B.Sc. Digital Media Production

This course covers digital film, video and audio production, computer graphics and animation, and the making of interactive products for distribution via new media platforms.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, and show originality in tackling and solving problems.

A defining aspect of the new BSc DMP is the breaking of the course into cohesive, interlinked, ‘themed’ semesters that introduce and develop a complimentary skill set.

Each semester is made up from four modules, three ‘taught’ modules that develop a range of theoretical, academic, practical and professional skills and one ‘project’ module that allows demonstration of the students learning and understanding.

The ‘project’ module will take the form of a task to be achieved, or a problem to be solved. You will have to draw from the knowledge and skills gained in the ‘taught’ modules, synthesis a response and produce a solution.

This allows for many different solutions to the same problem/task and you will take control of managing and completing your own projects drawing on all of their knowledge rather than following a set of instructions to complete the tasks.You will also be given the opportunity to study towards professional qualifications including the AVID Media Composer 101 and 110 User certificate and 201 and 205 Professional certificate.

The Themed Semesters

Level 4 – Semester One: Storytelling through Factual Programme Production. This semester introduces the first of the ‘basic’ skillset that is needed to work within the creative media industries. The project is based around the production of a short ‘factual’ video project.

Key Taught Skills

• Research Techniques
• Video Editing and Post Production (Avid 101 and 110)
• Professional Video Camerawork

Level 4 – Semester 2A Creative use of Image and Sound. The second semester brings the opportunity to start looking beyond tradition methods of media production and introduces animation, visual effects, graphics and creative sound. The project allows you to creatively use these elements (and the skills developed in semester one) to produce a short experimental sequence (animation / Live action / Installation).

Key Taught Skills

• Visual Effects / Motion Graphics
• Creative Audio Post Production
• The Hardware / Creative Interface

Level 5 introduces more complex and inter-disciplinary solutions to the production of media artefacts. Skills in computer programming and image processing and transmission are developed and for the first time you are given an optional choice depending, either in networking or lighting and effects. The skillset developed in these five modules are then put into practice through a large outside broadcast ‘live event’.

Level 5 also introduces the notion of optional ‘pathways’ within the course with students being able to tailor their studies to a particular career aspiration.

Key Taught Skills

• Computer Programming (DMX etc)
• Image Processing / Compression
• Media Transmission Techniques (Satellite / cabled etc)
• Specialist Optional Skillset including lighting, special effects and broadcast engineering

Level 5 – Semester 2 ‘High End’ Media Production. The final themed semester draws together all the skills developed over the previous three semesters and allows you to really start to specialise in an area of media production that interests you.

The theme is ‘Narrative’ but the solution to the problem allows you to take the project in a direction that fits with your special interests. You could produce a ‘Factual Programme’ or specialise in media hardware systems through the TV News Project Module or produce a CGI animated sequence or digital film drama through the Narrative Project Module.

Key Taught Skills

• Advanced Image Capture Techniques
• Special Effects
• Cinematography
• Advanced Video Post-Production (Avid 201 and 205)/li>

Level 6 - Specialist Themes and Autonomous Media Professionals

At level 6 students will be expected to specialise to a high level in one area of the creative media industry and work as autonomous industry professionals as part of an integrated media department company working on external projects, liaising with clients with real life budgets and real life outcomes.

Key Taught Skills

• Professional Skills
• Business Management Skills
• Specialist Production Skills including Motion Capture, Digital Modelling, Colour Grading and and Broadcast Systems

As our courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from that shown below.

• Storytelling
• Avid Media Composer 101 – Editing Essentials
• Digital Cinematography 1
• Integrated Project 1 - Documentary
• Principles of Animation
• Visual Effects and Compositing 1
• Sound for Screen
• Integrated Project 2 - Experimental Project

• Digital Cinematography 2
• Avid Media Composer 201 – Professional Picture and
• Lighting & Effects
• Digital Modelling
• Integrated Project - Narrative
• Controlling Sound & Light
• Image Technology
• Integrated Project 3 - Live Event
• TV News Production 1
• Digital Cinematography 3
• Digital Modelling 2
• Digital Image Processing & Colour Grading
• Motion Capture
• TV News Operation 2 (double)
• Media Technology Project (double)
• Professional, Legal, & Ethical Issues
• Media Entrepreneurship
• Physical Special Effects Technology