Faculty of Computing Engineering and Technology
MODULE HANDBOOK 2011-12
Module title:
DIGITAL FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION
Module code:
CE00986-7
Tutors:
Alan Fitzpatrick
md@[Link]
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
[Link]
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Please note that under the regulations of the University you may be withdrawn from your module if you miss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
[Link] 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
