Production Portfolio

A8-A

Final IB Film Production Written Commentary

Description: The individual written commentary should be the students own unaided work. In 1,750
words or less, it should give a concise, reflective account of all stages of the production process, and should
also include an evaluation of the completed project as a whole. Any special circumstances surrounding the
production process should be mentioned, and any outside help received (for example, technical support)
must be acknowledged. Where appropriate, students must incorporate sample production materials (for
example, frames from storyboards, schedules, floor plans) into their commentary. However, such materials
should not stand apart from the commentary or form an appendix.
The portfolio as a whole must reflect a clear understanding of how meaning is constructed through the
appropriate use of film language.
Product: An individual written commentary of no more than 1,750 words, a rationale for the film of no
more than 100 words, and a rationale for the trailer of no more than 100 words.
Objective: This commentary is designed to allow students to:
Create a culminating project in their experience of making film
Requirements:
A written commentary of no more than 1750 words.
Sample production materials
Word count at end of document (not including words from sample production materials)
Rationale for the film (no more than 100 words), on a separate page
Rationale for the trailer (no more than 100 words), on a separate page
Total Points:
The written commentary is worth 20% of your second semester grade. Although it is a separate
grade from the correlating film and trailer, these other two items are used in determining the grade
of the commentary.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

International Baccalaureate
2.22.2011

Helpful tips when writing the commentary and rationales

The rationale is not a synopsis of the film or a self-review, but a short explanation of why the candidates
have chosen to make their film and what kind of film it is.
Critical reflection on the project as a whole is a general area of weakness, often ignored entirely or dealt
with only with clichs.
The commentary requires that the trailer be discussed as well as the film.
Remember to write about the planning of the project, both by you and your group as a whole.
The commentary requires you to artistically analyze the project.
The commentary requires you to logistically analyze the role you played in production processes.
You must use film language (terms, techniques, etc) in the commentary.
The commentary is not the proper forum to bash or blame others for any problems that occurred during
the production.
Grading Rubric
A Planning and research
o This criterion is concerned with the documentation of production processes, from preliminary
planning and research, pre-production, production and principal photography, through to postproduction.
B Reflection and evaluation
o This criterion is concerned with artistic and logistical analysis of the relevant production
processes and the evaluation in the individual students written commentary on the project as a
whole, including the roles of the student and others (where appropriate).
C Professional and technical skills
o This criterion is concerned with professional and technical skills (including organizational skills)
that may be demonstrated during the production processes or in the finished product itself.
D Effective use of film language
o This criterion is concerned with evidence of the students effective use of film language, as seen
in the finished product.
E Originality and creativity
o This criterion is concerned with originality and creativity in the film-making process (referred to
as creative intelligence in the level descriptors below). This may be demonstrated by freshness
of approach, by intelligent work that goes either with or against the conventions of the genre, or
by problem solving. Another key indicator is the level of audience engagement with the work.
This criterion is intended to provide a holistic assessment of each students contribution to the
finished film.

Santa Margarita Catholic High School

International Baccalaureate
2.22.2011