Film and Media Foundation Year

This module will develop your core knowledge and understanding of the connections between media, culture and society. You will explore those ideas at the intimate personal and local level by reflecting on your own uses of media. Equally, you will connect those daily uses of media to broader debates, spanning out to the international context. The module will introduce you to major concepts and approaches in media and cultural studies. You will explore not only how media representations are influenced by external factors such as regulation, ownership, and audience behaviours, but also how media has transformed our social relations, altered our understandings of world events, and impacted on what matters to us (our cultural and societal values). You will also examine how media technologies have developed over time and have altered how we communicate with each other. You will also develop your skills in critical thinking by analysing examples taken from contemporary media and culture, and by discussing ideas with your tutors and your peers.

The module develops your understanding of the significance of genre within the production, reception and analysis of film and television. It explores what we understand by the term genre in film and television through an analysis of the codes and conventions of major screen genres. It considers how genres change over time according to evolving aesthetic, social, technological and industrial contexts. You will learn about key developments in genre scholarship, and how critical and theoretical approaches can be applied to specific examples. In so doing, you will gain an appreciation of the importance of textual, contextual and critical analysis to an appreciation of film and television production and culture.

‘Introduction to Film Practice’ introduces you to a range of core practical film production and creative skills, as well as developing transferable personal skills to support your future study and employability. You will also build your knowledge and understanding of the processes, trends and issues in the contemporary media landscape.

As emerging film makers, you will be introduced to practical and creative skills including pitching, writing, production research, production logistics, scheduling, storyboarding and directing, in addition to the creative and technical fundamentals of camera, sound and editing operations. You will learn essential softer skills such as time management, interpersonal skills, risk assessment, presentation and negotiation skills – all of which help to prepare you for your choice of degree path. You will also acquire critical and reflective skills, as you respond to your own work and that of others, reflect on your own personal development, and set yourself goals for improvement. Your progress will be marked by a number of film making exercises which cumulatively form a portfolio evidencing your developing skills and knowledge.

Your knowledge will grow to include an understanding of different styles and approaches to storytelling and film content, across a range of film activities, setting your work alongside that of other directors and film makers and increasing your awareness of the range of formal approaches across a wide range of media production. You’ll also progress with a solid grounding in principles of risk assessment, to ensure safe filming practice.

‘Introduction to Film Practice’ introduces you to a range of core practical film production and creative skills, as well as developing transferable personal skills to support your future study and employability. You will also build your knowledge and understanding of the processes, trends and issues in the contemporary media landscape.

As emerging film makers, you will be introduced to practical and creative skills including pitching, writing, production research, production logistics, scheduling, storyboarding and directing, in addition to the creative and technical fundamentals of camera, sound and editing operations. You will learn essential softer skills such as time management, interpersonal skills, risk assessment, presentation and negotiation skills – all of which help to prepare you for your choice of degree path. You will also acquire critical and reflective skills, as you respond to your own work and that of others, reflect on your own personal development, and set yourself goals for improvement. Your progress will be marked by a number of film making exercises which cumulatively form a portfolio evidencing your developing skills and knowledge.

Your knowledge will grow to include an understanding of different styles and approaches to storytelling and film content, across a range of film activities, setting your work alongside that of other directors and film makers and increasing your awareness of the range of formal approaches across a wide range of media production. You’ll also progress with a solid grounding in principles of risk assessment, to ensure safe filming practice.