Film and Media (Undergraduate) by Staffordshire University

FILM AND MEDIA

MAKE YOUR MARK IN

FILM, TV, MEDIA OR RADIO

If you’re looking for a future in filmmaking, television production, broadcast media, or radio, you’ll look long and hard to find a better choice of degrees than those offered by the School of Film, Sound and Vision at Staffordshire University.

Whichever degree you choose, you’ll cover the key skills required by the film, media and broadcast sectors. Some courses focus more on theory and critical analysis. Some are geared towards creative production, while others are centred on building your technical knowledge.

We are one of the largest, best-equipped university schools of our kind in the country. We firmly believe that whether it’s making films, TV documentaries or radio programmes, you’ll learn best by practising your skills in the best possible world of work environments – using industry-standard equipment and learning your craft from film and broadcast professionals.

Best of all, if you begin on one course, then later decide that another course is more suited to your skills and goals, you’ll be able to transfer to that programme.

That’s why we’ve invested heavily in the latest facilities and equipment – and why we’ve designed our courses to offer you the perfect balance of practical and theoretical learning. It’s also why you’ll be taught by lecturers with solid broadcast industry experience. Alan Russell Head of School

Over the following pages, our aim is to help you decide which of our courses is right for you. To find out more about the School of Film, Sound and Vision, please visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/fsv

BA (Hons) ADVERTISING, FILM AND MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCTION UCAS code: WN66

BSc (Hons) DIGITAL FILM AND POST PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY UCAS code: W618

BA (Hons) EXPERIMENTAL FILM PRODUCTION UCAS code: W621

BSc (Hons) FILM PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY UCAS code: W610

BA (Hons) FILM, TELEVISION AND RADIO STUDIES UCAS code: W620

BA (Hons) MEDIA FILM PRODUCTION UCAS code: W600

BA (Hons) RADIO PRODUCTION UCAS code: P312

BSc (Hons) SOUND DESIGN UCAS code: W564

WHICH COURSE IS FOR YOU? Whichever course you choose really does depend on the way you prefer to study, as well as your career goals, interests and objectives. You can read about each course later in this guide. But first, see if our pointers help you to decide…

Are you interested in media communication?

If you enjoy speaking, reading, writing and finding ways of analysing a subject through practicing skills and techniques of production, take a look at the following course: • BA (Hons) Film, Television and Radio Studies

Are you more technically minded? Do you like to understand how the hardware and software work as you

develop your production skills? If so, one of the following could be for you: • BSc (Hons) Digital Film and Post Production Technology • BSc (Hons) Sound Design • BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology

Are you a creative person?

Would you like to direct and produce your own films and crew for others, all while underpinning your study with theory and technical skills? Then consider one of these courses: • BA (Hons) Media Film Production • BA(Hons) Experimental Film Production • BA (Hons) Advertising, Film and Music Video Production • BA(Hons) Radio Production

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

CONTENTS: 2 4 6 12 14 16 18 19

Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process

HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

KEY FACTS

BLOCKBUSTER INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS

Thanks to our enviable industry links, our students secure incredible work placements. Some join ‘Unique’ our in-house production company, while others work for some of the leading names in film, TV and radio.

BIG NAME EMPLOYERS

Our graduates are highly successful in securing careers with top employers. You’ll find them at companies such as: Tiger Aspect, Talkback, QVC, Double Negative, the Disney Channel, Lion TV, Maverick, Lime Pictures, the BBC, BFBS, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky.

WORK ON LIVE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

From live radio and TV broadcasting to handling industry projects and commissions, our aim is to give you the best possible opportunities to prepare you for the world of work. Just imagine the thrill of pitching your ideas to industry professionals, or seeing your work screened at London’s National Film Theatre.

LEARN FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Whichever course you choose, you’ll learn from tutors with real industry expertise. Among our team you’ll find BBC and Sky editors, as well as award-winning feature filmmakers and programme makers for ITV, Channel 4 and the History Channel.

GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERTISE

All our awards are focused on the fact that you ‘learn by doing’. They are hands-on, practice-based, and involve using industry-leading equipment.

AWARD WINNING STUDENTS

The quality of our students’ work is recognised globally. So much so, they’ve picked up awards from the UK’s Royal Television Society, New Zealand’s UniShorts, the Paris Festival of Different and Experimental Cinema, BAFTA, Rushes Soho Shorts, as well as from the Budapest and Melbourne Film Festivals. We even have an Oscar winner among our alumni!

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

You’ll see in the course descriptions which of our awards are accredited by the Sector Skills Council, Creative Skillset and which by BKSTS, (British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society). Along with the endorsement of these leading, national employer organisations comes recognition of the quality of our best students’ work from, for example, the British Film Institute and NAHEMI (the National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image).

WORLD OF WORK FACILITIES

We’ve a whole range of state-ofthe-art facilities for you to use. They include a purpose-built TV studio, a broadcast newsroom, green-screen, radio studios, post-production suites and pro-standard portable location camera and sound equipment. We even have Stoke Regional Independent Film Theatre on site.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

SO WHAT’S THE

DIFFERENCE? With a range of courses to choose from in Film and Media, we thought we’d give you some help in choosing which might be the right one for you.

BSc Technology Film/TV courses: (Origins in Technology) These courses are Bachelor of Science degrees, focusing on the study and application of cutting edge technology in the creation of advanced film productions. You will use the scientific method to question, research, test and analyse the use of technology through production work. You will be able to specialize in areas of cinematography, post-production and the business aspects of the film and television industry. You will develop and produce a wide range of products from conception to completion across short and long form projects in film and TV. Technical skills in areas such as camera, sound design, post production and colour grading across the multi-platform/broadcast medium of TV/Film are keenly sought by Industry and the courses’ focus is on developing your specific career path from day one.

BA (Hons) Media/Film Production courses: (Origins in Art and Design)

BA (Hons) Film, TV and Radio Studies: (Origins in Humanities)

These courses are Bachelor of Arts degrees, focusing on the creative and artistic aspect of film production through ideas development and understanding the film production process. You’ll learn how to research, develop, write, produce, direct, shoot, edit and promote your own creative portfolio of ‘short films’ in the areas of drama, adverts, music video, documentary and experimental film production. Working in crews from the 1st year you will then be able to direct and produce your own films in the 2nd and 3rd year, whilst developing a particular skill and role for the Industry. The focus of these courses is on treating you as an independent film director and building a creative and artistic community of film production graduates ready for the Industry.

These courses are Bachelor of Arts degrees, and aimed at students who would like to work across the mediums of film, TV and radio, focusing on the research, analysis and practice of film, TV and radio production. You will study the historical, cultural and social aspects of the broadcast/film Industry as professional researchers in your own right, forming arguments and opinions whilst practicing the production skills of TV, Film and Radio. Academic rigor, Independent learning, group activities and personal development are at the heart of this award and all projects cover both the theoretical and practical elements of the Media and Film Industry. You will study the three areas of Film, TV and Radio in year one, then be able to specialise in one of the mediums over the 2nd and 3rd year in readiness for a career in the Industry.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

WHY STAFFS? The world of film, television and radio is hugely exciting and offers a wide range of career opportunities for multi-skilled individuals with the drive, determination and experience to succeed. The British film and television industry, for example, is the envy of the globe, and requires experienced individuals to write, direct, shoot, create and take care of all the preand post-production aspects of film and programme making. Similarly, media is one of the most popular industry sectors for graduates. Here, just as with film, TV, radio and digital media, employers look for practical experience when they’re hiring. That’s why all our courses offer the perfect balance of practical skills and theoretical learning – all to make Staffordshire graduates highly employable.

LEARN FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Each one of our courses has been designed to meet industry expectations by staff who are acknowledged experts in their field and bring with them many years of invaluable professional experience, whether that’s in film, television or radio. Their work has been seen or heard nationally on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and the History Channel or celebrated at international festivals. You’ll also work closely with our technical instructors who are certified Apple, Adobe and Avid Audio trainers, so you can gain the additional specialist software qualifications that have helped many of our graduates get their first foothold in the industry.

QUALITY ACCREDITED Study with us and you can be certain you’re taking a high quality degree and that the knowledge and skills

you’ll gain will be relevant and up-todate. Our School works to exacting standards, which is why several of our Media/Film Production courses are accredited by the Creative Industries Sector Skills Council, Creative Skillset.

PRESTIGIOUS PROJECTS We’ve had a whole host of notable successes, with graduates working on all manner of prestigious projects, including: The New Avengers, Man From Uncle, Harry Potter, Clash of the Titans, Nanny McPhee, Avatar, Where the Wild Things Are, The Day of The Triffids, Lark Rise to Candleford, Ballet Shoes, Marmaduke, Hustle, Big Brother, Match of the Day, Come Dine With Me, Britain’s Got Talent and Doctors.

WORLD OF WORK FACILITIES Because we want you to be the best, we’ve invested in the very best facilities. Opened by Her Majesty the Queen, our High Definition Television

Centre seats 120 people and is one of the most modern in Europe. It contains broadcast standard facilities, green room, vision galleries, racks room, plus a large dedicated green-screen compositing studio, 3D capture room and extensive production and post-production suites. We also have a broadcast newsroom and excellent radio facilities. For budding filmmakers, we offer studio and location production kits, digital audio recording studios, postproduction suites, jibs, glide tracks, dolly and tracks and full supporting studio and lighting kits.

PROFESSIONAL LINKS We’ve contacts across the film, broadcasting and media sectors, all so you can enjoy relevant training and excellent employment opportunities. For example, we have strong ties with the BFI, the BBC, Aardman Animation, Envy Post, Technicolor, Creative England, The Producers’ Forum, Staffordshire Partnerships, The Media Archive for Central England (MACE), Alton Towers and Staffordshire Film Archive. To give you valuable professional experience and real-world skills, we can help you to arrange work placement opportunities. Every year our students gain placements at Envy, Clear Cut and Disney’s world class post production house in London.

FIRST-CLASS SUPPORT We’ll give you all the support you need during your time with us. You will receive the best in academic, practical, technical and pastoral support throughout your course, by staff who care about your ambitions, your potential and your university experience. There’ll also be extracurricular activities to get involved in. They can include residential trips, film festivals, wrap parties, awards evenings, crew work and more.

HIGHLY PRAISED It’s not just us that think our courses are excellent and tick all the boxes. Here’s what an external examiner had to say about our Media/Film Production degrees: “The students’ work displays a high degree of craft, technical skill and professional approaches. The quality of feedback that students receive from tutors continues to be outstanding. Assessment is rigorous and standards of marking are high and demanding.”

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS

CAMERA AWARD Jake Leese specialised in camera work and cinematography during his studies on BA (Hons) Media (Film) Production. This work was recognised at the annual Guild of Television Cameramen (GTC) awards where Jake was shortlisted for the prestigious Bill Vinten University Award, for his work on the film Noir Scarlet. The award is designed to encourage excellent teaching of camera work skills within UK educational establishments.

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE BOLLYWOOD BECKONS FOR BUDDING SCRIPTWRITER Second year BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology student Manjit Singh Mattu, from Telford, discovered a talent for storytelling during one of the course modules and developed a film idea that puts a modern twist on the traditional Bollywood tale. After contacting Blue Sapphire Films with the concept, the head of the company was so impressed that Manjit has been commissioned to complete the script. “I’ve grown up watching Bollywood films and they usually follow the typical rom-com formula. I wanted to revamp the genre and give it a modern edge. This story is very real.” Through this project Manjit has been put in touch with Bollywood film director Akash Verma in India who has hired him to write another script for an upcoming short film. “I didn’t know I had this in me until I came to University. I started writing on the course and really enjoyed it. I’ve had fantastic support from my tutors, they’ve really encouraged me.” Manjit Singh Mattu BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology, Second year

THE LECTURERS WERE COMPLETELY SUPPORTIVE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE AND REALLY HELPED ME MAKE THE FILM I WANTED TO.

GRADUATE PUTS HEART AND SOUL INTO AWARD WINNING FILM Archie is the final year project of BA (Hons) Media (Film) Production graduate Sophie Piggott. Featuring no dialogue, the short film tells the tale of a young boy who refuses to take off his homemade spaceman costume, constructed out of tin foil and cardboard, even to go to school. Sophie, won the Undergraduate Sound award at the 20th annual Royal Television Society Student Television Awards. The judges said: “The sound used was a perfect example of the obvious heart and soul that had gone into every aspect of the film. We’ll never look at tin foil in the same way again.” “It’s amazing to have won. Some of the other films were really high quality and had more money spent on them whereas I was using sellotape and tin foil! I just wanted to make a film that says it’s ok to be different. The lecturers were completely supportive throughout the course and really helped me make the film I wanted to.” She now works as a production runner in London and has worked on various television programmes including The John Bishop Show. Sophie Piggott BA (Hons) Media (Film) Production graduate

Photo credit: Richard Kendal/RTS. Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

A BETTER CAMPUS

AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.

In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students. But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is. This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be

moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built. What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus. The best of both worlds. So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus. We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms. Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University. As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.

This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want. Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date. So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.

CHOOSE

MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.

You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.

MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse

MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games

At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away. Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too. So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.

A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

t: 01782 294400

There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.

University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.

Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here. Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.

LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT

www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS

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CLEARING

The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.

MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?

Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate

www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.

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