Keele Badge

MDS-10045 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

MDS-10045 - Filmmaking Fundamentals
Coordinator: James Mcateer
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None


Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2026/27

This first-year practice-centred module provides you with the foundational technical knowledge and theoretical tools for approaching creative filmmaking work, and an understanding of the ethics of creative work in contemporary AI contexts. Whether your interests lie in film direction, cinematography or editing, you’ll develop skills in these varied areas of practice, building experience of digital camera-work and post-production tools. The final short film output will demonstrate your acquired technical skills and your creative application of theory and practice.

Aims
To study film language, conventions and terminology.
To gain a range of basic practical skills in film production (pre-production, production and post-production).
To appreciate the importance of critical consideration of production values in multi-factorial contexts.
Enable critical understanding of the moving image.
Develop knowledge of relevant software.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically reflect on the aesthetics, form and function of films.: 2,3
Demonstrate elements of film theory in relation to your own practice.: 2,3
Demonstrate basic filmmaking conventions and techniques.
: 1,3
Demonstrate an understanding of professional pre-production, production and post-production processes and the effects of digital technologies on video production.: 1
Work within a group to create media artefacts that demonstrate creative communication and planning skills in filmmaking.
: 1,3
Consider and evaluate their own work in a reflective manner, with reference to relevant historical or contemporary debates and conventions.: 2

Study hours

48 Contact hours of lectures, workshops and group supervision. (10 x 2-hour lectures; 14 x 2-hour workshops/supervision sessions)
100 hours of reflection, revision and consolidation of theory and practice introduced in lectures, workshops and group supervision including research and individual skills development.
16 hours of group production meetings to discuss project development.
16 hours to produce material for semester 1 assessment.
120 hours of practical work in the production of assessed final project material (which will comprise film project + reflective assessment).

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 50%
Short film
In groups of 4-5, students will pre-produce, produce, and post-produce a short digital film between eight to ten minutes in length. Whilst this is a group project, students will receive an individual mark, based on the level of their contribution.

2: Portfolio weighted 30%
Portfolio 1500 words
An individual portfolio, reflecting on the student's work in the filmmaking assignment (assignment 1). This will consist of a Critical Reflective Practice of 1500 words discussing theory and practice. Students will also include a bibliography, filmography and discography. The portfolio should also include a final version of the Treatment, Script, Storyboard, Shotlist and Shooting Schedule for their film.

3: Portfolio weighted 20%
1,000-word individual written reflection + group Film Treatment, Script, Storyboard, and Shotlist
This assignment will be submitted in semester 1, and focuses on pre-production materials. Students will submit a 1,000-word individual written reflection + initial drafts of a Group Film Treatment, Script, Storyboard, and Shotlist.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026