Module Information

Module Identifier
FM11420
Module Title
Making Short Films 1
Academic Year
2021/2022
Co-ordinator
Dr Thomas Alcott
Semester
Semester 1
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
FM10520
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Reflective Essay (1,500 words)  (critical reflection on production work). 1,500 words.  40%
Semester Assessment Group Video Project (4-5 minutes)  50%
Semester Assessment Camera Test - Theory and Practice. 1 hour (in total)  10%
Supplementary Assessment Reflective Essay (1,500 words)  40%
Supplementary Assessment Camera Test - Theory and Practice. 1 hour (in total)  10%
Supplementary Assessment Video Production: an essay of 2,500 words  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

Develop a short film through the different stages of production (development, pre-production, production, Post-Production)

Be able to operate professional camera and sound kit and industry standard editing software.

Be able to select and employ core filmmaking concepts when developing, planning and producing your film.

Be able plan and produce your films in a professional and safe manner.

Be able to work creatively and effectively in a group/crew.

Brief description

Making Short Films 1 is designed to provide a grounding in all of the basic skills a student will need in order to progress onto the more advanced practical modules. It will help to develop core technical, creative and logistical skills that are central to making films in a professional manner.
This module will take students through the key stages of film making (development, pre-production, production and post-production) and demonstrate how these stages link together. Students will be taught core technical skills such as how to operate professional cameras, sound kit and editing software. Just as importantly, they will learn key creative and logistical concepts to employ when approaching a film from the role of a Scriptwriter, Director, Camera Operator, Editor or Sound Technician.
This module will help to develop a creative and professional approach to filmmaking for students to carry into more advanced modules in the future.

Aims

This course is intended to introduce key concepts and skills in media production, and to establish a sense of the thought process that lies behind practical work.

Content

Course delivery:

Lectures - 10 x 2 hour Lectures
Practical -7 x 2 hour Workshops
Other - 2 days of filming in week 8
Other - 2 days of editing in week 9
Other - Viewing and critique in week 10



Course content focuses on the following:

  • The stages of a media production. Who does what and when.
  • Screenwriting: the stages of writing a script; shaping a structure; and techniques for creating a narrative point-of-view.
  • Procedures for filming: shooting methodologies and their artistic implications.
  • The creation of different portrayals of 'space' onscreen and their expressive potential.
  • Camera angles and shot sizes.
  • Focus in the image.
  • Lens Language.
  • Further aspects of digital cinematography.
  • Key camera concepts in directing for continuity filmmaking: principles, rules and when you can break them.
  • Introduction to editing; shooting for editing.
  • The elements of post-production from digital editing to the digital intermediate.
    • The above sessions will be covered through lectures and workshops for the first eight weeks of the semester. The remaining two weeks of semester will be used to shoot the video project and apply the theory and practice acquired.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Use of editing package and camera involves application of number skills.
Communication Short production exercises involve communication between director, cinematographer and actors. The video project involves communication between director, cinematographer, tutor and actors.
Improving own Learning and Performance During weekly camera exercises, the tutor asks students to evaluate their creative decisions. In the critical essay, students evaluate how far they have realised their creative aims for the video production.
Information Technology Professional software is used to edit the work.
Personal Development and Career planning The module emphasises production work in professionally defined roles such as director, cinematographer and writer. It also establishes on a basic level the professional procedures in production. The video projects may be added to students' production portfolio as proof of ability.
Problem solving The weekly exercises consist of an aesthetic problem to be solved through decision making. Production of short video assessment requires problem solving in creative, intellectual, logistical and technical areas.
Research skills Pre-production for video project and written assignment both involve research into film sequences that will inform the creative work.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work Camera exercises take place in small groups. The video productions are realised in small groups.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4