consider ways in which your findings can inform your own practice.

Due date: Week 14 (May 21)

Once you have achieved competency for the unit, you will receive an overall grade for the course (refer to Canvas for the graded rubric with specified criteria). This rubric will relate to all assessments and your overall performance in the course.

Graded assessment in this course uses 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 are available through the course contact in 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. 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.

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

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.

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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview