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MMCC3013 – Screen Production: Open Form Filmmaking

2023 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Iqbal Barkat
iqbal.barkat@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
10HA 191B
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons by email appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including MAS213 or MMCC2013
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit offers students an opportunity to develop their creative, conceptual, and technical abilities through the collaborative production of fiction, non-fiction, hybrid, or experimental screen projects of their choice across different media. They are encouraged to step up to new creative challenges in roles they have an affinity for, such as directing, producing, cinematography, production design, editing or sound design. The creative opportunities of this unit can produce work suitable for professional portfolios and 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, conceptual and analytical skills through the writing, development and collaborative realisation of a creative screen concept.
  • ULO2: differentiate technical and creative strategies through a critical analysis of creative screen works.
  • ULO3: evaluate critically one's own and others' creative screen projects.
  • ULO4: collaborate on screen production projects while individually researching, and engaging in, specialized roles.

General Assessment Information

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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Portfolio: Video Essay and Study Plan 40% No 20/8/2023 11:55 PM
Screen Production 60% No 5/11/2023 11:55 PM

Portfolio: Video Essay and Study Plan

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: 20/8/2023 11:55 PM
Weighting: 40%

 

Portfolio: Video Essay and Study Plan.

Each student will research and present a portfolio of items which include the following:

1. Video Essay analyzing screen and other excerpts of their choice OR exploring themes related to their production.

2. Study Plan must include a plan for the research that they are conducting in preparation of their role (e.g. an engagement with the ideas of montage editing [for directors and editors] or screen performance [for directors] or realism in design [for production designers]) and for the screen production they are working on. Refer to iLearn for further information.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • synthesise practical, conceptual and analytical skills through the writing, development and collaborative realisation of a creative screen concept.
  • differentiate technical and creative strategies through a critical analysis of creative screen works.
  • evaluate critically one's own and others' creative screen projects.

Screen Production

Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 71 hours
Due: 5/11/2023 11:55 PM
Weighting: 60%

 

OPTION A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT

This assignment has 2 components: Final Film (30%) Critical Evaluation of Role (30%)

1. Final Film

Each student will perform a crew role on a collaborative digital video screen production of up to 7 minutes. Each member of the creative production team is expected to undertake adequate preparation to carry out their role.

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.

OPTION B INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT

This assignment has 2 components: Final Film (30%) Critical Evaluation of Role (30%)

1. Final Film Each student will individually make a digital video screen production of up to 7 minutes. The student is expected to undertake adequate preparation to carry out their role.

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:
  • synthesise practical, conceptual and analytical skills through the writing, development and collaborative realisation of a creative screen concept.
  • differentiate technical and creative strategies through a critical analysis of creative screen works.
  • evaluate critically one's own and others' creative screen projects.
  • collaborate on screen production projects while individually researching, and engaging in, specialized roles.

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

Timetable

For details of the unit timetable please go to:  www.timetables.mq.edu.au

Technology & Software

This is a screen production unit. Students may be required to work with a range of the department's digital and mechanical technologies and editing software including still and moving image recorders (eg. Sony HD FS5 & FX6 cameras), sound recorders, digital editing software, image stabilising equipment, tripods, dollies, various portable lighting equipment, etc. Students undertaking independent productions may use their own equipment.

Health and Safety

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.

Attendance

It is a compulsory requirement to attend all production workshops and lectures.

Any absence from a workshop or lecture must be supported by documentation and discussed with the convenor.

Unit Readings

Students are expected to undertake independent research into the creative and technical aspects of screen production. A list of the weekly readings is available from the unit schedule and links to Leganto will be provided on ILearn. The readings are intended only as a supplement to the core screen production work, as well as enhancing your understanding of theoretical and production concepts discussed during the unit.  Although readings will not be assessed from week to week, it is strongly advised that you broaden your understanding of concepts and practices relating to screen production by completing relevant readings, as well as independently researching your specific crew role(s) areas of interest.

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule

Week 1

Intensive Week (Online)

26th, 27th & 28th  July 3 pm to 8 pm.  Online via Zoom

This intensive will combine lectures and workshops to deal with the following topics/concerns:

  1. The principles of independent short film production.
  2. Elements of a short film. Students to pitch production ideas. We will discuss these ideas and select those that will go into production.
  3. Production Skills. Student will pitch production skills (crew role). Confirmation of production groups.

Please come prepared to the intensive with projects that you’d like to pitch. If you fail to attend the intensive, it may be difficult for you to work on a collaborative project for your final assignment and you may have to submit a self-authored film. 

Week 2

No official lectures or workshops. A technical workshop will be conducted in the Screen Studio. Attendance to the workshop is optional but highly encouraged. Students to meet as a group to work on at least one aspect of their production together which will be demonstrated in class or online in Week 3. These aspects could include or not restricted to:

  • scripting
  • performance
  • visual/aural style and directing
  • cinematography and design
  • edit and sound design
  • aspects of producing e.g safety

The screen studio and technical support is available (during workshop hours)

Week 3

Workshop Online & in the Screen Studio. 

Students will demonstrate what they have worked on as a group the previous week. They will present their findings to class.  

Students will report on how they are progressing with their study plans.

Week 4

No official lectures or workshops. A technical workshop will be conducted in the Screen Studio. Attendance to the workshop is optional but highly encouraged. Students to meet as a group to work on at least one aspect of their production together which will be demonstrated in class or online in Week 5. 

The screen studio and technical support is available (during workshop hours)

Study plans due.

Week 5

Workshop Online & in the Screen Studio. 

Students will demonstrate what they have worked on as a group the previous week. They will present their findings to class.  

Students will report on what they have implemented of their study plans.

Week 6

No lectures or workshops. Shoot and edit online drafts of productions (or sample scenes).

Week 7

Workshops Online & in the Screen Studio. Students to present their onscreen drafts or sample scenes (edited)

Semester Break Week 1

Final preproduction or shoot. 

Semester Break Week 2 

Final preproduction or shoot

Week 8 

No workshops. Last week of shooting. Post production commences.

Week 9 

No workshops.  Consult with convenor on edits.

Week 10 

Workshops Online & in the Screen Studio. Show draft assemblies in class.

Week 11 

No workshops. Edit locked off. Sound design. Consult with convenor on edits

Week 12 

Workshops Online & in the Screen Studio. Show fine cuts in class.

Week 13 

No workshops.  Meetings with production groups to finalise edits.

Week 14 

Export.

Screening - TBA

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

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.

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:

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