Digital film ba(hons)

Year 1

In year 1, the course will deal with classic and contemporary debates from film theory and examine a range of genres.

• Filmmaking Fundamentals

  In this module you will accrue and develop key competencies in filmmaking that will underpin the practice strand of your degree. Teaching will take primarily through workshops with weekly formative tasks. Technical inductions of key equipment will be contained within the teaching which will cover areas such as camera operation, field and studio sound recording, basic light principles, and an introduction to offline editing. You will be assessed on short filmed task that will demonstrate proficiently core filmmaking practices.

• Key Issues in Screen Studies

  This module will introduce you to major concepts used for the analysis of screen texts, by drawing on elements from the disciplines of film studies, media studies and cultural studies. Each week you will focus on one particular concept, such as narrative, editing, cinematography, ideology, representation and so on. You will be encouraged to consider the ways in which these concepts are useful in analysing different screen media.

• Screen Industries

  In this module you will look at the industrial and professional aspects of screen media institutions, and issues of economics, politics, creativity and cultural labour. You will be introduced to theories of political economy and draw on contemporary examples across a range of areas including film, television, video games, and digital media. You will be taught with input from industry practitioners. Consideration is also given to the pressing issue of media convergence.

• Production and Practice Management

  This module will introduce you to the collaborative processes and practice of work in group production. You will learn key roles within a production, develop a planning process and understand the workflow of a production. Formative and summative assessment for the module is designed around collaborative, team-working skills along with social skills, personal and group organisation and professionalism. Furthermore, the delivery and standard of a completed filmed project will be assessed a central indicator of group outcomes.

• Conceptualising Digital Film

  This module will introduce you to key theoretical debates related to the transformation of film in the digital age. With the advent of digital technologies, the physical use of celluloid as the essential underpinning of the ‘cinematic’ has been challenged. Furthermore, the emergence of the internet, smart phones, social media and many other digital phenomena are revolutionising the production, distribution and exhibition of film. In this module you will interrogate the very meaning ‘film’ and ‘cinema’ in the digital context.

• Creative Approaches to Screenwriting

  You will be introduced to a range of approaches for finding and developing stories suitable for the screen, from the traditional to the innovative. You will also examine a diverse range of writers and film makers and their relationship between the screenplay, film production, and audience. Through practical exercises and critical discussion, you will explore the creation of meaning through form and content within short films, and become aware of voice, approach, and the type of films it is possible to produce.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

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