Module Descriptors

This module allows students to develop their creative and technical skills through the creation of two practical video assignments.  The first requires students to design and execute a performance-based video in collaboration with a band, musician or performance artist. Music video structures will be discussed and analysed in detail and several exercises in capturing a performance-based scene will be performed before the video shoot commences – formative exercises will cover new editing skills, connecting music/sound with actions and edits as well as lip synch editing, jump cuts, match cuts and basic colour correction.  The second assignment requires students to create a short factual or fictional film that implements extensive sound design and audio effects.

Throughout the module further camera techniques will be developed alongside a deepening knowledge of post production techniques. Students will also be given an introduction to sound recording techniques, chroma key compositing (green screen) and studio-based recording techniques.  Team-working and collaborative skills will also be developed alongside an emphasis on professional etiquette.  

Students will extend their knowledge and understanding of key concepts from a range of theoretical and practical approaches to short film.  Students will acquire a critical terminology and learn practical techniques that can be applied to the production of creative short video sequences.

• Analysis of capturing performance/music video techniques to apply to the creation of a collaborative assignment.


• Introduction to further pre-production documents and digital pre-production.


• Student analysis of current and historical music videos, presenting developed understanding of techniques and theoretical context.


• Introduction to chroma-key compositing (green screen) and special effects.


• Development of post-production techniques.


• Development of further camera techniques and operation as well the introduction of further sound equipment and skills development.


• Editing, sound cleaning techniques and use of audio filters.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Demonstrate appropriate professional and technical production/post-production skills by working in a group to create two short video projects.

L2. Apply knowledge and understanding of the pre-production process by researching, planning and organising two short video projects.

L3. Demonstrate critical analysis and an understanding of the context of the work created through entries in a working journal.

Critical Analysis: Students will explore the historical development of video work, analysing key periods of creative practice in relation to wider historical developments of art and film forms.

Students will gain an awareness of the ways in which different social groups may make use of the audio-visual media in the construction of social and cultural realities, cultural maps and frames of reference.
Students will gain an awareness of the historical evolution of particular genres, aesthetic traditions and forms, technologies, and of their current characteristics and possible future developments.

Students will produce work which demonstrates an understanding of media forms and structures, audiences and specific communication registers.

Students will produce work which is informed by, and contextualised within, relevant theoretical issues and debates.

Developing project ideas and proposals: Students will critically examine the nature of creative video practice and how creative experimentation informs contemporary conventions of video production and working practices.

Project Development: Students will undertake workshop sessions to develop practical skills in video production and sound design.

Students will be able to generate, design and develop creative project ideas.

Production work: Students will participate in the development and production of a short video work, critically applying elements of industry practice and key production methods.

Technical proficiency: students will be able to fully apply digital filming and editing technology in production of short film projects.

Students will be able to produce detailed proposals/treatments: subject, content, approach, target audience, scheduling etc.

Students will be able to practically apply knowledge of pre-production: recce, scheduling, cast and crew commission, call-sheets, equipment and prop hire/purchase, location lists and logistical planning.

Students will be able to produce scripting, storyboarding, shot lists, lighting plans, production design.

Define and explain genre types, and apply narrative approaches and techniques of storytelling in the writing of scripts.

Demonstrate an awareness of the aesthetics and narrative forms of various genres, and their relation to meanings.

Draw upon and bring together ideas from different sources of knowledge and from different academic disciplines.

Intellectually analyse and apply aesthetic application, form and genre approaches.

Demonstrate an awareness of professional, technical and formal choices which realise, develop or challenge existing practices, and of the possibilities and constraints involved in production processes.

Produce work which is informed by, and contextualised within, relevant theoretical issues and debates.

Experiment, as appropriate, with forms, conventions, techniques and practices.

Be adaptable, creative and self-reflexive in producing work within various genres.

Gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently, and express them effectively in written, oral or in other forms.

Put to use a range of IT skills from basic competences such as data analysis and word-processing to more complex skills using web-based technology or multimedia for research, and develop, as appropriate, specific proficiencies in utilising a range of media technologies.

With varying emphasis, students in these subject areas will also be able to:

Work in flexible, creative and independent ways, showing self-discipline, self-direction and reflexivity.

Retrieve and generate information, and evaluate sources, in carrying out independent research.

Organise and manage supervised, self-directed projects.

Define and assign necessary production roles and responsibilities and work cooperatively within a production team.

Communicate effectively in inter-personal settings, in writing and in a variety of media.

Work productively in a group or team, showing abilities at different times to listen, contribute and lead.

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
Attendance at each weekly three hour timetabled lab, lecture or workshop.

2.10

1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.