Students
MMCC2012 – Screen Production: Filmmaking Across Genres
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Iqbal Barkat
Contact via iqbal.barkat@mq.edu.au
191B 10HA
Any day by email appointment.
Technical Officer
Alex Ryan
Contact via Email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to professional screen production practices, with a focus on creative development of ideas, cinematography, visual & aural style, and editing. The unit is delivered through practical workshops, in-class and online exercises, equipment and software demonstrations, and selected case studies and screenings. The 'hands-on' and experiential intensive mode of delivery exposes students to real-world practices and fosters development of collaboration and communication skills. Students work individually and in groups, as part of production crews, to generate original screen media when completing assignments. This unit aims to develop students' ability to critically analyse and evaluate their own and other's work and to place it within an historical, creative and theoretical context. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: demonstrate understanding of introductory conceptual and practical skills in planning and executing screen productions.
- ULO2: integrate screen production terminology and apply this knowledge to critically interpret and analyse screen production works.
- ULO3: apply skills and strategies for planning and problem solving in a screen production setting.
- ULO4: evaluate one's own and peer production works and identify creative and technical issues in these works.
- ULO5: collaborate and communicate effectively with fellow students and work to production deadlines.
- ULO6: evaluate and synthesize contemporary production processes, crew roles, basic on-set protocols, and screen industry related safety procedures
- ULO7: identify how screen productions can contribute to the awareness of social issues.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Production | 50% | No | 28/05/21 |
| Portfolio | 20% | No | 8/04/21 |
| Major Production Pitch Presentation | 30% | No | 12/03/21 |
Screen Production
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 28/05/21
Weighting: 50%
This assignment has 2 components: Final Film (20%) Critical Evaluation of Role (30%)
1. Final Film.
Selected pitch presentations will go into production. Films will be made in small groups (or students may choose to make their films individually). Films will be submitted with a production portfolio of documents demonstrating technical and creative research, preparation and process undertaken in respective crew roles (for example, scripts, script breakdowns, design plans, mood boards, storyboards, call sheets and release forms).
2. Critical Evaluation of Role.
Crew role performance is assessed on the basis of the final film and a report critically analysing and evaluating the production and the student’s contribution.
Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of introductory conceptual and practical skills in planning and executing screen productions.
- apply skills and strategies for planning and problem solving in a screen production setting.
- evaluate one's own and peer production works and identify creative and technical issues in these works.
- collaborate and communicate effectively with fellow students and work to production deadlines.
- evaluate and synthesize contemporary production processes, crew roles, basic on-set protocols, and screen industry related safety procedures
- identify how screen productions can contribute to the awareness of social issues.
Portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 8/04/21
Weighting: 20%
This assignment has 2 components: Journal (10%) and Intensive Film OR Creation of 'production bible' (10%)
Journal: Students are required to maintain a journal that documents their learning including completing set weekly tasks on iLearn. The purpose of the journal is to engage in reflective learning and to assist in developing and documenting critical film production skills. Intensive film:
Working in small groups, students will either write, plan, shoot and edit a short film of any genre, fiction or documentary of any subject matter OR create a production bible for a screen production.
Refer to iLearn for further information
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of introductory conceptual and practical skills in planning and executing screen productions.
- integrate screen production terminology and apply this knowledge to critically interpret and analyse screen production works.
- apply skills and strategies for planning and problem solving in a screen production setting.
- evaluate one's own and peer production works and identify creative and technical issues in these works.
- collaborate and communicate effectively with fellow students and work to production deadlines.
- evaluate and synthesize contemporary production processes, crew roles, basic on-set protocols, and screen industry related safety procedures
- identify how screen productions can contribute to the awareness of social issues.
Major Production Pitch Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 12/03/21
Weighting: 30%
Based on research and inspired by strong ideas, you will develop a pitch for a film of under 5 minutes in length. You may choose to pitch: a documentary; an experimental film; or a narrative, fiction film. The film could be in any genre. The film must have minimal dialogue (no more than 5 lines) with the exception of film essays and documentaries (which can include longer interviews and voice-over). The film MUST be made in black and white. The film MUST address a significant social, political, or cultural issue (e.g, anxiety among students) in a direct or indirect way. If you would like your screen idea to come to life on screen it must be feasible. For this assessment students need to submit: 1. a digital presentation of the pitch. 2. a written document of around 750 words addressing the following: a. A working title. b. 1-sentence description of the film. c. Familiarity with the form and genre. d. A short synopsis of the film. e. What is the social issue that you are exploring in your film? e. Key motif. f. Additionally thoughts on other relevant elements such as shooting style, performance, production design, the colour-palette, etc.
Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of introductory conceptual and practical skills in planning and executing screen productions.
- integrate screen production terminology and apply this knowledge to critically interpret and analyse screen production works.
- identify how screen productions can contribute to the awareness of social issues.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
ACTIVITIES
MMCC2012 is not delivered in a standard mode like many other units. The activities for this unit include:
SEMINAR – Seminars will be delivered live online via Zoom on Tuesdays from 6-8pm in Weeks 1,2,3,4,6 & 7. These seminars will be a mix of lectures, discussions, film screenings and practical demonstrations. There is also a seminar in Week 13 which is a screening of the films made in the unit.
STUDENT-LED LEARNING – These are activities and exercises that will be uploaded on Ilearn. Students engage with them at a time and venue of their choice. It is advised that students engage in the activities in the weeks suggested in the schedule. The activities will be uploaded by 5pm Monday. These activities must be completed for the Portfolio Assignment (Journal).
PRACTICAL – This will be held during the 1st week of the mid-semester break for 2 days (10 am to 4 pm). Students have a choice to enrol for this activity as a face-to-face in class activity or online activity via Zoom.
WORKSHOPS – This is a 2-hr activity held in Weeks 5, 10 and 12. Students have a choice to enrol for this activity as a face-to-face in class activity or online activity via Zoom. In class sessions are held at 10HA RM 189 (Screen Production Studio). Students need to attend all 3 Workshops. Students need to stick to the same time for all 3 Workshops. For example, if they have registered for the 3-5 pm Practical on Tuesday, 23rd March (Week 5), they will attend the 3-5 pm Workshop on 11th May (Week 10) and 25th May (Week 12).
TECHNOLOGY
In this unit, students will be given instruction in the:
a. operation of professional video cameras;
b. dialogue recording techniques;
c. operation of AVID's Non Linear Editing Software, Media Composer. Students may edit their works in the Edit Lab 10HA006 (when it is not being used for other activities) and the edit stations at the Screen Culture Lab (10HA 142) and the Futures Lab.
READINGS
All readings for the unit will be available via the Macquarie Library. Please refer to iLearn for library links to weekly readings.
Unit Schedule
Please refer to iLearn for a detailed schedule.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Late Submission and Special Consideration
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook