Film, Radio & Digital Media Production BA (Hons)

Introduction to Radio & Digital Media Production (Semester 1)

This module introduces the basic elements of digital media production through a focus on non-fiction audio and visual content. Across 12 weeks, you will develop skills in researching a story, as well as setting up and conducting audio interviews. Working in small groups, you will then produce a short video documentary on a theme of your choice. 

Introduction to Film & Visual Culture 1 (Semester 1)

This module introduces students to the fundamentals of narrative film and theory. In weekly practice seminars, you will develop skills in screenwriting, learning about narrative composition and working towards producing a short screenplay in preparation for your film production work in Semester 2. On the theory side, you will learn how to ‘read’ films, examining their relationship to wider social issues and questions of identity.

Introduction to Radio and Digital Media Production (Semester 2)

This module will offer a comprehensive introduction to audio production via the medium of radio. In your weekly practice seminars, you will produce a 10-minute audio package based on a local theme/news topic of your choice. As part of your studies, you will develop skills in editing, pitching, concept development, and budgeting and scheduling.

Introduction to Film & Visual Culture 2 (Semester 2)

Building on the skills developed in semester 1, this module in the Film, TV, Radio and Media Production course deepens your understanding of film as both an art form and a serious object of study. In weekly practice seminars, you will work in groups to produce a 3- to 5-minute short film, learning about shot scale, mise-en-scène, and narrative. On the theory side, you will explore key approaches to film studies, including genre, star studies, auteur theory, and psychoanalytic feminism.

News Media Production (Semester 1)

Building on the first year, this module explores factual media production with a particular focus on news reporting, providing you with further skills in digital media production. Working as part of a crew, you will record on-location interviews and in-studio segments of a news bulletin. These elements will be edited together into a final video project specifically tailored to distribution via streaming/online platforms.

Explorations in Film & Visual Culture 1 (Semester 1)

This module in the Film and Visual Culture course enables students to develop their creative and critical skills. In weekly practice seminars, you will further develop your expertise in screenwriting, focusing on approaches to different genres, and studying industry skills such as developing pitches and writing to spec. On the theory side, you will study early film history, covering silent-era comedy, Italian Neorealism and the French and British New Waves.

Podcast Production (Semester 2)

This module develops the audio production skills learned in year 1 through a focus on podcasting. Working in groups, students will devise a weekly podcast on a sports/culture theme of your choice. This development work will be informed by market research into recent industry trends. Across 12 weeks, you will produce a pilot episode with a runtime of 20–30 minutes.

Explorations in Film & Visual Culture 2 – Film and Visual Culture Course (Semester 2)

This module in the Film, Radio and Digital Media Production course prepares students for the final year by deepening engagement with film practice and studies. In weekly practice seminars, you will work in groups to produce a 5- to 10-minute short film, taking the project from initial story idea through filming and post-production. On the theory side, you will study representations of gender, sexuality, and race in post-war Hollywood cinema, spanning the 1950s to the 2000s.

Advanced Media Production (Semester 1) 

This module allows you to further develop your skills in digital media production. Working in small groups, you will produce an extended piece of audio or audio-visual work on a topic of your choice. This project may take a variety of forms – such as a radio show, podcast, vodcast or webisode – and it will be accompanied by supporting promotional materials. Over 12 weeks, you will learn to develop a concept, record and edit audio-video material, and script, budget and deliver your production. 

British Cinema: Form, Nation and Identity (Semester 1)

You will study the form, technique and politics of contemporary British cinema, exploring developments in the industry, its increasing diversity and breadth of subject matter, and how it reflects aspects of British national culture and identity in the 21st century. 

Documentary Media Production (Semester 2) 

You will develop a short documentary film on a topic of your choice. Over the course of this 12-week module, you will learn about different forms of documentary, and the ethical questions that underpin the genre. Working in small groups, you will then develop your project from initial conception and pitching to filming, editing and delivery. 

Gender, Sexuality and Social Issues in World Cinemas (Semester 2) 

You will explore the national cinemas of countries including Iran, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan, alongside transnational cinematic traditions, which may include topics such as contemporary queer cinema, diasporic cinema and key transnational film movements such as anime. 

Advanced Filmmaking (Semester 2) 

In this optional module, you will build on the film production skills developed in Years 1 and 2, learning important processes to prepare you for a career in industry. Working in small groups, you will devise, script and shoot a short film while also paying attention to elements such as scheduling, marketing and budgeting. 

Advanced Film Studies (Semester 2) 

In this optional module, you will delve more deeply into the history, culture and politics of contemporary global cinema, developing your critical and analytical skills in weekly, small-group seminars. Students will have the opportunity to explore their own choice of topic in the end-of-semester assignment. 

Advanced Seminar in Film & Visual Culture (Semester 2)

In this module, you will have the choice to develop your specialism either in Advanced Filmmaking or Advanced Film Studies. In Advanced Filmmaking, you will build on the film production skills developed in Years 1 and 2 and devise, script and shoot a short film as part of a crew. This film may be either in the field of fiction filmmaking or documentary, depending on your interests and career goals. In Advanced Film Studies, you will go deeper into the history, culture and politics of contemporary global cinema, developing your critical and analytical skills. 

Dissertation (Semesters 1 and 2) 

You will complete an extended Dissertation project, spanning both semesters, on a topic of your choice. This project can take three forms: a traditional Dissertation (i.e. a written essay on a specific theme, such as a director, genre or national cinema); a Screenplay/Radio Play; or an original piece of creative work and associated critical reflection. Your work will be supported by regular one-to-one meetings with a supervisor.