Course Title: Originate and develop concepts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: BUSM6217C

Course Title: Originate and develop concepts

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact : Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Ben Michael
Phone: 9925 4514
Email: ben.michael@rmit.edu.au
 

Teacher: John Reeves
Phone: 9925 4895
Email: john.reeves@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

This course has no pre-requisites or co-requisites.

Course Description

Originate and Develop Concepts delivers the skills and knowledge required to develop your ideas for the screen. In this course you will have the opportunity to create, develop and refine, in groups, projects which take advantage of multiple platform delivery. You will also develop a pitch document and short sample script.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBCRT501A Originate and develop concepts

Element:

1. Evaluate and explore needs and opportunities

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Research and evaluate existing information that informs new concept development
1.2. Where appropriate, identify and use gaps in current range of products, programs, processes or services as the catalyst for generating new ideas or concepts
1.3. Expand the potential of new ideas through exploration of opportunities beyond the obvious
1.4. Identify factors that could have an impact on ideas or concepts to be developed, including potential for commercialisation
1.5. Determine whether other players are filling identified gaps or investigating similar opportunities
1.6. Develop preliminary ideas on innovative and different ways to address needs and opportunities
1.7. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, agree on broad parameters for developing ideas and concepts to meet market requirements
 

Element:

2. Develop a range of creative approaches

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate innovative and creative concepts to address identified needs
2.2. Challenge, test and experiment with different concepts and ideas as part of a collaborative process
2.3. Evaluate concepts in terms of their suitability for the target audience or purpose, their feasibility and their commercial potential
2.4. Take account of social, ethical and environmental issues as concepts and ideas are generated and discussed
2.5. Identify resources required to achieve desired creative and innovative outcomes
2.6. Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies for achieving desired outcomes
2.7. Select concepts or approaches that achieve required outcomes in an innovative and feasible way
2.8. Present proposed concepts or approaches in an appropriate format
 

Element:

3. Refine concepts

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Ensure concept development process is open to ongoing refinement and testing
3.2. Seek input and feedback on concepts from relevant stakeholders
3.3. Seek specialist advice on creative and technical aspects of proposals as required
3.4. Compare concepts with best practice examples of similar products, programs, processes or services
3.5. Use a range of creative and practical criteria to determine the advantages and disadvantages of different concepts
3.6. Evaluate constraints on the realisation of concepts or ideas
3.7. Refine proposals based on analysis and feedback
 

Element:

4. Develop concepts to an operational level

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Use refined concepts as the basis for developing detailed implementation specifications
4.2. Present specifications to relevant parties for approval, funding or endorsement
4.3. Reflect on methodology used to generate concepts and ideas and note ways of improving this in the future
 


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to develop a concept into an early draft of a script.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take place in a classroom and at home. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent research and study.

In class activities may include:

• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• seminar presentations
• guest lecture
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• workshops
• online research
• independent project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• tutorials
• workshopping of student projects

Out of class activities may include:

• online research
• independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

Week Class content Assessment due date
1 Overview of course content and assessment requirements.
Research existing programmes, platforms and technologies.
In groups, students will identify the originating idea of a project which has taken advantage of multiple platforms and formulate an approach to research and presentation of the project’s development.
 
2

Students will return to their groups with their individual research. This will be shared and collated. If required, further research will be undertaken.

 
3 Class exercise/presentations: Discussion and analysis of an existing Film/TV/Digital programme that takes advantage of multiple platforms  
4 Class exercise/presentations (cont’d).  
5 (Note: no Monday class on 9 March: adjustments to be advised) In groups, students to originate and develop an original concept for a film/TV/digital program that takes advantage of multiple platforms. Concept to be developed though discussion and feedback from peers.  
6 Class presentations: In groups, devise, workshop and present a proposal for a potential film/TV/digital program that takes advantage of multiple platforms Assessment #1
7 Class presentations (cont’d) Assessment #1 (cont’d)
 
8 Further workshopping of ideas for individual student projects. Projects will be refined and broadcast possibilities explored.

 

Easter Break: one week Please note there will be no classes from Friday 3 April through to Friday 10 April inclusive.  
9

Creating and developing concept documents - discussion. How to give an effective pitch. Students will continue to work on originating a concept of their own and developing an effective pitch for their project.

 
10 Concepts and pitches will be further workshopped. Concept documents will be discussed and each student will formulate an approach to the production of their concept document.  
11

Further workshopping of pitches if required. Each student to pitch to the class, and submit concept document. 

Assessment #2
12

Explanations and discussion of short script writing. Writing character workshop. Students will examine what makes for an engaging character and how they can serve the project.

 
13 Short script structure workshop. Students will examine how short scripts can be structured for the various platforms available to their projects.  
14 Short script readings Assessment #3
15 Short script readings (cont’d) Assessment #3 (cont’d)
16 Final review and feedback  

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material will be provided in class by your teacher.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site through myRMIT for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

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 vast repository of Carlton and Swanston Library resources.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks 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 #1
In groups, devise, workshop and present to class a proposal for a potential film/TV/digital Program that takes advantage of multiple platforms. Presentations in class Weeks 6 & 7, Monday 16 or Thursday  19 March/Monday 23 or Thursday 26 March (by arrangement with teacher).

Assessment #2
Create a pitch/concept document. Pitches made and concept documents are due in class Week 11, Monday 27 or Thursday 30 April.

Assessment #3
Write and facilitate the reading of your short screenplay. Completed screenplays and readings are due in class Weeks 14 and 15, Monday 18 or Thursday 21/Monday 25 or Thursday 28 May (by arrangement with teacher).

Once you have demonstrated competency, your final assessment task will be graded (refer to Blackboard for the grading rubric).

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

  • HD 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

For further information on the assessment and grading criteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.


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: rmit.edu.au/students

Attendance

The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency. Non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in a course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.

Cover Sheet for Submissions

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning (web link)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which people can gain entry to, or credit in, recognised courses based on competencies gained. The competencies may have been gained through experience in the workplace, in voluntary work, in social or domestic activities or through informal or formal training or other life experiences. Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) applies if a student has previously successfully completed the requirements of a unit of competency or module and is now required to be reassessed to ensure that the competency has been maintained.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)

You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress (web link)

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)

All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview