Creative Media Digital Production (BTEC)

Media is an exciting and creative course that is both practically and intellectually challenging.

What you will learn

It will develop your knowledge and understanding of the digital world and interactive media products. The creative industry is one of the largest growing industries in the UK and is a major contributor to the UK economy.

How you will learn

You will be using the latest technology, often in a vocational context, as you tackle tasks and challenges posed in the digital age on a regular basis. There are also many opportunities to create practical work in all areas of the media.

Year 1

Topics

• Pre-production formats and functions
• Storyboarding
• Script writing
• Finance and logistics
• Regulation and legal considerations
• Media representation
• Decoding messages
• Understanding ideology

Creating a 20 minute broadcast for Radio Heathfield

Year 2

Topics

• Fictional film – narrative, genre and representation
• Planning and preparing for production
• Filming – framing, lighting and sound
• Post-production – editing and after effects

Responding to a commission – generating creative ideas, planning and executing to a design brief.

Creating a 10 minute fictional film to be broadcast on HTV.

Assessment 1: Pre-Production Techniques for the Creative Media Industries, coursework, 90 guided learning hours, 25% of the course.

An introduction to the pre-production processes that underpin successful media products.

Carry out and produce pre-production tasks for a creative media product.

Assessment 2: Media Representation, examined, 90 guided learning hours, 25% of final grade.

Introduction to theories of media representation, decoding messages and ideology. Stylistic codes - camera work, editing, lighting and sound.

Assessment 3: Fictional Film, coursework, 60 guided learning hours 17% of final grade.

Understanding the codes and conventions of fictional film production.

Produce material for a fictional film of a specified genre and apply post-production techniques to create a 3-5 minute short film.

Assessment 4: Responding to a commission, examined, 120 guided learning hours, 33% of final grade.

Generating ideas and developing a response to a given commission and presenting creative ideas.

College basic entry requirements

Where Next?

Media is a good foundation for a range of careers or university courses which require a sound knowledge of technology and digital based equipment. It is a natural choice for any career in digital media and design, journalism, marketing and publishing, press and public relations, policy and lobbying and education.

Course Combinations

This course combines well with English, Photography and Computing.