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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Design

Undergraduate Course: Film and TV 1A: Introduction to Film-making (DESI08127)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThrough a succession of seminars and technical workshops, students are introduced to the essential concepts and aspects of film language and technique. The course encompasses a series of short video assignments in which students experiment with specific aspects of film language and thus develop their technical skills. The latter are evaluated and discussed in group tutorials during the course.
Course description Learning a range of professional filmmaking skills, techniques and practices, students explore cinematic language. The course consists of several short filmmaking assignments. Students work on these assignments both individually and collectively in small groups. Throughout the course students exercise a combination of reflective, analytical and practical skills whilst developing their ability to communicate ideas verbally and cinematically. Students are encouraged to use a storytelling approach driven by images rather than words to communicate layers of meaning and intention. In addition, students are taught how contributing to a collaborative production process will form an essential component in their future professional practice. These activities and skills are supported by practical technical workshops in camera, sound, editing. Course content and learning is also supported through reflective teaching forums such as crits, seminars and screenings.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements This course is only available to students on the Film and Television Degree Programme in the School of Design.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  34
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 14, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 6, Formative Assessment Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 162 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) This course has 3 assessment components:

1) Video Portfolio, 70%, [approximate submission date - Week 11]

This will consist of several short films made in small teams of usually 3-4 students, with clearly defined roles (director, cinematographer, editor).

2) Presentation, 10%, [approximate submission date - Week 11]

The students each record a short (five minute) analysis of a film scene, discussing the filmmakers¿ choices and their effects.

3) Short Written Report (500 words), 20% [approximate submission date -Week 11]

A written reflective summary of the activities undertaken, involving technical knowledge, teamwork, and critical judgement.

The Video Portfolio is assessed against LO1; the Presentation is assessed against LO2; the Short Written Report is assessed against LO3.
Feedback Formative feedback

Verbal formative feedback will be given in class throughout the semester. In week five, students will receive indicative grades and verbal feedback on their work to date.

Summative feedback

Written feedback and grades will be given after the summative submission as per University regulations.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explore and select a range of appropriate techniques for film production and apply these while working in teams in response to set briefs, to demonstrate an inquisitive exploration of film language.
  2. Analyse the technical and creative choices behind a film scene, noting their effect, to demonstrate an understanding of film-making methods, defining their uses and effects.
  3. Reflect on their short film work, assessing their communication skills as collaborators.
Reading List
Mackendrick, A. (2006). On Film-Making. Faber & Faber
Katz, S. (1991). Film Directing: Shot by Shot. Michael Wiese Productions
Truffaut, F. (1986). Hitchcock: A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock. Simon and Schuster
Lumet, S. (1996). Making Movies. Vintage Books
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Communication; collaboration; peer assessment; self-reflection; cinematic literary; technical competencies.
KeywordsFilm,Cinema,Film Production
Contacts
Course organiserMr David Cairns
Tel:
Email: dcairns3@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Aidan Cole
Tel: (0131 6)50 2306
Email: acole33@ed.ac.uk
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