Specialist unit – Learning Agreement

Course: Level: 6

Unit Reference: N/A

Credit points: 30

Weighting 2.0

Tutor(s): Liam Birtles, Phil Beards

Assignment Brief

In this unit I am required to produce a piece of work that will help consolidate, refine and extend the previous knowledge that I have acquired to this point.  My goal is to use this unit to explore editing techniques & user experience.

Design Brief

I am going to create an immersive sketch with the working title ‘Get Your Wallet Out’. The catalyst for this project will be the creation of an immersive experience through an installation. I am required to produce a fully functioning DVD with extras mockumenting the production of this creative sketch.

Synopsis of Study

My ultimate goal is to one-day produce a fully interactive film with a fully interactive narrative and natural communication between the audience and the characters in the production. I will produce a working prototype of a user-controlled piece of film, and document peoples responses to this prototype. In this unit I am hoping to achieve two things. I would like to use this as the platform on which to build upon my editing skills. I am aiming to create something that looks cinematic, so will incorporate various elements in post production to achieve this. It is in my method and execution of making this film, and the editing techniques I use that I would like to be graded on, as this is where my strengths lie. I am focusing also on creating an immersive installation, with the goal of personalising the experience for the user.  This is for a couple of reasons.  One is to explore the notion of a user-controlled narrative in the practical sense, and the other is to explore the effect that a user controlled piece may have on the viewer/user. This project is an exploration of how we can bridge the gap between the user and the medium. And how we may one day do away with traditional forms of film.

I guess my idea for this was born out of frustration with modern day cinema.  I don’t find it engaging, I don’t find it new and it does not evoke enough thought or emotion for me to become engrosed with the characters or stories being told.  Perhaps this is because I have been raised in the age of new media, and traditional forms of narrative are becoming redundant and/or obsolete for me.  We need to explore new methods and go where no narrative or user has ever gone before.  We must not forget where current technology has taken us, as it would be careless and ignorant to do so, but for me, interactive environments and immersive narratives are the way of the future.  These ideas have been touched on in the computer games industry but not in enough depth.

With regards to how this unit will fit into my grand scheme of things, I will produce a prototype of a user-controlled piece of film. My reasoning for this is simple and my goal is clear.  I want to touch on the relationship between the user and the medium and how varying forms of interaction affect the users experience, and to build upon these outcomes in the extended major unit where I will be making an interactive story with the working title, ‘Snakes in the Grass’.

I would like to have a career in post-production when I finish university so primarily this project will allow me to learn new skills, and create something that will fit nicely into my portfolio. That is why I am focusing solely on film based work as it is the ideal platform on which to learn my trade.

Snakes in the Grass is based around personal experiences of mine and I will be making the first two scenes, with the first scene splitting into two possible outcomes.  These experiences are simple, with the idea being that the average user can relate to them.  For example, I was once mugged at knifepoint, and it was not very pleasant. This is the basis of my first scene. I want my story to be simple and realistic, so not to detract form the importance of the interaction in the first place.  I want the users decision to be genuine and the reaction instinctive. The prototype may not be so effective as it is a lot more experimental, but based on the outcomes of this unit It will enhance my approach to my extended major project.

Aims:

A1 To confirm and develop my systematic understanding of key aspects of digital media, previously acquired in Level 5.

A2 To encourage the acquisition of detailed knowledge, some of which is at or informed by the forefront of developments within the subject including aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship.

A3 To develop my critical awareness and understanding of historical, contemporary and personal practice within the broad context of the field.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit I will be able to demonstrate:

LO1 - That you have transferred my systematic understanding of key aspects of digital media, previously acquired in Level 5.

LO2 - The acquisition of detailed knowledge, some of which is at or informed by the forefront of developments within the subject including aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship.

LO3 - Through written work demonstrate that I developed my critical awareness and understanding of historical, contemporary and personal practice within the broad context of the field.

Assessment Requirements:

A prototype design as defined in your Learning Agreement.

Film Production Techniques, Development of Concept & Final Installation – 75% (Tutor Assessed)

A written report for one of the projects, (Maximum 1500 words) supporting the conceptual, contextual and production issues involved in the completion of practical work. 25% (Tutor Assessed)

Assessment Criteria (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):

Evidence of knowledge of key contextual and theoretical issues – Knowledge concerned with contemporary practice acquired from Level 5 and applied and developed to a higher level (LO1)

Evidence of critical concepts represented in the breadth and depth of subject knowledge – The contexts of production (LO2, LO3)

Evidence of realisation through the application of technical knowledge and skills – Documentation of the project, its planning and execution (LO1)

Evidence of understanding through critical evaluation and reflection – Relevance of research and relationship of theory to practice (LO3)

Transferable Skills

Level 5 – Professional Unit

Editing Techniques – Sound Editing, Colour Grading

Level 5 – Interface Design Principles

Workflow – Research, Development, Presentation

Level 5 – Kinetic Type

Motion Graphics

Reference Material:

Reservoir Dogs(1994) – Quentin Tarrantino

The Coen Brothers Collection

Webography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_film

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_movie

http://clikthrough.com

http://www.vimeo.com/channels/moth

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science

http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com

Action plan

5^th to 11^th October

Specialist Unit commences

12^th to 18^th October

Finalise Idea and Direction of Study

19^th to 25^th October

Commence initial Research and Idea Development

26^th to 1^st November

Continue initial Research and Idea Development

Explore Existing forms of user-controlled narratives

2^nd to 8^th November

Finalize research and commence line of development based on outcomes of research – technology/narrative/interaction etc

9^th to 15^th November

Begin Storyboard and Narrative Development

Commence Experimentation with Narratives & Technology

16^th to 22^nd November

Finish Storyboard commence filming narrative

23^rd to 29^th November

Edit Footage into manageable blocks ready for use.

30^th to 6^th December

Apply Footage to technology and interaction based on research and development

7^th to 10^th December

Write Essay of Analysis

Make Documentry of user response

Final Critique

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