COURSE OUTLINE BPSA THEATRE, FILM & TELEVISION 2009

PASA 5261 FILM & TELEVISION PROJECTS 1 A

Level Course No. Course Name Credits
5 PASA5261 Film & Television Projects 1A 15
Course Coordinators
Athina Tsoulis & Dan Wagner

This course runs throughout Semester One and involves students from a
number of disciplines (Acting/Film & Television/Diploma).

Staff Contacts

Teaching Staff
Athina Tsoulis (Directing Tutor) atsoulis@unitec.ac.nz
Dan Wagner (Camera Tutor) dwagner2@unitec.ac.nz
Gary Henderson (Writing Tutor) ghenderson@unitec.ac.nz
Glenn Thomas (Editing Tutor) gthomas@unitec.ac.nz
John Callen (Acting Tutor) jcallen@unitec.ac.nz
Larry Justice (Production Tutor) ljustice@unitec.ac.nz
Victor Grbic (Sound Tutor/Prog Co-ord. Film & Television) vgrbic@unitec.ac.nz

Production Staff
Nikki Baigent (Screen Production Manager) – nbaigent@unitec.ac.nz
Gayle Jackson (Props & Costume Assistant) – gjackson@unitec.ac.nz
Sai Yin Leung (Maintenance Engineer) - sleung@unitec.ac.nz
Theo Gibson (Screen Technician) - tgibson@unitec.ac.nz

Programme Administration
Belinda Lima (Programme Administrator) - blima@unitec.ac.nz
Ann Graham (Assistant Admin/Receptionist) - agraham@unitec.ac.nz

Course Aims and Learning Outcomes

Every course has Aims, and every class and assessment has Learning Outcomes. They
are what you will achieve by successfully completing each class and assessment. Here are
the aims and learning outcomes for this paper:

PASA 5161 Film & Television Projects 1A

Course Aims:
To enable students to practically employ film and television technologies in the creative
process of screen production work.
To work collaboratively and establish habits and methodologies appropriate to the
profession.

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Identify the protocols, courtesies, practices & different roles/responsibilities of
performance/production.
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic screen & theatre terminology and grammar
- Develop the ability to work collaboratively
2. Establish a working knowledge of the technology associated with film & television
production.

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- Demonstrate basic technical, operational and procedural skills in set exercises

3. Apply a range of skills to the creation, preparation and realisation of a short video
production.
- Establish a working knowledge of the technology associated with film & television
production
- Demonstrate basic technical, operational and procedural skills in set exercises
- Develop understanding of procedures needed to achieve standards that enhance
creative decisions

Course Information
A basic understanding of how screen work is produced is fundamental if you wish to
play a role in any area of film and television production such as acting, art
department, wardrobe, editing, cinematography, directing or writing. The purpose,
therefore, of Screen Basics will be to give you an overview of the screen production
process from the idea stage to the end product and the role of the key collaborators
within this.

The classes will prepare you for the two projects (One Minute Exercise and the Silent
Exercise) that will give you an opportunity to experience the practical side of screen
production first hand.

You will also be introduced to documentary through an understanding of the

interview process and the development of good interview skills. Your participation
in classes will prepare you for your own interview project in Term 2.

Class & Project Schedule

Screen Basics 1
Lesson 1: 2nd March - Production Pathway & Key players
Lesson 2: 9th March - The Story – character/structure
Lesson 3: 16th March - The Directorial Process – What is a director?
Lesson 4: 23rd March - Actor’s process
Lesson 5: 30th March - Basic Coverage & The Line
Lesson 6: 6th April – Text Analysis

One Minute Exercise 4th -12th May

Silent Exercise 7th– 21st May

Interviews – Portrait
Intro to Project: 13th May
Ideas Presentation – 27th May am
Lesson: Interview Techniques – 28th May am
Schedule Check – 4th June am
Interview Shoots: 8th June -16th June
Editing: 9th June – 16th June
Screening: 17th & 18th June

Projects & Assessments

Weighting Nature of assessment Due Date

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50% Assignment 1 (One Minute / Silent Exercises) 21st May

50% Assignment 2 (Interview Portrait) 22nd June

One Minute Exercise 4th -12th May

An exercise in collaboration between actor and writer/director in devising character and
story. Each Film & Television student will have the opportunity to work alongside one or
two actors to create a story of one minute in length. The work will have no dialogue and
will be filmed within Unitec grounds. Mini DV cameras will be used and each team will have
1 hour to shoot their material and a limited time in the edit suites to cut the material
together.

Assignment 1 Silent Exercise 7th– 21st May

An exercise in collaboration and teamwork within assigned roles in devising a story that can
be told without dialogue in 2.5mins

Assignment 2 Interview Portrait 27th May – 18th June

Each Film & Television student will demonstrate their understanding of ‘the interview’ as
used in ‘the documentary’ by selecting an interesting character to interview on location. A
basic sequence to enhance the character’s story may be shot but it must be in the same
location as the interview.

Please Note: Attendance is an essential facet of your professional

training/behaviour. You are advised that poor attendance or substandard
preparation may result in you being restricted in or declined participation on a
particular project. This may lead to a fail mark in an assessment linked to that
project.

If you are unable to attend a class or meeting, you MUST notify PASA reception
(815 4321 ext. 7115, or email Anne <agraham@unitec.ac.nz>) of
1) your reason for non-attendance/lateness; and
2) when you expect to resume/attend.
Treat your attendance here in the same way you'd treat a job. You'd at least inform
your employer as soon as you know you'll be absent or late. On a shoot, you'd
usually be obligated to find someone to cover you. But you'd never just not show
up. We take attendance and punctuality very seriously - so must you.

Markings and Grades

Assignment and Course Grades
DISTINCTION - A+ (90-100); A (85-89); A- (80-84);
MERIT - B+ (75-79); B (70-74); B- (65-69);
PASS - C+ (60-64); C (55-59); C- (50-54).
FAIL - D (40-49); E (0-39).

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