Module Catalogue 2023/24

MCH1011 : Introduction to Film Technologies

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Ms Carol Lynn
  • Lecturer: Mr Simon Rushton
  • Technician: Mr Matt Robinson
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
Pre Requisites
Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisites
Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. To develop an understanding of the need for fundamental technical skills for film production
2. To understand the technical processes of film production
3. To demonstrate technical competency in film production

This module introduces the essential technical elements for professional film practice.

This module provides the opportunity to become familiar with the technical fundamentals of video and audio production for film.

Outline Of Syllabus

• Introduction to the fundamental technical elements of video and audio production
• Introduction to editing software for video and audio production
• Principles of film production, film grammar and effective narrative construction
• Reflection on film practice

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will be able:

1. To develop an understanding of the need for fundamental technical skills for film production

2. To understand the technical processes of film production

3. To make informed critical judgments about technical competency

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module will be able:

4. To develop the skills necessary to capture video and audio content in a variety of contexts

5. To develop technical competency in film production

6. To develop skills necessary for editing and sequencing video and audio into narrative and/or thematic content

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion160:0060:00N/A
Guided Independent StudySkills practice160:0060:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops114:0044:00Practical interactive workshop which also includes seminar discussion of film extracts and lecture content delivered alongside practical tasks.
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity136:0036:00In preparation for Reflective Log
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide an historical and theoretical context for the essential technical elements of film production (Aims 1 and 2)

Workshops provide the opportunity to connect the theoretical and historical elements with fundamental practical skills (Aim 1 and 2, with Aim 3 and Outcomes: 1,2,4,5,6). They also provide time in which to hone and develop practical skills and processes outlined in the Academic Skills Activities. The Workshops provide a supported technical environment to discuss fieldwork (Outcomes 4,5,6)

Skills Practice requires students to develop their knowledge, understanding and technical skills in formative assessment tasks in their own time (Outcomes 1-6)

Reflective learning makes explicit the requirement for critical personal reflection on technical processes and outcomes (Outcome 3)

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Design/Creative proj1M70Film production project: 3-minute film sequence comprising 3 interviews with B roll
Reflective log1A20Critical reflection: 5 mins video commentary or 1000 words written task if campus closed and students struggling to edit off site
Prof skill assessmnt1M10Present-in-person in-class observation of technical skills and knowledge of concepts and processes. Can be asynchronous online test
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Prof skill assessment is an appropriate way to assess knowledge and understanding of technical concepts and skills in camera setup and sound recording. This will ideally be an observational test in situ but if it cannot run in this form due to the particular conditions of teaching in the context of restricted access and time there is now a contingency option. (Aims: 1-3; Outcomes: 1-6)

The creative project enables students to demonstrate technical skills and their necessity in film production (Outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5). It will indicate the degree to which competencies with technical skills has been met (Outcomes: 5), and allow for these to be assessed (Outcome 3).

The reflective log provides an opportunity for students to critically reflect upon their learning (Outcomes:3) and provides critical evidence of how effectively the aims of the module (Aims: 1-3) are present in the students’ knowledge and skills outcomes (Outcomes: 1-6).

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Disclaimer: The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2023/24 academic year. In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described. Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2024/25 entry will be published here in early-April 2024. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.