BA (Hons) Film & Digital Cinematography

This is an unrivalled programme for those who want to take a lead in the rapidly evolving world of digital cinematography. It is designed to develop creative storytelling techniques and provide practical skills by training students in the use of professional digital cameras including the Red ONE camera. Creative, theoretical and practical abilities are developed as you learn how to tell visual stories including drama, comedy, and documentary. You will also get a solid grounding in the post-production workflow from shoot to online and grade. Equipped with the broadest possible knowledge of digital cinematography, you will graduate with a showreel that demonstrates your technical and creative skills. At the end of the programme, you will be equipped for entry-level positions on professional film crews in film, TV, or new media production.

All BA students share the first year and then choose to specialise in the second year.

Year One - Core Modules

The first year for all BA students consists of the following modules:

Digital Video Production
A practical foundation in filmmaking designed to provide you with a working knowledge of film grammar, established industry conventions, the basic concepts and fundamental disciplines necessary in production, pre-production, team-building, digital cinematography, lighting, sound, Final Cut Pro and non-linear editing techniques.

Media Studies
An introduction to the key issues and debates that surround mass communication and the media. You will study film, television, advertising, the press and other forms. You will have an understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.

The Moving Image
This module introduces you to the study of film and television. It is based around the themes of Film Language, Narrative, Genre and Stars. Understanding these areas of study will enable you to view, analyse moving image texts in an informed and productive manner.

Craft Skills One
An introduction to the art and technique of camera, sound and editing in the creation of moving images. You will study a full-range of areas from camera equipment to editing software, gaining proficiency in each craft area and understanding techniques for the moving image.

Writing for the Screen
This module explores the screenwriting process enabling you to gain a thorough understanding of narrative and its building blocks. You will write, research and develop your own original screenplay and learn how to access your creativity and improve your craft.

Applied Digital Technologies: Theory and Practice
An introduction to a key set of digital manipulation and creation tools to allow you to get an overview of the impact these technologies have upon the art and technique of filmmaking. You will develop a core set of software skills that will serve as a foundation for your development.

Documentary: Theory and Practice
You will gain a unique and powerful understanding of the documentary form by making your own short documentary film with the guidance of an experienced documentary filmmaker and by looking at movements and theories in the documentary tradition.

Identity and Difference in the Moving Image
An investigation into 'race' and ethnicity in film and television. You will gain an understanding of the fundamental issues in representation by analysing a wide range of film and television programmes some mainstream and some marginal, all of them tackling fundamental issues in representation.

Small Screen Production
You will gain a comprehensive understanding of producing content for the small screen – from the internet and mobile phones to TV. This course takes students from script to screen, covering technical, production and creative skills.

Year Two - Common Modules

Common Modules

During the second year, all students take the following modules as well as their specialisation.

Analysing Film, broadcast and new media
An investigation into narrative and scriptwriting theories‚ approaches to the analysis of film, television and new media content. You will gain an understanding of the construction of narrative and what constitutes storytelling that is vital for writing in every area of media production.

Professional industry practice

By gaining insights into professional industry practices, including basic organisational, political and economic structures necessary for the production of moving images, you will be better prepared for understanding the industry and placing yourself in it after the programme.

Planning production and project management
This module gives you theoretical and practical experience of the methods used in planning for the creation of moving images. You will focus on budgeting, scheduling and other elements of project management in the moving image industries.

BA Film & Digital Cinematography Option Modules

Option Modules

BA Film & Digital Cinematography students take the following pathway modules as well as the common modules in Year Two.

Visual Storytelling: Art & Technique
An in-depth grounding in the art and technique of telling stories and conveying meaning through cinematography. This unique module combines detailed film analysis from leading industry experts with hands-on exercises to develop your understanding of composition, light, colour and movement within the frame and filmic creativity.

Digital Film: From Camera to Screen
This module will teach you the nuts and bolts of digital filming from shoot to grade. You’ll gain a deep understanding of digital theory, cutting edge camera technology, sensors, optics, end-to-end workflow, digital story-boarding, modelling and pre-visualisation, supported by real world examples and exercises; using the RED One camera, and other professional hard-disk and digital tape based systems.

Lighting
Lighting for digital film is as important as it is for celluloid. Starting with the basics for lighting portraiture, spaces, high and low key and “Film Noir”, more advanced techniques follow (such as lighting large spaces, moving actors, action, moving camera, using colour, exposing for film, effects) to give you a thorough mastery and exposure to the tools of the trade.

Shooting
This module will give you extensive practical experience in shooting for fiction and documentary, honing your industry relevant operating skills. No other course offers this much focus on cutting edge best practice – includes learning how to use pro grip equipment such as fluid and geared heads, dollies, jibs, cranes, along with advanced hand-held and steadicam skills, and different stylistic techniques.

Digital Filming Techniques
Digital post-production allows for enormous creativity and options. This module shows (through example and practice) what is possible with grading, live action and VFX/CGI integration and compositing. A special focus of this module is lighting and grading for digital filmmaking, giving you the skills to be in complete control of ‘the look’ of a film.