MCH1035 : Starting out in Filmmaking
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Mr Simon Rushton
- Lecturer: Ms Carol Lynn
- Technician: Mr Matt Robinson
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1. To introduce film as an art, as a tool for documentation and self-expression
2. To introduce and put into practice a range of documentary film practices
3. To develop technical, creative and critical competence in non-fiction film production
This module introduces the essential components for documentary film practices and provides a foundation for a broad range of practical production work at Stages 2 and 3
This module provides the opportunity to become familiar with the creative fundamentals of video and audio production for non-fiction film
Outline Of Syllabus
Revision and extension of the fundamental technical elements of video and audio production
Introduction to pre-production, production and post-production processes for documentary
Introduction to techniques for capturing dialogue in documentary (assessed formatively)
Introduction to narrative sequencing and visual story telling theories and techniques
Introduction to poetic forms of self-expression through sound and image
Introduction to logistical and ethical concerns through interpersonal relations and representation
Reflection on film practice
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 11 | 4:00 | 44:00 | Practical interactive workshop which also includes seminar discussion of film extracts and lecture content delivered alongside practical tasks |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 36:00 | 36:00 | In preparation for Reflective Log |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module will be delivered through a single workshop session that will include lecture content broken up into a series of short presentations that set out key theories and concepts. Integrated with this will be seminar-type discussion of individual film sequences and practical workshop exercises based on the exemplar materials and knowledge-based content. Students will also be working through the implications of key readings for practice. This will enable students to achieve Knowledge Outcomes 1, 2 and 3. Practice-based activities form a significant method of teaching which will enable students to achieve Skills Outcomes 4, 5 and 6.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 2 | A | 80 | 6 mins sequence comprising a 3 mins Narrative and 3 mins Non-Narrative components |
| Reflective log | 2 | A | 20 | 6 mins Video Essay Critical Reflection |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 2 | M | 3 mins Dialogue Sequence |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The rationale for the assessments is to enable students to develop the practical and creative skills required for filmmaking at Stages 2 and 3. The Creative Project assessment is a single portfolio but contains 2 components of equal length for which there is written feedback. Given the emphasis on practice, the Creative Project forms the major part of the assessment.
The formative assessment component (Dialogue) is designed to revise and consolidate camera, editing and direct sound recording skills from Introduction to Film Technologies. There is verbal 1-2-1 feedback.
The Reflective Log provides the opportunity to reflect critically on the theoretical and methodical considerations that informed the practice and how effectively the aims and learning outcomes have been realised. Feedback is written.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH1035's Timetable