Students
MMCC2013 – Screen Production: Fiction Filmmaking
2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Sam Allen
Karen Pearlman
technical director (cameras, lights, mics, etc.)
Alex Ryan
10HA
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above including (MAS 212 or MMCC2012)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students to fundamentals of fiction film-making. It offers students the opportunity to develop capacities to: produce, direct, design, shoot, edit, or sound design fictional narratives. As part of a film crew students begin to develop a sense of their own creative affinities. The unit aims to activate their aesthetic judgment and contribute to the cohesive collaborative production of screen stories and ideas. |
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: research and plan for the realisation of a short media production.
- ULO2: identify, articulate or develop screen ideas and contribute to conveying them effectively in a short media production.
- ULO3: apply practical, technical, creative and theoretical skills in screen production through execution of a role such as producing, directing, development, production management, first assistant directing, cinematography, production design, sound design or editing.
- ULO4: collaborate effectively in the realisation of a short fiction film and work to production deadlines.
- ULO5: synthesize and evaluate theoretical concepts in screen media to reflect on one's own and others' work in screen media.
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative work 2 | 50% | No | 11/11/2025 - 11:55 pm |
| Creative work 1 | 35% | No | media @5pm; reflection @11:55pm on final day of intensive |
| Online Tasks | 15% | No | Weekly - Tuesdays - 11:55pm |
Creative work 2
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 65 hours
Due: 11/11/2025 - 11:55 pm
Weighting: 50%
Working in a designated role in production crews, students script, produce, direct, design, shoot, edit, or sound design a short (approximately 5 minute) fiction film to create a work suitable for their portfolios. Through this task students develop and demonstrate capacities for coherent and compelling onscreen storytelling. Students develop their projects through successive stages of pre-production, production, and post- production in class and in independently organised weekly production meetings, and also demonstrate ability to critically assess their own and others work. Final submission includes an approximately 300 word reflection.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- research and plan for the realisation of a short media production.
- identify, articulate or develop screen ideas and contribute to conveying them effectively in a short media production.
- apply practical, technical, creative and theoretical skills in screen production through execution of a role such as producing, directing, development, production management, first assistant directing, cinematography, production design, sound design or editing.
- collaborate effectively in the realisation of a short fiction film and work to production deadlines.
- synthesize and evaluate theoretical concepts in screen media to reflect on one's own and others' work in screen media.
Creative work 1
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: media @5pm; reflection @11:55pm on final day of intensive
Weighting: 35%
Each student fulfils the responsibilities of one or more professional film crew roles in workshop-based production processes. Submissions include a reflection statement of approximately 300 words. More details in classes and on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- research and plan for the realisation of a short media production.
- identify, articulate or develop screen ideas and contribute to conveying them effectively in a short media production.
- apply practical, technical, creative and theoretical skills in screen production through execution of a role such as producing, directing, development, production management, first assistant directing, cinematography, production design, sound design or editing.
- synthesize and evaluate theoretical concepts in screen media to reflect on one's own and others' work in screen media.
Online Tasks
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: Weekly - Tuesdays - 11:55pm
Weighting: 15%
Weekly online activities to consolidate learning from readings, lectures and equipment demonstrations (live, on video or through handouts). These activities support student knowledge acquisition and skills development in media practice and production.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- research and plan for the realisation of a short media production.
- synthesize and evaluate theoretical concepts in screen media to reflect on one's own and others' work in screen media.
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
The unit includes 6 practical classes (three at start and three at end of semester), a three day intensive workshop during the first week of mid-semester break, and weekly readings/assessable online activities.
After week 3, students will also particpate in weekly self-organised production meetings, and a self scheduled production shooting period.
These activites all cumulatively build skills in creative development, pre-production, production, and post production of short fiction films.
Students are expected to gain some faimiliarity with all roles on the crew, develop their knowledge of story design, continuity coverage and editing, and take responsibility for a particular area of film produciton.
Avid editing software licenses will be provided to all enroled students at the start of the unit. Access to camera, lighting and sound gear will be contingent on active and responsible particpation in the intensive workshop, and correct use of the booking system and required forms.
Unit Schedule
Weeks 1- 3
• Project development, pitching & crewing in practical classes
Weeks 4 – 8
• Weekly pre-production meetings and reporting on these meetings within online activities platform. Preparation and finalising of scripts, designs, shotlists, casting and schedules.
Week 1 mid semester break – on Campus
• 3 day Intensive workshop and completion of creative task 1 (35%) - onscreen draft
Week 2 of mid-semester break and weeks 9 & 10
• production period - shoots
Weeks 11, 12, & 13 live on campus
• In class viewings & discussion: of assembly edits, rough cuts, fine cuts, sound designs
Week 14, Tuesday 11/11
• Final Submission – productions & reflections (50%)
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 connect.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/
Academic Success
Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.04 of the Handbook