Introductory description

This intensive third-year module will help you to develop your understanding of the practice of short film production through the opportunity to work on the development of a self-devised short fiction film. It will provide you with intensive coaching in the preparation and development of a viable film treatment or script, and offer intensive workshop practice in the various essential skills related to the practice of filmmaking: cinematography, sound and editing. It will give you a solid and meaningful working experience of the collaborative nature of the practice of film production. You will work in groups of 3-4 with all being given the chance to direct as well as practice other skills. It will also provide you with an understanding of the administrative and legalistic aspects of film production.

By the end of the module, you will have gained training and experience in the various elements of short film production via a demonstrable portfolio of practical skills related to direction, cinematography, sound, lighting, editing and production management. You will have produced a viable film treatment or script that will have informed the production of a 6-8 minute fiction film. You will have developed practical skills in creative thinking and planning on both an individual and group basis, and developed skills in collaborative teamwork. You will have gained practical experience in planning and managing the relevant legalistic and health and safety elements of short film production. You will have developed skills in constructing a reflective piece of critical writing that will relate to both the critical intentions of an individual film project and the nature of the learning experience that has generated the project.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Workshop 1: Intensive module induction to take place in Week 9 of the Summer term in Year 2
2. Workshop 2: 5 day programme to take place in ‘Week 0’ of the Year 3 Autumn term that will provide initial feedback on film treatments and intensive practical induction in acquisition skills regarding production planning, directing actors and cinematography.
3. Workshop 3: 5 day programme to take place in Week 6 of the Autumn term dedicated to induction in post-production skills + the development of a viable working script.
4. Workshop 4: 5 day programme to take place in Week 11 of the Autumn term that will provide training in legal administration, health & safety and the signing off of individual project scripts, as well as test shooting under supervision.
5. Workshop 5: 5 day programme to take place in Week 6 of the Spring term based on group viewing tutorials that will critique rough cuts of individual film projects. Work also on sound.

Note: this schedule is roughly commensurate with the 30 CATS BA Dissertation module currently offered by the Department of Film and Television Studies. The number of contact hours will be larger in most instances though due to the nature of the necessary induction, training and collaborative experience undertaken by the cohort.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Students will have gained training and experience in the various elements of short film production via a demonstrable portfolio of practical skills related to direction, cinematography, sound, editing and production management.
• Students will have produced a viable film treatment that will have informed the production of a 6-8 minute fiction film.
• Students will have learnt how to construct a reflective piece of critical writing that will relate to the both the critical intentions of the project and the nature of the learning experience that has generated the project.
• Students will have gained a valuable set of work-related skills in film production that will facilitate applications for further postgraduate studies and employment in the field.
• Students will have gained a valuable set of work-related skills in film production that will facilitate applications for further postgraduate studies and employment in the field.

Indicative reading list

Aiijon, Daniel (1976) Grammar of the Film Language. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press.
Aristotle, Health M. (1997) Poetics: Penguin Classics
Brown, Blain (2002) Cinematography: Theory and Practice: Image making for Cinematographers, Directors and Videographers. Focal Press.
Egri, L (1960) The Art of Dramatic Writing. New York: Touchstone Books, Simon & Schuster.
Field, Syd. (1982) Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. New York: Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
Honthaner, Eve (2001) The Complete Film Production Handbook, 3rd Edition, Focal Press
Katz, Steven D. (2006), Cinematic Motion, 2nd Edition, Michael Wiese Productions
Mascelli, Joseph V.(1965) The 5 C s of Cinematography, Cinegraphic Publications, Hollywood.
Murch, Walter (2001) In the Blink of an Eye, A Perspective of Film Editing , 2nd edition, Silman-James Press
Pincus, Edward, and Steve Ascher (1999) The Filmmaker’s Handbook – A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age Revised and Updated Edition New York: New American Library.
Proferes, Nicholas T. (2001) Film Directing Fundamentals: From Script to Screen. Boston: Focal Press
Rabiger, Michael (2003) Developing Story Ideas – Focal Press
Reisz, Karel and Millar, Gavin (1977) The Technique of Film Editing - Focal Press
Seger, Linda (1987) Making a Good Script Great. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company.
Sonnenschein, David (2004) Sound Design, Michael Wiese Productions
Thompson, Roy (1998) Grammar of the Shot, Focal Press
Thompson, Roy (1993) Grammar of the Edit, Focal Press
Vogler, Christopher (2004) The Writer s Journey 2nd Edition, Michael Wiese Productions
Watkinson, John (2002) An Introduction to Digital Audio, 2nd Edition Focal Press

Subject specific skills

This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through close textual and/or contextual analysis in relation to the moving image and sound. It may also develop understanding of historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relevant to screen arts and cultures.

Transferable skills

• critical and analytical thinking in relation
• independent research skills
• team work
• clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
• accurate, concise and persuasive writing
• audio-visual literacy