Media & Communication/Creative Studies

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to understand and apply current techniques and technology for the production of documentary emphasizing the news context. It serves as an introduction to the concepts and technology in visual narrative skills and techniques. It also examines compositional and directorship in mastering a documentary with cultural and social awareness.

The course in Directing and Filming for News Documentary is designed to equip senior secondary students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in future employment in related industry, or for progression to post secondary education. It also focuses on independent learning and practical knowledge and skills.

180 hours

The course aims to provide students a fundamental training for news documentary shooting. It concentrates on the directing and photography that will form a solid background for future career in the related aspect.

Form 4 with pass in an interview

Promote to Certificate/ Diploma/ Degree/ Higher Education courses in related subjects in Caritas Bianchi College/ Baptist University/ Polytechnic University/ City University/ HKAPA.

Students who had completed BETC Higher National Diploma can be accepted in the third year of the Open University.

Both theory and practice work will be emphasised. Tutor will give specific guidance on the qualification or module being studied. It includes lectures, tutorials, and supervised study, for example, learning workshops. Apart from the teaching hours, the student is encouraged to work through personal practice. Each module is set for learning outcomes, with associated content, measures and guidance.

Content of curriculum:

1 Documentary - Types and Analysis (15 hrs)
2 Photography Theory and Image Structure (20 hrs)
3 DV Camera operation and use (20 hrs)
4 Research Techniques and Scripting (20 hrs)
5 News Documentary Directing (25 hrs)
6 Post-Production of Documentary (20 hrs)
7 Practical Shooting Exercise (30 hrs)
8 On Location Workshop Training (30 hrs)

Content and Structure of Curriculum/Modules

1. Documentary Types and Analysis (15 hrs)

This module aims to give students an overview of news reporting and documentary and its basic knowledge.

a) Introduction to News communication 2 hrs
b) Different ways of News Reporting 2 hrs
c) Workshop of Print, Audio and Video presentation 2 hrs
d) Overview of documentary 2 hrs
e) The basic component of Documentary 4 hrs
f) Relationship between visual and literal languages 3 hrs

2. Photography Theory and Image Structure (20 hrs)

(Plus Practical 4 hrs)

This module enables students to develop basic photographic skills in handing cameras and framing of shots. Upon completion, students should be able to acquire knowledge of photographic languages and visual compositions.

a) Introduction to the role of photography in daily life 2 hrs
b) Films structure 2 hrs
c) The anatomy of the camera 2 hrs
d) Exercise: depth and motion 2 hrs
e) Exercise: light and shadow 2 hrs
f) The languages of photography 2 hrs
g) Documentary of Photography 2 hrs
h) Camera expression and visual arrangement 2 hrs
i) Technique of story telling 2 hrs
j) Narrative and structure 2 hrs
k) Exercise: News photography 4 hrs

3. Digital Video Camera Operation and Use (20 hrs)

(Plus Practical 10 hrs)

Video production is still the mainstream programme production process in the Media and TV industry. An understanding in the use of these techniques shall help interested students to attain useful production experience for further development and valuable access to express their creative minds.

a) Introduction of video production 2 hrs
b) Basic theory and methodologies of video shooting 2 hrs
c) Camera operation and exercise 4 hrs
d) Production planning 2 hrs
e) Exercise: shooting one minute video 4 hrs
f) Production analysis 2 hrs
g) Audio recording techniques 2 hrs
h) Use of microphone 2 hrs
i) News reporting through camcorder 4 hrs
j) Exercise: News video recording 6 hrs

4. Research Techniques and Scripting (20 hrs)

This module is to develop students' awareness of the research skills which are required in the media industries such as a documentary script.

a) Overview of research and scriptwriting 2 hrs
b) Use and sources of data and information in media 2 hrs
c) Primary, secondary and electronic sources 2 hrs
d) Preparing yourself for the research 2 hrs
e) Narrative skill for documentary 2 hrs
f) Interviewing techniques 2 hrs
g) Interviewing workshop and recording 4 hrs
h) Structure of a documentary 2 hrs
i) Writing practice 2 hrs

5. News Documentary Directing (25 hrs) (Plus practice 16 hrs)

This module aims to develop the students to put skills which they developed in other units into practice. Through the production of a short documentary video, the students will be benefited by practice.

a) The combination of a production team 2 hrs
b) The role of the director of a documentary 2 hrs
c) Plan and produce: developing ideas 2 hrs
d) Ideas, research ad production 2 hrs
e) Overview of news reporting 2 hrs
f) Basic film language 2 hrs
g) The shooting techniques of 1 to 4 people 2 hrs
h) How to communicate with cameraman 2 hrs
i) Planning of shooting 2 hrs
j) Narrative writing 4 hrs
k) Production workshop 3 hrs
l) Shooting practice 16 hrs

6. Post-Production of Documentary (20 hrs)

This module develops further skills in video editing. It encourages an orderly approach to organizing the edit environment and allows students to explore the creative options open to an editor working with a director.

a) Basic editing concepts 2 hrs
b) Basic editing procedures 2 hrs
c) Paper Edit 2 hrs
d) Log sheet and time code 2 hrs
e) Understand different modes of editing 2 hrs
f) Non-linear editing 2 hrs
g) Voice over and sound editing 2 hrs
h) Effect editing 2 hrs
i) Modes of transitions 2 hrs
j) Fine Cut 2 hrs

7. Practical Shooting Exercise
To provide students more practical assignment for enrich hands on experience. Time is varied and allocated to different modules (2,3 and 5) (total 30 hrs)

8. On Location Training & Workshop (30 hrs)
- 24 hours training workshop will be carried out to encourage the students to practice the production techniques through real situation.
- 8 hours for visiting related production studios.

The assessment will use traditional and innovative assessment methods, including case studies, assignments, time-constrained assessments, and work-based projects.

40% Class work (module 2-5 will have assignment each 10%)
60% Final project (produce a news type documentary)

Chinese substituted with English

Venues:
Classroom with audio visual aids, shooting studio, editing suite, with PC (10 to 20 units)(1 or 2 students per unit), recording studio.

Equipment:
DV Camcorder, Camera, Audio Visual equipment, computer with editing software, CD-R, Video tape

The internal QA system will work according to the QA proposed by the Academic Office of the Caritas Community & Higher Education Service.