50198 Media Arts Project

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

Requisite(s): ( Any two of the following: 50153, 50154, 50155, 50157, 50158, 50199, 50212, 50197 AND (50156 Creative Techniques for Shorts OR 50213 Audio Workshop OR 50196 Producing OR 50178 Soundtrack OR 50177 Cross Media Production))

Handbook description

This is a creatively demanding subject designed for students to produce a short media work informed by theoretical study. The work should demonstrate evidence of professional skills, critical analysis and creative problem solving. The project can be in any of the media arts – radio, sound, film, video, interactive media or performance – and students are encouraged to explore possibilities in the convergence of media.

Students direct and produce their own project work but also have the opportunity to work collaboratively. Students are also able to complete the subject by working on one or more media projects in other creative roles such as sound design, cinematography, editing, animation and web design.

This subject develops and consolidates students' professional skills, and enables students to produce an industry entry-level calling-card, showreel or portfolio.

Note: Students aiming to make film projects must provide for their own film stock and processing costs. There are also limits on the scope and duration of film projects to ensure that equipment and post-production resources are shared as fairly as possible. As a guide, a drama shot on 16 mm film should not exceed 5 minutes.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject students are expected to be able to:

Demonstrate their ability to take a short media production project from idea through all stages of production and postproduction.
Show evidence of their technical proficiency in chosen media production roles.
Critically evaluate their own and other's production work.
Critically appreciate the issues involved in collaborative work.
Possess a practical understanding of planning, preparation and problem solving skills necessary for media arts production.
Possess the basic disciplines and attitudes necessary for their own future projects and for professional work in the industry.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject enables students to:

gain conceptual and practical production experience in different forms, approaches, styles and genres
consolidate industry entry-level technical and conceptual skills
consolidate critical and creative skills
consolidate skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork
be self reliant and able to collaborate on media arts projects from conception to post production and presentation
take up industrial and artisan roles in the media arts and production industries.

Teaching and learning strategies

Initially all students meet together as a class group to discuss project ideas, to form crews and creative teams, and to plan and prepare for project work. After a series of introductory seminars, student learning is primarily self-directed and is focused on project work. As a guideline this unit will involve at least 180 hours out of class work over 14 weeks. After projects go into production, students meet as a class group intermittently to discuss their progress and solve production problems concerned with scheduling, equipment and resources. Students also meet in small groups and as a class group to screen their work and critically discuss and evaluate its progress.

Content

Students are required to undertake either an individual or collaborative project as producer/director or work on several projects in key technical roles.

Projects must be taken through all appropriate stages of development - from pre-production through production to completion for interactive media; fine cut for film or video projects; final sound mix for sound or radio pieces; or a variation defined by an individual learning contract negotiated with and approved by the lecturer.

As well as individual and group project work, the class meets in seminars and examines the following, as relevant to their particular project work:

The idea and the pitch
The synopsis, treatment and script
The art of budgeting and scheduling
Script analysis and script breakdowns
The role of the 1st AD
The role of the producer
The role and responsibilities of the director
Visual style
Shot listing and story boarding
Production design
Music and sound design
Permits, permissions, contracts and legal issues
Casting, rehearsal and working with actors
Editing
Post production scheduling and management
Alternative Post production paths
Critical appraisal of rushes and work in progress
Critical appraisal of finished work
Alternative distribution and screening.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Script/treatment/synopsis/budget/feasibility statement

Objectives	1, 2, 5, 6
Value	20%
Due	Week 3
Task	Students are to prepare the following documents for seminar discussion. The documents are the blueprints for project work later in the semester: A one paragraph synopsis. A production budget and schedule. A full script (for drama projects). A detailed treatment (for documentary, experimental, sound, or new media). A feasibility statement that identifies the scope of the project, the resources required for the project, and the resources available to it. It should also include: aims/goals of the project; intended audience/market; rationale for the chosen format; key crew and their relevant experience; key production schedule; quantification and source of other key resources (other crew, cast, locations, copyright material).
Assessment criteria	Ability to produce a script/treatment/synopsis/budget/feasibility statement for a short media production project. Understanding of planning, preparation and problem solving skills necessary for media arts production. Understanding of the basic professional disciplines and attitudes necessary for media arts production. Demonstrated ability to meet planning deadlines and plan professionally for the production process.

Assessment item 2: Project presentation

Objectives	3, 4
Value	10%
Due	Week 14
Task	To present project work to class and critically evaluate and discuss peers work.
Assessment criteria	Ability to listen and work collaboratively. Ability to critically assess and reflect on results of project work. Contribution to class discussion and to the projects of class members. Ability to succinctly and coherently present project while reflecting on content and process.

Assessment item 3: Critical analysis/report

Objectives	3, 4, 5
Value	10%
Due	Week 14
Task	To present a 500-1000 word critical analysis in which the student evaluates his or her process and results in relation to their original aims and objectives.
Assessment criteria	Ability to critically evaluate their own and other's production work. Ability tocritically appreciate the issues involved in collaborative work. Ability to understand the importance of planning, preparation and problem solving skills necessary for media arts production. Understanding of the basic professional disciplines and attitudes necessary for media arts production. Demonstrate an understanding of the successes and failures of a project or production process.

Assessment item 4: Project work

Objectives	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Value	60%
Due	The evaluation of project work will be on-going throughout the semester and includes the style presentation presented in week 3
Task	To direct and produce project work or work on one or more media projects in other creative roles such as sound design, cinematography, editing, animation and web design.
Assessment criteria	Ability to take a short media production project from idea through all stages of production and postproduction. Evidence of their technical proficiency in chosen media production role. Ability to critically evaluate their own and other's production work. Ability to critically appreciate the issues involved in collaborative work. Ability to understand the importance of planning, preparation and problem solving skills necessary for media arts production. Understanding of the basic professional disciplines and attitudes necessary for media arts production.

2. For students completing the subject in other creative roles

The required number of projects to work on and successfully complete the subject are:

Producer: 1-2
Production manager: 2
DOP: 2-3
Camera operator: 3
Sound recordist: 3
Sound designer/sound editor/ mixer: 2
Editor: 2
Continuity: 3
Production designer/art director: 2-3
Gaffer: 4
Digital media crew: by negotiation with lecturer
Other combinations: by negotiation with lecturer

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

Recommended text(s)

Essential Reading:

Production Manual 2008 - online

Indicative references

Suggested Reading:

Aumont, J., 1997. The Image, London: BFI Publishing.

Bogue, R., 2003. Deleuze on Cinema, New York: Routledge.

Deleuze, G. (2005). 1: The Movement Image. London : Continuum.

Holman, T. (2002). Sound for film and television. Boston, Mass : Oxford : Focal Press

Gillezeau, M., & Parsons, N. (Eds.). (2004). Hands on: a practical guide to production and technology in film, TV and new media. Sydney : Currency Press.

Mamet, D. (1991). On Directing Film. London : Faber & Faber.

Braudy, Leo., & Cohen, Marshall. (Eds.). Film Theory and Criticism: Introductory Readings 6th ed., New York: Oxford University Press.

Murch, W. (2001). In The Blink of an Eye : a perspective on film editing. Sydney : Silman-James Press.

Proferes, N. (2004) Film Directing` Fundamentals Focal Press, Oxford

Rabiger, M (2003) Directing Film Techniques and Aesthetics, Focal Press:

Vineyard, J. (2000). Setting Up Your Shots : Great Camera Moves Every Filmmaker Should Know. Studio City, CA : M. Wiese Productions.

Weston, J. (1996). Directing Actors : creating memorable performances for film & television. Studio City, CA : M. Wiese Productions.