Presentation (100%)
A critical analysis of a film or TV programme using a key theoretical framework(s), presented in a suitable format, which may be:
an essay, report, presentation, blog, podcast, review, short film or moving image with accompanying audio commentary, or an alternative negotiated with the module leader. Your submission must be representative of 3000 words or equivalent.
[Learning Outcomes 1,2, 3 & 4]
Formative assessment:
Presentation to peers justifying both your choice of film text and the format you have selected to present your analysis

In this module you will develop your understanding of the way that moving image products are formally considered in order to strengthen your ability to discuss ideas about film texts in a professional way. It will be expected that you will watch a wide range of film and TV productions so that you can apply theoretical concepts to different genres. This will help you make sense of the choices made in the creation of moving image material. Through discussions with peers and tutors, as well as your own independent studies, you will be able to rehearse your understanding of the conventions and language used to express what moving images mean.

You will be exploring the wider context of the creation of moving image products so that you can develop your understanding of particular products. One of the unexpected outcomes of your study is that you will never see a film or TV programme in the same way again. You will start to think about the directorial intentions of the work you are viewing. For example, is a documentary meant to persuade you of particular views (which you may not have held before), or are there cultural references that are short-cuts to creating particular impressions, such as teenagers wearing hoodies, or red roses referring to romance. You will see how the language of film can be harnessed to generate your own impressions, and the more you are able to discuss and critically debate this using appropriate language to discuss other people’s work, the better your own work will be.

The areas you will be looking at will relate to the way moving image is presented, the audience it is intended for, and the social and political context that has influenced and continues to influence the way film and TV programmes are made. It helps if you are able to compare different genres for different audiences, so you will be expected to explore (with tutor support and individually) moving image programmes from different times and across the world.

The formal elements that give you the language to evaluate these products include the areas below. This is just a sample of what you will be investigating, to give you an indication of the areas you will be learning about, in a way that you can see clearly relates to your own work as well as that of others.

Stylistic choices - genre, narrative, preferred reading, iconography, mise-en-scΏne, aesthetics
Technical choices – use of camera, lighting, sound, editing
Socio-political choices – representation of different group, external influences, legislation, target audience, platforms for dissemination

Through your exploration of the theoretical frameworks that support the development and interpretation of moving image products, you will develop your own ability to take particular texts and discuss them in meaningful ways. You will be involved in group discussions where you each identify different products and use the accepted concepts and terminology to evaluate how they work and what the deeper meaning is. Building on this you will be able to write about a given product in depth, using appropriate language and references.

The focus of this module is theoretical and builds on the learning that took place in the module of Screen Studies at Level 4. Learning will be facilitated through a mix of structured teacher-led delivery, interactive tasks and peer to peer discussions. Timetabled sessions will involve:
• Seminars discussing different frameworks for films and TV programmes
• Screenings of moving image products
• Lectures in theory illustrated by moving image exemplars
• Visits to the cinema, screenings and guest speakers
• Compilation of learning materials and own notes for future reference.

A personal analysis of a film or TV programme using a theoretical framework(s) will enable you to discover more about a related topic of particular interest to you. This will involve a significant amount of independent learning supported by 1:1 progress reviews with your tutor.
Activities to support this aspect of the module will typically involve:
• Project planning
• Research and analysis activities
• Writing workshops
• Presentation workshops, including exploration of a range of suitable methods and media
• Formative peer presentations
• Summative presentation

Video projector
Wide range of clips
Seminar room with presentation facilities
Audio Equipment
Post-Production software
Library and internet access

Benshoff H. (2015) Film and Television Analysis: An Introduction to Methods, Theories and Approaches: Routledge
Bordwell D and Thompson K (2013) Film Art: An Introduction: HSSL Publishing
Gillespie M and Toynbee J (2006) Analysing Media Texts (Volume 4) (Issues in Culture / Media Studies): Open University Press
Hill J. (2002) The Oxford Guide to Film Studies: Open University Press
Strinati D. (2004) An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture: Routledge

1. DEMONSTRATE SOUND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF A RANGE OF THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS THROUGH THE CONSIDERATION OF A RANGE OF MOVING IMAGE PRODUCTS.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. EVALUATE MOVING IMAGE TEXTS AND EXPRESS INSIGHTS INTO ALTERNATIVE MEANINGS USING A RANGE OF THEORETICAL APPROACHES.
[Analysis]

3. EXPRESS COMPLEX IDEAS USING APPROPRIATE FORMAL LANGUAGE TO DISCUSS AND CRITICALLY DEBATE THE MEANING OF MOVING IMAGE PRODUCTS, DIRECTORIAL INTENTIONS AND SOCIAL CONTEXT. [Communication]

4. RELATE THEORETICAL CONCEPTS TO ACTUAL MOVING IMAGE PRODUCTS AND SELECT APPROPRIATE APPROACHES TO EXPRESS IDEAS ABOUT THE MEANING OF A SELECTED PRODUCT IN A COHERENT AND PERSUASIVE WAY.
[Problem Solving]