COMP C9050 - Narrative Design and Scene Composition

Module Details

Module Code: COMP C9050
Full Title: Narrative Design and Scene Composition
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2022/23 ( September 2022 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner::
  • Martin Mchugh
  • Naoise Collins
Departments: Visual and Human-Centred Computing
Module Description: Upon module completion students will have a thorough understanding of the grammar of contemporary digital media and will gain knowledge of the historical development of this language. Students will also develop and implement an understanding of the craft in areas such as characterisation, dialogue, narrative, visual storytelling and the cinematic and experiential grammar of digital media.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Evaluate techniques for concept and content generation
MLO2 Select narrative writing techniques and structures in areas such as characterisation, dialogue and narrative.
MLO3 Analyse the rules of framing, scene composition and demonstrate competence in planning effective sequences.
MLO4 Design and develop a prototype within a specific application domain, genre or theme.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Filmic Language
n/a
Mise-en-scene, Continuity, Editing
n/a
Narrative
n/a
Story versus Discourse, Plot, Master Plots, Three-Act Structure, Archetypes
n/a
Character
n/a
Characters & Characterisation
n/a
Scripting and Scriptwriting
n/a
Conventions of Scriptwriting: Scene Heading; Action; Dialogue
n/a
Storyboarding & Animatics
n/a
Principles and practicalities in the creation of both storyboards and animatics
n/a
Prototyping
n/a
Prototyping techniques
n/a
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 4 Learning Outcome 1,2
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students develop a short narrative script and present their script using the 1 minute elevator pitch method.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 7 Learning Outcome 1,2,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students produce a storyboard based on their short narrative scripts. discussing usage of narrative and scene composition elements e.g. structure, spatial design, characterization, mise-en-scène, shot composition, genre etc.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 12 Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students develop a prototype (animatic or blocktest) of their original narrative concept.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 4 Learning Outcome 1,2
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students develop a short narrative script and present their script using the 1 minute elevator pitch method.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 7 Learning Outcome 1,2,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students produce a storyboard based on their short narrative scripts. discussing usage of narrative and scene composition elements e.g. structure, spatial design, characterization, mise-en-scène, shot composition, genre etc.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 12 Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students develop a prototype (animatic or blocktest) of their original narrative concept.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture, presentations and video clips on cinema Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Critiques Every Week 1.00 1
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 5.00 5
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture, presentations and video clips on cinema Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Critiques Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 5.00 5
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Katz, D Steven. (1991), Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualising from Concept to Screen, Michael Wise Productions, CA..
  • Mercado, Gustavo. (2011), The Filmmaker’s Eye, Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition, Focal Press, Oxford..
  • Block, Bruce. (2013), The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media, Taylor & Francis, Oxford..
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Thompson, R., Bowen C. J.. (2017), The Grammar of the Edit, 4th Ed. Routledge, [ISBN: 978-113863220]. Tierno, M.. (2002), Aristotle's Poetics for Screenwriters: Storytelling Secrets From the Greatest Mind in Western Civilization, Hyperion, [ISBN: 978-0786.
  • Vogler, C. 2007. (2007), The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For Writers, 3rd Ed. Michael Wiese Productions, [ISBN: 978-193290736]..
  • Bucher, John. (2017), Storytelling for Virtual Reality: Methods and Principles for Crafting Immersive Narratives, 1st Ed. 8, Focal Press, [ISBN: 978-113862966]..
  • Jerald, Jason. (2015), The VR Book: Human-Centered Design for Virtual Reality (ACM Books), 8th Ed. 36, Morgan & Claypool Publishers, [ISBN: 978-197000112]..
  • Fictum, Casey. (2016), VR UX: Learn VR UX, Storytelling & Design, 1st Ed. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, [ISBN: 978-153327302]..
This module does not have any other resources