Directing for Film
Undergraduate
BA (Hons)
Media Production (Taught at Salford City College)
Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
Attendance
Full-time
Course
One year
Next enrolment
September 2020
In a nutshell
This course is designed to offer students who have successfully completed a Foundation Degree or equivalent, the opportunity to further develop and obtain the award of an Honours Degree. It has been designed through incorporating advice and guidance from industry experts, students and academics.
Unlike degrees specialising in an area such TV, Radio or VFX, this top up degree aims to equip students with advanced skills to compete in a range of mediums but notably areas of popular employment such as in research, screenwriting, freelance or commercial production roles (needing confident filming, video and audio editing skills) and in marketing and corporate promotions.
Opportunities to engage and work alongside Industry experts will enhance your engagement, skillsets and provide you with currency.
You will also be supported to pursue an independent production project and develop your academic research and writing completing a dissertation.
You will be party to new facilities in our Media Hub where students have a high spec edit suite, the latest Industry software and professional grade camera, lighting and sound equipment. Alongside you will have use of a fully equipped TV studio with gallery, digital learning zone and photography studio for your projects.
For more information on this course, please visit the Salford City College website. Find out more about the benefits of studying at a partner college here.
You will:
- Build on your technical and practical media skills
- Learn at FutureSkills, Salford City College's purpose built facility at MediaCityUK
- Be taught by media industry and academic specialists with access to industry standard resources
This is for you if...
1.
You want to pursue a career in TV or radio production
2.
You enjoy hands-on, practical work
3.
You want to gain work experience whilst studying
All about the course
You will develop your existing technical skills in TV and radio production and regularly engage in work placement opportunities. The course will help you to develop a wide range of industry relevant skills which will help to ensure that students are multi-skilled and well placed to pursue employment opportunities.
Many students begin their studies in media aiming to be the next Spielberg or Scorsese, but you will soon learn that the production skills alongside many transferable skills such as the art of effective communication, marketing and research is building a solid foundation for a multitude of professions.
Structure
You will be taught six modules in total, three per Semester. Semester One runs from September-January and Semester Two, January-May. In addition, you will attend Dissertation planning in Semester One and Individual supervision sessions in Semester Two.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an excellent depth of knowledge of the conventions of directing film, audio and video editing, writing for TV drama and Sitcoms, corporate promotional programming and social action documentaries.
- Critically analyse contemporary texts for their utilisation of codes and conventions and how they mediate representations of social, political and economic contexts.
- Critically evaluate academic or production processes followed for each module with an emphasis on self-management and skills acquired.
- Demonstrate industry standard production skills effectively working to a brief.
- Demonstrate individual competency in all aspects of a production from research, planning, pitching and negotiating to producing products effectively and editing in post.
- Apply creative strategies to a range of shooting or editing situations.
- Develop a sophisticated ability to write with flair, originality and a critical voice as well as adhere to academic conventions.
Modules
This module is intended to provide you with knowledge and understanding of directing for film, which you can put into practice. It is designed so that you develop appreciation for film as an art form and can develop your own creativity and leadership skills. Through a range of delivery from lecture to workshops, you will be challenged to develop into a skilled director.
Screenwriting
Screenwriting for TV drama teaches convention in arguably the most popular TV genre and gives you a foothold to explore further in the field. You will be taught to consider both the conventions and the complexities of the genres and the industries constraints to retain their audiences. You will explore how drama is conceived and created. Through exploration of British and US texts you will analyse codes, conventions, contexts and compare dramatic narrative structures, characterisation and story-lining.
Advanced Audio and Video editing
This module is intended to extend and enrich your editing knowledge and technical ability. It is designed so that you develop appreciation for audio and video editing as a skilled craft that has developed with technology through time. With an emphasis on practical workshops and demonstrations following theory, you will be challenged to develop into a confident and creative editor.
Independent Research Project
Through in-depth research of a topical social issue of your choice, you will plan and produce an investigative social action documentary. You will work independently and will be responsible for all aspects such as equipment, hiring own crew as required, conducting full risk assessments and sourcing locations and interviews without aid. You will present in audio or audio-visual format.
Dissertation
A largely autonomous study under the appropriate supervision of a member of staff (appointed by the course leader to ensure specialist knowledge). Culmination will result in a 4000-word dissertation. The syllabus enables you to develop your research and academic writing as well as explore an area you find particularly compelling. Lecture content will focus on a topical exploration of the representation of culture and identity (in terms of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, social class or religion) in the media.
Corporate Promotional Production
Working directly for a client, you are given the opportunity to produce media products to be used as part of a companies’ promotion. Unlike, work-based placement modules, you are given more autonomy to exercise your ability to manage production. The syllabus therefore will allow you to build necessary skills needed to succeed in a popular area of production and provide a taster to the potential life of a freelance producer.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
What about after uni?
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be equipped with the skills to progress directly into employment as content producers within the media.
Career Links
This course works with local and national companies and has productive relationships with our software and resource specialists.
What you need to know
If you have already completed a Foundation degree, HND, or other level 5 qualification, you can apply for direct entry to this final year degree course.
We are particularly interested in applicants who wish to work within the Media Industry in TV, Film, Marketing or Online roles.
We also ask that you have:
- Industry-based work experience.
- Good cinematography skills.
- Can competently edit audio and visual content independently (on at least one type of Industry software).
- Have produced a broad range of content across different mediums.
- Can competently plan and deliver a project working to a live brief.
- Excellent attendance and a full-time commitment to group and individual projects.
- Good research and academic essay writing ability
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
The selection process will involve an interview. Skype/telephone interviews are available for any applicants who are not able to attend interview at Salford City College.
Applicants will also be asked to present an audio-visual showreel of their Level 4 and 5 work and bring evidence of their entry qualifications.
Applicants will be considered for a place on the programme based on interview, showreel and contributing qualification grade.
Please note: The entry criteria below are related to entry onto this course in the 2020/2021 academic year. If you’re interested in a future intake year, please check the course entry on UCAS.
Standard entry requirements
UCAS tariff points
80 points
GCSE
English & Maths Grade C or Grade 4 and above.
GCE A Level
CCD
BTEC National Diploma
HND Merit
Foundation Degree
Pass (55% or higher)
Alternative entry requirements
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2020/21 | £7,500per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Interested in starting university in September 2021? Book your place on our next Open Day.