Students

MMCC8035 – Non-Fiction Screen Media

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Iqbal Barkat
Contact via Email
10HA 191B
Tuesday afternoons preferred. Please make appointment for consultation by email.
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrInd or MMediaComm
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit surveys the history and aesthetics of non-fiction forms of screen media and, in particular, the proliferation of documentary through digital technologies. Through critical readings and viewings, the unit will investigate non-fiction film's aesthetic and rhetorical strategies in fashioning the real and its corresponding status as a way of knowing the world. It combines critical analysis with practice-led research offering an opportunity for students to develop a non-fiction screen media work.

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: analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • ULO2: analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • ULO3: synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • ULO4: implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • ULO5: evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

General Assessment Information

Please note that the University and the Faculty of Arts have launched a new assessment policy effective as of 1 July 2021. This new policy particularly affects LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS

The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows: 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests, etc. 

To be very clear:

  • Unless you have applied for special consideration and had your application approved, for each day your assignment is late, 10 marks will be deducted. For example, if you submit your assignment 7 days late, 70 marks will be deducted, which means you will fail that assignment.
  • If your assignment is more than 7 days late (including weekends), you will get 0 for your assignment.

These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.

If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: 

https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Project Research Proposal 30% No 15:00 16/07/21
Non Fiction Screen Work 40% No 15:00 01/11/21
Video Essay 30% No 23:59 10/9/21

Project Research Proposal

Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 15:00 16/07/21
Weighting: 30%

 

Write a research proposal for a short documentary of around 5 to 10 mins. The research proposal needs to describe the idea and themes that you are hoping to explore, any argument you may wish to make, and the potential for an engaging story. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

Non Fiction Screen Work

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 58 hours
Due: 15:00 01/11/21
Weighting: 40%

 

Create a coherent, short non-fiction screen production based on the project proposal of between 5 and 10 minutes in length. Students may complete the production and post-production aspects of this assignment individually or in small groups although each student will be marked individually. Along with the film, you need to submit all production documents 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:
  • analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

Video Essay

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23:59 10/9/21
Weighting: 30%

 

Each student will research and produce a 5 min video essay on a theme and subject of their choice. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • analyse the contexts and formal strategies of non-fiction screen media.
  • analyse and implement creative and technical strategies through a critical appraisal of a range of non-fiction screen works and digital production, post-production and distribution methods.
  • synthesise advanced organisational, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen productions.
  • implement advanced digital screen media production strategies working in collaboration with peers, social actors, industry professionals and external partners in different learning environments, both on campus and off-site locations.
  • evaluate your own work and that of others by providing clear, evidence-based and constructive analyses.

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

This unit will be delivered through on campus or online seminars, workshops or consultations. Please refer to the timetable for actual schedule. Any absence from a workshop or lecture must be supported by documentation and discussed with the convenor.

Students will learn the basics of video and sound acquisition and the non-linear editing system AVID Media Composer which will be required for the successful completion of assignments. Students are also encouraged to contact the department's technical staff for additional workshops in these subjects.  

Students must adhere to health and safety guidelines during workshops and production activities. A safety report is required for all productions. Detailed guidelines will be provided on iLearn.

 Students will be expected to do two types of independent research:

 - academic research into non-fiction screen production forms, styles, histories and theories &

 - creative research in preparation for their own productions.  

Use of the MQ library's extensive collection of documentaries and books is encouraged, as is independent online research into recent non-fiction forms and productions.  Some specific readings and sites will also be assigned. 

 

 

READING LIST

WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY

Fox, B. (2010). Documentary media: History, theory, practice. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. A Brief History of Documentary Movements and Modes". 

Aufderheide, P. (2007). Documentary film: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. PP 1-44

Raqs Media Collective. (2000). A Frame of Mind: Researching Documentaries

ETHICS PITCHING & WRITING

Nichols, B. (2010). Introduction to documentary. Chapter: Why Are Ethical Issues Central to Documentary Filmmaking?

Bernard, S. C. (2007). Documentary storytelling: Making stronger and more dramatic nonfiction films. Amsterdam: Focal Press. PP 137 -174

Das, Trisha, (2009) 'How to Write a Documentary Script'. Unesco.  Page 1 of 52.

NEW FORMS

Rhodes, G. D., & Springer, J. P. (2006). Docufictions: Essays on the intersection of documentary and fictional filmmaking. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co. PP. 2-26

Schenkel, Hanna. A lie that tells the truth: How fictional techniques enhance documentary storytelling Screen Education Issue 74 (Jun 2014)

Bruzzi, S. (2000). New documentary: A critical introduction. London: Routledge. Chapter: Contemporary documentaries: performance and success. PP 221 - 253

DIRECTING THE DOCUMENATAY

Fox, B. (2010). Documentary media: History, theory, practice. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter: "A Brief History of Documentary Movements and Modes". PP 49-74

Rosenthal, A., & Rosenthal, A. (1996). Writing, directing, and producing documentary films and videos. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. PP. 33-55

MAKING THE DOCUMENTARY 

Barbash, I., & Castaing-Taylor, L. (1997). Cross-cultural filmmaking: A handbook for making documentary and ethnographic films and videos. Berkeley: University of California Press. Chapter 2 From Fieldwork to filming.  PP. 35-50

THE FUTURE

Lee-Wright, P. (2010). The documentary handbook. London: Routledge.Part IV Watch The Figures. PP  313 -369

Cholodenko, A. Jean Rouch’s Les maîtres fous: Documentary of Seduction, Seduction of Documentary. In Rothman, W. (2009). Three documentary filmmakers: Errol Morris, Ross McElwee, Jean Rouch. Albany: SUNY Press.

A link to all readings will be provided by the library.

Unit Schedule

Seminars start in Week 1. Please refer to iLearn for full 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:

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.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook