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Unit of study_

MECO6932: Advanced Video/TV Project

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is a project-based capstone unit focusing on specific publication and project outcomes. It builds on knowledge, techniques, professionalism and skills acquired by students who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite units, and further opportunity to enhance that knowledge, and practice those skills. Students will produce a substantial factual video or TV project and experience many facets of production and problem solving encountered in delivering a major media project in a convergent production environment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECO6932
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
MECO6928 or MECO6904 or MECO6905 or MECO6935 or MECO6947
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points from Digital Communication and Cultures or Media Practice or Health Communication or Strategic Public Relations or Publishing degree tables including MECO6900 and MECO6924
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Blue Lucine, blue.lucine@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s) Rachel Lai, rachel.lai@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Rebecca Metcalf, rebecca.metcalf@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Major project
Factual Video item minimum 6 minutes, can be group - see Canvas for details
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 Dec 2023
3000 words equivalent video - see Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection journal
Reflection: What went right, what went wrong with your project?
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 13 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Dec 2023
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation hurdle task Research brief
Pitch your major video project to class, use feedback for submission.
30% Week 06
Due date: 08 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 Dec 2023
1000 words + in seminar presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

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 well-developed story idea with an engaging narrative arc. Compelling subject matter, excellent factual detail with well-used interviews and well developed location shooting plan.

Distinction

75 - 84

Good choice of interview subjects, the narrative arc of planned project shows some development.The subject matter is well chosen but the project detail is not fully realized.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of a good idea for a factual project but as delivered has no clear goal. Some weakness in the choice of interviews and locations chosen for the finished project. Overall shows some editorial weakness.

Pass

50 - 64

The proposed project lacks a clear narrative arc. The interviews and locations suggested for the final project don’t relate well and there is little internal consistency in the approach.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t 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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is a factual video? What makes them good? Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 02 Camera bootcamp and shooting an in-camera story in 6 cuts only Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Multi Camera TV / Video production Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 The TV Studio - interviews with shot content Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Story. Narrative, and structure. Camera bootcamp with audio Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 06 Pitching your idea to class - incorporate feedback before submitting pitch Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Finding your voice and vision Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Discussion of project pitches and pre production: production approach, shoot beats and shoot script, call sheets, schedule Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Visual language, coverage, continuity Production workshop Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Post shoot beats and watching the rushes. Editing Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Rough cut screenings Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Final review of projects for feedback and changes. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Discussion of Production journal, marketing and release, Fine cut screenings Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5

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.

  • 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.

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. demonstrate skills required to produce television and video packages of broadcast quality with the following technical skills: operating a camera; presenting to camera; video editing; audio editing and mixing for video.
  • LO2. display sound editorial judgment and professional, journalistic writing skills
  • LO3. demonstrate skills in critical discussion and analysis of digital media in a range of media formats and environments
  • LO4. demonstrate awareness of key ethical issues involving the production of digital media and research materials
  • LO5. plan and achieve goals while working to deadline
  • LO6. collate and present a range of digital media assets in a manner appropriate to a specified media or research projects.

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.

This unit has been redesigned with the split of audio podcasting into a new unit. It now offers students an opportunity to further develop VIdeo and TV production skills in factual storytelling.

For the Major Project  – all projects must be factual.

You cannot interview family or friends- unless you gain approval first. 

If you choose to work alone the piece must be at lest Six (6) minutes long.

If you work in a pair the minimum required duration is 12 minutes, 3 people 18 minutes, and so on. A sign up sheet will be provided on Canvas. All people in the group will get the same grade for the assignment.

If you choose to to a TV Studio based project – an interview show or news feature magazine – you will need to work in a group of at least 4 to a maximum of 6. This is to cover all the essential production and editorial tasks in producing an “as for live” Studio based show.

This means the final “Show” must be at least 20 minutes long. A lot of effort goes into coordinating an “as for live” shoot hence the difference in duration.

The project is compiled or finalised during 1 session in the TV Studio with minimal editing after this session. Hence the term “As-for-Live”. It can contain pre-recorded (shot during Semester 2 2023) segments or Zoom interviews, as well as live interviews and presenter pieces to camera, Video editing titles, segues, and a closer.

All the major project requirements will discussed with your lecturer during weeks 3 and 4, when you pitch your major project (Assignment 1).

Additional costs

Purchase of Class 10 Sd cards for shooting field video and purchase of 1 TB external hard drive for back of video files. An SSD can also be borrowed from the DMU for the duration of your project.

Work, health and safety

Always wear shoes with a closed toe when working with camera equipment. No sandals, thongs or flip flops will be allowed in the TV Studio.

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.