Module manager: Mick Schofield
Email: M.P.Schofield@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| COMM2890 | Short Film Production |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces you to conventions of documentary filmmaking through hands-on experience, and it is designed to help you acquire a more in-depth knowledge of specific skills in digital production. The module will help to set theoretical and practical work into context, and it will build your confidence with the technical and procedural side of the digital media industry.
The module aims to give students a practice-based overview of the principles of documentary film development and production. Students will engage with all aspects of production, from the planning phase (research, production planning) to filming (including understanding relevant camera techniques, working with contributors) and post-production (editing and digital post-production techniques).The module will include material on interview technique, documentary ethics, health and safety and the practical realities of production planning. It will also help students to learn how to work effectively in a film production team – the different roles and responsibilities, and how to demonstrate their individual contribution to a collective project. Students will acquire a wide array of transferable skills including teamwork, digital editing and creative writing. These skills maybe built on during any subsequent modules that contain a practical component, or may equally inform other aspects of their degree.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject: 1. Critique and employ different modes of documentary filmmaking and their conventions 2. Develop new ideas for a documentary production and apply relevant theory to creative solutions 3. Implement digital production and post-production processes associated with single camera filmmaking 4. Understand and comply with ethical production principals and copyright law
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Lecture | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Practical | 11 | 2 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 166 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback is provided during production group meetings and workshops. Progress on group projects is monitored closely during pre-production and the early stages of production. Feedback on technique / technical skill Is also offered during workshop tasks on sound, lighting, interview technique and editing.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Group project - Short documentary film | 75 |
| Coursework | Individual project - Film treatment | 25 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students resitting the Group project component will be required to write a production plan / production report instead.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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