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Group Projects II - TFT00004M

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. John Mateer
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2020-21

Module summary

Building on knowledge gained in Autumn term, Group Projects II enables students to further develop and expand skills related to their chosen specialisation through undertaking more complex production work. Following a detailed brief, students work as teams to create a short film requiring advanced production techniques, in a manner that again mimics the production practices, requirements and limitations found in industry.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Spring Term 2020-21

Module aims

This module seeks to provide a formal inter-disciplinary structure in which students from all Film and Television Production course variants (e.g., Cinematography, Directing, Producing, Sound and Visual Effects) can build upon methods and techniques, previously introduced in specialist core modules and practiced in Group Projects I, by applying them to a more advanced project based on a typical industry brief.

It emphasises the importance of creative and technical collaboration for the effective management of the filmmaking process in terms of use of time, working with other personnel and problem solving. The objective is to further develop and enhance students’ preproduction, production and postproduction skills through a hands-on exploration of advanced production that mimics real-world scenarios. The module also aims to develop and encourage a deeper awareness of professional production values and collaborative working practices through reflective learning.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module all students are expected to be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of advanced preproduction, production and postproduction processes related to their specialisation as they are applied to the creation of professionally produced media programmes in the context of complex single camera production involving:

  • complex practical camera movement
  • integration of visual effects elements, including assets shot on green screen
  • rich and detailed sound track involving location recording, ADR, Foley, atmos and practical sound effects

Students must support their creative output with comprehensive and reasoned technical documentation as well as a reflective analysis of each finished piece.

In terms of academic and graduate skills, student must also demonstrate:

  • an ability to project manage, organising all required elements in a systematic way and managing time effectively to complete projects to schedule.
  • an ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
  • an ability to critically reflect on their area of specialisation, including discussion of both aesthetic and technical aspects of project creation
  • an ability to write a comprehensive and reasoned technical report detailing all relevant steps in these processes.

Module content

In answer to the comments raised by ASO:

1) Professionalism is reassessed by student presentation.  This has been added.

2) There is no correlation between length of a finished film project and its complexity or academic rigour (consider the case that some 30 second advertisements are more complex and expensive that TV projects).  Here, the reduction in duration was to nudge students to focus more on quality rather than quantity.

3) The original Group Projects module on which this module design is based (which ran for more than 10 years, the last being 2018-19) had a report component of 5,000 words.  When the curriculum was revised and a second Group Projects module was added, this was reduced to 3,000 words as we felt the reports had been too long.  However, having just run Group Projects I and Group Projects II for the first time, we have observed that the word count is now arguably too low for students to fully articulate their work and demonstrate knowledge.  Accordingly, the word count has been move up slightly now to 4,000 words.

4) The comment to "bring this module in line" with Film and TV Group Projects referred to the types of assessments used, not weighting per se as our experience with PG cohort this year suggests the proposed weighting is more appropriate given issues students have in becoming used to working together.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
3-5 Minute Production Project		 N/A 35
Essay/coursework
4000 word reflective report		 N/A 50
Practical
Observation of professionalism		 N/A 15

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

If there are unequal numbers of students from the different specialisations (e.g., more directors than producers or cinematographers, etc.), we will address this through the allocation of related roles that still provide valuable experience relevant to the specialisation. These include:

... with Directing: Director, 2nd Unit Director, 1st Assistant Director, 2nd Assistant Director

... with Producing: Producer, Line Producer, Production Manager, Postproduction Manager

... with Cinematography: Director of Photography, Lighting Director, 1st Assistant Cameraman, Digital Imaging Technician

... with Sound: Supervising Sound Editor, Dialogue Editor, Effects Editor, Production Sound Mixer

... with Visual Effects: Visual Effects Supervisor, Colourist, Lead 2D Artist, Lead 3D Artist

In this way we can scale groups based on uneven cohort numbers and still provide significant and relevant experience to the students. Allocations will be different to those for Group Projects I to ensure students experience is broadened.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
3000 Word Project Report		 N/A 35
Essay/coursework
4000 word reflective report		 N/A 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Professionalism presentation		 N/A 15

Module feedback

Detailed oral feedback on Pitches in Week 3 SpT; detailed written feedback on Project Report by Week 6 SuT

Indicative reading

Krasner, J. (2008) Motion Graphic Design: Applied History and Aesthetics. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.

Goux, M. & Houff, J. (2003) On Screen In Time: Transitions in Motion Graphic Design for Film, TV and New Media. Mies, Hove: Rotovision.

Meyer, T. & Meyer, C. (2010) Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, 5th Ed. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.

Wellins, M. (2005) Storytelling through Animation. Hingham, MA: Charles River Media.

Wyatt, H. and Amyes, T. (2003) Audio Post Production for Television and Film: An introduction to technology and techniques. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.

Yewdall, D.L. (2003) Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.

Sonnenschien, D. (2001) Sound Design, The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.

Beauchamp, R. (2005) Designing Sound for Animation. Amsterdam and London: Focal Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.

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