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Unit of study_

CAEL5044: The Moving Camera

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This production-intensive elective provides students with the skills and knowledge required to conceptualise and execute a range of cinematographic techniques in the effective realisation of a screen-based work. Through an integrated study program combining film screenings, camera workshops and cinematography lectures, students are given an historical, conceptual and technological framework within which to explore sophisticated moving-camera techniques including gimbals, dollies and jibs, and advanced lighting, coverage and shooting skills across diverse formats. Students apply the creative and technical knowledge acquired to the development of their own screen-based practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CAEL5044
Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anna Broinowski, anna.broinowski@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Virginia Hilyard, virginia.hilyard@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Cordelia Beresford, cordelia.beresford@sydney.edu.au
Toby Petch, toby.petch@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Seminar Presentation
Powerpoint presentation
15% Week 04
Due date: 12 Mar 2024 at 10:00

Closing date: 12 Mar 2024
5 minutes, 2-3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration Project Proposal
Project Proposal presentation with 3-5 pages supporting documentation
25% Week 09
Due date: 23 Apr 2024 at 10:00

Closing date: 23 Apr 2024
15 minutes; 4-5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Video project
Video project with supporting documentation
60% Week 13
Due date: 21 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 May 2024
1.5-3 minutes, 3-5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

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

excellent standard video project

Distinction

75 - 84

high standard video project

Credit

65 - 74

adequate standard video project needing improvement in some areas

Pass

50 - 64

video project meets assessment requirements but substantial improvement needed

Fail

0 - 49

video project does not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 LECTURE: 1. Introduction to Moving Camera; 2. Explanation of assessment criteria TUTORIAL: POV; motivated and unmotivated functions of camera movement Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 LECTURE: Camera movement through space; Assessment 1 brief. TUTORIAL: Blocking; principles of composition Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 03 LECTURE: Camera Motion & Emotion TUTORIAL: Camera Movement & Time Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Assessment 1 due: Group presentation and feedback Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Fundamentals of camera movement; Dollies, Jibs and Cranes Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Gimbals and Stabilisers; working wireless Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 LECTURE: The Visible Camera; Assessment 2 brief. TUTORIAL: the hand-held camera Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 LECTURE: Assessment 2 brief; pre-production essentials TUTORIAL: storyboards; schedules; discussion and feedback Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Assessment 2 due: Group project proposal and feedback Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 On-set Experience working as a crew Part 1 Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 On-set Experience working as a crew Part 2 Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Work-in-progress screening and feedback Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Work-in-progress screening and feedback Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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: All lecture and seminar materials are made available on canvas, however lectures and seminars in this class involve group exercises, equipment exercises and student presentations and are not recorded.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts

  • Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
  • All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. 
  • You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

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

Prescribed readings, scripts and film links available weekly 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. conceptualise, plan and shoot a 3 minute screen-work involving a moving camera
  • LO2. critically analyse and problem solve through the production process
  • LO3. use a range of current production techniques to produce creative moving image works
  • LO4. critically understand a range of different approaches to the moving camera and engage with related theoretical and cultural debates
  • LO5. use appropriate technologies and media to effectively gather information
  • LO6. critically evaluate information.

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.

lecture, exercise and workshop content has been adjusted following student and new tutor feedback from Sem 1 2023

Simple Extensions do not apply for this course. For any assessment deliver issues please speak direct with your lecturer in the first intance.

Work, health and safety

For the on-campus (CC) class for this unit, equipment and production studio inductions required where relevant. These will be supervised by senior technical officer Virginia Hilyard and in Sem 1 2023, by acting Technical Officer Toby Petch.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.