Module Aim: 

This module establishes the fundamentals you will need to understand and analyse films throughout your degree. You will explore notions of film form, narrative and cinematic technique, including cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, sound, and post-production.  

Indicative content: 

• Understanding film codes, e.g. mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound, music, performance, special and visual effects

• Analysing of short and feature film narratives

• Writing film commentary and analysis

• Exploring A/V editing and voice over practices

• Attending lectures, screenings, seminars and IT workshops

Module Aim:  

This module introduces you to applied project work, providing you with authentic work experience with external partners.  You will continue to develop your knowledge of technical skills in camera, sound and editing through short film and television production and filming on location. 

Indicative content:  

• Short filmmaking within groups

• Directing and working with actors

• Applied film/TV project working from a live brief provided by an external charity or business

• Project development in workshops, studios, and technical labs

• Creative development through the analysis and synthesis of ideas and knowledge

• Preparation for the sandwich placement route and developing employability skills required

Module Aim:  

On this module, you will explore and decode the formal ‘poetics’ of film from a range of key perspectives, such as the construction, appreciation, and interpretation of cinematic realism, space, world-making, and affect.  

Indicative Content:  

• Study of a range of classic and contemporary films  

• Analysis of cinematography, sound, editing, and mise-en-scene 

• Consideration of genre, style and technique 

• Exploration of historical contexts and developments 

• Interrogation of theoretical concepts, debates, and issues 

This module will further develop your confidence in research, critical thinking, writing and communication, which will help prepare you for the next levels of study.    

Module Aim: 

This module introduces you to the practical skills and approaches of producing film and TV at degree level. You will undertake inductions to ensure safe working with(in) our technical spaces and equipment, and learn foundational techniques for camera, sound and editing. You will work individually and with your peers to produce a range of exercises and short film and television projects, taking inspiration from a variety of stimuli. 

Indicative content:

• Filming in the studio and on location

• Exploration of different roles in film and television production (e.g. cinematography, sound, editing)

• Technical exercises to develop production skills

• Project development workshops

• Ongoing formative feedback

Module Aim:

This module will incorporate an immersive, enhanced applied film and/or television project in collaboration with an employer / industry organisation. You will appraise your own values and motivations in the context of the world of work, considering inclusivity and industry standards. You will create a personal action plan, set goals, and develop knowledge of professional practices and procedures. You will develop and extend your knowledge of film and TV production through a range of creative applications and practical projects.  

Indicative Content:

• Industry focused talks and workshops

• Development of technical specialisms (e.g. Sound, Post-Production, Cinematography, Set Design and Building)

• Project development workshops

• Collaboration with peers and industry specialists

• Experience of the film and TV Production cycles

• Live TV project

• Preparation for sandwich placement

Module Aim:  

Through this module, you will be equipped with the creative and critical thinking skills to successfully experiment with your filmmaking ideas and practices. A risk-taking and ideas-led approach will be encouraged to create innovative new work.  You will engage with contemporary concepts and contexts in film, TV and media theory and will further develop your knowledge, research, and critical awareness to expand your perspective on moving image, and your confidence in taking an informed approach to film making.   

Indicative content:      

• A group project in a genre of your choice (e.g., Documentary, Experimental, or Drama)  

• Workshops to explore creative practice, approaches, the production cycle and workflow 

• Screenwriting and idea development  

• Critically informed frameworks for understanding moving image from diverse experiences, perspectives, and approaches (e.g. Feminist, Queer, and Environmental Film Theory)  

On this module, you will develop your critical engagement with film and social justice to become responsive global citizens. You will explore key social concerns, their position and voice within the film industry, as well as broader interdisciplinary and global contexts. Through your assessment project, you will be encouraged to create real world change, instigate debate and raise awareness of contemporary global issues.  

Indicative Content:

• Knowledge of human rights-based topics 

• Study a range of perspectives to develop curiosity, personal voice, and argument 

• Global issues such as human rights, displacement, migration, racism, climate justice, etc  

• Ethical approaches and practices, including accountability and equality, diversity and inclusion

Module Aim:   

In this module, you will extend your knowledge of film and TV production techniques, developing specialisms in key areas of interest. You will experiment with, practice, and reflect on your craft through a range of creative applications and practical projects.   

Indicative Content:

• Analysis of how specific techniques contribute to creating narrative and communicating meaning in moving image making

• Practical skills workshops in studios and technical labs

• Development of specialisms (e.g. Sound, Post-Production, Cinematography, Set Design and Building)

• Problem solving and decision-making skills

• Contextual study of contemporary and historical practitioners

• Critical reflection on your technical skills and contributions

Module Aim:

This module takes the form of an enterprise residency project, which enables you to develop knowledge of professional practice and freelance work. You will research, develop, design and apply a marketing and exhibition strategy for your Major Project film or TV production. You will identify and explore a number of different approaches to freelancing, marketing, exhibition, distribution, audience building and profile raising for creative project work and develop organisational, professional and networking skills. You will critically reflect on your skills and values in the context of employment, considering inclusivity and industry sector values.     

Indicative Content:

• Evaluate examples of existing exhibition and distribution strategies for media projects 

• Work with employers and build a community of practice  

• Document your process through the production of career ready online content  

• Present findings and evaluate learning  

• Build your CV and networks  

• Collaborate with SHU’s Enterprise support 

Module Aim:   

This module enables you to refine and further develop your technical specialism(s) as you undertake exploratory work to inform your major project film or TV production. You will engage with an industry standard research and development, pitching and feedback process to produce and screen a bespoke ‘proof of concept’ project negotiated with a supervisory tutor.  

Indicative content:     

• Collaborative working in production groups   

• Skills development in cinematography, sound, editing, directing, producing and screenwriting 

• Pitching, screenings and formative feedback  

• Communication and presentation skills  

• Idea development and problem solving 

• Critical and analytical consideration of existing media, potential audiences and own work 

Module Aim:  

This module enables you to realise and complete your major project film or TV production, whilst undertaking a specialist role or roles with that production process. You will critically reflect upon your production process and final product, situating your work within appropriate professional and cultural contexts.  

Indicative Content:

• Collaborative work in production groups  

• Specialist contribution in an area or areas of film or TV production (e.g. cinematography, sound, editing, producing, directing, production design or screenwriting) 

• Exhibition of work at a public screening 

• Idea development and problem solving  

• Project management  

• Ongoing formative feedback from tutors and peers 

• Critical and analytical articulation of relationship between existing media, potential audiences and own work 

• Development of distinctive creative and professional identity ready for graduation and finding employment in the industry 

Module Aim: 

This module will provide you with advanced level research skills and training and support you to choose and develop a substantial piece of enquiry-based independent research, through which you will develop your critical and analytical skills. 

Indicative Content: 

• Conceptualising research questions 

• Research methods  

• Literature reviews 

• Planning and structuring a research project 

• Developing a proposal 

• Advanced academic writing 

• Referencing and bibliographies 

• Research ethics 

This module will be taught through introductory lectures, group workshops and self-directed study under the guidance of a nominated supervisor.