module specification

This module will provide students with a number of introductory practical skills in relation to film and television production and a range of broadcast media. Through practice-based exercises aimed at introducing photographic, digital and filmmaking skills, students will begin to explore issues of, for example, editing and sound. They will also begin to reflect upon their learning, and thereby begin to develop and improve upon their future learning experience.

This module aims to:

● Introduce students to the practical study of film, television and broadcast media;

● Provide students with basic skills in photography and digital filmmaking;

● Develop students’ strategies for working in groups, collaboration and teamwork;

● Provide students with the opportunity to reflect upon their learning and develop corresponding skills;

● Prepare students for the practical study of film, television and broadcast media at Level 4.

In relation to photography, through short lectures and workshops students will investigate some photographic history and genres and will do some close textual analysis of photographic images. They will also participate in practical workshops in DSLR use, storyboarding and use of Adobe Photoshop software in a Mac lab.

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

In relation to Film and TV and through short lectures and workshops students will investigate continuity editing, narrative and genres, camera, lighting and sound technology, and relations between sound and image. There will be workshops on group production strategies and on close textual analysis of moving images and effects. Students will also participate in practical workshops in DV camerawork, lighting, microphone use, adherence to Health and Safety precautions, and use of Adobe Premiere Pro software for image/sound editing in a Mac lab.

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

This module seeks to introduce a ‘practice/theory’ approach by exposing students to various aspects of digital video and audio production and DSLR photography, and importantly to complement the foundation of various media and cultural theoretical knowledge on other Extended Degree modules.

Weekly teaching sessions are divided between: lectures, close analysis workshops (both in class and in a Mac lab) and practical equipment workshops (both in class, studio and Mac lab).

There are a number of informally assessed, individual exercises, providing opportunities for both formative and diagnostic feedback: close textual analysis of still images and short moving image and sound clips in class, note-taking exercises during clip analysis, short in-camera exercises (storyboarded) to practice shooting for continuity editing, lighting, microphone use and sound recording, introductory editing exercises, and introductory Adobe Photoshop work, all in Mac lab workshops.

Group work is expected, i.e., students working on others’ projects, and this is expected to take place not only within but also outside weekly class time.

On completion of this module, students will have:

1. Received introductory learning in the practical study of film, television and broadcast media;

2. Developed basic skills in photography, digital filmmaking and other broadcast media;

3. Had experience of working in groups and developed appropriate skills and strategies enabling them to collaborate and work as part of a team in future group projects;

4. Developed skills in self-reflection, enabling them to consider how they engage with their learning experience and might develop this further at undergraduate level;

5. Gained skills and knowledge as appropriate preparation for the practical study of film, television and broadcast media at Level 4.

The assessment strategy will be formed around both written and practice-based assessments. Opportunities will be provided for students to demonstrate their learning through in-class assignments, group work and independent work, allowing them to engage with a variety of forms of assessment across the module.

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/sm3018.html

Core Reading:

Elsey, E. and A. Kelly, In Short: A Guide to Short Film-making in the Digital Age (London: BFI, 2002)
Brindle, M., The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (London, Quercus, 2014)
Harman, D., The Digital Photography Handbook: An Illustrated Step-by-step Guide (London: Quercus: 2016)
Musburger, R.B., Single Camera Video Production (Burlington, Mass: 2010)
Rice, J. and B. McKernan, Creating Digital Content: Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema (N.Y: McGraw-Hill, 2001)

Additional Reading:

Bolter, J. D. and R. Grusin, Remediation: Understanding New Media (Cambridge, Mass./London: MIT Press, 1999)
Bordwell, D. and K. Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction, various edn (N.Y.: McGraw Hill
Cook, P. and M. Bernink (eds), The Cinema Book, 3rd edn (London: British Film Institute, 2007)
Elsey, E. and A. Kelly, In Short: A Guide to Short Film-making in the Digital Age (London: BFI, 2002)
Gibbs, T., The Fundamentals of Sonic Art and Sound Design (Worthing: AVA Academia, 2007)
Licht, A., Sound Art: Beyond Music, Between Categories (Milan: Rizzoli International Publs, 2007)
Middleton, C., The Complete Guide to Digital Audio: A Comprehensive Introduction to Digital Sound and Music-making (Lewes: Ilex, 2004)
Millerson, G., Lighting for Television and Film (Oxford: Focal Press, 1999)
Modrak, R. and Anthes, W. (2010) Reframing Photography: Theory and Practice London: Routledge
Nelmes, J. (ed.), An Introduction to Film Studies, 2nd edn (London: Routledge, 1999)
Tomlinson, H., Sound for Digital Video (Burlington, Mass: Focal Press, 2013)
Watkinson, J., An Introduction to Digital Audio (Oxford: Focal Press, 2002)
Watkinson, J., The Art of Digital Video, 8th edn (Oxford: Focal Press, 2008)
Wayne, M., Theorising Video Practice (London: Lawrence and Wishart, 1997)
Wells, L., Photography: A Critical Introduction (London: Routledge, 1996)

BFI Screenonline:  http://www.screenonline.org.uk/index.html
Adobe Premiere Pro DV editing tutorials:  https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/tutorials.html
BBC Academy:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/page/about