52656 Creative Project Development
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (52653 Creating Documentary AND 52655 Media Arts Specialist Modules) OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10047 Media Arts and Production Major OR ((48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10460 Bachelor of Animation Production OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10461 Bachelor of Animation Production Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10462 Bachelor of Animation Production Bachelor of International Studies))
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject explores the theory and practice that underpins the creative development of projects across a range of media arts formats. Students deepen their understanding of the iterative ways media arts projects are conceived, workshopped and developed in industrial and other contexts toward the aim of attracting creative partners and production finance. Students develop an industry-standard pitch document in response to a brief, with consideration given to intended audience, global context and relevant ethical considerations. Students also develop an original idea into a suite of creative development documents that articulates the project’s creative rationale, a clearly defined pathway to audience, and its feasibility.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Ethically develop a media arts project from a brief or an original idea. |
|---|---|
| b. | Produce industry-standard pitch documents. |
| c. | Produce a video pitch for a media arts project. |
| d. | Explain the creative rationale and feasibility of a media arts project, and its pathway to audience. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
- Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Demonstrate a strong awareness, knowledge of, and sensitivity to, diversity, equity and global contexts (3.1)
- Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
- Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
- Utilise digital literacy and production skills across a range of media (6.2)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered through engagement with online content and on campus seminars. The online content program, delivered via curated short instructional videos, readings and discussions, contextualises key concepts (theoretical and practical) that have shaped the way we develop creative projects in the media arts across a range of formats. Seminars are the venue for activities that call on students to apply the knowledge they have acquired. In each seminar students develop their projects through iterative development activities and exercises, receiving formative feedback from their tutor and peers. Feedback takes the form of in-class audience-testing of project concepts and prepares students to complete their assessment tasks. As the subject progresses, the focus shifts from defining the project, to presenting the project to potential creative partners.
Content (topics)
This subject provides students with opportunities to explore the fundamentals of creative project development in the media arts across a range of project formats. Key topics in this subject include traditional and non-traditional strategies for creating and developing new work, identifying audiences and pathways to reaching them, the centrality of pitching (written, verbal and audio-visual), the creation of scripts, treatments or concept documents, and the attachment of creative or financial partners through the articulation of a strong creative vision. Additional topics covered include developing a business case for a media arts project that addresses the project’s feasibility and any relevant ethical considerations that will inform how the project is made.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Response to a Brief
| Objective(s): | a, b and d | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1500 words plus images | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Development Documents
| Objective(s): | a, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Pitch deck: 1500 words plus images Content document based on project format (see assessment brief) Video pitch: 2 mins | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than one absence from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).
References
Batty, C., & Taylor, S. (2021). Script Development: Critical Approaches, Creative Practices, International Perspectives. Springer International Publishing AG.
Catmull, E. E., & Wallace, A. (2014). Creativity, Inc.?: overcoming the unseen forces that stand in the way of true inspiration (1st ed.). Random House., Chapter 5: Honesty and Candor, pp. 85-105
Ianniello, M., & Batty, C. (2021). Serial offenders? Defining the boundaries of series and serial TV for screenwriting practice and theory. Journal of Screenwriting, 12(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.1386/josc_00048_1
Special Broadcasting Service (2020), SBS Scripted Pitch Deck Guide
Stan and Screen Queensland (2020), Guide to Pitching: SQ + Stan Premium Development Fund 2020.