4.1 - Course Ethos

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Last updated: Feb 09, 2018 by Adam Barrett

In any organization there are constraints; rules and regulations which govern both our behaviour and our methods of operation. Within the Department of Screen Arts, we try to work along industry lines and follow industry practice, but as each organization and individual company has different constraints or employs different methods, what we finally end up with is a mixture of purely Curtin requirements and industry preferred methods.


Like all production centers, the Department of Screen Arts at Curtin does not have unlimited resources. While we do not charge for equipment and facilities used in course work, there is, however, a limit to the availability of these resources. This is necessary to allow scheduling of classes and instructional sessions, and to ensure that all students have reasonable access to equipment, facilities and staff. In addition, an important part of the learning process for you, as students, is to appreciate the need for efficiency in the use of resources and to establish appropriate practices prior to entering the industry. Because, as the saying goes; 'no matter where you work, time is money'.


Screen production, whether it is film, television or digital production, is a team effort, and practical production requires that students form production crews with attendant duties and responsibilities.


In the professional world of film, video and television production there is a fixed hierarchy or crew structure which governs all areas of combined endeavour. As students, you may initially find this structure difficult to accept, as in most cases you will all usually be about the same age and have equal knowledge and skills in production techniques. However, failure to adhere to your allotted roles and responsibilities will very quickly bring about the collapse of the production team and the collapse of both the creative and learning process for all its members.


Whether you are working in pairs, crews of four, eight or sixteen, production roles will be allocated and you will be required to fulfill the relevant crew position for the duration of that production/assignment. For students in their second-year, a number of different roles may be undertaken to broaden learning experience, while in third-year, crew structures will be aimed at specific areas of specialization, and this will be done in consultation with academic staff.


As a crew member you must have faith in your associates and they must have faith in you. The quality of the final product is not to be considered justification for you taking over somebody else’s role; the learning experience is the most important part of the assignment and it must be shared by all the crew, not just the self-important few.


Once crews have been established, you are expected to fulfill your allotted crew role and to take responsibility for your areas of the production throughout the entire production process and its presentation for assessment.


Failure by any crew member to;

1)    Fulfill their obligation to the group,

2)    Support the crew in their common endeavor, or

3)    Do any allotted task that may cause the failure of the production assignment

are sufficient grounds for the student to be given a failure grade in the relevant unit. Please refer to the Participation and Professional Practice section in your unit outlines.