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Unit outline_

MECO6932: Advanced Video/TV Project

Semester 2, 2024 [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

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Varga, david.varga@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s) Johnathan Lo, johnathan.lo@sydney.edu.au
David Ma, david.ma@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Reflection journal
Reflection: What went right, what went wrong with your project?
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Dec 2024
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Major project
Factual Video item minimum 6 minutes, can be group - see Canvas for details
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 15 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Dec 2024
3000 words equivalent video - see Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation Research brief and pitch
Pitch your major video project to class, use feedback for submission.
30% Week 06
Due date: 07 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Dec 2024
1000 words + in seminar presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2

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.

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.

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 Introduction to factual video genres and production, assessment requirements, tips for developing project ideas. Seminar (3 hr)  
Week 02 Ethics, themes, creative/factual practice research and reflection, preliminary pitching workshops. Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 FX6 and GH5 camera introductory workshops, basic interview setups and approaches. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 The TV Studio. Studio-based interviews, lighting and multi-camera setups. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Story. Narrative, and structure. Camera bootcamp with different audio techniques for different setups and settings. Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 06 Project update & pitch presentation workshop, incorporating  feedback given in class before submitting written pitch assignment. 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 Premiere Pro Skills workshop/refresh/tips and tricks. Latest AI and text-based tools in Premiere for factual content. 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 offers students an opportunity to further develop VIdeo and TV production skills in factual storytelling. For semester 2, 2024 only, MECO6924 is not a pre-requisite.

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.