The Director's Cut

Subject SCRN90005 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

February, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Intensive

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 21
Total Time Commitment: 120
Prerequisites: This subject is only available to students who commenced the Master of Cinema Management prior to 2010.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: None

Contact

Wendy Haslem

wlhaslem@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The Director's Cut is about the history of film directing and about film making from the director's point of view. The work of 3-4 directors will be selected for close study. One film by each director will be screened accompanied by a discussion of the place of the film in the history of Australian cinema and its relationship to other national cinemas, to genre and to other aspects of the history of world cinema. This will be followed by a master-class presented by the director of each film. The director's class will be conducted according to his/her chosing but will incorporate a detailed discussion of what the director believes to be his/her style, what constitutes the film's sources and what are its major influences. The director will discuss some of the factors which were motivational in the making of the film. This will be followed by an account of the material issues of how director's negotiate the difficult areas of funding and distribution. How the funding for the film was raised and over what period as well as the various steps in the funding process will be discussed. Finally the reception of the film will be analysed as well as the way that the film's reception changed or influenced the director's future plans for filmmaking. Directors will give their own opinions and accounts of both national and international film culture and talk about how they see themselves as part of the history of film and directing.
Objectives: Students who complete this subject will:
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge of an introduction to the history and principles of film direction;
  • be able to learn at first hand, the directing style, aims and motivations that have informed the work of a range of directors working in Australia;
  • be able to benefit from being taught a master-class by Australian contemporary directors; and
  • be familiar with the history of directing films in Australia and how this relates to international film history.
Assessment: An essay of 5000 words 100% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will:
  • be able to demonstrate knowledge relating to the history and nature of Australian and international film industry;
  • be able to write fluently on the subject of film and film directing. Familiarise students with writing on film culture in Australia;
  • be familiar with the econonics of film direction and have an understanding of the financial skills required to become a successful director; and
  • to be able to develop skills required to successfully work within and be at ease in the film industry.

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