Module Information

Module Identifier
TFM6420
Module Title
Introduction to Media Production Skills
Academic Year
2019/2020
Co-ordinator
Dr Laura Stephenson
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Creative Portfolio  (10 minutes)  70%
Semester Assessment Critical Portfolio  (3,000 words)  30%
Supplementary Assessment Creative Portfolio  (10 minutes)  70%
Supplementary Assessment Critical Portfolio  (3,000 words)  30%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Understand and demonstrate the importance of thorough planning and preparation in the media production process, as well as an awareness of legal, ethical and regulatory guidelines.

2. Demonstrate and apply a fundamental and practical knowledge of professional audio, camera, lighting and editing equipment.

3. Articulate creative intentions and make decisions which are appropriate to realising those artistic goals.

4. Demonstrate an advanced appreciation for the necessity of teamwork and an increased ability to offer and receive constructive criticism.

Brief description

This practical module introduces students to the essential skills, techniques and competencies for producing media across a range of formats. Students will engage with the fundamental concepts of media production, whilst embarking on a range of creative and practical exercises designed to nurture both artistic and technical knowledge. The emphasis is placed on developing skills which can be applied and implemented independently in the workplace, for business use or personal productions.

Content

Through a combination of distance learning techniques and practical workshops students will be introduced to the three core stages of media production: pre-production, production and post-production. In the pre-production block students will learn key producing skills including the adaptation of script material to screen content, as well as legal guidelines, budgeting and scheduling. In the production block students will learn essential ‘hands-on’ skills required on the set or studio, such as basic cinematography (camera and lighting) and sound production techniques. The post-production block will introduce students to basic editing techniques for transforming raw video and audio footage into a polished final cut.

Block 1
Concept Development & Script Breakdown: Narrative, Adaptation, Storyboards & Shot Lists
Scheduling & Budgeting: Locations, Call Sheets, Above-the-Line/Below-the-Line Costs

Block 2
Camera I: Framing, Composition, White Balance, Exposure, Focus & Movement
Camera II: Development of Camera Skills
Lighting and Sound: 3-Point Lighting & Using Personal and Boom Microphones
Independent Filmmaking: Production Skills in Practice

Block 3
Editing Basics: 180-Degree Rule, Cutting on Action and Framing (30-Degree Rule)
Artistic Editing: Emphasis, Rhythm, Variation and Transitions
Post-Sound: Additional Dialogue Recording (ADR), Foley, Sound FX and Levels

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Use of editing software and camera technologies involves application of number skills.
Communication Short production exercises involve communication between all members of a production team.
Improving own Learning and Performance During practical exercises, students are asked to continually reelect on and to evaluate their creative and technical decisions. In the critical portfolio, students evaluate how far they have realised their creative and technical aims.
Information Technology Professional software is used to edit the media exercises. Blackboard will be implemented.
Personal Development and Career planning The module emphasises media production work in professionally defined roles. It also establishes, on an introductory level, the professional procedures in media production. The media projects may be added to students' production portfolios.
Problem solving Workshop exercises consist of an aesthetic and/or technical problem to be solved through decision-making. The production of short media artefacts requires problem solving in creative, intellectual, and logistical areas.
Research skills Pre-production for practical exercises and the critical portfolio both involve research to extend taught materials.
Subject Specific Skills Students will gain subject specific skills across a range of media production concepts, competencies and skills, including camera, sound, editing, production management and online distribution.
Team work All creative and technical exercises take place in small groups.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7