FI331-30 Film Production II
Introductory description
This intensive third-year module will help you to develop your understanding of the practice of short film production through the acquisition of practical skills and the opportunity to work collaboratively on the development and production of a 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, as you work in groups of 4 - 5 to complete a short film as part of your assessment.
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 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 the range of practical tasks completed during the module, and the experience of developing and realising the short film project.
Module aims
- To develop students’ understanding of the practice of short film production through the opportunity to work collaboratively on the development and production of a short fiction film.
- To provide students with intensive coaching in the preparation and development of a viable film treatment.
- To offer intensive workshop practice in the various essential skills related to the practice of filmmaking: including cinematography, sound and editing.
- To give students solid and meaningful working experience of the collaborative nature of the practice of film production.
- To provide students with an experiential understanding of the administrative and legalistic aspects of film production.
- To enable students to engage reflectively on the skills acquired through the range of practical tasks completed during the module, the experience of developing and realising the short film project, and the critical intentions informing that project.
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.
Workshop 1: Intensive module induction to take place in Weeks 9 and 10 of the Summer term in Year 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 training in practical skills regarding production planning, directing actors and cinematography.
Workshop 3: 5 day programme to take place in Week 6 of the Autumn term dedicated to training in post-production skills + the development of a viable working script.
Workshop 4: 5 day programme to take place in Week 11 of the Autumn term that will provide training in pre-production (including legal administration and health & safety) as well as test shooting elements from group project under supervision from tutors.
Workshop 5: 5 day programme to take place in Week 0 of the Summer term providing training in post-production and feedback on rough cuts of Short film projects.
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 learnt how to construct a reflective piece of critical writing that will relate to the range of practical tasks completed during the module, and the experience of developing and realising the short film 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.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
This module develops skills of audio-visual literacy, through pragmatic engagement with the practicalities of film production and post-production. It will also develop understanding of aesthetics, historical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks relating to the techniques and traditions of professional film production. Through a detailed introduction to the specific skills employed by the key roles in film production (director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, sound recordist, editor) students will develop a greater understanding of cinema as an art, industry and culture.
Transferable skills
- critical and analytical thinking
- focussed development of original projects
- creative ideation
- independent research skills
- collaboration
- role-based working in a team structure
- specific skills relating to film production such as cinematography, sound recording, video editing.
- clarity and effectiveness of communication, oral and written
- accurate, concise and persuasive writing
- audio-visual literacy
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 1 session of 2 hours (1%) |
| Tutorials | 2 sessions of 30 minutes (0%) |
| Practical classes | 24 sessions of 8 hours (64%) |
| Fieldwork | 4 sessions of 8 hours 45 minutes (12%) |
| Private study | 70 hours (23%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Summer task. Writing, planning and delivering 2 films (Tree/Door): 20 Scriptwriting (writing 1 6-8page script): 15 Fall task. Writing, planning and delivering 1 film (Apple/ Wind): 10 Winter task. Writing planning and filming 1 film (mirror): 10 Production presentation : 7 Preproduction: 8
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| 4-6 minute film | 40% | Yes (extension) | |
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Production of a 4-6 minute film. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Critical Reflection | 30% | Yes (extension) | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Practical Film Task 1 | 10% | Yes (extension) | |
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An individually submitted practical film task completed during the Autumn term |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Practical Film Task 2 | 10% | Yes (extension) | |
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An individually submitted practical film task completed during the December workshop |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Production Presentation | 10% | Yes (extension) | |
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A group presentation showing the pre-production development of the Short Film |
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Reassessment component |
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| Production Presentation (poster) | Yes (extension) | ||
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An individually submitted poster demonstrating the student's contribution to the development of their group's Short Film project. |
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Feedback on assessment
In class feedback during group critical feedback on: Practical film task 1; Practical Film Task 2; Production Presentation Written feedback via module feedback form on: Short Film; Critical Reflection.
Pre-requisites
To take this module, you must have passed:
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UFIA-W620 Undergraduate Film Studies
- Year 4 of UFIA-W621 Undergraduate Film Studies (with Year Abroad)
- Year 3 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature
- Year 4 of UFIA-QW26 Undergraduate Film and Literature (with Study Abroad)