Faculty of Computing Engineering and Technology

MODULE HANDBOOK 2011-12

Module title:

DIGITAL FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION

Module code:

CE00986-7

Tutors:

Alan Fitzpatrick
md@filmbase.ie
Tel: 01 679 6716

In this module the students (film crew) will learn to write or develop a/their feature length script, including
pre-production planning, digital feature film budgeting, a shooting script and sample test shots.
The students will also define realistic, logical and achievable outcomes through a study plan that fit with the
assessment criteria of Research Methods, Advanced Production Technology in HD Film, Advanced Post
Production Technology in HD Film and the MSc Project - Film Technology. Importantly, they will draw up a
professional contract that ensures the completion of a feature length production, within the timescale of the
Masters course.

This handbook contains the following:

Module Specification form
Lecture/tutorial /laboratories guidance
Student centred learning guidance
Teaching plan
Module Assessment
Module Monitoring and Feedback
Resources

Module Specification
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/student/modules/showmodule.php?code=CE00986-7

Lecture/Tutorial /Laboratories Guidance

1 hour contact per week (tutorial/lecture or seminar)
- Directed reading and learning, possibly class attendance.
- Information gathering (Internet, books, technical articles, patents, company catalogues and literature, etc).
- Discussions with experts in Industry and University.
- Problem analysis and solution (analytical, experimental, and/or numerical).
- Use of existing software packages (technical, business, word-processing, database, project scheduling,
editing, colour grading, sound mixing etc).
- Report writing.
- Preparation of oral presentation.
- Presentation and defence of work at seminars.
-Attendance at lectures and seminars

Student Centred Learning Guidance

In addition to the hour of lecture and tutorial time, students are expected to spend approximately a further
11 hours upon the student centred learning each week. These activities are indicated in the Teaching Plan
table.

Attendance
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, be they lectures, tutorials or laboratory sessions.
Please note that under the regulations of the University you may be withdrawn from your module if you miss
more than 4 consecutive sessions.
Staff will ensure that attendance is monitored in the module.

Teaching Plan
The table below shows the teaching plan for the modules. This will enable you to identify what is being
covered in each of the scheduled sessions, but just as importantly what you should be working on in your
own study time for the module:
SEMESTER ONE:
Week

Lecture

Tutorial

Introduction to Film Technology

Assessment criteria/
Pitching &
presenting

Camera Technology (1)

The Analogue & Digital Domain

Finding interesting
images
Practice
presentations

Student centred learning

guidance
Get into a group of five/six.

Develop pitch ideas/

Storyboarding & testing/
practising pitching

4
ONE TO ONE
5

Pre-production paperwork (1)

Risk assessments

Pre production paperwork

Pre-production paperwork (2)

Pre production paperwork

Script development

Call sheets/
scheduling
Shooting

The science of sound

Test Shooting

Sonic Measurements

Booming, parallax,
recording sound
Basic mixing

10

Editing

Editing

Test Editing

Test Shooting

Test Editing

11
Mid point presentation (not assesed)
(NO LECTURE screening takes place in your tutorial)
12
FEEDBACK
(Feedback takes place in your tutorial)

SEMESTER TWO:
Week

Lecture

Tutorial

Student centred
learning guidance
Pre-production

Introduction Part Two

Assignment brief

Production Techniques/
Location Scouting

Basic Composition

Basic Cinematography

Scripting

Camera Technology (2)

Scripting

Pre-production
Rule of thirds exercise

Scripting

6
ONE TO ONE
7

Principles of editing

Clinic

Scripting

Principles of editing

Clinic

Scripting

Workflows

Clinic

Scripting

10

Finishing

Clinic

Scripting

11
Presentations
(there will be no lecture)
12
Feedback
(there will be no lecture)

Module Assessment
This module is assessed by:
A COURSEWORK weighted at 100%.
100% in-class assessment is in effect as follows:A Portfolio of preproduction artefacts, length 3000 WORDS weighted at 35% assessing learning outcome 1
and 3
A Presentation weighted at 30% will assess learning outcome 2 and 3.
A Feature length script weighted at 35% assessing learning outcome 1
Learning Outcome
1.CREATE A FEATURE LENGTH SCRIPT AND SHOOTING SCRIPT AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE
THE PRODUCTION PROCESS.

Application

2. GENERATE ADVANCED SOLUTIONS TO A RANGE OF COMPLEX PROBLEMS IN THE STUDY

OF A FEATURE LENGTH FILM SCRIPT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT STAKEHOLDERS, PRODUCERS,
AND CUSTOMERS, AND ALSO THE RAPID CHANGE IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

Problem
Solving

Learning

3. USE ORAL, WRITTEN, AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION TO FIND INFORMATION AND TO Communication
EXPLAIN, DEBATE, AND PRESENT COMPLEX ARGUMENTS, PROPOSALS, AND IDEAS.

Please note that you will need to achieve at least 40% in each component of assessment, with an
overall average of 50% in order to pass the module.
Please see Student Handbook regarding late submission, ill health, and extenuating circumstances.

Module Monitoring and Feedback

You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on this module at the end, by completing a module
feedback survey.

Resources
Film-specific Software:
Final Draft 8
Storyboard Quick
MovieMagic Scheduling 5
MovieMagic Budgeting 7
Dramatica Pro 4
EP Scheduling 4
Frameforge 3D
Camera equipment:
5x Canon EOS 5D Mark II
3x Canon EOS 7D
3x Sony PMW-EX1
3x Sony HVR-V1
3x Canon XL1
Lighting equipment:
Arri 2 K Blonde
Arri 800W Redhead
Arri 1 K Fresnel
650W Fresnel
Bambino Portable Lighting Kit
ARRI Portable Lighting Kit

Kino Flo
Sound equipment:
FOSTEX FR2
FOSTEX PD4
HHB Portable Minidisc Recorder
SQN 4S Mini Location Mixer
Sennheiser MKH70 Microphone
Sennheiser 816 Microphone
Sennheiser 416 Microphone
Sennheiser Evolution EW 112
Editing and Post-production facilities:
Final Cut Studio HD & Adobe Production Suite
Final Cut Pro 7
DVD Studio Pro 4
Motion 4
Color 1.5
SOUNDTRACK PRO 3
APERTURE 3
PREMIERE PRO
AFTER EFFECTS
PHOTOSHOP
ILLUSTRATOR
INDESIGN
DREAMWEAVER
FLASH
EDIT SUITE 1 (Offline):
MacPro 2 x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon
30" HD Apple cinema display
Blackmagic HD Extreme capture card
Sony UVW 1800 Beta player/recorder
EDIT SUITE 2 (Online):
MacPro 2 x 3GHz Dual Core Intel Xeon
30" HD Apple cinema display
Blackmagic HD Extreme capture card
Euphonix MC color console
JVC HD monitor
Sony TRDVM2000 Digital Beta player/recorder
Grip equipment:
Steadicam Flyer Professional
Steadicam Merlin
Egripment Matador Dolly & Tracks
C-Stands
SATCHLER DV8
Satchler DV12
Vinten Vision 3 Tripod System