Heritage Filmmaking - ARC00084M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Credit value: 5 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

Practical filmmaking is increasingly an in-demand skill for heritage academics and professionals. Short films can be presented in a variety of venues, including through social media networks, at museums, and in the classroom. By understanding the critical film literature around heritage filmmaking and creating their own film, students will:

  • Understand how to frame visual arguments

  • Create a compelling narrative about heritage

  • Improve their media literacy and critically engage with popular tropes

  • Become familiar with filmmaking equipment and editing software

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students will be able to:

  • Engage with the visual media and heritage literature

  • Critique popular, broadcast media programmes about heritage

  • Understand important concepts such as copyright and the ethics of visual presentation

  • Create a storyboard that demonstrates a visual narrative based on research

  • Understand the use of basic film editing software

  • Understand how to use social media to present and publicize short films

Module content

This module will introduce the critical literature about filmmaking in heritage, review and critique both formal broadcast and informal (Youtube) visual media, then use this background to create short, <5 minute films about an aspect of heritage. These films will be made individually. There will be seminars showing how to use filmmaking equipment, how to edit film, how to present research through storyboarding, how to interview subjects and obtained informed consent for these interviews. The class will culminate in a film exhibition wherein the students will present their short films. This screening will be open to all as a public event.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Timing of written and verbal feedback is published on our deadlines pages:

Formative assessment

Summative assessment

Indicative reading

Reading lists are published to the module web pages or VLE.