Birmingham City University : Film Technology and Special Effects - BSc (Hons)

This course contains five themes of learning: Media Industry, Multimedia, Technology, Production and Visual Effects. All themes run over the duration of the course.

The degree programme ensures that students do not study a wide range of academic, technical and creative subjects in isolation. All theory is applied practically in a number of projects during the three-year course.

Students study in depth the theory and practice of digital film and visual effects production and the process of communicating ideas and information. They also critically assess new technology and develop commercial and business skills. This academic expertise is coupled with practical skills, such as producing high quality images and audio for digital film production; capturing and manipulating content, creating and compositing visual effects, designing title sequences and incorporating sound FX; and producing and designing DVDs with full interactive media.

As well as demonstrating skills in the use of sophisticated acquisition equipment and online editing, they develop critical analysis skills, make critical judgements about their own and others' work, and identify good practice.

The development of transferable skills is also central to the course, enabling students to be ready for the workplace upon graduation. They will have developed business acumen and management skills by planning and undertaking a variety of tasks and projects, work to deadlines and budget within a team, as well as taking responsibility for their decisions.

Module Descriptions

Year 1

Film Industry and Television Industry
This module introduces you to the film industry, film products, legal and ethical issues, and the context in which the industry operates.

Visual Design
This module introduces fundamental design principles, such as colour, placement, typography and photography. You will learn and explore the fundamentals of image composition which will inform the way you compose and shoot video.

Moving Image Technology
This module provides a fundamental understanding of the technologies that underpin and support moving image production, allowing you make the best use film production and post production equipment and software.

Content Acquisition
An introduction to video acquisition and production, providing and hands-on experience of camera operation, lighting, sound recording and video editing, as well covering fundamental video production concepts in lighting, framing, audio acquisition, mise an scène and editing.

3D Modelling
Introduces the fundamental principles of constructing and rendering computer generated 3D models, using industry standard 3D modelling software to create photo realistic models and scenes.

Year 2

Commissions, Markets and Revenue
The module looks at scoping, running and managing a film or television production, then moves on to the consider how a film concept is developed and sold or commissioned within a chosen market.

Virtual Effects Techniques
The module provides experience of creating and using virtual 3D scenes as backdrops to TV and film productions, using blue screen and virtual studio technologies.

Moving Image Technology
Provides a deeper understanding of concepts that underpin media technologies, focusing on video and audio signal processing and technologies for compressing and distributing video.

Production Design
You will be introduced to advanced production techniques and gain practical experience of a number of different production disciplines. You will study contemporary industry perspectives, specifications, acquisition techniques, audio recording, alternate venues and post-production techniques.

3D Animation
You will further develop your 3D computer generated graphics skills animating cameras, lights and 3D characters. You will plan an d build an animated scene making use of animation principles, boning and inverse kinematics.

Year 3

Sound Effects
The module provides knowledge and practical experience of creating sound for screen based media such as films, with a particular focus on Foley and sound effects for scenes with visual effects.

Motion Graphics and DVD Authoring
The module provides experience of post-production techniques, with a particular focus on creating motion graphics sequences and interactive DVD menus.

Visual Effects production
The module gives the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have developed in 3D modelling and film production to plan and produce visual effects scenes, making use of compositing and visual effects tools.

Film Production and Direction
You will be introduced to advanced production management techniques where you will explore responsibilities in a number of different departments. You will get the opportunity to breakdown a script and produce a short film.

Media Technology Project
This is an in-depth dissertation which students undertake in the final year. It is an opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in a relevant specialist area of your choice, and demonstrate your academic skills in: research; problem solving; evaluating information; developing solutions and creating artefacts.

Facilities

• Video Production Lab
• Virtual Studio
• Multimedia Laboratories
• Foley Studio

Students are encouraged to include an industrial placement year in their course. This takes place after the second year of study and extends the course duration to four years.

As well as providing relevant workplace experience sought by many employers, a placement provides an invaluable opportunity for students to further develop their practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path. The Faculty’s placements team supports students throughout the placement process.

A range of assessment methods is used throughout the course including continuous assessment, in-class tests, examinations, laboratory exercises and project work. Using these methods, your all-round ability will be appraised providing you with the best opportunity to excel.