Movements in Film

Movements in Film will give you a theoretical understanding of film that will help you identify 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.

 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.

Advanced Camera, Sound & Editing

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. In the second part of the module you will learn techniques for linear and non-linear editing in order for you to apply this knowledge in your creative work.

Directing Fiction and Drama

This module is designed to improve your fiction directing skills for any screen. You will develop your own individual directing style by exploring the creative preparation process. This includes script analysis, casting and rehearsal, working with actors on set, understanding visual storytelling and storyboarding and the importance of editing. 
 

Experimental Film

Digital Feature Film Production

Working collectively with your class, you will create a feature film. You will be involved in every step of the production from writing and development, casting and pre-production, working on the film’s shoot and providing creative input into post-production. 
 

During the course of the second year of the degree there are options offered in Cinematography and VFX & Animation. These modules are offered as alternatives to some of the Practical Filmmaking modules.

Visual Storytelling (Cinematography)

Visual Storytelling aims to give you a thorough understanding of how the relationship between the frame that is to be photographed and the images within the frame affects the audiences’ reading of an image. Working particularly with actors, you will develop a critically informed understanding of the relationship between classic and contemporary composition and appreciate the creative and technical implications of framing a scene.

The Visual Storytelling module will also support your training in other disciplines and offer you practice of applying specific methods to maintain good composition while enabling actors and the camera to move freely within and around the frame.

Applied Cinematography (Cinematography)
 
Applied Cinematography will give you the opportunity to bring together all the skills and experience you have gained over your previous cinematography modules and apply them to create a short sequence in preparation for your graduation exercise. After completing this module you will have an appreciation of the importance of adequate professional preparation and an informed ability to handle the diverse pressure of a working environment. You will also be comfortable applying your acquired knowledge, having worked as a cinematographer. Subsequently you will have a skillset that allows you create a significant piece of work and compile a showreel.

VFX & Animation Skills (VFX & Animation)

The purpose of this module is to cover the essential technical skills and online training resources designed to fast track your technical skills in visual effects and animation. Formal contact time with your module leader will occur on a weekly basis to assess your progress to date and you will be expected to complete rigorous independent study and demonstrate great time management skills to successfully complete the module.


By the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate competence in visual effects production and core skills in animation production. You will also be able to communicate the key stages in the animation production pipeline and the strategies relevant to successful VFX production. You will also be able to assemble key components to add to your portfolio of work.

Acting and Directing For Animation (VFX & Animation)

During this module you will develop your animation skills through a series of acting and storytelling exercises.  Working within groups, you will develop an appreciation of the traditional principles of animation and performance, which you can then apply using a broad range of digital animation techniques and motion capture devices.

Once you have completed the module you will be able to evaluate the benefits and consequences of using animation as a storytelling medium. You will analyse the traditional acting skills with 3D animation skills to complete a digital animation and apply storyboarding and traditional drawing skills to the pre-production process. You will have the opportunity to explore your own acting skills and demonstrate your ability to understand how creative, technical and administrative qualities combine to produce animation. You will also translate the traditional techniques into digital techniques to achieve the final result.

Visual Effects Production (VFX & Animation)

Visual Effects Production will combine your knowledge of 3D with your understanding of cameras in order to integrate 3D geometry into live action background plates. To further integrate your 3D and film production skills, you will concentrate on aspects of 3D photorealistic lighting and texturing techniques. You will analyse the history and development of visual effects techniques which will enhance your individual and group work. By the end of the module you will be able to demonstrate an informed ability to integrate a variety of traditional and digital film techniques within the VFX pipeline.


By developing an appreciation of the historical development of visual effects, you will be able to contextualise your studies and acquired skills. You will exhibit a strong understanding of the relationship between virtual and real-world cameras. In addition, you will further develop and integrate your compositing skills in the production of visual effects and independently generate digital files successfully, demonstrating spatial integrity and cohesion using 3D software.