The assessment will be an individual presentation to pitch the proposed film/TV drama production (70%) (1,2, above)

The writing of a log and a 2500 word reflection on the module (30%) (3, 4 above)

As well as the above you will access initial whole-group sessions, view a selection of short student and independent films/videos, read selected texts, attend occasional talks by professionals and view instructional videos. There will be individual tutorials for consultation and to chart your progress. You will be advised on potential filming locations and be given help in virtual casting of professional actors. You will present your pitch to a panel of staff and discuss with them your aims, techniques and schedule - and the audience of the proposed production.

The module is designed to enable students to research and devise a potential film or TV drama production in parallel with other academic modules. There will be a combination of tutorials and self-managed time, culminating in a presentation to a team of staff in the form of a 'pitch' for the intended semester 2 production. You will carry out preliminary research into a narrative for a film/TV drama, identify an audience, draft a script, create storyboards, devise a production schedule and review the main issues involved in taking the devised film/TV drama into production. Your work will typically involve:-
research on narrative style
study of examples on which you could model aspects of style and structure particular technical and directing skills you will employ
targeting style and content to an identified audience
scouting and documenting potential locations
professionally 'casting' the drama (ie. a virtual exercise with 'ideal' professional actors)
reviewing necessary health & safety issues.

As part of this process you will test your skills and try out ideas by recording and rough editing trial sequences.

At the end of the module you draw on all you have learned to present the pitch to a panel of staff.

Millerson, G THE VIDEO PRODUCTION HANDBOOK (2001) Focal
Jones, C & Joliffe, G GEURILLA FILM MAKERS HANDBOOK (2003 3rd edn) Continuum
Katz, Steven FILM DIRECTING; CINEMATIC MOTION (2004) Wiese
Thompson, Roy THE GRAMMAR OF THE SHOT (1998) Focal
Thompson, Roy THE GRAMMAR OF THE EDIT (1993) Focal
Rea, P & Irving, D PRODUCING AND DIRECTING THE SHORT FILM AND VIDEO (2000) Focal
Weston , J DIRECTING ACTORS (1999) Wiese

Media Lab, Video camera, sound and editing equipment, internet, library, TV/DVD/Video

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