FILM 2006 - Making Movies: Introduction to Digital Filmmaking

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2024

Today, filmmakers are everybody: we all record and transmit audio-visual materials with our smartphones. The more we can learn about the art of motion pictures, the better we will be able to make meanings out of the world around us using captured images and sounds. This course immerses students in the practicalities, the aesthetics, and the contingencies of movie-making; it actively guides students in the production of their own short `films? using contemporary digital technology. Ideas like framing, cutting, setting, movement, composition, colour, texture, filtering, cropping, zooming, close-ups, and so on, are fundamental to the art of motion pictures. Here you will learn the fundamentals and help shape your own artistic approach.

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Course Details

Course Code	FILM 2006
Course	Making Movies: Introduction to Digital Filmmaking
Coordinating Unit	English, Creative Writing, and Film
Term	Winter
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assessment	Storyboard, Critical Reflection, Digital Artefact

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Julian Murphet

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Develop a practicable storyboard for short film production
2. Reflect critically on the decisions behind a final shot sequence
3. Work collaboratively with fellow students on a short film production
4. Use editing software to cut shots and mix sounds
5. Produce a short digital ‘film’

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	2
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 3, 4, 5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	3, 4, 5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	3, 5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	3, 5
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	N/A
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	3, 4, 5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	2, 3, 5

Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Teaching is centred specifically on active and engaging two-week workshops on mobile filmmaking with hands-on classroom activities - within tabled groups, face-to-face teaching. Students will be tasked with producing and completing a 1-5 minute film either as an individual videographer or as a film crew outside of scheduled classes in order to complete assessment pieces.

Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
- The tutored workload for the class workshops will be 8 hours over one week.
- The approximate workload for individuals and/our groups outside of class workshops can be 30 hours for the completion of film and film-making assignments.
Learning Activities Summary

Sections - Topic
1 - Storytelling, narrative, tropes, subject matter, niches
2 - Teamwork, Delegation and responsibility, positions
3 - Mise-en-scene - setting, costume, lighting and movement/direction
4 - Storyboarding, shot lists
5 - Locations, scouting, looks
6 - Framing, composition, direction
7 - Shooting 1 - Camera movement and support
8 - Shooting 2 - Lighting
9 - Editing - import process, platforms, shot selection, narrative, branding, transitions
10 - Mixing - colour grading, levelling
11 - Exporting and delivery
12 - Sharing, distribution, marketing

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Storyboard 10%, Storyboard critical reflection 10%, Short 1- 5min film 60%, Film production critical reflection 20%

Assessment Related Requirements

Class attendance in all sessions is required to achieve competency with introductory filmmaking principles necessary for completing assignments successfully.

Assessment Detail

Storyboard:
Create a storyboard with ideation towards the finalised production of the 1-5 minute film to be presented. This can be produced individually or as a group, however, each student must make a submission.
Assessment: Analysing storyboard's inclusion of narrative, description of composition and direction, and production. Drawing capability is not considered.
Value of assessment: 10%
Due Date:
Storyboard Critical Reflection
Individual reflection upon the completed storyboard is vital for understanding the direction the final film production will take. Consideration will be given to teamwork analysis within the understanding of film roles and responsibilities.
Assessment: the basis of process and state of the storyboard inclusive of direction, detail, decision-making process, achievements and downfalls of the storyboard production, readying the individual or the group for filming.
Value of assessment: 10%
Due Date:
Short 1- 5min film:
Shoot (on mobile phone), edit and present a short one minute to five-minute short film as an individual or a group, exhibiting techniques and skills from the course.
Assessment: Assessment of the short films will be based upon film production competencies of camera techniques, mise-en-scene, style and aesthetic and sound quality. Short films may be presented how desired.
Value of assessment: 60%
Due Date:
Film production critical reflection:
Taking into consideration the final film production, provide a critical reflection upon the film's impact, style and place within film. Analyse the performance of you as an individual filmmaker and/or your role within the crew. Assess what you would do differently next time with the same resources.
Assessment: Projects will be assessed individually on technical competencies, style and understanding of lighting requirements and audio acquisition and basic editing principles using transitions, corrections and titles to enhance. Total marks achieved will be awarded to both participants equally.
Value of assessment: 20%
Due Date:

Submission

Written and drawn assignments are to be submitted electronically through MyUni.
Short film is to be presented as desired to tutor.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator