Unit information: Screen Forms and Practices 1 in 2009/10

Unit name	Screen Forms and Practices 1
Unit code	DRAMM3005
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Mr. Metelerkamp
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	TB1 mandatory units: Production in Practice, Screen Narrative Pracitces, Screen Forms and Analysis
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Drama: Theatre, Film, Television
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit is based on the individual or collaborative production of small-scale screen projects, following a structured approach designed to explore research questions led by the unit tutor, and deriving from research area/themes currently active within the department and/or school/faculty. This creates a framework in which understandings and skills in professional practice, practice-based research, and exploratory practice in general, can be advanced. The interrelationship between thematic and conceptual engagement and practice-based methodologies acts as a model for the dissertaiton. The unit is one of two, designed to complement one another so as to provide a broad base of conceptual san practical challenges and skills development.

Aims:

The Unit allows students to explore and experience appropriately conceptualised issues involved in the realisation of short-form screen-based narrative material with a thematic or conceptual focus. The Unit is intended to allow each student to develop a coherent understanding of appropriate methods in professional practice, or practice as a research tool, to engage with the genesis and realisation of screen artefacts that respond to, or explore, conceptual intentions, and to acquire the necessary technical and procedural skills to engage with this at an appropriate level. Together with other units in the same teaching block, this prepares students for the challenges of the dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate competency in:

• Responding creatively to relevant conceptual and thematic frameworks

• Applying appropriate aims and methods for non-fiction or fiction production

• Preparation and presentation of proposals and treatments for the above

• Advancing experience and understanding of the constraints and opportunities of individual and/or collaborative work

• Understanding, and working within, defined logistical constraints

• Comprehension of issues in narrative compression and strategies pertaining to short-form material

• Appropriate techniques and devices in image and sound, both in production and post-production.

• Appropriate skills in the use of pertinent image generation and post-production hardware and software

• Analytical reflection on the issues raised by the production process and its relationship with thematic and conceptual intentions.

Teaching Information

The unit is taught by workshop-led practical project work with intensive guided instruction and supervision, including practical instruction in the use of equipment where required.

Group- or individual practical work and group- and self-review are central elements of the learning process.

Students are required to work independently of supervision toward agreed objectives, and to discuss and reflect on appropriate strategies with the unit teacher(s).

Self-review of formal and other strategies and production approaches are expressed in an individual portfolio.

Assessment Information

The unit is assessed by submission of a) one or more completed projects produced as the outcome of the unit and b) an analytical discussion that explains how the conceptual and practical dimensions of unit as a whole have been used by the individual concerned to advance and enrich conceptual understandings and creative skills. An important requirement of the analysis is to demonstrate a capacity for appropriate self-reflection and insight. The elements are weighted variably depending on the nature of the project, either 50/50 or 70/30.