This module aims to consolidate the knowledge, skills and experience gained during previous levels of study by providing an opportunity to produce a feature length film within the context of industry working conditions. Refining your working methodologies and adopting a professional and competitive approach, you will collaboratively develop and produce a feature film to be shot within a 72-hour timeframe. You will examine how production crew, in managerial and technical capacities, work independently and collaboratively to bring the Director’s vision creatively, technically, and logistically to screen.

Through this module, you will apply the principles of production planning, including budgeting and scheduling to a major film project and refine core craft skills in cinematography and sound design, tailoring production techniques to the proposed genre and theme. You can personalise learning by working within the disciplines aligned to your career aspirations.

You will research and apply for an individual production role, assuming significant responsibility for the creative treatment of the film from script to screen. The interview will relate a negotiated aspect of feature film development or production, showcasing advanced research into your role, project planning and creativity within the specified discipline. Detailed preparation materials may be presented or compiled as a video pitch.

You will carry out research, generate ideas and solve problems, all of which must be intellectually challenging, demanding and underpinned by a strong emphasis on the development of personal ideas through analytical and observational methods. You are expected to identify the internal and external expertise and specialist individuals you require to contextualise and improve the quality of your work.

The completed feature film, which may be premiered to a theatre audience, will be supported by a portfolio of production work that highlights the preparation, organisation and research required to align your feature filmmaking practice to industry expectations.

ASSESSMENT ONE: PROJECT PITCH
A 10-minute verbal Project Pitch proposal to include detailed preparation materials, which may be presented or compiled as a video pitch.

LOs (Learning Outcomes): 1 & 3 25%.

ASSESSMENT TWO: PRACTICAL PORTFOLIO

A Portfolio to include the completed feature film, supported by individual pre-production work and/or practical testing.

LOs (Learning Outcomes): 1-5 75%

Learning strategies are grounded in a student-centred approach, utilising project-based experiential learning, and authentic assessment. You will learn about feature filmmaking by working with cast and crew to produce a feature film within the context of industry constraints. You will be given opportunities to negotiate with staff on the production role(s) you would like to undertake. Negotiations should ensure that the production can be resourced and will meet the learning outcomes of the module. The production team will have the freedom to determine the genre, plot, and creative treatment of the film.

The module will be taught through blended learning, via a series of seminars, tutorials, and workshops. Creative Industry practitioners and departmental staff will offer differing expertise and perspectives, aimed to challenge, extend, stimulate, and inspire your learning and practice. The Module Leader will support your learning and help you to reflect upon and develop your practice, recommending personalised reading lists appropriate to your field of study. You will be actively encouraged to critique your own work and engage in peer learning through critical and creative debates and collaborating on tasks. Your learning will also be supported by wider university staff, including specialist help to support research and study skills.

Workshops will introduce fundamental theories that underpin the development of feature filmmaking practice.

Technical Instruction provides hands on experience with professional camera, audio and lighting equipment and specialist studio facilities.

Studio & Location fieldwork will provide a collaborative learning experience and enable you to work alongside cast and crew to participate in the production of a feature film. You will apply creative, technical, and theoretical skills to an authentic shooting scenario on location and in the studio.

Student crews (groups) are supported by a Production Supervisor (Lecturer) that models the industry role of an Executive Producer. This means you will receive regular developmental feedback on your production and employability skills.

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the key principles of independent feature film production, practices, and terminologies in producing a collaborative digital feature film.
Knowledge and Understanding.

2. Apply the methods and techniques of feature filmmaking to the development, pre-production, and production of a feature length film, within the time constraints reflective of industry. Apply advanced production techniques appropriate to the context of the feature film.
Application.

3. Assume personal responsibility in the production, exercise initiative and demonstrate learning ability, qualities, and transferable skills necessary for professional employment and/or further study. Reflection.

4. Create appropriate contingency plans based on your research and previous experience and demonstrate decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts to apply credible solutions.
Problem Solving.

5. Use industry vocabulary and digital methods of communication to share creative ideas and information with production crew and cast.
Communication.

Portable video and audio recording equipment
Specialist post-production suite - Editing, sound mixing, colour grading
Film studio, set flats, green screen, and lighting
E-library books and journals
Microsoft Teams digital learning environment.
LinkedIn Learning
Academic Study Skills Tutors

Brown, B. (2016). Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors. Oxford: Taylor & Francis Group.

Hoser, T. (2018). Introduction to Cinematography: Learning Through Practice. 1st edn. Milton: Routledge.

Lee, J.J. and Gillen, A.M. (2018). The Producer’s Business Handbook: The Roadmap for the Balanced Film Producer. 4th ed. London: Routledge.

Wales, L. (2016). The Complete Guide to Film and Digital Production: The People and The Process. Second edition. London: Routledge.

72 Hour Feature Film Production will cover:

Feature film development and management
Scriptwriting for feature film
Professional crew roles, responsibilities and set etiquette
Pre-production processes and studio tests
Advanced cinematography and audio recording