Assessment Task #1: Documentary Proposal

Due Date: 01 March 2019

Weighting: 10 %

Create a proposal for a documentary of up to 5 minutes in length. Create the proposal in power point and export it as a pdf for submission.  If selected for pitching in week 2 you will pitch using your powerpoint.  

This is a creative document, not an essay.  Choose an idea from the world around you that you think is achievable and that has the potential for interesting characters, places, events or issues, strong sounds and images, story or argument. 

The documentary proposal needs to be well structured and engaging.  Include the following, at least:

• Describe  the idea.  What is this documentary called?  what is it about? why is it engaging or significant?
• Tell us about the characters (social actors), events or entities you would include in the project. Assure us that you have access to them or know how to contact them.  It is strongly advisable to confirm their willingness to participate before submitting your proposal. 
• What themes are you hoping to explore?  What is your point of view on your subject or themes? Is there an argument you may wish to make? 
• Describe research you have conducted so far (been to the proposed location or  event?  Met the people? Looked online or in the library at the issue?  Done reading on documentary styles?) and further research you will need to conduct.  
• What is your approach? How do you see this unfolding onscreen?  Is it driven by interviews or characters in action or events or poetics or something else? How will you use imagery and sound? what about tone and metaphors?    
•  logistical challenges and how you will meet them (eg. access to people, permissions for events or special places, time-sensitive material, special skills needed for approach)

The outline may be up to 10 slides long including your responses to each of the above points, with photographs, clips, quotes, links, archival material, drawings or other media that help to bring the idea to life for a reader. You may include an additional (11th) slide for your 'works cited' list (please include all credits for images and quotes!) 

Outlines will be assessed and short-listed for production based on the following criteria:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Strength and originality of documentary idea
• Evidence of preliminary research
• Demonstrated visual and aural potential
• Feasibility
• Writing style: clarity, expression, grammar, presentation

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

SUBMISSION: Power points Proposals must be converted to PDFs and submitted on ilearn by midnight 01 March, 2019

proposals must be named using the following naming convention: WORKSHOP TIME & DAY_SURNAME_PROPOSAL example: 2pmTues_Pearlman_Proposal

Any assignment delivered beyond the due date may not be considered for production.

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Feedback (marks and comments) for all proposals will be via ilearn.  Selected proposals will also receive feedback via email.  

Assessment Task #2: Video Essay

Due Date: videos will screen in workshops in week 7 (Apr 8 or 9 depending on your group). links due online by midnight on April 8th, 

Weighting: 20 %

A 3 to 4 minute (maximum) video essay analysing a documentary production that is relevant in theme, form, approach, visual or aural style to the one you are working on in MAS312.  You must coordinate with your team before commencing this assignment to insure that each video essay is on a different documentary, or a clearly distinctive aspect of a highly relevant documentary. 

Your video essay may be created using your own technology (eg. phones, laptops) however, editing on AVID is strongly encouraged.  If you do not have access to a phone or camera of any sort, some cameras may be available for borrowing for this assignment.  Your video must include relevant images and sounds and may not be only a direct to camera speech by you.  When you do use direct to camera speaking, demonstrate considered choices in frame and lighting.    

Video essays should include: 

• factual information on the doco you are analysing, eg. title, makers, year, country, commissioning body or context,
• Summation of the documentary idea: succinctly describe subject, theme and argument or perspective 
• Analysis of approach and structure: discuss the ways in which it communicates its ideas, is it driven by interview? poetics? character action or event? How does the story unfold onscreen?  Does it start by posing a question? presenting a fact? Introducing a person or place?  What does the beginning reveal about theme? How does the story develop?  Where does it end? Why does it end there? What does the ending reveal about perspective? 
• Analysis of creative and technical strategies: include and analyse examples of visual and aural style, rhythm and juxtaposition, and  how these contribute to the production's impact.  How do shooting, editing, design, sound and/or music reveal tone, theme and perspective? 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

• Evidence based critical evaluation of a documentary screen work's approach, structure, theme, perspective or ideas.
• Clarity and accuracy of analysis of technical and creative strategies of documentary.
• Effectively prepared and structured video essay, responding to task requirements

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

SUBMISSION:  of this task is by screening in week 7 workshop, and uploading of a link to ilearn on April 8th.  

Late Submissions: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Feedback: will be via discussion with lecturer and peers at the screening, marks and any additional lecturer comments will be via ilearn.  

Assessment Task #3: Production Research and Development

Due Date: 26 April

Weighting: 20 %

This individual task is designed to support your contribution, through your research and crew role, to the quality of your group's production. The task is in two parts.  Consult with other members of your group so that each of you contributes something unique.  ​​The task is due online on the 26th of April, however everyone should bring their research to a group production meeting and and present it to each other before submitting it. 

1. Select a topic from List A (below). Write a 350 word report on research you have done on the topic you select and how it has deepened your understanding of character, place, event, issue or ideas in the doco you are working on. 
2. Select a topic from List B (below). Write a 350 word report on research you have done on the topic you select, or provide evidence of independent development of skills and knowledge required in your crew role to creatively realise the form and style of the doco you are working on.

List A: Content & Ideas Research

• pre-interviews 
• scholarly research eg. books & articles treating your subject from an academic disciplinary perspective such as cultural studies
• online or community research into subject/theme/perspective
• historical context research
• research into documentary forms or history or theory
• other (consult with your doco production team & lecturer)

List B: Technical and Creative Research

• interview questions written
• recces done 
• test shoots
• test sound recording
• test edits
• mood boards
• style references
• interview practice
• additional workshops  
• schedules in preparation
• director's statements
• producer's logline & synopsis
• production meeting summaries
• other (consult with your doco production team & lecturer)

In addition to 350 word report on activities from List B, include examples of the material generated such as test shoots, edits, questions, recce photos etc.  If the task is primarily written (eg production meeting summaries or director's statements, you may substitute the written task itself for any report on it.)

For noting: In your last assessment task for this unit you will be asked to reflect on your own process and contributions, and those of the group.  One aspect you will be asked about is: how did your research contribute, and also how did other’s research contribute.  You will really only be able to answer this effectively if everyone brings their research to a group production meeting and and presents it to each other - make sure you see everyone on the team's work!

Assessment criteria

• Depth and relevance of research & development activities
• Clarity and accuracy of critical analysis/interpretation of research materials
• Demonstrated development of technical or communication skills through production tests, workshops or materials generated

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

SUBMISSION: upload to ilearn by midnight on 26 April.  Filename conventions for submissions: 

PRODUCTION NAME_ SURNAME_ ROLE 

Each person is individually responsible for clearly labelling their own submission with PRODUCTION NAME, SURNAME, ROLE, and uploading it in a timely manner. 

Late Submission Policy:  Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Feedback: Each submission is assessed individually.  It is expected that team members will engage and give considered feedback to each other during the development of submissions.  Lecturer feedback will be via ilearn. 

Assessment Task #4: Short Documentary Production

Due Date: week 13, June 3rd or 4th depending on your workshop schedule.  Submission of productions is via a session with Marcus during which he will approve your sound mix and grade before you export.  Producers must schedule these sessions with Marcus from 2 to 5 on Monday, or 10 to 1 on Tuesday, or 2 to 5 on Tuesday depending on your group's workshop schedule.  

Weighting: 40 %

In this assignment each student will be individually assessed on their  crew role contribution towards the development and production of a screen documentary of approximately 5 minutes duration (or negotiated duration of series episodes).  Each student is expected to take responsibility for energetic, collaborative, communicative and focused execution of their role, and to strive for high quality productions and processes. These processes include creative, conceptual, technical and organisational preparation; and responsive and engaged execution of your crew role in pre-production, production and post-production.    

The production parameters for the documentary are:

1. each team must schedule and participate in test shoots or other preparatory workshops as negotiated with Marcus before shooting.

2. shooting period is week 2 of the break, week 8 and 9.  Up to 5 shooting days per team.  Organise shoots to fall on consecutive days where possible.  No half day shoots.  

3. Producers book gear via email to Marcus.Eckermann@mq.edu.au at least one week before the date it is required.  Booking email subject line should say: GEAR BOOKING REQUEST: PRODUCTION NAME: SHOOT DATE/S

4. Edit plan/paper edit sent to lecturer prior to commencement of editing. 5 days picture edit per project

5. 2 days sound edit per project

6. All crew members are to make themselves available to attend the planned shooting period. Editors may be exempted from this expectation since they will spend much more time in the edit suite than other crew members.  However, editors may find it is beneficial to their editing process to attend shoot days in order to witness and advise on what is shot. All crew members are expected to view and comment on edits in workshops.  

7. All crew members will present a short oral reflection on their process and contributions to production in workshops after the shoot, and write a short reflection statement to be submitted in week 13.   

Reflection statements (up to 750 words): reflect on your own process and contributions to the production, and on the group's process.  Include discussion of research, pre-production, production, and post-production phases and thoughts about the final product.  Reflection statements due midnight June 4th. 

 Assessment criteria:

• Coherence and sophistication in conveying stories, themes, characters or perspective
• Effectiveness of creative choices in crew role
• Thoughtful application of collaboration, communication and problem solving strategies
• Energetic and focussed participation in creative process. 

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

SUBMISSION: Short Documentary Productions will be submitted via exports of the production in week 13, as coordinated with the technical director for the unit.  Reflective statements must be uploaded via the link on the unit's ilearn page.  

Late submission policy: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests

If a key crew member is granted special consideration that necessitates late submission, their team's due dates may be considered commensurately by clear communication and negotiation with the lecturer.

Feedback: will be via workshop discussion with lecturer and peers in weeks 10 & 11.  Marks and any additional comments will be via ilearn.  

Active Workshop Participation

Due Date: ongoing, as per workshops schedule

Weight: 10%

Active workshop participation is more than simply being in attendance (which is compulsory). In order to receive high marks for workshop participation, students must be punctual and well-prepared,  complete any required in or out of class work including attendance at relevant technical demonstration sessions and production meetings, engage actively by asking and answering questions and participating constructively in exercises, meetings and group work as required.  

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

• Demonstration of skills development through execution of roles on workshop exercises
• Relevant, collegial, and succinct contributions to discussions and production meetings

Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment

SUBMISSION

In weekly workshops throughout the semester.  Nb: no workshops in week 1 or in weeks 8 and 9 during the production period

late submission policy: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests

Feedback: will be given by lecturer and technical director throughout workshops.