Film Television Production Technology Foundation Degree

Who is this course for?

Highly practical and hugely rewarding, the Foundation Degree in Film and Television Production Technology is designed for anyone seeking a career in the highly competitive, yet ultimately rewarding, world of film and television be that either in a technical or managerial capacity. Through this course students are offered the opportunity to gain and demonstrate the practical skills and expert knowledge required to become a confident member or leader of any production team.

What will I do on the course?

Courses in film and television production are predominantly practical, with a high degree of work placement and are planned to allow students to develop sustainable skills for employment whilst working in an industry led, work-based environment. The majority of work is managed through practical, hands-on projects and with much of it facilitated through Armoris Media, South Staffordshire College's in house Production Company. Through Armoris, students have the opportunity to work on real "live" projects or commissions rather than simply undertaking subject related exercises and assignments. Assignments are built around both independent and major collaborative projects with pathways designed to allow individual students undertake technical or managerial specialisms. Technical students will be able to study towards a career in roles such, Camera operator, Editor or Sound Recordist, Management Students Producer, Production Manager or 1st Assistant Director. Both pathways offer the opportunity to develop skills as a Director. Modules covered include:

• Scriptwriting for Film and Television
• Film and Television History
• Drama Production
• Studio Production
• Documentary Production
• Corporate Film Production

What qualifications do I need?

• 120 UCAS points and interview
• Related work experience
• Mature students by interview

When does the course start?

September

Where is it held?

Lichfield Campus

How long does the course last?

2 years full-time

What could I do after completing the course?

On completion of the Foundation Degree you can:

• Move directly onto a 1 year BSc Top-up in Lichfield
• Move onto other university top-ups awards
• Enter directly into employment in the industry

Are there any additional costs?

None

Employability

The award is innovatively designed to maximise the potential of its participants, its content based on a foundation of academic study gained whilst working on real film and television commissions in industry. The overarching aim is to deliver sustainable skills for employment in an industry environment and to achieve this aim awards are highly vocational with a high degree of work-based learning facilitated through the college' in-house production company, Armoris Media.

Armoris began life around 8 years ago as a fictional company set up within what are now South Staffordshire College media courses to promote the development of management and business skills related to film and television production. Soon, however, Armoris was attracting paying commissions from outside clients and today it is a fully operational production company producing documentaries, training, instructional and educational films, as well as facilitating the production of award related projects such as documentaries and dramas. Wholly owned by South Staffordshire College, Armoris now has a wide range of clients both in the public and private sectors.

In effect, by enrolling on one of the Film and Television Awards with South Staffordshire College, learners will be undertaking an apprenticeship working in the exciting and invigorating environment of film and television production. Unlike undertaking traditional work placement, however, rather than simply working as a runner learners will have the opportunity to contribute to major productions for real clients by undertaking principal technical and managerial roles in professional projects. Perhaps most importantly, students will be able to develop the CV and tracked record imperative to finding meaningful employment in the industry.

Accreditation

The FdSc is Film and Television Production Technology is accredited by Staffordshire University and, once successfully completed, provides automatic progression onto the final year of a relevant full degree run by them; this may either be one of several awards offered on the university's Stafford Campus or, from September 2012, a top-up year run on the Lichfield Campus.

The award is highly vocational which means much of the learning is ?hands-on? with students working on both independent and collaborative film projects, participating in practical workshops and working for the college's production company developing the CV and tracked record imperative to finding meaningful employment in the industry.

The vast majority of assessment is done in-course through grading of completed practical product (films) tutor/mentor/peer assessments, written evaluations and portfolios. To ensure fairness and consistency, assessment is rigorously monitored. Formative assessment takes place in the college, is moderated by the university before being passed through an award board chaired by an external examiner.

The award boasts a high degree of student satisfaction and high success rates; in 2012 100% of students successfully completed the award all of whom are continuing on to complete their full degree. The previous year 70% of completing students continued on to complete their full degree virtually all of the remaining 30% finding meaningful employment in the industry. The FdSc is Film and Television Production Technology is accredited by Staffordshire University and, once successfully completed, provides automatic progression onto the final year of a relevant full degree run by them; this may either be one of several awards offered on the university's Stafford Campus or, from September 2012, a top-up year run on the Lichfield Campus.

Assessment

The assessment strategy is designed to both develop and evaluate your knowledge and skills throughout the award. A variety of academically rigorous assessment tasks, activities and formats will be used to suit different learning styles.

Assessments are designed to be interesting, relevant and contemporary, with the aim of enhancing personal and professional development, while also evaluating performance. Assessments match learning outcomes within each module and the overall pattern of assessment matches the overarching learning outcomes of the full award.

Module assessments such as practical work, pitches, presentations, essays, research projects, reports, require learners to demonstrate an in depth and increasingly critical understanding of key theoretical concepts of film and television production to prepare them for future study at honours level and above. Most degree-level awards include several examinations. The inclusion of a single online multiple-choice assessment under controlled conditions in each of these awards reflects the broader nature of its curriculum and application to practice. The assessments are designed to both demonstrate an understanding of the subject area and also to develop and enhance relevant and transferable skills. In the case of collaborative projects where students will be working in teams, peer assessment, the grading of the an individual student by other members of a production team, along with tutors observation reports will be used to determine an individual's contribution to the production of the final project and to inform overall grading of the module.

Formative assessment and tutor assessment feedback provide an opportunity for ongoing reflection on performance. The aim of formative and summative feedback is to help learners understand how to improve their work, as well as offering them the opportunity to consider and discuss their own progress.

Teaching and Learning

The awards employ the use of recurrent themes that allow learners to strengthen and deepen their knowledge, understanding and ability in relation to film and television production technology and management. They will return to fundamental principles throughout and be encouraged to reflect on how their learning supports a developing value base and skills of professional practice. The curriculum is designed to enable them to appreciate the scope and complexity of film and television production and to develop a mature and informed approach to their personal and career development. Teaching mechanisms employed are designed to support this process including lectures, workshops, production meetings, project work and self-directed study. All modules will be supported by the College virtual learning environment, Moodle, or the University VLE, Blackboard which will, amongst other functions, act as a repository for module resources and information.

Students of this award will expect, and be expected, to take responsibility for their own learning and development and the self-directed study undertaken during this award aims to build on and develop the knowledge and skills learnt in class. This is equally relevant to work undertaken when completing individual or collaborative assignments and when working individually or as part of a team for the College Armoris Media. The award is highly vocational with work-based learning playing an important part throughout. Corporate Film Production is totally work-based, and elements of several more modules are also work-based by making a positive contribution the development of codes and conventions and professional practices associated with film and television production.



The breadth and range of teaching modes is intended to provide a relevant and stimulating learning experience by supporting the development of essential specific and transferable skills (including communication, reflective practice and team working) in addition to critical understanding of key concepts and theories in a framework that maximises opportunities for student success. "