Film and Creative Writing year 1 modules

Compulsory modules 

Introduction to Film: Styles and Forms 

Introduction to Film Studies: Styles and Forms will embed the practice of film analysis, with a specific focus on ‘close reading’ to evaluate the specific formal and stylistic of individual films. The critical vocabulary of film studies will be introduced and utilised within student work. Aspects of film history will also form the basis of this module, as texts from particular periods are studied in order to build a sense of cinema’s chronology. 

Introduction to Film: Approaches and Methods  

Introduction to Film Studies: Approaches and Methods will engage critically with the various ways in which film is evaluated and understood alongside various theoretical, social and historical contexts. Individual film texts will be studied in detail and in relation to these underlying concerns and interests. 

Filmmaking

This module is designed to equip students with a range of filming and editing skills appropriate to the task of completing a short audiovisual project. Sessions will be structured to deliver training in the various elements of film production through a series of class assignments and interactive tutorials. Students will work in groups on a particular theme or idea and will take responsibility for developing this project into a short-length film. The module will aim to develop students’ practical skills alongside critical skills, in keeping with the overarching structure and format of the English BA and related programmes. To this end, sessions will also incorporate a consideration of film texts, encouraging students to analyse existing works in relation to their own practice.

Film Culture and Media Skills

Film Culture and Media Skills will provide an introduction to film, television and digital media in its industrial contexts.  Seminars will focus on the ways in which films are made, sold and consumed at regional, national and international levels.  

Creative Writing Foundation

This module will give students the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of key issues and methodologies related to the study of creative writing as an academic discipline; to explore purpose and method in writing, both individually and collaboratively; to develop competence in basic creative writing skills in the traditional genres of prose and poetry, as related to each stage of the writing process; and to develop appropriate vocabulary and formats to reflect on their own writing as process and product. Generic themes and issues will be covered in lecture-demonstrations; while generic-specific skills and processes will be introduced in tutor-led seminars, and reinforced student-led groups.

Contemporary Creative Writing

This module will give students a thorough introduction to current trends in creative writing in three principal areas: publishing (traditional, independent and self-publishing); prizes and awards; literary markets and presentation. Students will examine a number of case-studies including traditional vs. self-publishing; mainstream vs avant-garde; prize shortlists and book reviews. Students will create original creative works in response to these case studies.