57095 Film and Video 2

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

Requisite(s): 57094 Film and Video 1

Handbook description

This subject extends and develops ideas and concepts introduced in the prerequisite subject. Students further 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 introduces students to 16 mm filmmaking and hands-on exercises are designed to take students through the technical and conceptual issues involved in realising an idea in the medium of 16 mm film. The subject 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. The subject 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 an appreciation of the importance of planning, preparation and problem solving in film and video production.
Work as part of a small creative team to develop and complete a short film or video project.
Develop craft skills in directing, production management, cinematography, production design, 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 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. This includes understanding health and safety issues and basic procedures for equipment care.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject enables students to:

Develop their conceptual skills and critical thinking in relation to media production.
Develop core skills in all stages of film and video production, with an emphasis on the development of visual style.
Develop skills in problem solving, communication and teamwork necessary for the collaborative nature of media production work.
Develop an awareness and understanding of film and television industry production protocols.
Gain conceptual and practical production experience in different forms, approaches, styles and genres.
Develop and complete a short film or video project.
Critically revise their own work.
Apply existing skills, as practitioners in a particular media industry, to a new or related media.
Develop knowledge of screen culture and film and television industry issues.

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 hands-on and experiential.

Content

The subject revolves around three assignments/practical exercises that are designed to reinforce skills and techniques that have been developed in Film and Video 1. These assignments also introduce ideas and techniques that enable students to extend their thinking about the formal and conceptual possibilities for screen production. The exercises in the first part of the semester will also explore the creative possibilities for image production using digital tools.

In the later part of the subject, students will take a crew role assigned by the lecturer, in order to participate in two 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.

The subject content in the later part of the subject 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:

'Filmmaking' with digital tools
Lighting for mood, emotion and story
Production Design and the Art Department
Rushes handling and an introduction to the film laboratory
Planning and preparing for a short drama production
Sync sound recording
16mm cameras and filming
On-set procedures and protocols for drama production
Critical appraisal and evaluation of 'rushes'
Introductory 16mm single and double-system editing
Editing
Sound editing
Post production of a short drama.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Micro-drama video shoot - Storyboard/location lighting/camera exercise

Objectives	a, b, c, d, e
Value	20%
Due	Week 2 (storyboard done out of class) and Week 4(in class shoot)
Task	Plan, storyboard and shoot a 5–7 shot sync sound, video drama exercise to be shot in class on Week 3. Students will work in groups chosen by the lecturer, in allocated crew roles in designated UTS locations. Script must have 2 lines of dialogue minimum. One shot must use lighting.
Assessment criteria	Originality and quality of storyboard - based on clarity of storytelling, imagination, and feasibility given parameters of exercise. (Story-boards with simple naïve drawing styles are not penalised – quality and clarity of ideas are stressed over skilful styles of drawing). Demonstrated attempt to research and prepare for allocated crew role. Demonstrated effort and skill in performing in allocated crew role and in using associated equipment such as mini DV cameras, tripods, location lighting kits and sound recording tools. Demonstration of professional skills such as ability to 'listen' and work collaboratively, care for equipment, punctuality and ability to work to deadlines and schedules.

Assessment item 2: Edit micro-drama

Objectives	a, b, c, d, e
Value	20%
Due	Week 7
Task	To work in small groups to edit a short sequence drawing from the rushes of Assessment item 1: Video shoot. To design a sound track for the above work.
Assessment criteria	Demonstrated conceptual and technical understanding of editing, syncing and sound design processes. Demonstrated ability to 'listen' and work collaboratively. Demonstrated ability to work within constraints of time and resources allocated for exercise. Overall originality, creativity and quality of final edit and sound design (taking into account the limitations of the rushes).

Assessment item 3: 16mm sync film shoot and edit (Election) – in-class shoot

Value	25%
Due	In-class shoot - Week 9; Picture Edit - Week 10; Completed work - Week 11
Task	Students take an allocated crew role and participate is a short in-class 16mm film shoot to a given script and storyboard. This project is to be completed to fine cut with a fairly basic sound design. (Students may do more elaborate sound design if time and resources permit but it is not expected their sound design would be more involved than the capabilities of an off-line non-linear system such as AVID.)
Assessment criteria	Demonstration of professional skills such as ability to 'listen' and work collaboratively, care for equipment, punctuality and ability to work to deadlines and schedules. Demonstrated skill and proficiency in performing allocated crew role, including research and preparation for role and skill in using associated equipment such as cameras, tripods, location lighting kits and sound recording tools. Quality of contribution to final project (this overlaps with the above but also takes into account factors like the originality and creativity of the visual style, coverage, editing and sound-design, casting and performance, costume or production design).

Assessment item 4: 16mm sync film shoot and edit (Maltese Falcon) – out-of-class shoot

Objectives	d, e, f, g, h
Value	35%
Due	Shoot - Week 11 ; Edit - Week 12-14
Task	To participate in an assigned crew role taking a short scene of scripted drama from pre-production to completion, using 16mm synch-sound cameras, and digital editing equipment.
Assessment criteria	Demonstration of professional skills such as ability to 'listen' and work collaboratively, care for equipment, punctuality and ability to work to deadlines and schedules. Demonstrated skill and proficiency in performing in allocated crew role, including research and preparation for role and skill in using associated equipment such as cameras, tripods, location lighting kits and sound recording tools. Quality of paperwork relating to designated crew role (camera and sound sheets, continuity reports, location agreements, other necessary contracts and agreements). Quality of contribution to final project (this overlaps with the (b) and (c) above but also takes into account factors like the originality and creativity of the visual style, coverage, editing and sound-design, casting and performance, costume or production design).

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