2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2890 Short Film Production

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: John Edmonds
Email: icsjme@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisites

COMM1625

Camera and Editing

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This is essentially a practical module and is designed to help students acquire a more in depth knowledge of specific skills in the digital production industry. Students will acquire a wide array of transferable skills in digital production. These skills maybe built on during any subsequent modules that contain a practical component, or may equally inform other aspects of your degree. It will help to set theoretical and analytical work into context. The module is aimed at ‘raising the bar’ with regards to production standards and will be a step towards, hopefully finding a focus for your interests and aspirations. This is a module that is good fun, but hard work. Either way it will help build your confidence with the technical and procedural side of the digital media industry.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:-

- Identify the principal aspects of a single camera production including familiarity with a broad range of standard shot sizes, framing terminology and camera movements, and know how to apply and evaluate these during shooting and editing;

- Demonstrate a clear understanding of production including:- research, location sourcing, plan/ produce/ direct a single camera shoot with accurate terminology and commands, produce camera scripts, log and edit rushes, produce shot and edit lists.

- Understand the central dynamic relationship between shooting style and editing form. In essence display an understanding of the grammar of visual communication with key reference to sequence coherence.

- Apply essential knowledge concerning coverage, in relation to gathering audio-visual material that forms the basis for editing effective sequences.

- Identify the key processes that must be developed and completed during a production, including all pre- and post-production functions and paperwork and become familiar with the use of digital production and post-production equipment.

- Demonstrate an ability to analyse and evaluate their group production work and individual role.

Learning outcomes
Demonstrate understanding of:
1. the principal aspects of a single camera production.
2. the planning and organisation of a short film production.
3. identify the key processes necessary to use digital production and post-production equipment.
4. an ability to analyse and evaluate group production work and an individual role.
5. the conceptual, developmental planning including ethics and awareness of copyrights at the post production stage.

Skills outcomes

Syllabus

Topics to be covered:
1. What makes a good scene and how to pace it?
2. Further understanding of the kit - camera, sound, lighting & inc.
crane and dolly/track.
3. Advanced Framing and composition.
4. Industry standard production paperwork awareness.
5. Shooting techniques.
6. Working with presenters and actors.
7. Health and Safety including Risk Assessments.
8. Further post production skills including their editing techniques, basic special effects, titling and credit sequences.
9. Increased awareness of location law and ethics
10. Various shooting styles for drama and documentary.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	5	2.00	10.00
Practical	11	2.00	22.00
Tutorial	2	0.50	1.00
Private study hours			167.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Research for project - approx hours 25
Research for project role (crew) - approx hours 25
Group and / or individual production work - approx hours 110
Write up of project Blog & Essay. - approx hours 7

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Students are monitored weekly through the practical sessions
- Formative exercises. Formative and Project Idea feedback (by week 6/7). Weekly Group Tutorials after Week 5.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 1,250 - 1,500 words	20.00
Group Project	4/5 min Film	30.00
Practical	Production Role	20.00
Reflective log	Blog 1 x 1,250 - 1,500 words	20.00
Practical	Film Treatment	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

If resubmission is necessary a detailed paper-based exercise will be substituted where the re-arrangement of group-based production elements are not feasible.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2016

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