This is a highly practical programme designed for anyone with a keen interest in films and film-making. It covers script development, casting, filming, editing and understanding the work of contemporary film makers. Additional modules cover documentary film-making and music video-making. This programme will prepare students for employment in the film and television industries and will also give them the confidence to set up as an independent film-maker. No prior experience of film-making is required.
The course enables students to develop specialised knowledge and skills in the area of video/moving image production and to develop the ability to transfer these skills into the workplace. The modules provide an underpinning knowledge of the moving image industry, film theory and the production process from script-writing to filming and editing.
The course will be delivered through a series of seminars and practical workshops, with approximately 25% of your time focused on theoretical underpinning of the practical based elements. Outside of timetabled lessons, students will be expected to allocate at minimum of two full days per week in order to be able to film, as well as edit any assessed work and complete any research and written work.
Lessons are usually timetabled over two days per week, which include evening lessons in order to offer flexibility when it comes to part time work commitments.
Teaching staff have come direct from industry and are regularly involved in freelance work outside of their teaching commitments in order to provide students with up to date industry knowledge.
Stage 1:
During the first stage of the course, students will learn essential film-making skills, from scriptwriting to filming and editing and be introduced to the workings of the moving image industry and to film theory.
Stage 2:
During the second stage, students will develop and refine their film-making skills and knowledge of film theory and film history.
Special course features:
- Highly practical digital-video production course
- Emphasis on independent and low-budget film-making
- Discover how to write, direct and edit your own films
- Learn how to make documentaries and music videos
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What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include:
Mandatory units:
- Individual project (set by the exam board)
- Creative Media Industry
- Professional Practice
- Film Practices
- Film Studies
- Editing for Film and Television
- Collaborative Project (set by the exam board)
- Personal Professional Development
- Advanced Film Production Studies
Specialist Units:
- Single Camera Techniques for Television
- Cinematography - Camera
- Documentary
- Advanced Editing for Film and Television
- Script writing for Film and Television
- Multi-camera production
All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.
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Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for you if you are interested in the practical elements of film-making and wish to gain a Level 4/5 qualification in film production.
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How is the course assessed?
This is a modular course and you will be assessed throughout the course through submission of units which will include contextual background, evidence of planning, submission of a completed practical piece of work along with reflective evaluation of the process.
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
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Different audiences needs and how to produce content which meets those needs
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Media language to understand how messages are communicated to an audience
- A range of pre-production processes with consideration of the impact that these pre-production decisions can have on the quality of the final product.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
- Utilise a range of software and hardware to produce Media content in line with industry conventions
- effectively apply rigorous primary and secondary research skills to the development of products
- Critically evaluate research sources as well as production work in order to make effective improvements to completed products.
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Behaviours
What is required?
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Develop positive working relationships with others in order to produce industry standard content
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Build resilience by responding positively to feedback from staff and peers and implement this feedback to make improvements to work produced
- Productivity - organise work effectively and achieve required results within deadlines, demonstrating the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalating appropriately when necessary.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
This course will prepare students for employment in the film and television industries and will also give them the confidence to set up as independent filmmakers working outside the mainstream.
Graduates of this course have found employment in the media and film industries at a technical or junior level. Examples include floor or production runner, lighting trainee, assistant grip, camera trainee, independent film-maker, media, film and television industries. Other jobs have included marketing, advertising, public relations and wider communications industries, as well as education. Several have started their own companies and found international success in the film industry.
This course will also give students the skills to progress further onto the second year of a film production degree or on to the third year of the BA (Hons) Media Production and Moving Image at the University of Northampton.
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Entry Requirements for new students
Students will require an appropriate Level 3 qualification which equates to a total of 48 UCAS points (such as 2 Ds or above in A Levels, an overall Merit Pass grade in BTEC Diploma, an overall Pass grade in BTEC Extended Diploma, an Access to HE Diploma or an Advanced Apprenticeship).
Students will also need to achieve a grade 4 or above in English and maths at GCSE level. Applicants aged 21 or older who do not have the entry requirements may be eligible for acceptance based on an interview.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
