Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: PERF5095C

Course Title: Establish the creative vision for screen productions

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: 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: Tim Marshall

timothy.marshall@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

Enrolment in this elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.

Course Description

In this course you learn and practise the skills of screenwriting, directing, editing and production in creating a short film. You work under the guidance of skilled professional practitioners, with an outcome of onscreen credits in key areas.

This course addresses the following units of competency, clustered for delivery and assessment:

  • CUADRT601 Establish the creative vision for screen productions
  • CUAPOS201 Perform basic vision and sound editing


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUADRT601 Establish the creative vision for screen productions

Element:

1. Interpret scripts

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Read draft scripts and meet with creative personnel to discuss potential interpretations of the vision 1.2 Assess intended creative aims of scripts, define proposed objectives and explore their realisation visually or through the use of sound 1.3 Generate and consider a range of ideas for visualising scripts until a clear narrative emerges 1.4 Identify research and reference materials to inform creative directions and to assist in providing context for productions 1.5 Review script drafts in collaboration with writers, agree on the need for rewrites and organise deadlines for completion 1.6 Prepare development notes for script writers to produce script re-drafts as required 1.7 Document proposed visual and dramatic elements in scripts as the basis for shot plans

Element:

2. Prepare shot plans to realise visual narrative

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Mark up working script into component scenes and identify key dramatic elements and technical parameters within each scenic unit 2.2 Plot key dramatic elements within and between scenes that aid transformation of written narrative into its visual representation 2.3 Review the whole narrative and individual scenes to determine location of characters and other elements for each shot 2.4 Assess photographic qualities of proposed shots and their impact on interpreting the story overall and within each scene 2.5 Prepare shot plans that allow both narrative and visual aspects to be controlled and carried forward to meet production requirements 2.6 Discuss shot plans with relevant production personnel prior to developing storyboards

Element:

3. Finalise creative planning

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Document areas of productions that may be affected by script versions and discuss changes with colleagues 3.2 Arrange sign-off for final scripts and distribute to relevant creative personnel 3.3 Maintain an ongoing review of script and shot plans, and organise any further rewrites while production is underway 3.4 Provide production personnel with latest version of scripts and shot plans

Learning Outcomes


By taking this course, you'll acquire the skills to prepare for, write, shoot, produce and edit a short film. You will also learn to work collaboratively and effectively with others.


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 to review discussions/lectures 
  • analysis/critique of students’ writings
  • rehearsals


2. Out-of-class activities:

  • independent project based work 
  • writing and reading assignments 
  • online and other research 
  • independent study
  • filmmaking


Teaching Schedule

TEACHING SCHEDULE

 

 

Week

 

Class Content

Assignments

Elements

Week 1

l

 

Introduction and Overview

Workshopping Short Film Ideas

Class Show and Tell (favourite short film or scene from a film and why)

Pairing decided for shoots

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1

Week 2

 

 

Director’s Treatments Exercise

Mise en Scene

Intro to Sound Design and Editing

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3

Week 3

 

Storyboarding Exercise

Coverage Exercise #1

Script Workshopping

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3 

Week 4

 

 

Working with Actors

In class exercise

Coverage exercise #2

Writers to deliver first draft scripts to directors in prep for Assessment Task #2 Part A 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1 

Week 5

 

Writer/Director Meetings #1

 

ASSESSMENT 2 Part A (in class)

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1 

Week 6

 

Studio Class #1

Lighting, Camera

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1

Week 7

 

Pre-Production Week

Script Table Reads

Industry Q&A

 

ASSESSMENT 1 Due

 

CUADRT601

1

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3 

Week 8

 

Studio Class #2

Sound, Continuity, Art Department

 

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1

Week 9

 

Writer/Director Meetings #2

ASSESSMENT 2 Part A (in class) continued

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1 

 

Mid-semester break: Monday 2 September - Friday 6 September inclusive

 

 

Week 10

 

 

Short Film Shoots Week #1

 

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2

Week 11

 

Short Film Shoots Week #2

 

 

CUADRT601

1, 2

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3

Week 12

 

Editing Class #1

Aleks Josevski – Setting up your editing workflow

ASSESSMENT 2 Part B Due via Canvas

 

CUADRT601

1, 2

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3

 

Week 13

 

Editing Class #2

Basic Sound Editing

 

 

CUADRT601

1, 2

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3 

Week 14

 

Editing Class #3

Viewing of Rough Cuts

ASSESSMENT 3:

Part A – In class viewing of rough cuts with feedback

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3 

Week 15

 

No class

Computer Lab booked and available for own editing time

ASSESSMENT 3:

Part B - Due via Canvas

CUADRT601

1, 2, 3

 

CUAPOS201

1, 2, 3 

 

 


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


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and the application of learned skills and insights into your writing tasks. You will also shoot and edit a short film.


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 1: Storyboards/Director's statement

Due: Week 7

Assessment 2 (A & B): Short film shoot/reflection on roles

Due: (A) Weeks 5 - 9 (by arrangement with teacher): (B) Week 12

Assessment 3 (A & B): Short film rough cut/Completed short film

Due: (A) Week 14: (B) Week 15

Detailed assessment briefs for these tasks are available on Canvas.

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.

Grades used in this course are as follows:

  • 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.

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