Library resources, Internet, audio-visual presentation resources, Powerpoint.

Introductory lecture-workshop sessions discuss the theoretical context, establish, the parameters and revise and extend the basic techniques you bring to this project. Early in the module you negotiate the most appropriate terms for your project (working roles, outline treatment and scope of the pre-production research). This is followed throughout the module with regular supervision and skills top-up if needed. Towards the end of the first semester there is a public feedback session in which you pitch your idea ? as if in a professional situation. The feedback informs your final brief for your project and may involve amendments before you proceed into the research and development phase, which you manage in your own time and working independently, with regular tutorial supervision. This phase includes primary research among professionals in independent production roles. A further public feedback session to a panel of assessors at the end of the module summarises your pre-production research and development and key demands of the projected production process.

Dependent on the nature of the project negotiated, but likely to include:

Chater, K. 2002 Research for Media Production (2nd edn.) Oxford: Focal
Levison, L 1998 Film Makers and Financing (2nd edn) Oxford: Focal
Gates, R. 1999 Production Management for Film & Video (3rd edn.) Oxford: Focal
Jarvis, P. 1993 A Production Handbook Oxford: Focal
Peak, S. & Fisher, P. (ed.s) current edition The "Guardian" Media Guide London: Atlantic Books
Screen International and Broadcast trade magazines

This substantial project provides the opportunity for you to draw together all the practical experience and critical understanding you have acquired of the professional practices involved in making a media product. You choose one from the film, television, radio industries or/and their web-based ancillary, propose a product and then focus on the pre-production phase, as if you were an independent production house. You negotiate the nature and scope of your project with your supervisor at the start of the module and this is followed by three stages of development: first you develop and present a preliminary `pitch? to win the commission for your proposed product; once that has been discussed, refined if necessary, and accepted you proceed to build a portfolio of research into all of the main pre-production elements entailed in turning your pitched concept into a project ready to go into production; and finally you give a transitional presentation, as if to your production team, which summarises the key requirements and challenges you anticipate before the finished product is ready for release.

1. A pitch for a media product. [LO 2, 4, 5, 6 & 9]
2. A project portfolio presented in the form of a pre-production dossier for professional use, including individual evaluative reflection [LO 1 - 5, 7 - 10]
3. A final project presentation, summarising your pre-production research and development and key demands of the projected production process [LO 6, 7 & 10]