Students
MMCC3012 – Screen Production: Documentary Filmmaking
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Iqbal Barkat
Contact via please contact co-convenor Sam Allen for consulations
Convenor
Sam Allen
Contact via samuel.allen@mq.edu.au
online
on request
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including MAS213 or MMCC2013
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The special focus of this unit is documentary as a mode of screen storytelling. Students encounter different modes and forms of documentary production and analyse the impact of the strategies used to shoot and compose them. Students practice core documentary making skills such as observation, interview, image composition, dramatisations and structuring stories. Through practical work, students address a range of artistic choices available in representing the real. By engaging with the opportunities this unit offers, students can produce work suitable for their professional portfolios and for entry into film festivals. |
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: synthesise practical, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen production.
- ULO2: develop and implement strategic creative and technical pathways towards the production of non-fiction screen works.
- ULO3: analyse technical and creative strategies through a critical appraisal of non-fiction screen works.
- ULO4: evaluate critically one's own and other's creative screen works.
General Assessment Information
- The Faculty policy in relation to late assessment submissions is as follows: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
- Any instance where a student uses the University’s electronic learning management system (iLearn) to submit for assessment a written response that comprises more than 250 words in total will be subject to plagiarism detection software.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Task 1 (minor) | 35% | No | 09/04/2023 |
| Creative Task 2 (major) | 50% | No | 02/06/2023 11:55pm |
| iLearn Quizzes & Tasks | 15% | No | weekly in weeks 1-6, open for one week |
Creative Task 1 (minor)
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 09/04/2023
Weighting: 35%
Creative Screen Production Task. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- synthesise practical, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen production.
- develop and implement strategic creative and technical pathways towards the production of non-fiction screen works.
- evaluate critically one's own and other's creative screen works.
Creative Task 2 (major)
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: 02/06/2023 11:55pm
Weighting: 50%
Creative screen production task. This is a creative project incorporating advanced production techniques discussed in the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- synthesise practical, technical and conceptual skills through the research, development and collaborative realisation of creative non-fiction screen production.
- develop and implement strategic creative and technical pathways towards the production of non-fiction screen works.
- evaluate critically one's own and other's creative screen works.
iLearn Quizzes & Tasks
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: weekly in weeks 1-6, open for one week
Weighting: 15%
Students will respond to a series of low-stakes iLearn activities such as quizzes, short practical exercises, or critical viewing tasks. Students will be expected to draw on resources informing these tasks for their productions and reflection statements.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse technical and creative strategies through a critical appraisal of non-fiction screen works.
- evaluate critically one's own and other's creative screen works.
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
Weeks 1, 2, and 3 of this unit are online via Zoom. You will need internet connectivity and a computer.
Weeks 4, 5, 6, and 7 are face to face workshops on campus. In these workshops you will get instruction in the gear you may use for this unit. Attendance is mandatory in order to be able to book and use the professional standard MQ gear.
Your video essay is due at the end of week 7 (Creative Task 1)
Mid-semester break and weeks 8 and 9 are your creative Task 2 production period. During these four weeks you and your team will shoot your documentaries, make a paper edit and get your editing process started.
Unit Schedule
week 1 - seminar - approaches to documentary - online
week 2 - ideas development - individual and group documentaries - online
week 3 - pitching and crewing group documentaries - online
weeks 4, 5, 6, 7 - skills development (on campus) production development (self directed and in class) nb. if you have signed up as an online only student you do not have to attend classes in weeks 4 , 5, 6, and 7 you have asynchronous online materials.
mid semester break, weeks 8, and 9 - production period - self directed shooting of documentaries in groups
weeks 10 - 13 post-production (editing, sound, music & titling) of documentaries for submission at end of week 13
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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 2023.02 of the Handbook