Module Information
Module Identifier
FM33500
Module Title
Experimental Media Production
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Semester 2: 2. Viva Voce 20 Minutes | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 2: 1. Creative Portfolio | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 1: 2. Creative Portfolio (3-4 minutes, plus 500 words) | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Semester 1: 1. Ideas Exchange/Presentation 15 Minutes | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 2: 1. Creative Portfolio (4-5 minutes, plus 1000 words) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 1: 2. Creative Portfolio (3-4 minutes, plus 500 words) | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 2: 2. Critical Reflection on Creative Portfolio (1000 words) | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Semester 1: 1. Project Proposal 500 Words | 10% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate the ability to identify and develop an advanced aesthetic, philosophical, political or cultural problem for investigation, using a self-directed research plan.
Identify and plan an appropriate self-directed media practice methodology to investigate this problem.
Demonstrate the ability to formulate, realise and edit advanced media works (through self-directed work) with a developed critical awareness of what they are creating and the process used to produce it.
Show an advanced critical awareness of the connections between their work and current video production and theoretical writing, and use these areas to inform their practice.
Exhibit the ability to use video cameras and editing equipment with advanced skill.
Exhibit the ability to develop a portfolio of advanced completed video works as a basis for further investigation.
Brief description
This practice-based module is designed to develop an enhanced practical and critical awareness of experimental media production. You will create thought-provoking media projects that engage audiences in an experience that differs to that offered by mainstream and traditional film and media formats. You will be encouraged to identify and develop a unique voice and to approach media production with a strong sense of personal authorship, whilst also developing creative and technical production skills to a level that allows you to successfully realise your project ideas.
The module rigorously challenges the skills and production techniques acquired during FM10420/FM10520 Introduction Media Production (Year 1), FM10340 Media Production Project (Year 1) and, to a lesser extent, FM26520 Creative Documentary (Year 2). Having said this, Experimental Media Production focuses on developing a unique authorial voice that challenges conventional techniques and understandings; as such, students undertaking the module often come from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
The module rigorously challenges the skills and production techniques acquired during FM10420/FM10520 Introduction Media Production (Year 1), FM10340 Media Production Project (Year 1) and, to a lesser extent, FM26520 Creative Documentary (Year 2). Having said this, Experimental Media Production focuses on developing a unique authorial voice that challenges conventional techniques and understandings; as such, students undertaking the module often come from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
Content
This module is taught through a series of practical workshops, short lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and screenings. Each week is organised around specific areas of interest within experimental media production, such as voice, authorship, language and texture. These are supported by screenings of films that help to illuminate the topics, and seminars sessions will allow the students to further analyse and deconstruct themes, contexts and forms. Students will develop a portfolio of practical experiments, including 2 complete films/media projects.
Topics include:
• Why Experiment?
• The Auteur and Voice – embracing a distinct perspective
• Generating Expressive Imagery
• Auto-ethnography
• Collage and Texture
• Exploring the Somatic Camera
• Sound Design and Soundscapes
• Landscape/Cityscape Films
• Home Movies and Recycling Materials
Topics include:
• Why Experiment?
• The Auteur and Voice – embracing a distinct perspective
• Generating Expressive Imagery
• Auto-ethnography
• Collage and Texture
• Exploring the Somatic Camera
• Sound Design and Soundscapes
• Landscape/Cityscape Films
• Home Movies and Recycling Materials
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Communication | The students will develop their written skills in the writing of the proposals and analysis. The lecture-seminars will involve the discussion of screened work and related topics, along with the critique of students' own proposals and video works. Students will be encouraged to discuss with increasing precision and sophistication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The course will require the review and critique of all areas of the work from initial conception to finished project. The students will discuss both their own work and the work of others. The students will be encouraged to adjust their work in response to this assessment. A particular focus of discussion will be whether the realised work truly embodies or interrogates the problem or issue raised in the proposal. The written piece will evaluate the video piece. |
| Information Technology | Initial proposals would no doubt be word-processed. Digital video footage would be edited on a computer using Avid Media Composer or Final Cut Pro. Other applications/computer technologies may well be involved, depending on the student's particular self-directed research problem. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The realities of a career as a video artist will be touched upon during the discussion. These discussions will suggest exhibition opportunities for experimental video work (festivals, the gallery system) and the place of this work in the art market. The course will involve the production of a portfolio of work. |
| Problem solving | Each piece of video work will be an investigation of a particular aesthetic, intellectual, political or cultural problem. In producing the work, the students will gain experience of solving the particular logistical, budgetary and technical problems involved in production. |
| Research skills | Conceiving the video works will require research into a wide range of artistic production, critical-theoretical works, historical, social and cultural materials. This research will lay the basis for, and thereafter respond to, the research problem noted in (1) above. The creation of the media work will of course constitute a research program in itself (through practice). Filming and editing the works will involve research into the technical systems used in their creation. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Pre-production skills will be developed through the conception and planning of multiple productions. Directing skills will be developed during production. Camera skills will be developed in the use of a video camera. Editing skills will be developed through the editing of the piece. |
| Team work | The course involves group critique and discussion. There is also the potential for collaboration in production of work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6