University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: UPCPCK-30-3 Title: Digital Cinema Version: 3

Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Creative Arts Field: Cultural & Media Studies Field Leader: J Arthurs

Valid from: September 2003 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA(Hons)

Pre-requisites: Film Cultures UPCPAE-30-1

Media and Cultural Studies Foundation UPCPRW -30-1

(Media Representations UPCPAG-30-1 – module discontinued August 2006)

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Understand the uses of digital image technologies in cinema texts.

• Critically evaluate the impact of digital image technologies on the aesthetics of cinema.

• Critically evaluate the representation of new media in cinema texts, with respect to debates in cyberculture studies.

• Contextualise the impact of digital technologies on cinema within a theoretical framework of the relationship between technologies and cultural forms.

• Be aware of the limitations of the state of knowledge within the field.

• Make critical distinctions and evaluations between competing arguments.

• Identify appropriate specialised resources in support of learning, with particular respect to online resources

• Develop and present ideas through group work.

• Develop responsibility for independent patterns of learning.

All of the above are assessed through all elements of assessment.

Syllabus outline:

Impacts of digital technology on existing forms of cinema. eg The use of online marketing and distribution and its

impact on mainstream cinemas. The rediscovery of the spectacular in cinema, special effects and the

blockbuster. Computer gaming and cinema. The representation of new media in cinema.

The emergent aesthetics of digital and online cinema. Finding appropriate forms of textual analysis of digital cinema. The relationship between technological constraints and software in digital film production and distribution. The culture and economy of digital and online film. Reception theory and digital film.

Teaching and learning methods:

Lectures will take students through key concepts with screening and online exhibition. Seminars will encourage in-depth understanding of the issues of technology and cultural form which underpin the field. Screenings and exhibition of work will occur in both lectures and seminar. Group work will be a key feature of seminars.

Indicative sources:

Bolter, J & Grusin, D Remediation, (MIT Press, 2000)

Cubitt, S Digital Aesthetics, (Sage, 1999)

Darley , A Visual Digital Culture, (Routledge, 2000)

Elsaesser, T & Hoffman, K Cinema Futures: Cain, Abel or Cable: the screen arts in a digital age, (Amsterdam University Press, 1998)

Hayward, P & Wollen, T (eds) Future Visions: new technologies of the screen, (BFI, 1993 )

Sobchack, V (ed) Meta Morphing : visual transformation and the culture of quick change, (2000)

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 25% B: 75%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Group Presentation 25%

Component B

Description of element Element weighting

1. Research essay (2000 words) 25%

2. Research Project (4000 words or equivalent) 50%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Exam (2 hours) 25%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Research Project (6000 words) 75%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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