SPRO1000 Introduction to Screen Practice Semester 1, 2016

Unit study package code: SPRO1000

Mode of study: Internal

Tuition pattern summary: Note: For any specific variations to this tuition pattern and for precise information refer to the Learning Activities section.

Lecture: 1 x 2 Hours Weekly Workshop: 1 x 3 Hours Weekly

This unit contains a fieldwork component. Find out more about fieldwork on the work integrated learning (WIL) website at http://ctl.curtin.edu.au/wil/fieldwork/index.cfm, which also contains a link to the Fieldwork Policy and Fieldwork Manual.

Credit Value: 25.0

Pre-requisite units: Nil

Co-requisite units: Nil

Anti-requisite units: SPRO5005 (v.0) Introduction to Screen Practice or any previous version

Result type: Grade/Mark

Approved incidental fees: Information about approved incidental fees can be obtained from our website. Visit fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm for details.

Unit coordinator: Title: DrName: Michelle JohnstonPhone: +618 9266 2731Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: 305D

Teaching Staff: Name: Kenta McGrathPhone: 9266 2731Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: 301

Name: Jemma KingPhone: 9266 2731Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: -

Name: Ron ElliottPhone: 92662731Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: -

Administrative contact: Name: Julie KivuyoPhone: 08 9266 1128Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: 428

Unit Outline

SPRO1000 Introduction to Screen Practice Semester 1, 2016

Faculty of Humanities Department of Screen Arts

SPRO1000 Introduction to Screen Practice Bentley Campus 18 Feb 2016 Department of Screen Arts, Faculty of Humanities

Page: 1 of 17CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS

http://ctl.curtin.edu.au/wil/fieldwork/index.cfm

http://policies.curtin.edu.au/findapolicy/#F

http://ctl.curtin.edu.au/wil/local/docs/Fieldwork_Manual.pdf

http://fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm

http://lms.curtin.edu.au/

Learning Management System: Blackboard (lms.curtin.edu.au)





http://lms.curtin.edu.au/

Acknowledgement of Country We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous Elders, custodians, their descendants and kin of this land past and present.

Syllabus Introduction to a variety of film and television genres, and to the various roles in the production of a film or television program. Students will create a short documentary and script, and a short narrative video. Workshops allow students to gain basic technical competencies with the equipment used in film and television production such as cameras, lights, nonlinear editing equipment and microphones.

Introduction

This is a production practice unit which introduces students to the key elements of screen production such as mise-en-scene, composition and narrative structure. Students will work in small groups on a number of production exercises and projects which will allow them to gain introductory experiences in areas such as editing, camera, lighting, sound recording and directing. Students will also be introduced to scriptwriting conventions and techniques and will be required to develop individual scripts for a short video production. The unit provides a foundation for, and is a pre-requisite for, all other Film, Television and Screen Arts production units.

Unit Learning Outcomes All graduates of Curtin University achieve a set of nine graduate attributes during their course of study. These tell an employer that, through your studies, you have acquired discipline knowledge and a range of other skills and attributes which employers say would be useful in a professional setting. Each unit in your course addresses the graduate attributes through a clearly identified set of learning outcomes. They form a vital part in the process referred to as assurance of learning. The learning outcomes tell you what you are expected to know, understand or be able to do in order to be successful in this unit. Each assessment for this unit is carefully designed to test your achievement of one or more of the unit learning outcomes. On successfully completing all of the assessments you will have achieved all of these learning outcomes.

Your course has been designed so that on graduating we can say you will have achieved all of Curtin's Graduate Attributes through the assurance of learning process in each unit.

On successful completion of this unit students can: Graduate Attributes addressed

1 Integrate and apply a variety of interrelated skills involved in the preproduction production and post-production of a short video

2 Apply program development theories and techniques including planning and scripting to create a short narrative film

3 Apply collaborative skills in a variety of video production contexts

4 Identify key aspects of production theory





Curtin's Graduate Attributes

Learning Activities

Students attend a two hour lecture each week, and a three hour workshop in their tutorial groups. Lectures usually relate to workshops in the following week, and usually include screenings of films/programs that help illustrate the lecture subject. Students will be introduced to a variety of film and television genres, and to the various roles in the production of a film or television program. Assignments provide the opportunity to create a short documentary, a dramatic script, and a short narrative video. Workshops allow students to gain basic technical competencies with the equipment used in film and television production such as cameras, lights, non-linear editing equipment and microphones.

This unit aims to provide a broad overview of film and television production techniques and concepts, from script to screen, and so assist in making choices about students’ future direction in both the Screen Arts units at Curtin, and the Film and Television industry as a whole.

On satisfactory completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

l an introductory level of conceptual and technical understanding of the variety of interrelated tasks involved in the pre-production, production and post-production of a short video production.

l A basic understanding of how these concepts and skills could be applied to more complex productions.

l A basic understanding of screenwriting theory and techniques. Creative application of those techniques by writing a first draft script for a short video production.

l Attainment of basic technical competency in the use of location video equipment (i.e. video cameras, microphones and location lights) and non-linear computer-based editing. An understanding of location principles and practices.

Apply discipline knowledge Thinking skills (use analytical skills to solve problems)

Information skills (confidence to investigate new ideas)

Communication skills Technology skillsLearning how to learn (apply principles learnt to new situations) (confidence to tackle unfamiliar problems)

International perspective (value the perspectives of others)

Cultural understanding (value the perspectives of others)

Professional Skills (work independently and as a team) (plan own work)

Find out more about Curtin's Graduate attributes at the Office of Teaching & Learning website: ctl.curtin.edu.au





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l Appropriate contribution to the pre-production, production and post-production process of a number of short exercises and productions.

l Professional conduct.

Learning Resources Library Reserve

There are resources for this unit in the library Reserve collection. To access these resources, please click on the following link:

http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/primo/course?SPRO1000

Essential texts

The required textbook(s) for this unit are:

l Producing Videos: A Complete Guide. Mollison, M. AFTRS/Allen & Unwin. 3rd Ed. (ISBN/ISSN: ISBN:9781742370569)

Online resources

l Producing Videos: A Complete Guide. Mollison, M. AFTRS/Allen & Unwin. 3rd Ed. (http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA2191760530001951 )

(ISBN/ISSN: ISBN:9781742370569)





http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/primo/course?SPRO1000

http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA2191760530001951

Assessment Assessment schedule

Detailed information on assessment tasks

1. Create a Soundscape – record and edit a series of sounds that describe to the listener an environment, a narrative, and/or a theme. The sounds should be recorded on the camera and the sounds edited into a one minute montage/soundscape to entertain the listener and create a sense of place.

A series of images has been provided to inspire your creation of the soundscape. You may use one or several images and they can be edited into your timeline as you see fit. Students will be assessed on their ability to capture ‘clean’, recognisable sound; how successfully the sound identifies their chosen scene; and their ability to edit and layer the sounds into a completed soundscape.

You may use music as a sound effect or motif, but not as an on-going element of your soundscape. You may use voices, but not dialogue – again voices can be used as a sound effect but not as the primary means by which your soundscape is described. You may use pre-recorded sound effects but only after discussion with your tutor. You must be able to argue that it is not possible to create the sound effect yourself.

Each group should include a recorded discussion of your soundscape that runs for no longer than 1 minute, and included in your time line at the head of your soundscape. Your discussion should describe the idea you had for this assessment, your approach to production of the idea, and how you executed it. What challenges did you face in recording your sounds? How did you overcome them?

2. Write a script for a 3 minute short film. The script may be selected for production by your group as their final drama project.

You are encouraged to be imaginative in your story telling, and aware of production constraints. You are allowed only four lines of dialogue so your script must focus on visual

Task Value % Date DueUnit Learning Outcome(s)

Assessed

1Presentation 15 percent Week: 7

Day: FRIDAY Time: NOON

1,3

2Presentation 25 percent Week: 6

Day: MONDAY Time: MIDNIGHT

1,2

3Project 40 percent Week: 15

Day: FRIDAY Time: NOON

1,2,4

4Test 20 percent Week: 15

Day: FRIDAY Time: 5PM

4





story telling.

3. Groups will produce a 3-4 minute narrative film based on the chosen script. Students will be assessed on continuity, mise en scene, use of the camera in terms of framing and composition and how this contributes to the narrative, lighting, editing technique, performance of their actors, creative use of sound and (most importantly) their storytelling.

You will receive an individual mark for this assignment that is determined by your tutor. It is based on the quality of your final production, your participation in group work during workshops, and peer review. Every student is required to submit a peer review that should include comments on how each group member, including yourself, participated in this production.

The submission of a peer review is mandatory and you will be penalised 25% of your mark if you fail to submit one. That means, for example, if your project received a mark of 75% you will lose 25% of the total available marks to receive a final mark of 50%. After the mark is scaled (to 40% of your total semester mark) you will receive a final mark of 20/40.

4. For ten weeks of the semester a ten question, multiple-choice quiz will be made available to students on Blackboard. The quizzes will relate directly to lecture content and prescribed reading for the relevant week, and will only be accessible on Blackboard for one week. The weekly quizzes will be marked but the score will not count towards your final grade. The weekly score will be an indication of your understanding of the course content. It will tell you how well you are doing, or where you might need some extra help.

In week 15 a test will be available on Blackboard. It will comprise of 40 multiple-choice questions that are a random selection of the questions you have done previously. Once you access the test you will have one hour to complete it – the test is then automatically submitted.

Students are expected to complete the test without assistance from another person. Please do not collude with your peers while completing the test. The test is an indication of your understanding of the course work.

Failure to complete the test by the end of week 15 will mean a score of zero and you will fail this unit.

PLEASE NOTE: FAILURE TO ACHIEVE A PASS MARK OF 50% IN THIS ASSESSMENT WILL RESULT IN A FAIL FOR THE WHOLE UNIT.

Pass requirements

- Students must attempt and submit all assessments to pass this unit.

- Students must meet the health & safety requirements of this unit to pass. This includes the completion of the manual handling course.

- Students must achieve a final grade of 50% or higher to pass this unit.





- Students must achieve a mark of 50% or higher in the end of semester on-line test to pass this unit.

Fair assessment through moderation

Moderation describes a quality assurance process to ensure that assessments are appropriate to the learning outcomes, and that student work is evaluated consistently by assessors. Minimum standards for the moderation of assessment are described in the Assessment and Student Progression Manual, available from policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/teachingandlearning.cfm

Late assessment policy

This ensures that the requirements for submission of assignments and other work to be assessed are fair, transparent, equitable, and that penalties are consistently applied.

1. All assessments students are required to submit will have a due date and time specified on this Unit Outline. 2. Students will be penalised by a deduction of ten percent per calendar day for a late assessment submission

(eg a mark equivalent to 10% of the total allocated for the assessment will be deducted from the marked value for every day that the assessment is late). This means that an assessment worth 20 marks will have two marks deducted per calendar day late. Hence if it was handed in three calendar days late and given a mark of 16/20, the student would receive 10/20. An assessment more than seven calendar days overdue will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0.

Assessment extension

A student unable to complete an assessment task by/on the original published date/time (eg examinations, tests) or due date/time (eg assignments) must apply for an assessment extension using the Assessment Extension form (available from the Forms page at students.curtin.edu.au/administration/) as prescribed by the Academic Registrar. It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate and provide evidence for exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control that prevent them from completing/submitting the assessment task.

The student will be expected to lodge the form and supporting documentation with the unit coordinator before the assessment date/time or due date/time. An application may be accepted up to five working days after the date or due date of the assessment task where the student is able to provide an acceptable explanation as to why he or she was not able to submit the application prior to the assessment date. An application for an assessment extension will not be accepted after the date of the Board of Examiners' meeting.

Deferred assessments

If your results show that you have been granted a deferred assessment you should immediately check your OASIS email for details.

Supplementary assessments

Supplementary assessments are not available in this unit.

Referencing style

The referencing style for this unit is APA 6th Ed.

More information can be found on this style from the Library web site: http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/referencing.

Copyright © Curtin University. The course material for this unit is provided to you for your own research and study only. It is subject to copyright. It is a copyright infringement to make this material available on third party websites.

Academic Integrity (including plagiarism and cheating)





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http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/

http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/referencing

Any conduct by a student that is dishonest or unfair in connection with any academic work is considered to be academic misconduct. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offences that will be investigated and may result in penalties such as reduced or zero grades, annulled units or even termination from the course.

Plagiarism occurs when work or property of another person is presented as one's own, without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing. Submitting work which has been produced by someone else (e.g. allowing or contracting another person to do the work for which you claim authorship) is also plagiarism. Submitted work is subjected to a plagiarism detection process, which may include the use of text matching systems or interviews with students to determine authorship.

Cheating includes (but is not limited to) asking or paying someone to complete an assessment task for you or any use of unauthorised materials or assistance during an examination or test.

From Semester 1, 2016, all incoming coursework students are required to complete Curtin’s Academic Integrity Program (AIP). If a student does not pass the program by the end of their first study period of enrolment at Curtin, their marks will be withheld until they pass. More information about the AIP can be found at: https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/students/AIP.cfm

Refer to the Academic Integrity tab in Blackboard or academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au for more information, including student guidelines for avoiding plagiarism.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Expectations Curtin students are expected to have reliable internet access in order to connect to OASIS email and learning systems such as Blackboard and Library Services.

You may also require a computer or mobile device for preparing and submitting your work.

For general ICT assistance, in the first instance please contact OASIS Student Support: oasisapps.curtin.edu.au/help/general/support.cfm

For specific assistance with any of the items listed below, please contact The Learning Centre: life.curtin.edu.au/learning-support/learning_centre.htm

l Using Blackboard, the I Drive and Back-Up files l Introduction to PowerPoint, Word and Excel





https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/students/AIP.cfm

http://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/

https://oasisapps.curtin.edu.au/help/general/support.cfm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/learning-support/learning_centre.htm

Additional information

PROCEDURE AND POLICIES FOR BORROWING FTV EQUIPMENT

There are a large number of students using equipment from the FTV store. In order to make sure that all students have fair and appropriate access to equipment it is imperative that borrowing and booking procedures are maintained and respected by all students. It is your responsibility to be aware of these procedures and policies. Ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse for failing to adhere to policy and procedure.

1. Students must book equipment with the store manager at least 24 hours in advance. Students will be denied access to equipment if requesting use on the same day of production. Students are urged to book equipment as far in advance of their production day as possible.

2. Students must have written permission from their tutor in order to borrow equipment. Equipment booking forms should be completed and submitted to your tutor or unit coordinator for signing. You may not request another FTV member of staff to sign your form in the absence of your tutor or unit coordinator. Your tutor will make arrangements for approving equipment loans in their absence. This will usually mean emailing your tutor who will then forward consent to the store manager. Email consent does not equate to a booking. You must still complete a booking form and submit to the store manager.

3. Students must complete a Field Safety and Risk Assessment form when borrowing equipment. This form should be submitted with your equipment booking form.

4. Equipment should be collected and returned at the time specified on your booking form. Make sure you allow adequate time for collection before the store closes at 5pm.

5. Students may borrow from the store at short notice if they would like to practice using the equipment. Students wishing to practice will only have access to equipment that has not already been booked, and is available in the store at the time. You may not leave campus with the equipment and the borrowed items must be returned at a time stipulated by the store manager. (Usually within 1 - 2 hours)

6. Students may have access to equipment during class time without a prior booking. However, it is still recommended you book if you anticipate needing equipment during class time as your tutor may not have anticipated your need and cannot guarantee equipment will be available.

7. All students in a group are equally responsible for the safe and prompt return of equipment. Late return will result in the loss of marks from each student’s final grade.

8. Equipment should be returned in exactly the same state as when it was borrowed. Please make note of how equipment is stored and packed, and make every effort to ensure equipment is returned in this state. Badly packed equipment can cause damage and unnecessary frustration to students using equipment after you. If returned equipment is dirty or packed badly the store manager can request students to clean or repack the equipment on the spot.

9. If you discover that the equipment you have borrowed is faulty in some way, please report the fault to the store manager on returning the equipment. Fill out a fault report, making note of the equipment number, the exact nature of the fault, and the circumstances under which the fault





occurred. 10. Please respect your equipment and treat it as if it were your own. Equipment is expensive

and easily damaged through negligent or careless use. Return the equipment in the same state that you would wish to receive it. It could be your shoot that is ruined or frustrated by faulty equipment.

Enrolment

It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrolment is correct - you can check your enrolment through the eStudent option on OASIS, where you can also print an Enrolment Advice.

Student Rights and Responsibilities It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating to their rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:

l the Student Charter l the University's Guiding Ethical Principles l the University's policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity l copyright principles and responsibilities l the University's policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities

Information on all these things is available through the University's "Student Rights and Responsibilities" website at: students.curtin.edu.au/rights.

Student Equity There are a number of factors that might disadvantage some students from participating in their studies or assessments to the best of their ability, under standard conditions. These factors may include a disability or medical condition (e.g. mental illness, chronic illness, physical or sensory disability, learning disability), significant family responsibilities, pregnancy, religious practices, living in a remote location or another reason. If you believe you may be unfairly disadvantaged on these or other grounds please contact Student Equity at [email protected] or go to http://eesj.curtin.edu.au/student_equity/index.cfm for more information

You can also contact Counselling and Disability services: http://www.disability.curtin.edu.au or the Multi-faith services: http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/about_multifaith_services.htm for further information.

It is important to note that the staff of the university may not be able to meet your needs if they are not informed of your individual circumstances so please get in touch with the appropriate service if you require assistance. For general wellbeing concerns or advice please contact Curtin's Student Wellbeing Advisory Service at: http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/student_wellbeing_service.htm





http://students.curtin.edu.au/rights/

mailto:[email protected]

http://eesj.curtin.edu.au/student_equity/index.cfm

http://www.disability.curtin.edu.au/

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/about_multifaith_services.htm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/student_wellbeing_service.htm

Recent unit changes Students are encouraged to provide unit feedback through eVALUate, Curtin's online student feedback system. For more information about eVALUate, please refer to evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/.

Recent changes to this unit include:

1. Scheduled skills workshops outside of tutorial times to further assist in equipment and software familiarisation.

2. Restructuring of final assessment. 3. Purchase and ongoing development of ‘Isilon’ media storage. 4. Purchase of new Sony NX-3 cameras.

To view previous student feedback about this unit, search for the Unit Summary Report at https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/student/unit_search.cfm. See https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm to find out when you can eVALUate this unit.





http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/index.cfm

https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/student/unit_search.cfm

https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm

Program calendar UNIT SUMMARY & SCHEDULE

WEEK LECTURE TUTORIAL/WORKSHOP

Week 1

Feb 29

Visual Language (1) – the camera.

(Michelle Johnston)

Reading: Camera

Mollison: 3rd Ed.

p1-63

p64-85

e-Reserve:

Syd Field, What is a Screenplay?

Introductions and “guided tour”.

Overview of unit & assignments.

Production procedures, roles, health & safety.

Discuss Mini-doc assignment and arrange production groups for assignments 1 & 3.

Introduction to camera and camera familiarisation exercise.

Week 2

Mar 7

Sound.

[Reading: Mollison – pp148-76]

(Jemma King)

Reading: Mollison – 3rd Edition

p181-194, p206-243

Introduction to sound & microphone use – Jemma King.

Camera exercises and Mini-doc shooting. (Make sure you have your SD card with recorded media for following week’s editing workshop.)

Week 3

Mar 14

Script-writing.

(Kenta McGrath)

Demonstrate non-linear editing system.

Practice on Premier Pro using doco exercise media from week two.





Reading: Mollison – 3rd Ed.

pp 332-358

E-Reserve: Screen Media Arts. Ch.8 ‘Editing’

Week 4

Mar 21

Lighting

(Michelle Johnston)

Reading:

Mollison - 3rd Edition

pp 259-306

Script Ideas

Set Assignment 3: Soundscape

Demo Premiere Pro sound techniques.

Production consultation and editing of Mini-Doc.

Assignment 1 (Mini-Doc) Due: Thursday, March 24, 5pm

Discuss Assignment 3: Continuity Exercise & Drama

Week 5

Mar 28

WEEK FREE

FROM CLASS CONTACT

Week 6

Apr 4

Continuity shooting – Shooting to edit.

(Michelle Johnston)

View Assignment 1





Reading:

Mollison – 3rd Ed.

pp90 – 96

pp155 - 165

Lighting Demo & Exercises

SCRIPT DUE:

Monday, April 4 - midnight

(Scripts will be made available to each class for reading)

Week 7

Apr 11

Health & Safety in FTV

Reading: Safety

Mollison: 3rd Ed.

pp 244-258

(Michael Cunningham)

(This lecture is mandatory. Students will not be permitted to participate in future production assignments unless this lecture has been attended)

Story board exercise.

Story Workshop

Group formation for assignment

4 & 5

SOUNDSCAPE

DUE:

Friday, April 15 - noon

Week 8

Apr 18

WEEK FREE

FROM CLASS CONTACT

Week 9

Apr 25

Visualising & Directing a scene.

(Kenta McGrath)

Reading:

Students to commence production on Drama Assignment.

Present Storyboards and production plans for Continuity assignment.





Rabiger, 2003

Breaking Down the Script

Blackboard: Little Fish

View Soundscape timelines.

MANUAL HANDLING COUSE MUST BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 29.

Week 10

May 2

Production Management.

(Michelle Johnston)

Reading:


pp367-394

E-Reserve: Screen Media Arts. Ch.5 ‘Preproduction’

Workshop scenes for Drama

Week 11

May 9

Visual Language (2) – mise-en-scene.

(Michelle Johnston)

Reading: Blackboard

Bordwell & Thompson –

The Shot: Mise en scene

Group consultations.

View Continuity exercises.

CONTINUITY DUE:

In class

Week 12

May 16

Editing.

(Michelle Johnston)

Reading:


pp130-180

Camera and sound exercises as required.

Production consultations.

Logging and editing in class.





Week 13

May 23

No lecture

View rough cuts of drama assignment – Discussion and post-production consultations.

Final editing

Week 14

May 30

No lecture

View rough cuts of drama assignment – Discussion and post-production consultations.

Final editing

Week 15

June 6

STUDY WEEK

Drama Assignment Due:

Friday, June 10 - Noon

Students will complete a test that can be accessed on Blackboard. The test must be submitted before Friday, June 10 at 5pm.

Screening & assessment of final assignment will be scheduled for exam weeks June 13 - 24 – date, time & venue TBA.

(NOTE: Attendance at this screening and assessment of your final production is mandatory)





SPRO1000 Introduction to Screen Practice Semester 1, 2016

Documents