BRISTOL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MODULAR PROGRAMME

ASSESSED COURSEWORK SPECIFICATION

UFIEK3-20-2

Moving Image Technology

Coursework Specification CW2

Component B2

Group Production Project:

Working in groups of three or four in size you will:

• produce a moving image sequence in two versions (50% of marks)
• keep a log detailing the production process (15% of marks)
• produce an A3, laminated poster that summarises your two versions, the production processes and choices that you made (10% of marks)
• produce a report evaluating the production process and the technological, production and distribution choices that you made. (25% of marks)

  Group sizes may not vary from the size stated - two people is not enough to cover the range of work required to produce films of an acceptable standard, and groups of five are too large to enable all members to make adequate contributions.

Your group is required to choose a topic from the following as the subject for two short films:

• A day in the life of...
• My mind's eye
• Bristol
• Water

You will then make two short films based on an interpretation of your chosen topic.  Both films will make use of the same footage (at least 80% in common - ideally 100%) and the same general interpretation of the topic, but should vary in one or more of the following aspects:

• different soundtracks
• different treatments/moods (e.g. social realist vs direct cinema, sci-fi vs romance)
• different distribution outlets to be specified in rthe eport and presnted appropriately - see below (e.g. big screen or mobile phone)
• different audiences (e.g.. adding an audio description for visually impaired audience members)
• another variation agreed with your tutor

Note that each film should be no less than 90 seconds and no more than 3 minutes in length.

(Please note the advice below regarding responsible filming at the planning stages)

Keeping a log detailing the production process (15%)

This log should document how your group approached each step in the production process; in particular it should be a record of:

• key decisions
• planning documents, such as your production schedule and  the assignment of roles to team members
• key activities during the production, making clear which team members undertook each activity
• a storyboard for each version
• key problems and how you dealt with them
• any other observations or issues that occur during the process.

You should detail the activities of individual group members in the log.

This poster may be used in displays of work on Open Days and similar events.

You should produce a poster (one side of A3 and laminated) containing

• a description (textual and/or graphical) of two your versions

• the processes you used to make these two videos

• the choices you made in the course of the process

• for all group members:- names and email addresses. Photographs may also be included. Please indicate on the poster if you do not want your poster to be used in displays of student work at Faculty Open Days and similar events.

Producing a report which evaluates the production process (25%)

We will be assessing your work not just on your abilities in producing moving images but also, crucially, your ability to articulate the issues and choices involved in making a moving image sequence. 

Listed below are the main areas that your report should cover with an indication of the number of words you should devote to each area:

Drawing on your group log of the production process, your report should:

1. outline the process that you undertook including:

• the choice of theme and the version choices
• the key decisions made in planning, filming, editing and finalising your sequences

(500 words)

2. reflect on this process by
1. critically evaluating these decisions in the light of the finished films
2. reflecting upon the strengths and limitations of the technology and applications that you used
3. considering how you might have improved or developed the films further

(750 words)

3. In addition each team member should include a brief evaluation of her/his contribution to the project )

(250 words per team member)

Project Milestones

You will be required to meet a series of interim deadlines.  These are intended to support the production process during teaching blocks so that you have access to the support and advice of tutors as well as access to the equipment you may need to borrow. 

1. Proposal

Your group must register the following at the latest by 11.45 PM Friday 14th January, 2011, using this online registration form,

 a proposal which includes the following information:

• the names and email addresses of all your group members.
• the topic you have chosen

2. Tutorial session on Tuesday 18th January 2010

Your group should all attend the same tutorial session (even if you have members timetabled in different sessions, It is up to you to ensure that your group can work together and are able to report to a tutorial session every week), you should have prepared (on paper, or as electronic documents):-

• an initial draft treatment which deals with both versions and outlines clearly the version choices
• your storyboards for each version
• a draft outline of roles
• a draft production plan

3. Every week thereafter, your group should attend a tutorial session to discuss with tutors:-
• progress, or lack of it. Note that we want to know if you are not getting on well. Simply not turning up is ambiguous and means that you are likely to be emailed to ask about reasons for your absence
• scripting, acting and other content / narrative aspects of your two treatments
• planing and equipment issues
• filming carried out so far
• soundtrack and other editing issues youmay anticipate
• Logs should be produced and discussed in the tutorial session as work progresses.

 

 

4. Rushes Review and Rough Edits

By or on the 1st March 2011 you will be expected to have completed filming and to have shown and discussed your “rushes” with a tutor during a tutorial session.

You will be expected to have rough edits of both sequences and to have shown these and discussed them with your tutor by 15th March 2011. 

Deliverables

1. Two disks ( clearly labelled with group names and film versions*), each containing both versions of your Moving Image sequences.  (50% of marks)
   Note that you must produce your files on disk in an appropriate format for the specified distribution outlets:-
   • For a film you should produce your output by writing a DVD which is playable in a domestic DVD player, or using DVD Player.app on a Macintosh computer (You would be penalised if you submitted DVD-ROM data disks with files in .dv, .mov, .avi or other similar formats for this specified distribution outlet)
   • If you wanted to produce versions for iPad, iPod, mobile phone or web distribution, files written on a data disk would be appropriate but file formats, file sizes and screen sizes should be an issue.
   • Should you want to mix film and other formats, you must ensure that you write files on a single disk that canbe played both by a domestic DVD Player (or DVD Player.app on a Macintosh computer) and read by a computer as a DVD-ROM (i.e. you cannot submit 4 disks for two versions, only one of which is a film)
     
2. The production log (paper/logbook must be no larger than A4 size paper) (15% of marks)
3. Poster (A3 laminated) (10%)
4. Group report of no more than 3000 words, including laminated A3 poster (35% of marks)

In general, each individual team member will be awarded the same mark, but excessive variations in individual contributions to the overall effort may lead to adjustments in individual marks of up to + or  - 20%.  Written evidence of individual contributions should be included in the group report.

Assessment Criteria

Deliverables 1 & 2 will assess your ability to produce moving image sequences which meet a stated purpose, or represent a stated idea as well as your ability to achieve these ideas and purposes by making informed choices at each stage of production.

Deliverable 3 will assess your ability to summarise and present your work in a succinct and engaging fashion.

Deliverable 4 will assess your ability to articulate and critically evaluate moving image technology and production.

Deliverables 1, 2 & 4 will assess your ability to work in a team which is a requirement of working with moving image production.

Assessment of Group Work

Every student who is part of a group undertaking an assignment or other piece of assessed group work is required to take, and will be deemed to have taken, individual as well as joint responsibility for all the work submitted by the group. In particular, this includes individual as well as group responsibility for any assessment offence committed, whether by the student or any other student in the group. Any penalty applied in the event of an assessment offence will normally be applied to all members of the group.

The two exceptions to the application of this penalty to all members of the group are: where a member of a group acknowledges, in writing to the Dean of the faculty owning the module, that s/he has committed an assessment offence

Where an offence can be shown to have been committed by (a) specific member(s) of the group responsible for those sections of the work that are the subject of the assessment offence.

In the case of these exceptions the penalty will only be applied to the member(s) of the group who have committed the assessment offence.

Referencing and avoiding plagiarism

It is good practice in academic writing to reference correctly the work of others that you may draw upon for your own. Please help us to clearly distinguish your original efforts by so doing. As this assignment also involves the production of moving images please make sure that you reference the films and other moving image materials that may have influenced your work.

The usual university rules about plagiarism apply. Please see the CEMS student handbook if you are uncertain of the regulations.

Responsible filming

Although your work is not intended for external distribution*, you will be expected to behave responsibly in your production and use of moving images.  In particular:—

You should ensure that you have permission from any individuals that you feature.  You may wish to use a consent form (ask your tutor for advice and support). 

You should not continue filming when someone has objected.

You must not film young people under the age of 16 for this project.

You should get prior agreement for location filming (for example in a bar or other public building) and you should provide your contact with the Module Leader’s email address and telephone no. (Marcus.lynch@uwe.ac.uk , Telephone: 0117-328-3225)

If in doubt consult a tutor beforehand.

* Note that examples of good work may be posted on the Catbot system - for viewing by tutors and students in this and other universities. If you do not want your work to be considered for this, please clearly write on your disks "Not to be posted on CatBot"

STUDENT BRIEFING NOTES
- This is your project - and you should drive it!
- Use the module tutors - report, ask for advice , let them know early on if group members are not pulling their weight
- If your group process breaks down, you should tell a tutor as soon as possible.
- The project will be marked according to this Assignment Specification
- You should ensure that you test hardware you use such as video and audio recorders, and make back~up arrangements for your data
- Do not wait to be put in a group - you are expected to find people to work with!
- If you feel out of your depth, speak to your tutors - avoiding issues will not help.
- Make notes of meetings. Type them up and obtain quick assent to accuracy and completeness.
- Do not rely on any one person to do all the work- they may drop out and the rest of the group will not gain very high marks. You should work out how to share skills and work amongst your group.
- You should ensure that all music, images, video and all other intellectual property is copyright cleared and explicitly stated as such - otherwise your mark may be adversely affected.

Marcus Lynch

(Module Leader)

January 7, 2011