ACF700 - Writing with the Camera

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: To be advised
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

Nil

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1-hour lecture per week, 1 x 2-hour seminar per week.

Students must attend and participate in project-based activities at the Burwood campus on the scheduled days during the trimester, commencing in week 1.

Content

This unit is an introduction to the foundations of screen practice and aims to equip students with the necessary technical skills to undertake further production units. It explores the technology of high definition video cameras, non-linear digital editing software and virtual production. It is a practical unit that requires attendance to participate in the assessment activities; a series of camera, audio, editing exercises and critical evaluations that will contribute to the development of industry standard production skills. 

Topics include: 

  • digital video camera operation and handling 

  • industry standard framing, composition and visual language 

  • basic lens theory 

  • foundational lighting techniques 

  • recording and working with audio in digital video 

  • non-linear editing and data management 

  • constructing sequences: overlay and continuity 

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1 Identify and manipulate the technical elements involved in a screen production work flow including lighting and sound 

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities 

GLO5: Problem solving 

ULO2 Critically analyse the technical and creative elements of video production 

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities 

GLO2: communication 

GLO4: Critical thinking 

ULO3 Identify and apply appropriate production techniques to specific screen forms 

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities 

GLO5: Problem solving 

ULO4 Apply audio visual processes to communicate information to a specific screen audience  

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities 

GLO2: communication 

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1:  Folio 1 Video submission and critical evaluation (1500 words
or equivalent) 
30% Week 6
Assessment 2:  Lighting exercise  2 x 1 minute lighting scenes  20% Week 9
Assessment 3:  Folio 2 Presentation video submission and critical evaluation (2500 words
or equivalent) 
50% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link ACF700
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. 

Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only. 

ESSENTIAL LEARNING RESOURCES: 

Online Resources: 

  • weekly class presentations and recordings; 

  • weekly practical worksheets; 

  • production documentation templates & guides; 

  • instructional videos & links; 

  • camera and editing resources; 

  • online readings. 

Prescribed text:  

  • Thompson, R & Bowen C, 2018 Grammar of the shot, 4th edition, Focal Press, Oxford: New York 

Recommended text:  

  • Murcado, G, 2011 The Filmmaker's Eye: Learning and breaking the rules of cinematic composition, Focal Press, Oxford: New York 

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.