50155 Film and Video Production

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

Requisite(s): 50117 Media Arts and Production 2 OR 50248 Media Arts and Production 2

Handbook description

This subject develops ideas and concepts introduced in the prerequisite subjects, and is a further exploration of the creative challenges and technical demands of making film and video. Students extend their understanding of the craft skills required for professional film and video production through a series of introductory seminars, in-class and out-of-class exercises and practical workshops. These craft skills include cinematography, editing, production design, directing, sound recording, and production management. The subject also introduces students to 16 mm filmmaking and exercises are designed to take students through the technical and conceptual issues involved in realising an idea in the medium of 16 mm film. Film and Video Production stresses the importance of collaboration in professional film and video production and students learn skills that help them to be effective crew members and work as part of a creative team. It enables students to develop production skills as a basis for future film and video projects.

Subject objectives/outcomes

It is expected that students completing the subject will:

Develop craft skills in directing, production management, cinematography, sound and editing.
Understand the different crew roles and procedures necessary for drama production in film and video.
Develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the art of collaboration in film and video production.
Develop an appreciation of the importance of planning, preparation and problem solving in film and video production.
Develop critical abilities to assess and evaluate production work (evaluate rushes, camera work, quality of sound recording etc.).
Acquire the basic disciplines and attitudes necessary for their own future projects and for professional work in the industry.
Understand health and safety issues related to film and video production, particularly in relation to lighting safety.
Understand the basic principles and procedures required for the care, maintenance and safe-keeping of equipment.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject contributes to a student's ability to:

Take up industrial and artisan roles in the media arts and production industries.
Be self reliant and able to collaborate on media arts projects from conception to post production and presentation.
Be adaptable, flexible and innovative.

The subject also enables students to:

Gain conceptual and practical production experience in different forms, approaches, styles and genres.
Develop industry entry-level technical and conceptual skills.
Develop critical and creative skills.
Develop skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork necessary for the collaborative nature of media production work.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will develop their knowledge, technical skills and understanding through seminars, in-class lectures and demonstrations, hands-on workshops, in-class and out-of-class group exercises and out-of-class technical workshops.

The emphasis of the teaching and learning is practise based.

Content

The first part of the subject introduces a series of concepts and technical skills integral to film and video production. In the later part of the subject, students will take a crew role assigned by the lecturer, in order to participate in three short film / video shoots. At least one of these shoots is a 16mm synch sound location shoot, where a short dramatic scene is taken from pre production to completion.

As a whole, the subject content is designed to enable students to investigate the roles, responsibilities and creative challenges facing: the Director; 1st AD; sound recordist; boom swinger; Director of Photography (DOP); focus puller; clapper-loader; grip; gaffer; production designer; stand-by props; continuity person, editor; sound editor and producer/ production manager. Students also develop an understanding of the technical and conceptual issues involved in realising an idea in the medium of 16mm film.

Ideas and techniques covered in the subject include:

Location/studio sound recording
Microphone theory and practice
DAT recorders and location sound recording
Essential principles of photography / cinematography
Lighting for film and television
Location/studio lighting
Incident and reflected lightmeters
An introduction to Production Design and the Art Department
Rushes handling and an introduction to the film laboratory
Planning and preparing for a short drama production
16mm sync sound recording
16mm cameras and filming
On set procedures and protocols for 16mm drama production
Critical appraisal and evaluation of 'rushes'
16mm single and double-system editing
Editing
Sound editing
Post production of a short drama
Care and maintenance of equipment
Health and safety for film and video production.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Written proficiency test

Objectives	a, b, d, e, g, h
Value	20%
Due	Week 9 in class
Task	To provide answers to a written take home proficiency test which tests your knowledge of the contents of the subject reader and general technical knowledge you will acquire from lectures and classes.
Assessment criteria	Conceptual and technical understanding and proficiency.

Assessment item 2: Micro-drama shoot and edit

Objectives	a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Value	15%
Due	Week 4 (shoot), Week 7 (edit)
Task	To participate in an assigned crew role taking a short scripted and storyboarded scene provided by the lecturer, which is filmed on location at UTS from pre-production to completion of picture edit.
Assessment criteria	Willingness and openness to participate and engage in the assigned tasks. Conceptual and technical understanding and proficiency. Ability to listen and work collaboratively. Respect for health and safety standards for cast and crew. Care and respect of equipment. Ability to critically assess and reflect on results.

Assessment item 3: In-class shoot and out-of-class edit of short 16mm synch sound film

Objectives	a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Value	25%
Due	Week 10 (shoot), Week 11 - 13 (edit)
Task	To participate in an assigned crew role taking a short scripted scene of synch sound 16mm drama provided by your lecturer, from pre-production to completion of edit with sync sound track.
Assessment criteria	Willingness and openness to participate and engage in the assigned tasks. Conceptual and technical understanding and proficiency. Ability to listen and work collaboratively. Respect of health and safety standards for cast and crew. Care and respect of equipment. Submission of paperwork relating to designated crew role (camera sheets, storyboards, continuity reports, location agreements etc). Ability to critically assess and reflect on results of production work. Overall quality of the final edited exercise.

Assessment item 4: Location shoot – out of class

Objectives	a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h
Value	40%
Due	Week 10-11 (shoot), Week 12-14 (edit)
Task	To participate in an assigned crew role taking a short synch sound 16mm drama script provided by your lecturer, from pre-production to completion.
Assessment criteria	Willingness and openness to participate and engage in the assigned tasks. Conceptual and technical understanding and proficiency. Ability to listen and work collaboratively. Respect of health and safety standards for cast and crew. Care and respect of equipment. Submission of paperwork relating to designated crew role (continuity reports, location agreements, other necessary contracts and agreements). Ability to critically assess and reflect on results of production work. Overall quality of the final edited and soundmixed exercise.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Required text(s)

Subject Reader