50001 Online Documentary

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Media Arts and Production
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50169 Writing and New Media OR 50490 Information Design for Communicating OR 50300 Communicating the Social OR 50303 Online Journalism 1 OR 50151 Radio Journalism 1 OR 50150 Television Journalism 1 OR 50157 New Media Fundamentals OR 57096 Introducing Audio Production OR 57094 Film and Video 1 OR 50117 Media Arts and Production 2 OR 50248 Media Arts and Production 2
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This is a cross-disciplinary subject for students wishing to work collaboratively to create documentary for the World Wide Web, a form which marries content development with creative digital media production. Appropriate skills in prerequisite subjects include media production and/or web publishing; skills required include research and writing, video and/or sound, stills photography, flash animation, screen design, HTML authoring and project management. Working in creative teams, students use their strengths to develop an online documentary project from concept through to realisation. The subject consolidates students' professional skills and encourages a critical and creative inquiry into the role and future of interactive online documentary at the threshold of mainstream broadband uptake.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Students who complete this subject will:

have the ability to examine and critique different models of documentary online;
have the ability to communicate project ideas to a client or funding body;
have the ability to develop a simple non-linear interactive documentary work for the World Wide Web from concept through to realisation;
have team work skills within a new media production structure;
understand the opportunities and challenges for interactivity on the Internet;
understand the imperatives of production deadlines.

Contribution to graduate profile

This course aims to:

explore models to apply non-linear narrative within the open architecture of the internet;
understand the range of roles within online documentary production and to develop teamwork skills within that framework;
acquire professional skills in developing an idea for an online documentary from concept through to realisation and taking it through the stages of production proposal, research and writing, technical and creative production through to upload to the server;
have developed a critical understanding of the different techniques and forms of the online documentary;
apply advanced content development with digital media and Web technologies;
apply mechanisms for interactivity in the production of online documentary.

Teaching and learning strategies

Online Documentary is a computer lab-based subject that uses the Internet and digital media production tools. There will be lectures, discussions and viewings. Students participate in class workshops and exercises, out-of-class production work; research; project development and in-class work-in-progress discussions. Guest lecturers will be invited to classes.

Students are expected to maintain an awareness of the uptake and integration of new media works; of broadband developments and the convergence of digital technologies and associated disciplines.

The subject places a strong emphasis on teamwork and the requirement for individuals to be responsible to a team, its processes and outcomes.

Self-directed learning is strongly encouraged as an integral part of learning digital media applications.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Interactive photo-essay exercise using flash

Objectives	c, e, f
Value	35%
Due	In-class Week 6
Task	Working individually students complete a production exercise in creating a photo essay using an interactive program such as Macromedia Flash. The work should comprise still images taken by you and accompanied by a complementary sound track within the (Flash) file. Text is optional. The work must contain a play, stop and pause button. The work is to be uploaded to a specified Faculty server.
Assessment criteria	Evidence of the knowledge of the software and production techniques achieved within the brief; The degree of engagement with issues related to visual communication; The degree of aesthetic and technical refinement; The narrative value of the composition.

Assessment item 2: Online documentary research report/class presentation

Objectives	a, e
Value	25%
Due	In-class Week 9
Task	Working individually students prepare a research report for presentation as a 5-10 minute report to the class. They will report on a new media documentary work, for broadband, mobile, cross media, or other format, with a particular emphasis on the articulation between the central narrative of the work and the functionality. Students will critically reflect on the selected work, discussing design considerations such as interface, interaction and information design. The work may be commercial, experimental, non-for-profit, educational or other. The report will be verbal, supplemented by relevant audio-visual materials to be provided by the student.
Assessment criteria	Clarity of presentation; A demonstrated ability to analyse online documentary as demonstrated by the interpretation of the key features of the new media work; Relevance of information and support materials; Degree of critical reflection upon the work; Degree of engagement with issues of online documentary project design such as interface, interaction and information design; Degree of engagement with the content and objectives of the examined work.

Assessment item 3: Online documentary production project

Objectives	b, c, d, e, f
Value	40%
Due	In-class Week 14
Task	Working in teams students will produce a non-linear interactive documentary work for the Web to be uploaded, tested and published. The work will focus on a topic researched and developed from concept through to completion by the team and may include text, stills, sound, video and Flash animation. Key compulsory steps are: The proposal (approx. 300 words): Post proposal to UTS Online before class. Present your ideas to the class. DUE Week 7. the story: what are the issues and angles? identify the stakeholders in the story and why? Describe the central character or characters? What is your intended treatment of the work? any ethical concerns? what are the major production components? What are the team task allocations? Include a production timeline. Production report: the draft of the site architecture including all components, some rough visuals, interactivity, production update report. Post report to UTS Online. DUE Week 10. Final completion of work, uploaded and tested; presentation of completed work to class. DUE Week 14.
Assessment criteria	Successful completion of the project which conforms to the specified deadlines; Demonstrated advanced level of professional skills in the presentation and production of all aspects of the work; Demonstrated ability to work and communicate successfully within a team environment; The degree of engagement with the research and narrative development; The degree of engagement with the creative aspects the work; The effectiveness of the design and visual communication; Satisfactory implementation of all aspects of the work; Innovative and engaging user experience; Adherence to correct production procedures: attribution of quotes, accuracy, credits, location agreements, copyright clearances where necessary, crew and production credits. Teams will be formed early in the semester according to student preferences and pre-existing skills. Roles and sub-tasks within the teams will be clearly defined and allocated according to identified digital media models. Students will be expected to work independently within their specialist areas as well as maintain a commitment and responsibility to the team and overall production. The same mark will be allocated to all members of the production team unless convincing reasons for individual assessment can be made to the subject coordinator. The work must be well balanced in all aspects of the assessment criteria: those who perform well in all will do well and those who excel in one aspect but poorly in others will get a pass. All production documentation including interviews, transcripts, rushes, tapes and research materials should be maintained and submitted to the lecturer at the end of the semester if requested.

Minimum requirements

Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, students are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. To complete the requirements of this subject students must attend at least 12 full classes, and if this attendance requirement is not met, final assignments may not be assessed. Should students experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a valid reason for extended absence from class (e.g. illness) may be required to complete additional assignment work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Students must complete all required assignments within given timeframes to receive a grade. Students are required to participate in all activities and set exercises set in or out of class.

Indicative references

Azarmsa, R. (1996): Multimedia: interactive video production, Belmont, Integrated Media Group.

Billups, Scott (2001); Digital Moviemaking: the Filmmaker's Guide to the 21st Century, Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.

Blattner, Meera M. & Roger B. Dannenberg. ed (1992) Multimedia Interface Design, Reading: Addison-Wesley; Reading, Mass.

Brennan, G. (1995) Screen Culture in the Digital Age: Multimedia filmmakers, artists and the community; Open Channel, Melbourne.

Bruzzi, Stella (2000); New Documentary: A critical introduction, Routledge, London.

Crawford, Kilian; (2000) Writing for the Web: Writers' Edition; Self Counsel Press, USA

Dancyger, Ken (2002); The Techniques of Film and Video Editing: history, theory and practice, Focal Press, Boston.

England, E. & Finney, Andy; (1999) Managing Multimedia: Project Management For Interactive Media, Harlow: Addison-Wesley.

Flew, Terry (2002); New Media Technologies, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Forrester, W. & Rowland, J. (2000); The Online Searcher's Companion, Library Association Publishing, London.

Garrand, T (2001); Writing for Multimedia and the Web, 2nd ed. Woburn Mass., Focal Press.

Grant, Tony (2003); Audio for Single Camera Operation, Focal Press, Burlington, MA.

Kochberg, Searle (ed.) (2002) Introduction to Documentary Production: A Guide for Media Students. London and New York, Wallflower Press.

Kristof, R. (1995); Interactivity by Design: creating and communicating with new media, Adobe Press, Mountain View, Calif.

Manovich, L. (2001); The Language of New Media. Cambridge Press. MIT, Mass.

Meikle, Graham (2002); Future Active: Media Activism on the Internet; Pluto Press, Sydney.

McGuire, M., Stilborne, L., McAdams, M., Hyatt, L. (2000) The Internet Handbook for Writers, Researchers & Journalists; Guilford, NY, NY.

McMillan, S. (2002); A four-part model of cyber-interactivity', New Media & Society, 4 (2), 271-291.

McGuire, M., Stilborne, L., McAdams, M., Hyatt, L. (2001) The Internet Handbook for Writers, Researchers & Journalists; Guilford , NY, NY.

Middlemiss, Jenny (1992); Guide to Film and Television Research, AFTRS, Sydney, 1992.

Murray, J. (1997) Hamlet on the Holodeck: the future of narrative in cyberspace, Free press, NY.

Nichols, Bill (2001); Introduction to Documentary; Indiana University Press, Bloomington.

Norman, Donald A. (1990); The Design of Everyday Things; Currency/Doubleday.

Rabiger, Michael (1998); Directing the Documentary; (3rd ed.) Focal Press, USA.

Rabinowitz, Paula (1994); They Must be Represented: the Politics of Documentary, Verso, London.

Renov, Michael (ed) (1993) Theorizing Documentary, New York: Routledge.

Rosenthal, Alan (ed) (1996) Writing, Directing and Producing Documentary Films. Revised edition. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

Servon, L. with Nelson, M. (2002); 'The role of CTCs within the Community Technology Movement' in L. Servon (ed) Bridging the Digital Divide, Oxford, Blackwell, 45-76.

Stansberry, D. (1998); Labyrinths: the art of interactive writing and design, Belmont, CA.

Tarrant, Jon, (2003) Digital Camera Techniques, Focal Press, Burlington MA.

Ulrich, K, (2005) Macromedia Flash 8, Visual Quickstart Guide, Peachpit Press.

Wilber, Rick & Miller, Randy (2003); Modern Media Writing; Nelson Thompson Learning, Melbourne.

Winston, Brian (2000); Lies, damn lies and documentaries, British Film Institute, London.

UTS Library Collection: Documentaries for Viewing and Research

General Criteria for Commissioned Documentaries at the ABC.

Australian documentary information, funding and guidelines

Australian Copyright Council http://www.acc.org.au

Australian Film Commission: http://www.afc.gov.au

Australian Film Finance Corporation http://www.ffc.gov.au/

Australian Screen Directors Association

http://www.asda.film.org.au/

Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA)

http://www.aimia.com.au/

Current TV: http:www.current.tv

Film Australia: http://www.filmaust.com.au/

Ozdox: http://www.ozdox.org/

Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA)

http://www.spaa.org.au/ - do they have new media section?

SBS Independent (SBSI) http://www.sbs.com.au/sbsi/