University of Essex

EA232-5-FY-SO:
Digital Media 2

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: East 15 Acting School

Campus: Southend Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 30

Last updated: 08 April 2021

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA W900 Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film),
BA W900MV Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film)

Module description

Film making / Distribution, Digital Set Design and Marketing.

Film making / Distribution:
Building from the basic skill set that was taught in Year 1, this unit will further develop the students' filmmaking skill set. As it sits alongside screenwriting, there will be more of a focus on narrative and the creation of short films, as well as on students developing their own showreel. They will explore more advanced editing tools and begin to look into the world of film distribution.

Digital Set Design:
This unit will introduce students to the software and skills that will enable them to design a theatre set through digital means. It will cover the basic principles around design for theatre performance, the principles of dramatic space and how these relate to performance narrative. They will gain experience of working with relevant software to experiment with design concepts.

Marketing:
This Unit will call on the skills developed in all Year 1 modules. The students will be taught the basic principles of marketing and how this applies to Arts institutions and projects. They will develop the necessary skills to be able to research, plan and implement a marketing strategy for a variety of arts related ventures. They will be encouraged to critically analyse existing strategies and engage in dialogue around the ethics and responsibilities connected to marketing.

Module aims

Film Making /Editing:
1. To introduce students to advanced skills of camera use and digital editing
2. To develop further skills in narrative filming, using their own screenwriting skills as source material
3. To enable students to create and shoot a short script
4. To further students’ management skills
5. To begin preparations towards employability by introducing discussions around distribution

Digital Set Design:
1. The integration of practical technological skills with critical thinking
2. Introduce to the fundamental principles of 3D design
3. Introduce the vocabulary used within the scenic design industry
4. Gain understanding and experience of scenic design and develop the confidence to produce their own designs

Marketing:
1. To enable students to understand the key principles of marketing theory and its application in the arts environment
2. To provide students with an understanding of how marketing works in practice, taking into account culture, market trends, and target audiences
3. To Develop skills and methods to creatively share data
4. To explore of the opportunities available through social media.
5. To engage you in critical analysis of marketing discourses and issues.

Module learning outcomes

Film making / Editing:
1. Knowledge of the industry processes for getting films distributed
2. In-depth facility with a digital editing package.
3. Practical experience in the learned principles of cinematography and sound recording
4. Practical experience in how best to capture and manipulate video footage on a range of devices
5. Ability to manage the different resources to shoot a short film.

Digital Set Design:
1. Understanding of design procedures and ways of working within the context Theatre Set Design
2. Application of creative and effective design solutions
3. Ability to generate, develop and realise your design solutions

Marketing:
1. Understanding of core marketing concepts and principles
2. Gain knowledge and understanding of planning aspects of marketing and evaluate the effects of a marketing plan.
3. The ability to plan and produce a marketing campaign for an arts project or institution

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

No information available.

Bibliography

Trouble with accessing resources? (no date). Available at: https://essex.libwizard.com/id/0ca0192f0d51b4c22469d6030fd1306f.
Ayckbourn, A. (2004) Crafty Art of Playmaking. London: Faber. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=30260756.
Edgar, D. (2009) How plays work. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=689972.
Gooch, Steve. (2004) Writing a Play (Writing). Third edition. A & C Black. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/611698.
Peter Ansorge (no date) From Liverpool to Los Angeles. Faber & Faber.
LaBelle, B. (2010) Acoustic territories: sound culture and everyday life. New York: Continuum. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781501336225?locatt=label:secondary_bloomsburyCollections.
David Sonnenschein (2001) Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6188352.
Nisbett, A. (2003) The sound studio: audio techniques for radio, television, film and recording. 7th ed. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/66000.
Banham, M. (1995) The Cambridge guide to theatre. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bentley, E. (2008a) The theory of the modern stage: from Artaud to Zola, an introduction to modern theatre and drama. [New ed.]. London: Penguin. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1095981.
Bentley, E. (2008b) The theory of the modern stage: from Artaud to Zola, an introduction to modern theatre and drama. [New ed.]. London: Penguin. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1095981.
Cowgill, L.J. (2005) Writing short films: structure and content for screenwriters. 2nd ed. Los Angeles, CA: Lone Eagle Pub. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=739969.
Booker, C. (2004) The seven basic plots: why we tell stories. London: Continuum. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/571060.
Cooper, P. and Dancyger, K. (2004) Writing the short film. 3rd ed. Boston, Mass: Focal. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=232109.
Donald C Farber (2006) Producing theatre. New York: Limelight Editions.
Shore, A., Carfora, J.M. and SMRO. (2011) The art of funding and implementing ideas: a guide to proposal development and project management. London: SAGE. Available at: http://sk.sagepub.com/books/the-art-of-funding-and-implementing-ideas.
Mitchell, K. and Hytner, N. (2009) The directors craft?: a handbook for the theatre. London: Routledge. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780203889701.
Figgis, M. (2014) Digital filmmaking. Revised edition. New York: Faber and Faber. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=30270939.
Thompson, R. and Bowen, C.J. (1998) Grammar of the shot. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=421062.
Bordwell, D., Thompson, K. and Smith, J. (2019) Film Art: An Introduction. 12th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/387523.
Bruce A. Bergner (30AD) The Poetics of Stage Space: The Theory and Process of Theatre Scene Design. McFarland & Co. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=576885.
Donnellan, D. (2005) The actor and the target. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=1128729.
Edgar, D. (1999) Playwrights on playwriting. London: Faber.
Radosavljevic, D. and Palgrave Connect (Online service) Theatre and Performance 2013 (2013) Theatre-making: interplay between text and performance in the 21st century. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137367884.
Thurlow, M. and Thurlow, C. (no date) Making short films: the complete guide from script to screen. Third edition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/931714.
Thurlow, C. (2005) Making short films: the complete guide from script to screen. Oxford: Berg. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/931714.
Weston, J. (1996) Directing Actors. Seattle, WA: Michael Wiese Productions. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6188351.
Mamet, D. (1992) On directing film. New York: Penguin.
Crispin Raymond (1998) Essential theatre. London: Arts Council of England.
Marshall, K. (1998) Theatre Management: A Successful Guide to Producing Plays on Commercial and Non-Profit Stages. Studio City, USA: Scarecrow Press.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Set design with accompanying portfolio	25%
Coursework	Film making and editing portfolio	40%
Coursework	Portfolio of marketing campaign	35%

Additional coursework information

The various assessment criteria for this module will be assessed through a final project for each element. This project based assessment allows students to combine their theoretical understanding of the material and their ability to put this into to practice. It will involve digital submissions and written documents. Set design with accompanying portfolio: 1500 word portfolio with designs (20%) Portfolio of a Marketing Campaign for a set project and a short presentation: 500 words with 10 minute presentation (30%) Filmmaking project: 10 minute film (20%) Filmmaking and editing portfolio: 15mins 30%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor:

Teaching staff:

Contact details:

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Ms Rosalind Maddison

Institution: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Academic role: Head of Production

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: East 15 Acting School

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Module Directory

EA232-5-FY-SO:Digital Media 2