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Film & Television Group Projects - TFT00040H

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Edward Braman
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

This module is your final year, high-profile, creative production project. Students will work together in groups to produce a well-resourced short film (up for 15 minutes for fiction, up to 20 minutes for documentary) and a TV show which reflects industrial scheduling, three episodes of at least 20 minutes each.  Students will involve themselves in both areas, film and TV, on a major / minor basis.  If you choose to “major” in film, you will perform a major – or starred – role in a film unit, while also “minoring” in TV by carrying out at least two “B” roles related to a studio production. If you “major” in TV, you will fulfil a starred role in a TV production team, while also carrying out a “B” role in a film unit. The aim of the module is to give you experience of high-level film and TV production in near-professional conditions, applying specialist skills while developing the ability to work collectively – creatively, technically, and logistically – as a team.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

· To provide a formal inter-disciplinary structure in which students can build upon methods and techniques introduced and developed through the pre-requisite courses and apply them to larger-scale film production and studio television work.

 

· To emphasize the importance of creative and technical collaboration for the effective management of the creative production process in terms of use of time, working with other personnel and problem solving.

· To further develop and enhance a range of creative picture, sound and postproduction skills through an understanding of the underlying technical issues relating to professional film and studio television production.

· To provide a mechanism whereby students can engage in deep learning in one specialism in film production and one in studio television production.

 

· To develop and encourage professional production values through technical expertise and reflective learning.

 

Module learning outcomes

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

 

  • Demonstrate an understanding of all key processes associated with the production of a film – including development, pre-production, production and postproduction of all script, picture and sound elements -- as they are applied to the creation of a professionally produced programme
  • Demonstrate an understanding of all key processes associated with the production of studio television series – including development, pre-production, production and postproduction of all script, picture and sound elements -- as they are applied to the creation of a professionally produced programme

 

  • Support their creative output with comprehensive and reasoned technical documentation as well as a reflective analysis of the finished pieces

Module content

All students will undertake two projects: one film and one studio television series. Each student will choose a ‘major’ for one of these and a ‘minor’ role for the other. A ‘major’ role involves a principal role in the project that has significant responsibility:

 

- For film these include Writer/Researcher, Producer, Director, Production Manager/1st Assistant Director, Director of Photography, Sound Designer, Production Designer, Editor

- For studio television these include Director, Producer/Writer, Vision Mixer/Editor, Sound Supervisor, Production Manager, Lead Camera/Lighting Designer, Floor Manager, Designer/Construction Chief

 

A ‘minor’ role is a supporting role with limited responsibility specifically to support one or more ‘major’ roles:

 

- For film these include Camera Assistant, Sound Assistant, Props Assistant, Costumes Assistant, Production Assistant, Grip, Lamp Operator, etc.

- For studio television these include Camera Operator, Autocue Operator, Sound Assistant, Console Operator/Lighting Assistant, Floor Assistant, Cable Basher/Rigger, Design Assistant, Runner, etc.

 

All project ideas are initially ‘pitched’ by students to a panel of academic staff – pitching of initial ideas is voluntary and not assessed (there is no requirement for all students to pitch). Project ideas are then voted on by the panel as well as all students on the module (votes weighted 67%-33% to the panel to ensure projects are pedagogically viable). Students are then responsible for organising themselves into groups. Only in exceptional circumstances will staff intervene and assign students to specific projects.

 

Both film projects and the studio television series will be produced to specific requirements based on industry norms and expectations. The goal is to give students a sense of ‘real world’ group production in a scaffolded teaching environment.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
3000 word essay		 N/A 50
Practical
Major production - Film or TV		 N/A 40
Practical
Professionalism		 N/A 10

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Re-assessment: Production assignment		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Re-assessment: Reflective report on process		 N/A 50
Practical
Re-assessment: Professionalism		 N/A 10

Module feedback

Oral and written feedback for the presentation assignment, written feedback on the Group Production Assignment as well as the final report, formative feedback during critiques of works in progress during supervisions

Indicative reading

  • Quinn, E & Counihan, J ‘The Pitch’ Faber and Faber, 2006, ISBN: 0571227414
  • Katz, Steven, ‘Film Directing Shot by Shot’ Michael Wiese Productions, 1991, ISBN 0-941188-10-8
  • Simon, D & Wiese, M ‘ Film and Video Budgets’, 4th edition, Michael Wiese Productions, 2006, ISBN 1-932-907106
  • Singleton, R ‘Film Scheduling’, 2nd edition, Lone Eagle, 1997, ISBN 0-943-728398

· Proferes, N ‘Film Directing Fundamentals’, 3rd edition, Focal Press, 2008, ISBN 0-240-809408

· Frost, J ‘Cinematography for Directors’, Michael Wiese Productions, 2009, ISBN 978-1-932907-55-1

· Weston, J ‘Directing Actors’, Michael Wiese Productions, 1999, ISBN 0-941-188248

  • Murch, W 'In the Blink of an Eye' Silman-James Press, 2nd edition, 2001, ISBN 1-879505-62-2
  • Wyatt, H and Amyes, T ‘Audio Post Production for Television and Film: An introduction to technology and techniques’, Focal Press, 2003, ISBN 0-240-51947-7
  • Yewdall, D.L., ‘Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound’ Focal Press, 2003, ISBN 0-240-80525-9
  • Zettl, H ‘Television Production Handbook’, 10th edition, Wadsworth Publishing, 2008, ISBN 0-495-501883
  • Millerson, G ‘Television Production’, 14th edition, Focal Press, 2009, ISBN 0-240-520785

Luther, A and Ingilis, A ‘Video Engineering’, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill, 1999 ISBN 0-071-350179


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.