Module Information

Module Identifier
FM24220
Module Title
Directing and Producing
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Mr James Caddick
Semester
Semester 1

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment ​​Creative Portfolio  Pitch Presentation, submitting the annotated PowerPoint with supporting research 10 Minutes  40%
Semester Assessment Filmed Reflection  Film reflecting on a short group film exercise, framed from the perspective, either of a producer or a director. 5 Minutes  60%
Supplementary Assessment ​​Creative Portfolio  Pitch Presentation, submitting the annotated PowerPoint with supporting research 10 Minutes  40%
Supplementary Assessment Filmed Reflection  Film reflecting on a short group film exercise, framed from the perspective, either of a producer or a director. 5 Minutes  60%

Learning Outcomes

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

Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the producer and director in the creative and professional aspects of realising a filmmaking project.

Understand and put into practice the choices available to producers and directors in the process of realising their cinematic ideas and the ability to contextualise those choices within academic theory and industry practice.

Demonstrate effective self-management, team working, and professionalism

Demonstrate critical reflection on the practice of others and one’s own practice.

Brief description

This module provides students with an understanding of the roles of director and producer and with an increased ability to practice these roles. The critical study of directing and producing will take place in lecture/screenings, and the practice and study of directing and producing will take place in workshops. Students will develop their understanding of film as both an aesthetic and social creative practice. In hands-on workshops students will investigate the responsibilities, processes and craft of the producer and director roles.

Content

Film screenings, with accompanying lectures, will provide a starting point for analysis and exploration of approaches to directing, with the lectures exploring key concepts and processes including: film narrative, film dramaturgy, visual storytelling, idea development, realising a film from script to screen, as well as the study of character and working with actors. Seminars will examine case studies and provide opportunities to expand an understanding of the practicalities of producing and bringing the director's vision to life on-set, as well as exploring issues around budgeting, scheduling, and location management. The weekly workshops will allow students to undertake practical exercises in working with actors, blocking for camera, staging scenes, and directing background action, as well as breaking down a script, scheduling, and budgeting.

The module will be taught through workshops, screenings and lectures.
Lectures may include: The Short Film Form, Film Development, Character Development, Conventions of Genre, Style and Form, The Auteur and Commercial Filmmaking, The Dynamics of a film set, Audience & Distribution.
Workshops may include: Ideas & Development, Treatment & Presentation, Mood Film Exercise, Funding & Distribution research, Working with actors, Blocking & Staging, Visual storytelling, Script Breakdown & Scheduling.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Students will be engaging in team work, learning through experience and receiving feedback on the effectiveness of their own critical communication.
Improving own Learning and Performance Via independent and group work, students will learn how to make use of the available means, how to overcome obstacles, as well as how to cope with (constructive) criticism.
Information Technology Students will be making film work using digital media technologies competently and appropriately.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will evaluate and analyse their own work and that of their peers with reflexivity and consideration. Students will be using the Portfolio as an effective working tool for academic and career development and reflection.
Problem solving Students will be challenged with both practical and theoretical problems and then engaging in individual and group activities to solve these problems.
Research skills Students will think analytically, researching in both practical contexts, and developing analytical thinking skills as a practitioner.
Subject Specific Skills Students will be able to make film work to an increasingly professional standard.
Team work Students will extensively be engaged in teamwork not only during seminars and workshops, but also in their assignment projects, gaining knowledge and experience in team co-ordination and organization.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5