SCREEN 201 : Storytelling for Screen

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students will be exposed to the conceptual and practical aspects of constructing a narrative (fiction and non-fiction) for screen.

Course Overview

A foundation-level core course in Screen Production introduces students to the conceptual and practical aspects of storytelling for screen. Through examination of various narrative forms and existing films both fiction and non-fiction, students will develop an understanding of the basics of cinematic narrative and how these ‘story ideas’ translate to the screen. Through a foundation of a broad range of concepts and skills, this course will prepare you to better tell screen stories and to further your study in Screen Production.
The course is comprised of lectures, discussions, screenings, exercises and three key projects demonstrating lessons learned. Assessment is based on participation and three practical assignments utilising the techniques learnt in lectures and workshops.
The course is broken into two major segments. The first half of the semester looks at constructing narrative in fiction and nonfiction film. The second half of the semester addresses various other forms of screen based storytelling such as web series, TV drama, adverts, and so on. Since the course also deals with ‘storytelling’ beyond the page, you will be exposed to how the “making” takes place collaboratively and how the story on the page becomes the story on screen.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points from COMMS 100, FTVMS 100, 101, MEDIA 101 and Academic Head or nominee approval

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the fundamentals of narrative storytelling for screen in fiction and non-fiction filmmaking. (Capability 1.2)
  2. Work collaboratively and individually to apply conceptual understanding in a practical filmmaking setting to produce creative works. (Capability 4.3)
  3. Critically reflect on filmmaking choices of classmates and established professionals. (Capability 1.1, 4.3 and 5.2)
  4. Conceptualise analyse and develop short-form dramatic content (Capability 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the core technical principles of filmmaking (camera placement, lighting, editing etc) (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 90% Group & Individual Coursework
Workshops 10% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 1 hour of lectures, a 2 hour workshop, 1 hour of reading and thinking about the content and 6 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 05/07/2020 03:08 p.m.