FdA Creative Media Production

Year 1

Core modules

• Understanding Visual Narratives (Theory 1) (WEYM1029)

  Introductory module providing students with historical and theoretical context for development of visual storytelling conventions. Elements include representation, realism in film, understanding semiotics and introduction to narrative theory. A range of visual media will be studied with the focus on three production contexts: documentary realism, advertising (including trailers and music video) and drama short.

• Commercial Video Portfolio (WEYM1030)

  The module offers opportunities to students to engage in a range of commercial video genres and techniques. With a maximum production running time of three minutes for the music video and 3 minutes for the portfolio of commercials / trailers, students are encouraged to experiment with the genre, production and exhibition platform to suit their own preferences whilst not losing sight of the need to respond to audience expectations.

• Location Drama Production (WEYM1031)

  Essentially this is a collaborative module in which media students work with others to produce a short location drama. Assessment focuses on key production management skills associated with location filming interpersonal; communication; organisational and logistics; risk assessment etc. The script and finished product are secondary to the capability of the group to function as a self-contained production module.

• Visual Effects 1 (WEYM1032)

  Creating visual effects is a skill which is required for a multitude of film/video applications, it is not all about adding explosions and spaceships, it can also be used in subtle ways for sky replacements or removing unwanted elements from the frame which interfere with the mise-en-scene. VE1 will introduce students to software applications and contemporary techniques for professionally enhancing the audience experience.

• Documentary Production (WEYM1041)

  Factual / documentary television is an expanding market in the media industry and this module introduces students, through the short-form of the documentary genre, to the complex considerations of ethical factual film making. Whilst exploring Griersons creative interpretation of the truth as a concept, students are encouraged to engage with issues of representation when addressing their subject. Production work is group-based.

Optional modules

• Community Video Project 1 (WEYM1033)

  Students will engage with one or more proactive groups in the community to produce a meaningful media product which furthers the aims of the group or benefits the community generally. For example, facilitating a production for a school; producing a video for an adult learner group or training a group within the local community in video production. (All examples of previously assessed products at this level).

• Multimedia 1 (Installation or 3D Graphics) (WEYM1034)

  This highly innovative module at Foundation Degree level introduces the student to two rapidly growing branches of the creative digital industries and utilises the specific skills and experience of new staff at the college in 3D graphics and video projection technologies. Students have the option of working in Maya to design and generate their own virtual worlds or designing, creating and exhibiting video mapping projects.

Final year

Core modules

• Media, Culture & Society (Theory 2) (WEYM2027)

  The module builds on the critical understanding of visual media fostered in Theory 1, bringing into focus the debates surrounding contemporary digital media and their relationship with society. In a world where the amateur You-tube contributor or impassioned blogger can reach significant audiences, what is the place and purpose of the professional media producer? Topics covered include regulation, fandom and celebrity, issues of security, identity and micro-cultures which celebrate hacking and wiki-leaking.

• Corporate Video Project (WEYM2028)

  This core module underpins the focus of second year in preparing students for effective professional practice in an industry where good client relations and creative interpretation of a brief are essential factors in securing employment. Students will work with external clients (possibly SMEs, possibly larger corporations) to fulfil a real-world brief which may be a commercial project or unpaid - but the assignment requires the client to be satisfied with the product and to be able use it for the intended purpose.

• Studio Drama Production (WEYM2029)

  Our multi-camera broadcast standard TV studio is the setting for this module, where students will have the opportunity to learn a range of studio roles, skills and techniques. The TV studio is a very different production environment to almost every other genre and has enormous potential for both drama and factual programming when lighting, digital mixing and VFX techniques are exploited. Students conceive and produce a studio-based production of their choosing under the supervision of staff experienced in studio management and production roles.

• Visual Effects 2 (WEYM2030)

  VE2 will build on the techniques learned in the first year to create more complex effects both within productions and as built sequences such as titles or corporate stings. The module is intended to put finishing touches to students post-production knowledge and skills and will generate products which students can include on their show reel or website to demonstrate their technical and creative skill levels.

• Work Based Learning & Report (WEYM2031)

  The module represents the culmination of the students work-based learning experience and provides the opportunity for the student to present the evidence and to reflect on the learning opportunities offered by the WBL experience. The assignment includes a report on the nature of the duties carried out and a reflective element allowing students to comment on the usefulness of the work with regard to their career.

Optional modules

• Community Video Project 2 (WEYM2032)

  Students (in large or small groups) will engage with a local community leisure, action or pressure group; local or county council or community by a looser association to produce a media artefact with a substantial video element. The product should have a planned exhibition platform and audience and be assessed by the client for fitness for purpose. The college has an excellent track record of producing work for HM Prisons, NHS and DCC which has given previous students both confidence and exposure.

• Multimedia 2 (Installation or 3D Graphics) (WEYM2033)

  The module presents opportunities to students to refine creative and technical skills in a specialist sector of the creative media industries they might wish to engage with on leaving. Both Maya and video projection mapping are growing markets and the skills required are not yet commonly available. The option units were carefully selected to offer students a meaningful career focus in a developing specialist / niche market.