University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UAMPH6-30-M Title: Design for Film and Television Project Version: 2
Level: M UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: Creative Arts Field: Stage Management
Valid from: February 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: MA in Professional Theatre Design
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: All other modules under the above award
Excluded combinations: Modules included under Awards in Stage Management and Costume.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:
• Formulate and develop a complete and original design concept from a given film script.
• Produce models and drawings as specified by the project brief.
• Show evidence of the creative process undertaken by providing sketch books with the rough design ideas and their development throughout the project.
• Demonstrate with the sketch books their ability to source, select and analyse reference material and apply it effectively to the development of their designs.
• Formulate and deliver an oral presentation, expressing their design ideas coherently and succinctly and using the displayed model and drawings as supporting evidence.
Syllabus Outline:
During the course of this module the students complete a detailed design project, requiring them to take the role of designer from initial ideas through to final design presentation.
Within this project the students will each work individually from a set film script offering both studio and location design. The project lasts four weeks and the students will work with a professional production designer brought in to facilitate.
Each student attends regular individual meetings with the production designer, developing his/her design ideas alongside this essential professional designer input. The students also receive a series of one to one tutorials with the Head of Course to facilitate the design process. The students will be in a working studio situation where they will learn to interact and design alongside production and technical staff and students. They will be able to book sessions with key technical staff to discuss production issues and budget.
Classes are organised to support the project. Some classes will be shared between the film and television design and the theatre design projects. These classes may vary depending on the individual needs of the four students, however they will generally include: model making, technical drawing, CAD, scene painting, set construction methods and prop making techniques. The film and television design project would also attract classes in film genre, film and television terminology, storyboarding and camera work.
The project includes the viewing of in house short films, chosen videos/DVD and visits to cinema. There will also be lectures and introductions to professional practitioners.
Students come from a range of different educational backgrounds and are encouraged to use independent study time to familiarise themselves with a range of (often) new skills and resources. Independent study is critical to the development of confidence and skill during this module.
During the design project the students are required to:
. develop original designs in conjunction with a professional production designer and within the time given for a set film script.
. produce scale models, technical drawings/CAD, storyboards and reference material as specified by the project brief.
. provide detailed sketchbooks showing: the development of ideas and the design process, the use of research material, and the application of methods and techniques taught in classes and workshops undertaken during the period of the project.
At the end of the project the students are required to:
Display and present their designs in a final design presentation to a select panel of staff and film and television practitioners.
Answer questions from the represented departments to the design decisions taken.
Teaching and learning methods:
The syllabus for this module will be delivered through a variety of teaching methods including: individual tutorials, practical workshops, lectures, group seminars and the viewing of selected film and television. Students are expected to undertake research outside the school and act autonomously in planning and executing individual study and practical experimentation.
The regular meetings with the professional production designer provide the stages in the development and assessment of the students design and are supported by a system of weekly tutorials, usually with the Head of Course. These tutorials aim to both guide and challenge the individual student in order to promote self-evaluation, to encourage re-examination of existing concepts and to inspire the development of creative originality. At key points in the process these tutorials will be led by other members of the production and technical team to allow a range of opinion for the students to evaluate.
Classes will cross over between the theatre projects and the film and television project and the students will acquire an understanding of the differences in application of skills between theatre and film.
Students will be designing within working studios which offer extensive facilities for radio and television. Within this environment they will gain first hand experience of current working practise and are encouraged to identify and evaluate the standards required across the whole production process. Professional standards are also promoted by post viewing discussions and the influence of professional practitioners as visiting specialist tutors.
Reading Strategy:
Students are encouraged to become familiar with the subject area, and texts specific to the module, through reading lists and reference material provided in the course handbook. Lists are updated annually to maintain currency and relevance. Each department holds texts and reference material, as well as the general access provided to the School’s library and access to the Internet. The specifically vocational nature of training and study, combined with the project based nature of learning on the course, may require that students are guided to reading and research material in the first instance by the module leader.
NB: BOVTS students do not have access to UWE Libraries and UWE OnLine
Indicative Reading List:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
Society of British Theatre Designers publications -
Make Space
Timespace
2D 3D
Collaborators
Film Makers Guide to Production Design by Vincent Lobrutto
A History of Experimental Film and Video by A.L. Rees British Film Institute
What is Scenography by Pamela Howard - Routledge
Performance - Live Art Since The 60s by Roselee Goldberg - Thames and Hudson
Scenery: Draughting and Construction by John Blurton - A & C Black
Anatomy, Perspective and Composition for the artist by Stan Smith - New Burlington Books
Scenic Art and Construction by Emma Troubridge and Tim Blaikie - Crowood
Stage Lighting for Theatre Designers by Nigel H Morgan - Herbert
Visual Reference Books-
Period Details Sourcebook by Judith Miller - Mitchell Beazley
Surfaces by Judy A Juracek - Thames and Hudson
Architectural Surfaces by Judy A Juracek - Thames and Hudson
Natural Surfaces by Judy A Juracek - Thames and Hudson
Pictorial History of Costume by Max Tilke - Alpine Fine Arts Collection
The Evolution of Fashion by Margot Hamilton Hill and peter A Bucknell - Batsford
Fashion - The Collection of the Kyoto Institute - Taschen
Reference books are found according to the area being researched but both Taschen and Dover Books are recommended.
Corbis Stock Photo Search - www.Fotosearch.co.uk
Google images
SBTD website - www.theatredesign.org.uk
British Film Institute at www.bti.org.uk
Assessment
This is a Project module with only one component of assessment. This component has two elements.
In assessing Component A there will be meetings with the student and the relevant tutor at formal assessment points over the course of the module to discuss and record the students progress judged against the learning outcomes for this module. The result of these assessment points (of which there are normally not more than three) are cumulative in nature and give rise to a final mark/grade at the end of the module.
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting 50%
Element 1.
Assessment of Process of Design
Standard achieved during design process:
As shown in sketch books and preliminary models, reference and drawings
As expressed by the production designer and other departmental staff and visiting specialists involved with the project in informal feedback sessions with the Head of Course as expressed by the Head of Course in assessment statement.
Element 2.
Assessment of Final design Element weighting 50%
Standard achieved by final model and drawings with reference to the requirements of the project brief.
Standard achieved in final oral presentation with particular reference to: clarity of ideas, conviction in expressing design concepts, ability to inspire confidence and motivate.
Standard achieved by final design concept with relation to the requirements of the set film script.
Quality of responses to questions with reference to technical understanding and within a given budget.
Assessment Strategy
Both formative (ongoing throughout project) and summative (student presentation at end of project) This will include:
Feedback to Head of Design and visiting Production Designer from presentation panel.
Group feedback with students, Head of Design and visiting Production Designer.
Individual discussion and feedback with Head of design and visiting Production Designer.
The individual self assessment task.
Finally a written assessment from Head of Design is discussed in conjunction with the students written self assessment and a student action plan is formulated.
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is required)
As for First Assessment Opportunity
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)