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Advanced Studio Techniques - TFT00050H

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. Paul Ryan
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This is a third year option module designed to acquaint you with an interest in live and as-live television with the skills to confidently exploit the advanced creative and technical opportunities of the multi-camera studio. It is designed in part with the increasing industrial demand in mind for multi-skilled studio operators: professionals who can combine creative origination and direction with the core creative skills to deliver programmes live to air. The module will focus on advanced vision mixing and live effects, lighting design and operation, signal management and image racking, and advanced live sound acquisition and mixing.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module will:

  • Acquaint you with the advanced principles of vision-mixing, lighting, image control and sound operations in the multi-camera television studio.
  • Develop your practical skills in operating and applying vision, lighting, and sound technologies in live and as-live situations.
  • Develop students' advanced planning skills in applying and exploring the creative possibilities of TV studio technologies.
  • Encourage critical thinking in the evaluation of technical options as they apply to the creative and editorial objectives of different forms of television and - where appropriate - interactive media output.
  • Encourage team working skills through the advanced exploration of how studio technologies work together to deliver creative outputs.
  • Explore the impact of technologies on the audience's engagement with TV programmes and on future options for programme formatting.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, you will:

  • Understand the core technical principles behind vision-mixing, image control, studio lighting and sound operations.
  • Have developed advanced practical skills in using and applying those technologies in live and as-live studio situations.
  • Have explored the potential of those technologies for realising creative ideas, developing audience engagement, and for originating new programme formats in both TV and - where appropriate - interactive media.
  • Have developed critical thinking skills around the evaluation of studio technologies and their creative and practical application.
  • Have developed team working and advanced organisational skills by exploring how technologies work together, and how technical teams in the studio gallery communicate their creative intentions

Module content

Private study in this module will include the expectation that you will book and use the television studios independently (or in self-assigned groups). Arrangements will be made to ring-fence potential practice times.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced programme format 3000 words		 N/A 50
Practical
Live Broadcast		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative feedback and support for assessment for the live broadcast will be given on a weekly basis during the: Studio - Staff supported practice sessions. There will be formative support for the advanced programme format assessment in the form of assessment surgeries to be announced after the assessment brief is released.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Advanced Programme Format 3000 words		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Practical creative and technical test		 N/A 50

Module feedback

You will receive regular in person feedback on your practical sessions. You will receive feedback on your format ideas in a special supervision session in Weeks 8/9 of autumn term in advance of writing up your idea for assessment.

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Advanced Studio Techniques

Core Reading list

(n.d.) Focal Press Book: Multiskilling for Television 9780240515571 B&H.

Jarvis, P. (1998) The essential TV director’s handbook /. illustrated, reprint. Oxford:, Focal Press.

Bamford, N. (2012) Directing television: a professional survival guide /. London:, A & C Black.

Watts, H. (1997) On camera: essential know-how for programme-makers / Harris Watts. Rev. ed. London:, Aavo.

Singleton-Turner, R. (2011) Cue & cut: a practical approach to working in multi-camera studios / Roger Singleton-Turner. Manchester:, Manchester University Press.

Millerson, G. & Owens, J. (n.d.) Television production /. 14th ed. Amsterdam:, Focal Press/Elsevier.

Davis, D. & Elliot, J. (1966) The grammar of television production / Desmond Davis; revised by John Elliott. Rev. ed. London:, published under the auspices of the Guild of Television Producers and Directors by Barrie & Rockliff.

Utterback, A.H. (n.d.) Studio television production and directing / Andrew H. Utterback. Amsterdam;, Focal Press.

Ward, P. (n.d.) Studio and outside broadcast camerawork: a guide to multi-camerawork production /. 2nd ed. Oxford:, Focal Press.

(n.d.) BBC Guide to the TV Studio. .

Lighting

Alton, J. (1995) Painting with light / John Alton; introduction by Todd McCarthy. Berkeley;, University of California Press.

Brown, B. (n.d.) Motion picture and video lighting / Blain Brown. 2nd ed.,. Amsterdam;, Elsevier/Focal Press.

Jackman, J. & Jackman, J. (n.d.) Lighting for digital video and television [electronic resource] / John Jackman. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA:, Focal Press.

Vision Mixing

Sound and Sound operations

Ballou, G. & Ballou, G. (n.d.) Handbook for sound engineers / Glen M. Ballou, editor. 4th ed. Amsterdam;, Focal Press/ Elsevier.

Corbett, I. (n.d.) Mic it!: microphones, microphone techniques, and their impact on the final mix /. Focal Press,.

Holman, T. (n.d.) Sound for film and television / Tomlinson Holman. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA:, Focal Press.

Rumsey, F. & McCormick, T. (2006) Sound and recording: an introduction / Francis Rumsey, Tim McCormick. 5th ed. Amsterdam;, Elsevier.

Izhaki, R. (n.d.) Mixing audio: concepts, practices and tools / Roey Izhaki. Oxford:, Focal Press.

Rumsey, F. & McCormick, T. (2002) Sound and recording : an introduction / Francis Rumsey, Tim McCormick. 4th ed. Oxford:, Focal Press.

Racks and Signal Paths

Townsend, G.B. (n.d.) TV & video engineer’s reference book /. Butterworth-Heinemann,.

Ward, P. (2000) TV technical operations [electronic resource]: an introduction / Peter Ward. Oxford:, 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.