Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Creative Practice for Film and TV
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: SCA11130
Module leader: Ita Jansen
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

On this module you will learn the key technical skills and production processes involved in a range of filmmaking disciplines through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops. You will develop an understanding of the principles of storytelling through action and events, the way in which a cinematic world arises out of character and interpretation, and the creation of meaning on screen through composition and editing of sound and picture. You will apply these skills in practical exercises, producing a short dramatic or documentary film within assigned teams.You will work in a defined filmmaking role while also supporting peers in subsidiary roles, building your collaborative, organisational and creative abilities. You will engage with industry-standard production workflows, including script or documentary development, planning and scheduling, risk assessments, and post-production management. Throughout the module you will critically reflect on your work at each stage to refine your own developing creative practice.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically analyse film texts in the context of your own creative practice.

LO2: Generate ideas and produce your own narratives in short film form.

LO3: Plan the deployment of the creative, technical and personal skills and resources required to realise your objectives.

LO4: Resolve aesthetic problems with shooting and/or editing works in progress.

LO5: Justify production and post-production solutions to producers and other collaborators.

LO6: Critically reflect on your work at each stage of production.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Ita Jansen
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 LECTURE
Face To Face Tutorial 44 TUTORIAL
Online Project Supervision 44 Project Supervision
Online Guided independent study 100 Guided independent study
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Project - Practical 75 2~3~4~5 Week 13 HOURS= 0 Project - Practical
Learning Log 25 1~6 Week 13 HOURS= 1500 Learning Log
Component 1 subtotal: 75
Component 2 subtotal: 25
Module subtotal: 100
2025/6, Trimester 2, Online (fully o,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 002
Primary mode of delivery: Online (fully o
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Paul Gray
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Independent Learning Lecture 12 Lectures introduce core theoretical and technical concepts in filmmaking, developing your understanding of storytelling, audio visual language and production processes, and preparing you to apply these principles within your specialist role and project work.
Independent Learning Tutorial 24 Tutorials provide opportunities for group discussion, project development and formative feedback, supporting your understanding of filmmaking practices and helping you refine creative and technical decisions in relation to your own projects and roles.
Independent Learning Project Supervision 24 Project supervision provides structured guidance and discipline-specific support throughout the development, production and post-production of your film. Through focused instruction, you will refine your creative intentions, build advanced technical skills, address practical challenges, and work to industry-relevant workflows within your chosen professional role.
Online Guided independent study 120 Independent study allows you to research, plan and carry out project work outside of formal teaching, supporting both your individual practice and your contributions to group work.
Face To Face GROUPSCHEDULED 20 You will participate in an in-person collaborative exercise near the end of the module, where you will work with your cohort to plan, shoot and deliver a short scripted film. Alternatively, if you are producing a documentary or experimental film, you will work remotely to plan, shoot and deliver your project.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Project - Practical 75 2~3~4~5~6 Week 13 HOURS= max 3 mins Your portfolio consists of a drama film of exactly 1 minute or a documentary/experimental film of 1–3 minutes. You will prepare and undertake exercises that develop your technical and creative skills, leading toward the production of your assessed short film within your assigned team.For the project, you will be given a single shooting day and must deliver your film according to the approved Production Workflow, including all required documentation, planning and technical preparation completed in advance.You will work in your specialist role on one production and take on subsidiary roles on your peers’ films, enabling you to deepen your expertise while contributing collaboratively to the wider cohort.If you are making a narrative film, you will base it on an original script written by a Screenwriting student, with the script not exceeding one page and the final film running for one minute including credits. If you are making a documentary or experimental work, your film will run for 1-3 minutes. All films must be completed within the set durations and project specifications.
Learning Log 25 1~6 Week 13 HOURS= 1500 words Your project folder is an individual hand-in. It should contain a written text equivalent to 1,500 words reflecting on your creative choices within your main role for the film and your overall learning process. Your project folder should evidence your extensive research into creative and technical elements in your specialised field, and is expected to include discursive references to films, videos, exhibitions, interviews or written work that have informed your choices or approach.You should include documentation of the day-to-day work you contributed to the film in your main role, such as journal entries, notes, or specific documents generated in the fulfilment of your responsibilities. For example, if you are a Director or Cinematographer, you would be expected to include mood boards, visual references and shot lists, while Producers might include photographs of considered locations, call sheets and schedules. You can discuss what is appropriate for your project folder with your specialism tutor.Your folder should also include a section that discusses and reflects on the work you have completed in your subsidiary roles.
Component 1 subtotal: 75
Component 2 subtotal: 25
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SCA11130 Creative Practice for Film and TV
 

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