Students

MMCC3013 – Screen Production: Open Form Filmmaking

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff unit convenor & lecturer
Karen Pearlman
karen.pearlman@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
10HA-147
by appointment
technical director (cameras, lights, mics, etc.)
Alex Ryan
alex.ryan@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
10HA screen studio
by 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 Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Portfolio: Video Essay and Study Plan 40% No 25/08/2026 Individual Yes Open
Screen Prodcution: Critical Evaluation of Role 30% No 06/11/2026 Individual Yes Open
Screen Production: Final Film 30% No 06/11/2026 Group No Open

Portfolio: Video Essay and Study Plan

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 25/08/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

"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 Prodcution: Critical Evaluation of Role

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

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.

Screen Production: Final Film

Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Each student will perform a crew role on a collaborative digital video screen production, or work individually on a digital video screen production of up to 7 minutes. Each student is expected to undertake adequate preparation to carry out their role.
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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Technology & Software

This is a screen production unit. Students may be required to work with a range of the school's digital and mechanical technologies and editing software including still and moving image cameras, sound recorders and microphones, digital editing software, 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 practical classes. These are held weekly in weeks 1-7 and 10-12, inclusive.

Any absence from a practical classmust be supported by documentation and discussed with the convenor.

Unit Readings, online viewings, and online learning support activities

Students are expected to undertake independent research into the creative and technical aspects of screen production. A list of the weekly readings is available on ilearn, as are links to Leganto. The readings and viewing material supplement the core screen production work, enhance your understanding of theoretical and production concepts discussed during the unit, and support your successful work in the the unit, the media degree and your career. It is expected that you broaden your understanding of concepts and practices relating to screen production by completing relevant readings and referencing these and independently sourced materials in your learning plan and reflection. 

 

Unit Schedule

MMCC3013 Week by Week

(Pre week one)

THURSDAY 23 JULY

3:30 – 5:30 PM

Ideas & Social Event

Come and meet your convenor and cohort and talk informally about projects & aspirations for the semester.

 

MEET IN ROOM 284, 10HA

THURSDAY 23 JULY

3:30 – 5:30 PM

Wk 1 Practical Class

Ideas & crew development & preliminary pitching

 

Come prepared with projects that you’d like to pitch or join.

 

(If you fail to attend it will be difficult for you to work on a collaborative project for your final assignment and you may have to submit a sole-authored film.)

 

MEET IN ROOM 284, 10HA

Wk 2 Practical Class

Script development & crewing

 

Pitches & crews should have developed between week 1 & 2.

 

Come prepared with projects you will pitch and/or ideas for crew roles you'd like to take on.

 

(If you fail to attend it will be difficult for you to work on a collaborative project for your final assignment and you may have to submit a sole-authored film.)

 

MEET IN ROOM 284, 10HA

Wk 3 Practical Class & self-organised pre-production meetings

Review Camera, Sound & Light & Coverage basics

 

Students also meet independently as a group to work on at least one aspect of their production together which will be demonstrated in class or posted online in Week 4. These aspects could include but are 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)

 

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 4 Practical Class & self-organised pre-production meetings

Creative & Technical skills integration & planning for onscreen drafts with Alex & Karen

 

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

 

Students will report on how they are progressing with their study plans and submit requests for technical instruction relevant to their productions.

 

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 5 Practical Class & self-organised pre-production meetings

Creative & Technical skills integration and Test/Onscreen Draft shoot 1

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 6 Practical Class & self-organised pre-production meetings

Creative & Technical skills integration and Test/Onscreen Draft shoot 2

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

 

Required Safety Approval forms must be submitted this week.

Wk 7 Practical Class & self-organised pre-production meetings

In-class ‘green light’ pre-production meetings & requested specialist technical instruction

 

Students present their onscreen drafts or sample scenes (edited), their completed WHS and schedule documents

 

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 8 Production week 1

Independently scheduled and organised shooting of films as per approved WHS forms & schedules. Upload all footage to Nexis as soon as it is shot. Editing in Avid on campus, may begin after first shoot days.

Mid-Sem Break Production week 2

Mid-Sem Break Production week 3

Wk 9 Production week 4 and Post-production week 1

Continue shooting. Consultations are available with convenors and scheduling of pickups can be approved as needed.

Wk 10 Practical Class

Edit & sound skills. View & critique assemblies

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 11 Practical Class

Edit & sound skills.  View & critique rough cuts

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 12 Practical Class

Edit & sound skills. View & critique fine cuts

meet in screen studio – room 189, 10HA

Wk 13

 

Submit final film & reflection

Wk14

Grading & mixing

 

Wk 15

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 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.

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 the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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 2026.03 of the Handbook