CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
2015 - 2017
Sarah Wilson, Adam Jones and James Ashford
Contents
Course overview Units Unit 1: Pre-production techniques Unit 2: Communication Skills Unit 3: Research Techniques & Unit 29 Music Video Production Unit 7: Understanding the Creative music industry Unit 16: Film and editing techniques & Unit 22: Single Camera Techniques Unit 27: Factual Programme Production Unit 30: TV advertising Unit 51: Page Design Unit Deadlines UCAS points and university Work Placement Educational Visits Contact
Level 3 Extended Diploma – Creative Media Production This vocational course, equivalent to three A Levels, provides you with an exciting opportunity to work and develop your skills in TV and film editing and other media-related disciplines such as print and radio. You will be encouraged to experiment, develop your imagination and express thoughts and ideas through visual and aural media. Highly practical in its nature, this course combines the areas of film and video editing, print production, scriptwriting and storyboarding. You will learn how to create and manipulate images, create adverts for TV, write and produce a radio drama, produce music videos, write scripts and film them and gain a greater understanding of the TV and media industry as a whole. You will also get the chance to work in our new state-of-the-art film and TV studio and work with vision and sound mixers and lighting rigs. You will also become a member of the newly established VIBE production company, which will commission, promote and showcase a wide range of media work produced by students at the College at our end-of-year 'Oscars' night at the Regal Cinema in Henley and in your end of year exhibition. The course also provides you with the opportunity to get a taste of real life work experience with trips to Sky Studios in London and Warner Bros Studios in Watford.
Unit 1: Pre-Production Techniques
Aim and purpose This unit will develop learners’ understanding of and skills in pre-production. The unit covers planning and resourcing requirements for production and post-production, how to locate resources and how to organise their deployment. Learners will also develop their understanding of health, safety and legal issues in relation to pre-production. Unit introduction Pre-production, which mainly involves research and planning, is a vital ingredient of any successful media product. For example, the successful completion of a photographic fashion shoot for a magazine depends on locations, material and talent being available for the work to be undertaken. Successful location recording of video material depends on crew members and talent being in the right place at the right time. Good pre-production is vitally important where expenses are being incurred for people and materials and where budgets and deadlines are to be met. Pre-production is generally undertaken by producers and their teams. A team could consist of a number of staff from location managers to set designers. All of them have a vital part to play in the production of a media product. Their work will include drawing up outline budgets and funding strategies, finding factual information, additional material and contributors, using archives, researching locations, undertaking risk assessments, and organising and coordinating logistics. Through following this unit learners will develop an awareness that any media production operates within limitations regarding time, facilities, personnel and budget. They will learn how to identify the requirements of a media production, and how to plan for the provision of those requirements. They will also learn that successful pre-production involves ensuring that all the various elements for production are in the right place at the right time. Additionally, the unit will enable learners to conduct production risk assessments and develop an awareness of the rights and responsibilities of producers and other media professionals.
Unit 2: Communication Skills
Aim and purpose The aim of this unit is to ensure that learners are able to communicate effectively in creative media production contexts in writing and orally.
Unit introduction This unit aims to improve the functional communication skills of learners and should be taught in production contexts through other mandatory and optional units. The unit not only relates to wider communication skills as a whole, which are an essential part of everyday life, but also specifically targets skills that learners can expect to use on a regular basis within the creative media sector such as pitching ideas, writing proposals and constructing reports. They will therefore develop their ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas through pitches, proposals and reports to a range of audiences using appropriate modes of address and forms of technology. Learners will also develop skills in checking and proof-reading written materials. Through this unit they will learn how to select from and summarise information gained from sources when conducting research for assignments or productions.
Unit 3: Research Techniques and Unit 29: Music Video Production
Aim and purpose In this unit you will research the purpose, styles and conventions of music video using multiple research methods. You will then develop, plan and produce a music video. Unit introduction There are many opportunities for the application of music video production techniques in the media industries. Besides the established outlets of TV music channels, marketing and promotion within the popular music industry and direct DVD sales, there are also websites of new and emerging artists, Myspace and YouTube, phone downloads, and VJing in music venues, at concerts and at festivals. Music videos provide the ideal opportunity for experimenting with visual moving imagery allowing learners to use their creative imagination to the maximum and to apply technical skills, which have been developed in other units. The study of established styles and conventions of the music video is a starting point, as learners need to understand what has already been done in order to develop their own ideas. They can then experiment with techniques to create music videos, which might reflect their own musical interests or they might work for a band or artist to create a music video for a ‘live’ brief. They will also be able to enhance and further develop the transferable skills of video production, in particular the post-production techniques of editing and effects application, with the potential for advanced techniques such as mixing digital or stopframe animation with live footage, Chroma key and matte effects. Learners will develop the creative knowledge needed to entertain and engage the target audience, to potentially consider the requirements of a client and fulfil the promotional purpose of the product. The development of creative concepts and the skills needed to apply them are readily transferable to many other genres including advertising, drama and computer game design.
Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media Industry Aim and purpose This unit aims to give learners an understanding of the creative media sector. The unit covers the sector’s industries and their ownership, and legal and regulatory issues. Learners will also develop an understanding of employment opportunities, working conditions and how to apply for work in the media sector. Unit introduction The media industries are expanding on a national and global level. Recruitment to the sector has accelerated offering new professional opportunities. There are more people working in the media today than in any other employment sector. Developments over the last two decades have also taken place across the sector in response to technological changes, with a notable impact on media production, distribution and patterns of employment. Other wider developments include deregulation and the debate over the status and funding of public service broadcasting. The ongoing developments in digital media technology are creating a highly mixed and competitive environment. All these developments will affect those seeking employment in the media sector. In this unit learners will develop an understanding of the professional practices essential to working in any of the media industries. Learners will understand that media industries are diverse and made up of many different organisational structures which operate at a local, national and global level. Learners will gain an essential understanding of employment opportunities and job roles in the sector and will think about how they can become skilled and multi-skilled through training and professional development. They will also develop some knowledge of financial issues and ownership trends. The unit will enable learners to understand their professional role within a set of legal and ethical constraints. They will learn about the regulatory issues and organisations relevant to media industries, which determine both the scope of and limitations on professional practice.
Unit 16: Film and Editing Techniques & Unit 22: Single Camera Techniques
Aim and purpose In this unit learners will explore the characteristics of single camera production, and develop the creative, organisational and technical skills required to devise, plan and implement their own productions. Unit introduction With the introduction of more television channels, some specifically dedicated to drama, the single camera drama production has become very popular with broadcasters and audiences. This means that there should be more opportunities for people with skills in single camera techniques to gain employment in this sector. This might be in terms of technical skills in production or creative skills in developing ideas into production. This unit aims to give learners an opportunity to use production skills, already gained from previous units, and develop them further to create a production using single camera techniques. The unit gives learners the opportunity to explore existing single camera productions. This will help them to think about, plan and produce their own productions. As part of this exploration learners will investigate the use of camera scripts and storyboards as tools of storytelling. Learners will develop the organisational skills required for the planning and implementation of a single camera drama production. They will identify key production roles and take on one or more of these roles during their own production. Set design, cinematography, lighting, use of sound and editing techniques will all be part of the skills learners develop through following this unit. Health and safety issues will also be addressed in both location and studio shoots, with learners producing risk assessments prior to any production work.
Unit 27: Factual Programming
Aim and purpose This unit aims to provide learners with the opportunity to develop the full range of skills needed for factual programme production, from researching and planning of productions through to the production process. Unit introduction Factual programme production is one of the largest areas of television output, providing an extensive range of opportunities and professional roles within the industry. This sector is the prime communicator of information in relation to worldwide events, local issues or opinion, and attitudes within society and communities, from the most serious global issues to the purely entertaining. It provides enormous scope for potential production ideas. The genre includes news, documentary, educational, magazine, discussion, review, chat show, special interest (hobby, makeover, and how-to formats), ‘reality’ TV and other sub-genres. It involves engagement with the key media issues of representation, access, objectivity, subjectivity and communication of meaning. This unit builds on general pre-production, production and production management skills and provides opportunities to develop more advanced specialist skills such as broadcast journalism, interview and presentation techniques and the professionalism required when working with the public. Though ‘factual’ is the basic definition of the genre there is a wide range of opportunities for the development of creativity both within the production process and in the topic or subject content, including opportunities for learners to work on projects that they find personally interesting and challenging.
Unit 30: TV advertising
Aim and purpose The aim of this unit is to enable learners to apply production skills to create an advert for television. Learners will examine existing television advertisements to investigate how persuasive messages can be constructed. They will then plan and produce an advertisement for television, and evaluate the effectiveness of their finished product. Unit introduction Advertising is all around us and is integral to everyday life. It is one of the largest sectors of the media industry, adverts being presented in a wide range of media such as television, film, radio, magazines, posters, billboards, the press, and the internet. Of all of these, television advertising probably has the highest profile, some television advertisements being so effective and memorable that they become classics and part of the cultural background for a whole generation of viewers. Television is used to market almost every product one can imagine from everyday consumables, like washing powder, to extravagant sports cars, whilst some advertisements promote a service such as insurance, banking or vehicle breakdown cover. This unit starts by considering how advertisements are structured, how they try to work and how persuasive messages can be constructed. Understanding these things will create a firm basis on which to plan the production of advertisements for television, as well as enabling learners to become more discerning consumers. Learners will develop practical production skills and learn how to plan, produce and monitor production through to a completed advert for television. The unit therefore offers an opportunity for learners to engage in activities which are integral to other forms of media production and hence gain skills and knowledge which are highly transferable. Finally, they will evaluate the effectiveness of the finished product.
Unit 51: Page Layout and design
Aim and purpose This unit aims to develop learners’ skills in designing and producing page layouts for both print-based and digital products using design software. Learners will cover editing, sourcing and preparation of materials, and how to design a page effectively. Unit introduction Page layout and design is an important stage in the development of any print-based text, as well as for interactive media texts such as websites and CD ROMs. Most media products have to compete for both advertisers’ income and readers in an often fiercely competitive environment. Clear and effective page layout and design is important in ensuring that texts are effective in communicating the right message to the right audience in an efficient and professional manner. Ever more sophisticated computer hardware and software are used in the design and layout process and anybody working within this area will require a good working knowledge of the main software programmes that have become the standard within the industry, as well as a good knowledge and understanding of design and layout techniques. This unit aims to give learners the basic knowledge and skills needed to prepare and process text, and source and prepare photographs and other images that will be used in a range of print and interactive media products including newspapers, magazines, books and websites. Learners will then be able to combine these elements and apply design and layout principles to produce effective and attractive page layouts using design and desktop publishing software. Through these activities learners will gain a practical understanding of the principles and conventions underlying page layout and design in different formats, together with a practical understanding of, and ability to operate, software applications.
Deadlines Unit 1: Pre-Production Techniques
Unit 2: Communication Skills for Creative Media Sector - Week beginning 26/05/16
Unit 3 Research Techniques & Unit 29 Music Video Production: Week beginning 21/03/16
Unit 7 Understanding the Creative Media Sector: Week beginning 01/02/16
Unit 16 Film and Editing Techniques & Unit 22 Single Camera Techniques: Week beginning 19/10/15
Unit 27 Factual Programming: Week beginning 06/06/16
Unit 30 TV Advertising: Week beginning 11/01/16
Unit 51 Page Layout and Design: Week beginning 21/03/16
UCAS and University UCAS POINTS BTEC GRADES TRANSFERED TO UCAS POINTS In order to figure out your final grade and the university courses you should be applying to, you need to calculate your grades. Bournemouth University normally require 320 - 360 UCAS points which would be DDM - DDD grade in your course How you calculate your grades is listed below or you can go to the UCAS website to find out more - http://www.ucas.com/howit-all-works/explore-your-options/entry-requirements/tariff-tables
RECOMMENDED UNIVERSITIES FOR MEDIA COURSES
Bournemouth University
Portsmouth University
Winchester University
Cheltenham and Gloucester University
Canterbury University
Lincoln University
UWE University
Southampton University
Work Placement As part of your course of study you are able to spend a period of time in a work-place where you will be expected to undertake a range of tasks under supervision. The Work Experience may be part of course-work submitted for an examination at College. Details of the process and copies of the forms you may need are available on Learnzone. Work Experience gives you opportunities to: Gain vital experience for future university or job applications broaden your career ideas, and plan for the future develop your personal, social and employability skills improve your understanding and knowledge of employing organisations prepare for the change from college to adult working life understand how your college subjects relate to the workplace. You are expected to source your own placement, with help and support from college staff. Before the Placement You will be given a form WE5 for you (and, if you are under 18 years, your parent/guardian) to complete and return to College. You should not start your placement until you have been notified that the necessary health and safety checks have been completed by the college. You should also complete and return Form WE2 (Student Profile form) which the College will forward to your Employers. During the Placement you will: fill in your online work placement logbook (or use an equivalent) be told about and follow any Health and Safety regulations that operate within the company and complete a H&S checklist be on time each day. If you are going to be late, telephone the employer to let them know contact both the employer and the College immediately if you cannot attend the work-place for any reason have a teacher/work experience coordinator from College who will monitor the placement be aware that the College takes your wellbeing and safety very seriously and if you have any concerns these should be raised with your School of Study Administrator at the college by ‘phone.
you may be given a Work Experience Assignment to work on and complete on your return. After the Placement thank the employer before leaving you will be expected to write a ‘thank you’ letter afterwards on your return to College there will be opportunities to share your experiences.
Educational Visits
New York & Washington 28th March – 4th April 5 nights in New York and 2 nights in Washington DC visiting places such as Museum of Moving Image, Paley Centre Media and the Empire State Building.
Sky Skills Academy A day trip to Sky Studios in London where you learn how to plan and produce a news broadcast with their team.
Warner Bros A behind the scenes look at how the world of Harry Potter is created.
Contact
www.thcvibproductions.weebly.com
CMP Vibe
@CMPVibe
thcvibeproductions@gmail.com