50212 Film and Video Drama

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
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject explores the role of the director in narrative drama. Introductory seminars, in-class and out-of-class exercises, and practical workshops are designed to develop students' skills as drama directors. Through a focus on visual storytelling, performance and script analysis, the subject explores techniques to elicit performance and determine visual style and coverage relevant to dramatic scenes.

Subject objectives/outcomes

By the end of the subject students should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama.
Analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of the work of a drama director.
Apply critical analyses of directing techniques to their own production work.
Successfully work collaboratively in small groups to achieve their own and each other's practical production exercises.

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.
Develop professional skills to work as filmmakers, sound and multimedia artists, videomakers, independent producers and directors.
Work as professionals using a combination of technical, critical and creative skills.
Develop skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork necessary for the collaborative nature of media production work.
Understand the relationship of theory and practice within media arts.
Engage in constructive criticism and analysis of media production work.
Be self reliant and able to collaborate on media arts projects from conception to post production and presentation.
Be adaptable, flexible and innovative.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject will be conducted as weekly seminars throughout the semester. There will be lectures, seminar discussions and screenings. Students participate in class exercises and out of class group production work.

Content

The subject concentrates on:

Cinema language – coverage and editing
Script analysis
Performance – the theory and practice of acting, and the theory and practice of directing performance
The role of the director – pre-production, production and post production.

Assessment

All items of assessment must be successfully completed.

Assessment item 1: Scene presentation

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	10%
Due	Week 4 & 5
Task	In groups of 4, using the tools of script analysis and methods of directing actors explored in class, students direct and present a drama scene.
Assessment criteria	Understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama. Ability to analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of film drama. Ability to critically analyse directing techniques. Ability to work collaboratively.

Assessment item 2: Video presentation 1

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	20%
Due	Week 7
Task	Focusing on performance, students direct a short dramatic scene provided by the lecturer. Students to work in groups of 4 and rotate crew roles.
Assessment criteria	Understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama. Ability to analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of film drama. Ability to critically analyse directing techniques. Ability to work collaboratively.

Assessment item 3: Director's vision statement

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	15%
Due	Week 8
Task	Each student presents in class their directorial vision and pre-production work for the video exercise 2.
Assessment criteria	Understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama. Ability to analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of film drama. Ability to critically analyse directing techniques.

Assessment item 4: Video presentation 2

Objectives	a, b, c, d
Value	35%
Due	Week 13
Task	Students direct a short dramatic scene provided by the lecturer. Students to work in groups of 4 and rotate crew roles.
Assessment criteria	Understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama. Ability to analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of film drama. Ability to critically analyse directing techniques. Ability to work collaboratively.

Assessment item 5: In-class presentation

Objectives	a, b, d
Value	20%
Due	From Week 10 and according to a schedule worked out in Week 3 class.
Task	In groups of 4 or 5 students will prepare and present in class an in-depth analysis of the work of a director.
Assessment criteria	Understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical skills that are fundamental to directing screen drama. Ability to analyse the structural, aesthetic and practical aspects of film drama. Ability to critically analyse directing techniques. Ability to work collaboratively.

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.

Indicative references

There is no set text for this subject but articles may be handed out that are to be read during the week and discussed at the following class.