50524 Word, Image, Sound

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Information and Knowledge Management
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject emphasises play and experimentation and working collaboratively in media production as well as deepening and extending the range of genres and structures introduced in the subject Creative Information Design. The subject is structured to encourage students to examine the creative possibilities for written text, sound and image. Lectures and tutorials develop skills and techniques in sound, digital photography and video with reference to hybrid or convergent forms of media practice. Students gain hands-on experience with low-end digital camera and low-end digital audio recording equipment. Students also continue to contribute to their course-wide e-portfolio.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Students completing the subject will have the ability to:

Produce introductory level digital video, photography and sound recording;

Write appropriately for specific audiences, contexts and purposes;
Select and apply relevant technologies and creative problem solving to information-based scenarios
Collaborate effectively in a media production project
Plan and manage a small media production project

Reflect on their learning
Continue the development of their course-wide e-portfolio.

Contribution to graduate profile

Design and develop information and media content and structures using a wide variety of processes and technologies for diverse audiences in the workplace and society;
Work collaboratively and strategically to manage projects and implement creative solutions to information problems in the workplace and the broader community;
Experience a range of professional roles and practices which are the foundation of creative information practice;

Develop reflective capabilities that underpin innovative information practice and life-long learning.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will develop their knowledge, technical skills and understanding through lectures and demonstrations, in-class and out-of-class exercises. The emphasis of the teaching and learning is 'learning by doing', ie hands-on and experiential. Ideas and concepts are introduced in lectures and then reinforced through in-class demonstrations, in-class exercises, and out-of-class exercises.

In this subject there will be an emphasis on low-tech, user-friendly technology such as single chip DV cameras, point and shoot digital stills cameras and simple to use mini disc/hard drive recorders. Similarly the software employed tends towards non-proprietary software and / or simple to use programs, eg the I-life set of applications ( I-photo, I-movie, I-Web) .

Content

The course introduces concepts and technical skills integral to creative media production. These include the following:

Theories relating to creative media production and information design
Writing style and structure, editing
Visual storytelling
Framing and composition
Screen language/visual grammar
Basic digital video and photography
Light and lighting fundamentals
Interviewing techniques
Location sound recording

Basic digital stills and moving image manipulation/digital editing

Introductory post-production sound editing and design
Working collaboratively on media production projects

Media project planning and management
Course-wide portfolio development.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Creative Sound production (Group)

Objectives: a, b, f

Value: 20%

Due: Week 5

Task: Each group of two students is to develop a creative sound production (two minutes maximum in length after editing) incorporating voice (words), music and/or sound effects in response to an information scenario. Sources used in the production are to be credited verbally at the end of the production and a written document acknowledging all sources must also accompany the work.

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

Respond in original and creative ways to the scenario;
Use appropriate style and structure to create and edit a script for a specific purpose;
Demonstrate technical quality in their completed work (microphone technique; clarity of location, voice and other sound recording; sound production, mix and design);
Meets user requirements as specified in the scenario;
Accurately document sources used.

ASSESSMENT ITEM 2 Thinking Visually - Digital Stills Exercise (Individual)

Objectives: a, b, f

Value: 25%

Due: Week 8

Task: Based on an information scenario or creative brief determined by the subject lecturer, each student is to explore the interplay between image and text to convey a mood, an emotion, a story or an idea using only 7 – 11 digital stills plus text. Students may film more than 11 images but the final presentation cannot include more than this amount.

Students are encouraged to take and manipulate the underlying images themselves using supplied digital stills cameras. Students may also use mobile phones or their own cameras if they choose. If students choose to use archival, stock or library images these must be freely available and copyright clear. Typically, students will present the completed work using a slide show application such a i-photo or Powerpoint . Students may also choose to present their final work in 'hard copy' form as a photo strip or a series of images pasted on a display board.

Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

Respond in original and creative ways to the scenario;
Apply visual elements of text to complement images;
Demonstrate technical quality in their completed work (framing, composition, exposure, focus, white balance);
Meets user requirements as specified in the scenario;
Accurately document any additional sources used.

Assessment Item 3: Video Production (Group and Individual)

Objectives: a, b, c, d, e, f

Value: Part A 40% (group) + Part B 15% (individual)

Due: Week 10 (production plan) week 12 (rushes), week 14 (completed project and individual report).

Task: Part A: In small groups (maximum of three), students are to develop a creative response (three minutes maximum, after editing) to their chosen scenario using digital video. Students may also choose to record additional sounds and effects using the basic sound recording tools introduced in Assessment Item 1. Each group must develop a planning document providing a production timeframe. Sources used in the production must be acknowledged. Where appropriate these sources should also be credited on screen.

Part B: An individual report (1000 words) providing a rationale for all decisions concerning the design and development of the response, its ability to meet the chosen scenario and the production plan and a reflection on the student's learning processes and achievements, collaboration and project management. Reference to relevant literature is required.

Assessment Criteria:

Students will be assessed on their ability to:

Part A

Effectively plan a project;
Meet the project schedules and deadlines;
Research accurately using a variety of sources;
Demonstrate originality and creativity in the response to the scenario;
Meets user requirements as specified in the scenario;
Demonstrate technical quality in their completed work (taking into account factors such as strength of camera work, lighting, location sound recording, sound design, editing)
Accurately document sources used.

Part B

§ Document and justify design decisions;

§ Demonstrate use of appropriate literature;

§ Reflect on learning processes and achievements;

§ Reflect on collaboration and project management processes and experiences;

§ Write clearly;

§ Accurately acknowledge sources.

Minimum requirements

Participation in class activities form an integral part of this subject; you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. Active participation at all stages will be essential for successful completion of this subject. Should you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence from class (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

To pass in this subject, students must submit all components of assessment and reach a satisfactory level overall. All assignments should be added to the student's course-wide portfolio.

Indicative references

Allen, R. 2005, How to Write Better English, Penguin.

Cheney, T.A.R. 2001, Writing Creative Nonfiction, Ten Speed Press.

Dancyger, K. 1993, The technique of film and video editing, Focal Press, Boston.

Dancyger, K. 1999, The World of Film and Video Production: Aesthetics and Practices, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, Fort Worth.

Mollison, M. 1997, Producing Videos: A Complete Guide, AFTRS, Sydney.

Murch, W. 1992, In The Blink of an Eye, AFTRS, Sydney.

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

Weis, E. and Belton, J. (eds) 1985, Film Sound: Theory and Practice, Columbia University Press, New York.

Huber, D. M. 2001, Modern Recording Techniques, 5th Ed., Butterworth-Heinenann, London.

Kahn, D., 1999, Noise/Water/Meat : A History of Voice, Sound and Aurality in The Arts, MIT Press.

Toop, D. 2001, Ocean of Sound (5th edition), Consortium.