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The Art and Science of Film and Television Production: Part 2 - TFT00041C

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module focuses on production and postproduction for film and television as well as introducing you to multi-camera production, through which you will learn vital
team working skills and studio discipline that will give you the confidence to create your own live and ‘as live’ programmes in our industry standard
television studios. The emphasis is on making things, learning the tools and techniques to be able to turn your ideas into productions that will help you
create compelling stories that have a high ‘production value’. The module provides a balance between technical considerations and their scientific
underpinning, and aesthetic considerations. The ethos of the module is one in which these two aspects cannot be divided as they are interdependent.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

  • To provide an inter-disciplinary course structure in which you will explore the aesthetic, technical and practical application of audio and image production systems in the creation of film and television projects.
  • To provide a controlled environment in which you can learn professional practices in production planning, risk assessment, safe handling of equipment and basic system maintenance.
  • To provide a realistic forum in which you can develop professional audio, moving image and lighting production skills to fulfil creative objectives.
  • To provide a basic foundation in human perception of sound and image as they relate to recorded moving images and sound.
  • To provide a safe platform to explore different specialist production roles relevant to multi-camera format

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module you are expected to be able to:

  • Understand the importance of 'directorial vision' - as ‘sounds’ and ‘images’ are the necessary components that help to convey the main theme/mood/ message/ the director aims to create for the story/programme/show.
  • Understand the importance of 'image' and 'sound' being separate elements, yet able to create a whole new meaning when combined in the film or show.
  • Describe and demonstrate the correct usage of audio, moving image and lighting production equipment with a clear understanding of safety procedures.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the process of planning production sessions for both studio and location work, including performing full risk assessments.
  • Demonstrate an ability to use audio, moving image and lighting equipment to fulfil creative objectives.
  • Describe and explain sound and picture production methodologies used in television and film projects and how those techniques might be applied in different contexts (e.g. narrative, light entertainment, documentary, etc.).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between picture and sound production.
  • Understand the postproduction process, including how audio and picture work together and the stages and workflows involved. Describe electrical concepts and physical concepts (including acoustics and optics) as they relate to audio systems, lighting systems and moving image camera systems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how sound and moving picture system design affects basic human perception.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse and calculate specific technical requirements of sound and picture systems (such as power loads, bandwidth requirements, sampling rates, storage requirements, etc.).
  • Create a dual column script specific to multi-camera production
  • Generate content ideas for a multi-camera project where inserts and various links to enhance the production value are incorporated
  • Assess the benefits of team working on multi-camera production

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Groupwork 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative feedback will be provided through practicals throughout the module.

*For summative assessments, please note that students will lose 3 marks on group assessments per multi-camera practical missed for this module as studio sessions rely on the full team to be present to run the sessions and therefore non attendance affects other students.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Brown, Lucie and Duthie, Lindsay (2016) The TV Studio Production Handbook, IB Tauris.

Perlman, Karen (2016) Cutting Rhythms, Focal Press

Rose, Jay (2009) Audio Postproduction for Film and TV, Elsevier/Focal Press

Singleton-Turner, Roger (2011) Cue & Cut: A Practical Approach to Working in Multi-Camera Studios, Manchester University Press

Weinstein, Anna (2017) Directing for the Screen, Taylor & Francis


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.