A PORTFOLIO weighted at 100%.

The PORTFOLIO: may include television programme extracts, completed programmes, production notes, evaluative online blog, written critical analysis, evaluative reflections and draft proposals (1 x 100%). Learning Outcomes 1-7.

Students will be required to contribute and participate in formative workshop exercises.

This module introduces an exploration of the key concepts of television production in relation to its critical and theoretical context. You will be making programme extracts which demonstrate your understanding of television as a communicative medium, and the different production roles which contribute to its process of construction. This includes learning about the practical techniques and crafting skills to create visual content for different genres and audiences. You will also undertake technical training in how to effectively use the range of television production equipment safely and creatively, alongside post-production techniques to produce final professional content appropriate to this level of study. As a part of this you will also have the space to evaluate and reflect on your own creative choices through an evaluative journal as an online blog. The module considers how television constructs a visual story to engage viewers and how the range of production techniques can effectively communicate content. The module also examines what we mean by ‘television’ in the current 21st Century digital climate, and how producers need to be aware of the range of recent development impacting upon the medium and the ways that audiences access content. This includes some exploration of the historical development of key programme genres and the communication practices which continue the success of the broadcast medium.

The module will be taught through a combination of practical workshops, screenings and evaluative focused discussions. A series of weekly contact workshops will introduce the key practical and theoretical concerns of television. There will be a combination of tutor-led practical crafting sessions, technical training and critical/theory based exploratory sessions. There will also be some guided independent study and tutorials, which will form an important component of on-going research, teamwork, meetings, personal development/skills development planning. In addition to this there will also be some sessions which examine the analytical components of television and their practical application, which can be used to inspire creative skills development.

Portable camera equipment
Multi camera television studio/equipment
Editing workstations and software for TV post-production work
Library and online resources
Projector & playback facilities.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Bamford, N. (2012) Directing Television, London: Bloomsbury.
Bignell, J. (2013) An Introduction to Television Studies, London: Routledge.
Creeber, G. ed. (2015) The Television Genre Book, London: Palgrave/BFI.
Owens, J. (2016) Television Production, Oxford: Focal.
Singleton-Turner, R. (2011) Cue & Cut, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Wheatley, H. (2016) Spectacular Television, London: I. B.Tauris.
Willett, A. (2013) Media Production, London: Routledge.

See module handbook for a full listing of reading texts.

1. UNDERSTAND THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE PRACTICES AND SOME OF THE TELEVISION PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN RELATION TO HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CREATION OF PROGRAMME STYLES AND CONTENTS.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND THEIR OUTCOMES BY WORKING TO A BRIEF.
[Problem Solving]

3. APPLY PROFESSIONAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION SKILLS AT AN INTRODUCTORY LEVEL BY USING INDUSTRY STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES TO PRODUCE CREATIVE TELEVISION CONTENT. [Practical and Professional]

4. CRITICALLY ANALYSE AND APPLY KNOWLEDGE TO THE CREATION OF TELEVISION CONTENT THROUGH THE EXPLORATION OF THE MEDIUM’S FORMAL CONVENTIONS AND COMMUNICATION PRACTICES. [Enquiry]
5. DEVELOP PROGRAMME PACKAGES AND CONTENT FOR TELEVISION
AUDIENCES WHICH DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSEQUENCES, EFFECTS AND READING PRACTICES OF THE MEDIUM.
[Communication]

6. APPLY WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO EVALUATE AND REFLECT ON THE PROCESS OF TELEVISION PRODUCTION, ITS CONTEXTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEORETICAL APPLICATION.
[Reflection]

7. WORK CREATIVELY AS A MEMBER OF A PRODUCTION TEAM IN THE PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF TELEVISION OUTPUT.
[Collaborative Working]