Digital Film & Screen Arts

Course content - 2017 entry

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

In the first year, you'll be introduced to the University and the technical workshops and facilities available to you. On the course you’ll learn the technical and conceptual skills that will give you a solid foundation from which to explore your areas of specialist activity.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Moving Image Culture: Understanding & Interpretation

  We’ll introduce you to the key concepts of historical and contemporary moving image culture. You’ll become familiar with technical innovations and conceptual transformations, and will consider the ideological institutions and cultural practices that shape the production and experience of cinema, computer games and networked media – including the politics of representation.

• Imagining Reality

  You’ll explore documentary practices as well as the representation of reality through formal approaches such as the poetic, observational, reflexive, expository and performative. You’ll cover a range of diverse methodologies which challenge the notion of the real from historical and contemporary perspectives, while developing skills in film language, cinematography, sound recording, post-production techniques and research methods.

• Experimental Media

  You’ll be introduced to experimental film, video and sound art, and will examine the inter-relationship between experimental moving image, cinema and fine art practice. You’ll produce a portfolio of experimental video and sound work, enabling you to explore theoretical concepts through practice. You’ll experiment with avant-garde forms and create work that challenges conventions.

• Portraits

  You’ll further develop your visual language and familiarity with lens-based practices by considering the core skills of photography and image manipulation. You’ll explore aspects of identity and develop an awareness of the constructed nature of the ‘self’ in relation to gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, ethnicity and community groupings. You’ll produce a series of images that create meaning through montage and sequencing, and you’ll make a multi-screen moving image work.

The second year focus is on finding your own specialist way of working and you’ll be encouraged and supported to start working more independently. During this year you may also have the opportunity to study abroad.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Cultures of Convergence

  You’ll investigate the relationship between contemporary art practice and theory, and the proliferation of new technologies over the past three decades. You’ll expand your understanding of digital convergence, and consider the formation of new social and cultural identities under the influence of new technologies and hybridization. You’ll cover issues such as the critical approaches to new media technologies, interactive multimedia, hybrid artistic practices, post-internet art, and the construction of identity and difference in the digital age.

• Innovation & Interface

  We’ll encourage you to be inventive and imaginative in your interpretation of conceptual themes, and to develop your critical thinking within the context of moving image and hybrid digital practices. You’ll produce two productions – which could take the form of expanded cinema, an experimental art piece, an installation, an expanded documentary or narrative, or a video dance composition. You’ll reflect upon and refine your work, considering audience and dissemination as key factors.

• Professional Toolkit

  This technical skills development unit will support the ongoing development of projects during the year. You’ll build on your existing skills to develop specialist knowledge of areas of moving image and digital image production. The specialist areas you choose to focus on may include: digital video editing, visual effects, sound design, 3D or 2D modelling and animation, coding for interactivity, digital photography and studio production workflow.

• Study Abroad (optional)

  This optional unit will allow you to spend time in an overseas educational institution.

The third year will see you achieve a greater level of independence with self-managed research, study and practice, resulting in a final major project and a written dissertation.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Dissertation

  This unit consists of a substantial period of sustained, individually negotiated research on a subject that is likely to be related to the contextual and/ or theoretical concerns of your discipline or chosen area of practice, towards the provision of a structured written argument.

• Resolution 1

  This unit focuses on research development and pre-production. You’ll demonstrate your capacity for sustained and high quality work in group and/or independent study. You’ll develop a robust major project proposal and pilot outcomes – determining the subject, range and scope through supportive negotiation with your tutor. You’ll pitch your idea and begin the pre-production process.

• Resolution 2

  You’ll build upon the development of your work in Resolution 1 to produce a fully resolved body of high quality work, which you can confidently disseminate into the public domain – whether through exhibition, portfolio or other presentational form. You’ll further develop an understanding of the professional context and career potential of your talents and creativity, while reflecting upon your ideas and objectives. You’ll come away with a vibrant portfolio of work and a clear idea of your future goals.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry
• View the summary specification for 2017 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules