Digital Fiction Production

This module offers you a practical foundation in filmmaking, which is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of film grammar and established industry practices. You will cover the basic disciplines necessary for production, pre-production, team-building, digital cinematography, lighting, sound, Final Cut Pro and non-linear editing techniques.

Moving Narratives

The Moving Narratives module introduces you to the role of storytelling across film, television and other forms of mass communication. You will develop storytelling skills and gain a comprehensive introduction to the study of film and television. This module covers a wide range of media disciplines, including the study of film language, genre, narrative and non-narrative forms. You will also study visual styles, the ‘celebrity’ system and the various modes of production, screening, authorship and spectatorship.

Craft Skills 1 – Camera, Light and Sound

This module is an introduction to the art and technique of camera, sound and editing. You will study a full-range of areas, from camera equipment to editing software, and gain skills in each discipline, helping you understand the range of techniques used in production.

You will also develop skills in Final Cut Pro and learn how to use camera, light and sound in a co-ordinated and confident way.

 

Short Film Production

During this module you will have the opportunity to direct, produce and edit a short film that you have written and assist in the production of two films by fellow students. Short Film Production is designed to help you put into practice the skills and understanding you have gained and to help you develop in the areas of communication, teamwork, tenacity and professional practice. 

Craft Skills 1 – Editing

This module will provide you with a thorough overview of the technical and creative use of camera, light and sound and the art and technique of editing. 

You will be taught the key techniques, creative approaches and organisational skills involved in camera and sound recording and the techniques you will learn are relevant to all kinds of filmmaking. In the editing sections, you will study the full-range of elements, rules and craft of narrative (and non-narrative) techniques for the moving image and apply this knowledge in your own creative work. You will edit a number of sequences and exercises from a variety of films, which will demonstrate that you have a good grasp of the use of all the technology and how to apply it creatively. 

Writing for the Screen

This module explores the screenwriting process, enabling you to gain a thorough understanding of narrative and its building blocks. You will write, research and develop your own original screenplay and learn how to access your creativity and improve your craft.
 

Applied Digital Technologies: Theory and Practice

Applied Digital Technologies will equip you with a key set of digital manipulation and creation tools, allowing you to get an overview of how these technologies work within filmmaking. You will develop a core set of software skills that will serve as a foundation for your development.

 

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Directing Actors

You will develop your understanding, knowledge and skills of directing actors in fictional narratives by exploring the creative preparation of all areas of the directing process. This will include script analysis and the casting and rehearsal process, which involves working with actors on set, understanding visual storytelling and storyboarding and the importance of editing.

 

Professional Industry Practice

This module is designed to give you an insight into the professional working practices of the industry. By understanding the basic organisational structures and the political and economic influences that affect production you will be better prepared to function in the industry when you embark on full-time work.

Small Screen Production

You will gain a comprehensive understanding of producing content for the small screen – from the Internet to mobile phones and television. This course takes you through the process from script to screen, covering technical, production and creative skills.  

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Short Film, Big Screen

 
Short Film, Big Screen draws on the skills and concepts that you have learnt throughout the programme, enabling you to produce a film in a genre of your choosing. You are encouraged to experiment and explore the distribution possibilities of the various media platforms and exhibition sites available to you. You will also get guidance from your tutors at key stages of the project – from treatment and/or script through to production and post-production.

Documentary : Theory and Practice

During this module you will gain a unique and powerful understanding of the documentary. You will make your own short documentary film with the guidance of an experienced documentary filmmaker and explore the movements and theories of the documentary tradition.

Analysing Film, Broadcast and New Media

This module gives you the opportunity to investigate narrative and scriptwriting theories and the varying approaches to the analysis of film, television and new media content. You will gain an understanding of the construction of narrative and what constitutes storytelling – all skills that are vital for writing in every area of media production.

Movements in Film

Movements in Film will give you a theoretical understanding of film that will help you identity groups of films that have emerged from historical, political or aesthetic movements. The module will take the format of weekly screenings, lectures, seminars and readings.

Craft Skills 2 – Advanced Camera and Lighting and Post-production

During this module you will discover how to compose a frame to represent the details in a screenplay, learn the implications of camera placement and understand the importance of maintaining visual lines with both a static and moving camera. You will also be given the opportunity to learn the basics of colour grading and visual effects software and the fundamentals of good sound design using Protools software.

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Visual Storytelling

The aim of this module is to give you a thorough understanding of how to frame an image and how your decisions affect an audience's reading of a shot or scene. You will discover how to ensure the script is clearly conveyed whilst learning the possibilities of camera placement in order to maximise the narrative flow.

You will gain an insight into the current industry thinking on composition and camera movement and understand the relationship between framing and subject during the pre-production process and on set.

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2D Animation, Compositing and Motion Graphics

This module will equip you with a fundamental understanding of live-action compositing and help you develop related skills in motion graphics and 2D animation. You will apply your film production skills by lighting and shooting your own green-screen footage. Additionally you will practise your new understanding by working with elements provided by our industry partners.

Graduation Project

This project draws on the skills and concepts that you have learnt throughout the programme, enabling you to produce a film in a genre of your choosing. Your final production project will allow you to independently write, develop, pre-produce, shoot and post-produce your own film. You will also be able to collaborate technically and creatively on other student graduation projects.