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Unit outline_

CAEL2039: Screen Arts: an Introduction

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study introduces you to the conceptual frameworks and technologies that shape the making of screen-based media and contemporary art practices. Through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and screenings you will explore the evolution of experimental film, video art and independent filmmaking from the 1960s to the present. You will engage in the production of a self-directed digital film that may be realized in any style or genre. The unit is supported by a technical program that provides you with the applied skills and competencies needed for the use of studio facilities and equipment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in Visual Arts or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Film Studies or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Studio Foundation
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anna Broinowski, anna.broinowski@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Tamara Voninski, tamara.voninski@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Found footage: short video project
Online submission. Details on Canvas.
20% Week 04
Due date: 20 Mar 2020 at 13:00
1 minute video submission
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Presentation Final project: proposal presentation
Presentations due in timetabled classes.
15% Week 10
Due date: 15 May 2020 at 13:00
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4 LO3
Assignment Final project: work-in-progress screening
Work-in-progress screenings happen in timetabled classes.
65% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 13:00
1-3 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to unit and Found Footage Film - look at the use of found footage in experimental film and moving image art Homework: Develop a proposal for Assignment 1. Lecture (2.5 hr)  
Studio Orientation + WHS - Induction to Screen Arts studio, emergency procedures, incident/hazard reporting and borrowing equipment Studio (0.5 hr)  
Week 02 Review of Homework Task and Class Discussion Lecture (1 hr)  
Post-Production Video - Adobe Premiere - overview of video editing software and its function Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 03 Montage Theory - look at the historic and contemporary uses of montage Mise-en-scene; consideration of the elements of mise-en-scene Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 04 DUE: Assignment 1 - Found Footage video and class discussion; introduction to Assignment 2 Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 05 Location Video & Sound - overview of camera & recorder functions; tripod and boom operation. Exercise: working in crew groups with cameras and tripods, sound recorders and mics to record video and sound on location. Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 06 Location Lighting - reflected lighting and lighting kit; overview of basic lighting principles; three point lighting and lighting kit. Exercise: working on location with available light, reflectors and lighting kit to create lighting design. Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 07 Moving Image & Experimental Film and Video - the relations between mainstream media, moving image art and experimental film; concept development strategies. Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 08 Sound design and the moving image - considering sound design in experimental film and moving image art. Lecture (1 hr)  
Post-Production Video - in depth look at Adobe Premiere editing software and its functions. Exercise: the use of advanced techniques in recorded video. Tutorial (2 hr)  
Week 09 Post-production Sound - Adobe Audition & Sound design; overview of sound editing software and its functions and sound design. Exercise: using recorded sound and sound outputs to explore basic sound techniques. Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 10 DUE: Assignment 2 Proposal Presentation and in-class discussion; conceptual and process-driven moving image art; the expanded field of moving image art. Homework: collect sources required to complete Assignment 2 to test in class in Week 12. Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 11 Project Development and group feedback Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 12 DUE: Assignment 3 work-in-progress screening and class discussion. Lecture (3 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Relevant readings, viewing links and handouts will be provided in class and on Canvas throughout the course.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. produce two short audio-visual works that demonstrates the application of technical skills appropriate to each project
  • LO2. communicate ideas creatively and effectively and demonstrate rigorous and independent thinking
  • LO3. effectively evaluate the ethical implications of contemporary art and/or moving image production in relation to professional practice
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to plan audio-visual projects and follow a production schedule from pre-production through to post-production
  • LO5. extend the creative potential of the studio major practice through the experience of working with technical resources in the Screen Arts studio environment, and through viewing a range of innovative video works
  • LO6. understand and apply safe working practices - OH&S in the studio and on location.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

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