KPB101 Introduction to Screen Production

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces the principles and technologies of video production for both cinema and television, such as the roles and responsibilities of production teams, production management, design and practice. Lectures by experts in the areas of producing, directing, and cinematography, editing and sound will inform your practice. As the contemporary mediascape simultaneously converges and diversifies technologically and in market applications, there is a growing demand for new content with correlating skill sets in media production. Drawing on production processes and methodologies established in film, video and television, this unit will introduce you to content production both generated and outputted through new media technologies. Skills, knowledge and approaches will be drawn from the fields of scriptwriting, pre-production, production management, direction, producing, camera, sound, editing and post-production.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Explain, identify and apply the basic elements of design in each of the major production disciplines: production management, direction, camera, sound and editing.
2. Utilise a working knowledge of the terminology, processes, and equipment used in media production.
3. Be an effective communicator in a variety of collaborative professional contexts.

Content

Learning Approaches

You will be encouraged to engage with your learning in this unit through lectures, tutorials and group work. Tutorials include skills development relating to the operation of digital cameras; working in crew roles; digital non-linear editing; audio recording and editing; script and editing consultations and problem solving for video projects.

In order to benefit fully from the learning opportunities provided, you are strongly encouraged to:

• engage in lectures delivered by a team of lecturers with specialist skills, who will encourage your learning regarding the theoretical, technical and design aspects of each of the major production specialities
• engage in tutorials to practise as directed, so that you are appropriately skilled to work independently and within your groups
• engage with learning content provided online via the Canvas website
• work cooperatively in groups.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and from a panel teaching staff at assignment screenings throughout the semester. You will be encouraged to engage with your peers, and to give and receive constructive feedback. Feedback on assessable work will be in the form of criterion-based check sheets.

Assessment

Overview

For this unit you are required to submit three assignments. The first assessment is an oral presentation where you have a chance to offer a personal and reflective perspective on a topic relevant to screen production. The other two assessments require you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills around screen production by creating a video.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Video Presentation: "This is me"

This assessment is an opportunity for you to receive early feedback on your learning in the unit. You are required to prepare, deliver, record and share a one minute video presentation. In the video you will briefly introduce yourself to your classmates and identify your personal learning objectives for the unit.

Assessment: Video Project 1

For this individual assessment you are required to create a 30 second, "cutting on action" edited narrative video, with an accompanying brief, storyboard and shotlist.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Video Project 2

Assessment 3 is a major project which requires you to work in collaboration with your peers to create a 3-5 minute, edited, non-fiction video project in the style of a factual insert item. This is to be accompanied by a group pitch, script, risk assessment and Daily Log. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

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 CIF General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online via the Canvas.

Costs

In this unit, you may incur costs associated with such things as: additional equipment and materials (e.g. computer drives) not already provided for by QUT; travel to locations and accommodation; art direction, costumes and makeup; music composition and copyright clearances; payment for actors; and catering.

Access to a basic digital camera (such as a smartphone) and a computer with software capable of video editing.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Bordwell, D., Thompson, K. and Smith, J. (2020) Film Art, An Introduction (12th Ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Bowen, C. (2023) Grammar of the Edit (5th ed). New York & Oxon: Routledge.

Mollison, M. (2020) Producing Videos: A Complete Guide (3rd ed). Sydney: Allen and Unwin.

Rabiger, M. and Hubris Cherrier, M. (2020) Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (6th ed). London: Routledge.

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required. 

Risk Assessment Statement

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

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. 

QUT takes its obligations to the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 very seriously. You as a student, must also meet your obligations under the Act. This can be done in different ways, but you are obliged to take action to manage exposure to risk.

There are Regulations, Advisory Standards and Industry Codes of Practice, to meet your obligations under the Act you must comply with these. You must take reasonable precautions and exercise proper diligence in making sure the risk is managed.

Students have an obligation to exercise care when operating equipment and to follow instructions as to the safe operation of the equipment, safe manual handling and the use of safety devices and personal protective equipment.

Risk Assessment approval

NB: Students working on film and television productions will make sure that the appropriate risk assessment has been documented for that project and that it has been approved by the appropriate staff member.

Your responsibilities regarding equipment:

• Equipment faults and damage must be reported to Technical Services staff as soon as possible.
• Students are responsible for ensuring equipment is secure and at no risk of damage. Action will be taken against anyone responsible for wilful damage or theft of QUT property.

Security

Z6, The Hub, offers 24 hour swipe card access. Consequently, the equipment you use there, your personal possessions and your personal safety are at risk unless everyone complies with the security regulations pertaining to this facility. Admission is by your own student card only. Do not let anyone in on your card unless prior authorisation has been given by the Discipline Head. Under no circumstance should you give your student card to anyone else. These rules will be strictly enforced and anyone who breaks them will be subject to harsh disciplinary action by the university.

Course Learning Outcomes

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, ULO2
2. Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
   Relates to: ULO3
3. Demonstrate technical expertise to support skills and knowledge within the Creative Industries.
   Relates to: ULO1, 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: ULO1