module specification

This module introduces students to the core concepts of filmmaking (image & sound) through lectures and practical workshops in digital photography, cinematography, sound recording and editing. Through lecture and practical engagement students will also reach a greater understanding of a number of theories and histories relating to the creative uses of image and sound.

This module aims to: 

1) Introduce students to the fundamental technology of digital photography/video and sound production and to a range of basic practical skills necessary for each, and therefore provide students with a range of potentially employable skills and capabilities.

2)  Support some of the theoretical priorities of the School of Computing and Digital Media courses by exposing students to various aspects of digital image and sound production in relation to various media and cultural theories (including those they have encountered or are likely to encounter on other School modules) that assume or assert a relationship between image, sound and film style, and to analyze this practice/theory process through written reflection on their practical work.

3) Provide students with the experience of collaborative working practices and to reflect on their benefits and difficulties, particularly in relation to individual/group co-ordination, all of which are important components for future employability. 

4)  Prepare students for a ‘practical-theoretical’ strand of School of Computing and Digital Media modules at levels 5 and 6, including the level 6 Project.

None

In relation to moving image and sound practices, through short lectures and close textual analysis students will first explore the history and development of photography as a visual medium, differing stylistic approaches (photojournalism, formal portraiture), image manipulation, visual composition and narrative visual storytelling. Students will also participate in practical workshops in image composition, visual storytelling and storyboarding as an introduction to cinematography and continuity editing.

Learning Outcomes LO 1,3,4,5

In the second half of the course students will build on initial learning outcomes to explore key aspects of film style through short lectures and close textual analysis. In particular the use of mise en scène, cinematography, continuity editing (and alternatives), the creative and practical use of sound, relationship between sound and image, narrative and genre, Students will also participate in practical workshops in digital cinematography, sound recording and use of Adobe Premiere Pro software for image/sound editing in a Mac lab.

Leanring Outcomes LO 2,3,4,5

This module seeks to consolidate a ‘practice/theory’ approach on courses within the School of Computing and Digital Media by exposing students to key aspects of digital photography/video and audio production, and to complement the foundation of various media and cultural theoretical knowledge gained overall at level 4.

Weekly three-hour teaching sessions are divided between lectures, close analysis workshops and practical equipment workshops within a Mac Lab environment.  All teaching materials will also be co-ordinated and archived on WebLearn.

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 camera exercises to practice shooting for visual composition, visual storytelling, practice exercises in microphone use and sound recording, and introductory editing exercises.

Group work is expected, i.e., students to work on others’ projects, and this is expected to take place not only within but also outside weekly class time. This will be an important learning experience in terms of potential employability, particularly in the context of potential future media work (e.g. media production, post-production, media journalism, etc.)

On successful completion of this module, students will have acquired the practical and theoretical skills necessary to:

1. produce digital photographic images, e.g., operation of DSLR cameras, digital photographic reproduction and image manipulation

2. produce and edit digital video and audio material, e.g., operation of DSLR and camcorder cameras, sound recording equipment, basic use of lighting, and image and sound editing

3. understand many of the relationships between film and television theory and filmmaking practice, between the still and the moving image, and between sound and moving image

4. make a critical evaluation and comparison of individual and collective modes of working

5. develop personal qualities (such as independence, ability to take responsibility, self-esteem and confidence) and transferable skills (such as negotiating/working effectively with others, time management, communication, objective setting, planning and creativity) which will enhance employability in the professional workspace

There will be FOUR assessment items for all students, including theoretical and practical work. Students will normally work on a photographic-based assignment, an exercise in digital sound practice, a short group video production, and a short essay analyzing some aspects of film style.

Practical projects are individually assessed, but students are expected to work co-operatively as crew members, as appropriate to specific production tasks on each other’s projects.

All will be expected to produce one academic essay, analyzing questions of genre and mise en scène arising from the practical work on the module, as well as reflecting on the process of practice/theory interaction throughout.

CORE READING
Ascher, S. et al. The filmmaker’s handbook: a comprehensive guide for the digital age. 4th edition. (New York: Plume, 2013)
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)
Creeber, G.  Television Genre Book. 3rd ed. (London: Bloomsbury, 2015).
Gibbs, J. E. Mise-en-scène: film style and interpretation. (London: Wallflower, 2002)
Hill, J. and Gibson, P. C. The Oxford guide to film studies. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998)
Manovich, L. The language of new media. (Cambridge, Massachusett: MIT Press, 2002)
Musburger, R.B., Single Camera Video Production (Burlington, Mass: 2010)
Wayne, M., Theorising Video Practice (London: Lawrence and Wishart, 1997)
Wells, L., Photography: A Critical Introduction (London: Routledge, 1996)
Wells, L. (ed.) The photography reader: history and theory. 2nd edition. (London: Routledge, 2018)

ADDITIONAL READING
Bolter, J. D. and R. Grusin, Remediation: Understanding New Media (Cambridge, Mass./London: MIT Press, 1999)
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)
Manovich, L., ‘What is Digital Cinema?’, in N. Mirzoeff, N. (ed.), The Visual Culture Reader, 2nd edn (London: Routledge, 1998), pp. 405-416
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)
Nelmes, J. (ed.), An Introduction to Film Studies, 2nd edn (London: Routledge, 1999)
Rice, J. and B. McKernan, Creating Digital Content: Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema (N.Y: McGraw-Hill, 2001)
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)

+ various online links/resources, e.g.:

BFI Screenonline:  http://www.screenonline.org.uk/index.html
No Film School:  http://nofilmschool.com/
Box of Broadcasts:  http://bobnational.net/
Adobe Premiere Pro DV editing tutorials:  https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/tutorials.html
BBC Academy:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/page/about