KPB208 Screen Genres


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KPB208
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KPB112
Assumed Knowledge:

Working knowledge of basic film / cinematic terms and concepts, or the ability to acquire such basic knowledge independently within the first weeks of semester.

Coordinator:Peter Schembri | p.schembri@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit helps you to appreciate contemporary screen genres and to develop genre-related analytical skills. It also investigates the connections between genre theory and contemporary practice-based genre approaches. Genre is central to understanding the cultural and industrial contexts and visual forms of narrative screen productions. Since every screen production is a risk, both financial and creative, contemporary production organisations and creators attempt to minimise risk in their future ventures through screen genres. Genre productions appeal to local and international audiences. It is indeed crucial for fans, critics and practitioners to appreciate genre conventions, inventions and innovations, and those genre elements that contribute to the commercial, critical, or creative success of narrative screen productions.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between genre theory and practice-based genre approaches by analysing genre codes and conventions, as well as genre inventions and innovations.
  2. Identify and analyse formal and stylistic aspects of screen genres evident in screen productions.
  3. Communicate investigations into screen genres to specialist and non-specialist audiences through the use of written, visual, and oral languages.

Content

This unit addresses genre through the analysis of live-action and animation narrative feature length and short form screen productions. It deals with the concept of genre as used by screen theorists and practitioners, and with genre codes and conventions recognised by critics and audiences. Topics covered include: genre hybridity and change; genres on different platforms; genres and visual style; and genres and audiences. Genre codes and conventions are now an international ‘language’ and some consideration is given to Australian indigenous perspectives, and to Australian and international genre productions that have achieved international commercial, critical, or creative success.

Learning Approaches

A number of thematically-linked lectures and tutorials are supported by and interact with online learning materials and resources. You will be encouraged to critique screen genres from a number of production perspectives. You will view numerous examples online and you then have the opportunity to discuss your ideas with feedback from teaching staff and peers.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

In this unit you will receive feedback on your learning as general comments from teaching staff communicated to the cohort during classes, and via the Canvas website. Tutorials are opportunities to receive more specific formative feedback from teaching staff and peers. By giving and receiving constructive feedback during class and as part of group projects, you will learn to articulate and shape your creative and critical thinking. For assessable work, you will receive comments from teaching staff on criterion referenced grading sheets.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessment items for this unit. The first is a case study project that you undertake as a group. There is also an individual component for the group work. The second is a written analytical essay which you submit as an individual student.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access complete Faculty's Assessment Information please refer to the Canvas site for this unit. This includes information on late assignments and assignment extensions.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study

Individual students collaborate within a small group to select an existing short genre film with the potential of being made into an effective genre feature-length movie. The short film selected must not ever have been made into a feature film. Each Individual member submits a short analysis indicating some genre conventions and innovations in the short that could effectively be adapted into a feature length production.

Then, all group members work together to develop a proof-of-concept for the proposed genre feature film. The proof-of-concept is based on one key scene that best visualises the primary genre of the proposed feature and is presented as: 

  • EITHER a 15 to 25 -frame storyboard (with an accompanying written explanation)
  • OR a 2 min video (with an accompanying written explanation)
  • OR an animatic of 15-to-25 frames from your storyboard (with an accompanying written explanation). 

For each option, the accompanying written explanation needs to consider how the scene develops some of the visual genre elements of the originating short genre film. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual and group
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Analytical Essay

You will evaluate a genre film's application of a particular set of genre film aesthetics, and assess the significance of this film's genre aesthetics for contemporary filmmakers, studios, or audiences. You will engage with this genre production by focusing on an analysis of genre-based worldbuilding and character design.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

There are no required texts for this unit; however, you should refer to videos and other learning resources linked to via the unit Canvas website.

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Costanzo, William V. (2014) World Cinema Through Global Genres. West Sussex: John Wiley. Available from eBook Library via the QUT Library Online Catalogue.

Davis, Blair (2018) Comic Book Movies. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. Available from eBook Library via the QUT Library Online Catalogue.

Friedman, Lester et al (2013) An Introduction to Film Genres. New York: W.W. Norton.

Kolker, Robert (2016) Film, Form, and Culture (4th edition). New York: Routledge. Available from eBook Library via the QUT Library Online Catalogue.

Yale University, 2020. Yale Film Analysis Guide. New Haven, Connecticut.  Available via open access website.

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

  1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO2
  4. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  5. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
    Relates to: ULO3

KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
    Relates to: ULO1
  2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
    Relates to: ULO2
  4. Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
    Relates to: ULO3
  5. Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3