📖Program Curriculum
Year 1
Core Modules
Credits
Production Skills with Analysis 1
20.00
Discover the skills needed to write for film and tv. You'll look at a variety of formats and focus on the components of writing in documentary. You'll delve into scriptwriting documentary research proposal writing and story-telling through practical writing exercises and exploration of the work of key practitioners. You'll also look at key aspect...
Production Skills with Analysis 2
20.00
Through practical workshops and study you'll look at the skills needed to write for film and TV with a focus on fiction in a variety of genres. You'll study some of the critical approaches that relate screen fiction to society such as feminist criticism masculinity studies race and intersectionality and disability studies.
Filmmaking 1
20.00
This is a practical introduction to film and TV production equipment including technical and creative uses of camera sound lighting and editing. You'll also work on your creative and storytelling abilities and study concepts such as framing interview setups and shooting for the edit.
Filmmaking 2
20.00
You'll build on technical skills acquired in Filmmaking 1 and study the direction skills required for pre-production and production in the field of documentary such as crewing direction use of camera sound editing and lighting. You'll look at researching arguments of objectivity and advocacy and investigative skills for factual productions.
Filmmaking 3
20.00
An introduction to direction skills required in the field of fiction. You'll study narrative continuity work with actors in short films and look at fantasy franchises and screen drama. You'll analyse depictions of the virtual onscreen and ways transmedia narratives expand films and small screen franchises within the industry and as fan fiction.
Opportunity Modules
You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.
Year 2
Core Modules
Credits
Advanced Technical and Production Skills
20.00
You'll study more advanced techniques using industry standard editing systems and be introduced to external effects software like Adobe After Effects. You'll also look at aesthetical uses of post-production and how to achieve a balanced result that serves the purpose of each specific film. You'll be able to focus on key skills relevant to your degr...
Film: Advanced Technical Skills with Virtual Production
20.00
You'll practice camera skills including: advanced use of white balance; exposure; shutter speeds; use of jibs glidecam tracks and fixed rigs; creating mood with technical lighting; patterns of light; use of gels and gobos; external camera filters; use of a studio grid and free standing lamps; fundamentals of specialised practice in virtual produc...
The City in American Cinema
20.00
This module aims to use the city in American films as a focus to explore examples of work by selected directors in a range of genres and styles. It will position films about the city in specific production contexts and considers the issues that films raise from the classical Hollywood era to the present.
Optional Modules
Credits
Art Film and Music Video
20.00
Using a range of production techniques and practices you'll look at a variety of approaches to and distinct styles of both art films and music videos. Practical work will be supported by screenings linked to workshops which will provide a critical context for the module. You'll then create both an art film and music video of your own.
Client Video Production
20.00
You'll work in groups to respond to a client brief creating a production of 1 to 5 minutes long. This provides the opportunity to gain confidence in pitching and presenting ideas from in-class work develop interpersonal skills through group work and continue to develop your technical skills and creative understanding of film and TV production.
Advanced Screenwriting and Pitching
20.00
Study strategies for writing both fiction and documentary scripts. The programme will include advanced exercises in writing genre pieces advanced narrative models and techniques for character development and how to combat writer's block. It will also introduce you to the skills and techniques of pitching your ideas and scripts.
Virtual Film Production
20.00
This module aims to give a comprehensive grounding and understanding of virtual production a multidiscipline technology involving collaboration from many diverse areas such as animation computing and design. You'll study aspects such as Unreal Engine coding and set design and will collaborate with students from other courses.
Location Sound and Audio Post-Production
20.00
You'll study the equipment environment and operational procedures involved in the production of sound for film and other media. Focused on Production Sound Recording you'll use industry-standard sound kits on location. You'll also study professional audio post-production techniques as needed in film production and throughout the creative industri...
Opportunity Modules
In addition you must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.
Year 3
Core Modules
Credits
Creative Skills with Applied Virtual Production AND
20.00
You'll look at the fundamentals of virtual production (VP) including creative aspects and how it factors into studio productions. You'll write and produce a virtual production from scratch and study areas such as unreal engine designing backgrounds and virtual environments and setting and configuring up cameras and studio equipment ready for a VP...
Independent Production Project OR
40.00
You'll produce a piece of work that demonstrates your creative thinking and craftsmanship in either film or television production work in its broadest scope which can then head up your portfolio. You will need to negotiate your intended project through an academic process and to work with professionals from the media industries and elsewhere.
Independent Script Project OR
40.00
You'll undertake a major film or television writing project with the aim of demonstrating and developing your skills. The project format will be agreed with your tutor and you'll receive guidance and support from your peers and tutor. You will have the opportunity to have your work assessed by industry professionals.
Industry Practice Research Project
40.00
You'll produce a dissertation centred on professional working practice in your chosen area of the media industry picked in negotiation with your tutor. Initial research will be based on a series of interviews with appropriate media production industry personnel and you'll be supported with secondary research including studying critical approaches.
Optional Modules
Credits
Individual Microfilm and Creative Group Production
20.00
Creative group production: in small groups you'll produce a 5-7 minute moving image film. Individual micro film: you'll write direct and edit a one minute film with the help of a small crew in any genre and work as part of a crew on 2 other films in your class. The projects will be supported by a series of screenings tutorials and discussions.
Film Directing and Producing
20.00
You'll look at some of the challenges of film directing and producing. In response to a set brief you'll produce a short drama sequence. You'll think about how a director and producer prepare before they arrive on set and the importance of location scouting blocking working with actors rehearsing and how choices impact on the meanings generate...
Non-Fiction and Factual Storytelling
20.00
You'll consider documentary techniques and what makes ‘a story’. You'll look at how to research subject material arguments of objectivity and advocacy and the investigative skills required to make factual productions. There will also be screenings and discussions of documentary productions that will provide additional context for this module.
Professional Preparation
20.00
During this module you will negotiate a project with your tutor to prepare yourself for the workplace with due emphasis being placed on the working practice of the production freelancer.
World Cinema: Styles and Identities
20.00
