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Directing for Film & Television - TFT00057M

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. Tim Leandro
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the director's method for single-camera film and television production. Students work through all phases of production from script analysis and visualisation, through to rehearsing and working with actors on set, to managing production crews.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

To provide a theoretical and practical framework with which students can explore the creative and technical aspects of contemporary filmmaking as they relate to directing

To develop a critical understanding of, and an ability to respond to, performance - both among actors in drama and contributors in documentary.

To develop collaborative skills and relationships in preparation, production and postproduction.

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

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

Module learning outcomes

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

Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple creative, technical and managerial roles of the director

Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the script and means by which it can be analysed to fulfil the director's interpretation of story

Support their creative output with comprehensive and reasoned technical documentation

Demonstrate an ability to project-manage, organising all required elements in a systematic way and managing time effectively to complete the project to schedule

Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on the directing process, including discussion of aesthetic and technical aspects of film production.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Director's portfolio		 N/A 25
Essay/coursework
Video Essay		 N/A 75

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Practical sessions involve exercises where detailed feedback will be given as students work through different aspects of the directing process.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Director's portfolio		 N/A 25
Essay/coursework
Video Essay		 N/A 75

Module feedback

Marks and feedback will be available to students within the standard 20-day turnaround.

Indicative reading

Katz, S 'Film Directing Shot by Shot' Michael Wiese Productions, 1991, ISBN 0-941188-10-8

Katz, S 'Film Directing Cinematic Motion' Michael Wiese Productions, 1992, ISBN 0-941188-14-0

Proferes, N 'Film Directing Fundamentals' Focal Press, 2005, ISBN 0-240-80562-3

Pepperman, R 'Setting Up Your Scenes' Michael Wiese Productions, 2005, ISBN 1-932907-08-4

Wilkinson, C 'The Working Director' Michael Wiese Productions, 2005, ISBN 1-932907-02-5

Dancyger, K 'The Director's Idea' Focal Press, 2006, ISBN 0-240-80681-6

Weston, J 'Directing Actors: Creating Memorable Performances for Film and Television' Michael Weise Productions, 1999, ISBN 978-0941188241


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.