Television and Radio Production

Media Texts introduces the range of critical approaches used within Media Studies, such as media semiotics, genre analysis and approaches to media narrative and representation. The module provides students with a range of critically informed methodologies for the analysis of media texts, and critically examines the ways that diverse audiences consume media. The module also seeks to understand the consequences for producers and consumers of the shift to digital media.

Content Creation will provide and develop technical and editorial online skills, preparing you for the demands of the modern multi-skilled digital communications environment. As well as equipping you with a range of storytelling methods and encouraging you to reflect on the impact of new media within the fields of PR and Digital Communication, it will also give you the chance to develop a portfolio to showcase your work and enhance your employability.

This module develops your understanding of the key pre-production processes and practices required by television, radio and multi-platform projects. You will develop programme research skills in finding and assessing potential stories, contributors, and recording locations. The module will enable you to find, assess, plan and schedule appropriate production content with consideration for relevant copyright, compliance and budgeting issues; and, your ability to conceive, research, plan and apply these skills to the physical production of content for a range of platforms.

The aim of this module is to develop your practical skills in camera, sound, editing and multi-platform delivery. By producing your own short videos and rotating through a range of technical roles, you will gain a strong understanding of the key creative processes involved in video production.

This module will provide you with an overview of the range of broadcasters and key programme formats in radio and develop basic production processes and research and recording techniques used in the creation of a range of different radio programmes. You will put into practice the technical skills in recording and editing learnt in two different radio projects: a short documentary and long magazine programme

This module will provide you with a greater understanding of how to produce documentaries and factual features based on a critical and practical appreciation of the form. The module considers a range of research methods, production processes, directing techniques and scripting skills appropriate for documentary formats and, enables you to both work as part of a team and run a team in which you manage each stage of production from initial idea to multi-platform project delivery.

By studying a range of camera work from various genres and time periods, you will gain an understanding of how shooting styles can portray different themes and meaning. You will also further develop your own camera technique through hands-on workshops and demonstrations.

Podcast and Radio Feature Production develops and critically reflects upon the creative, technical, and production skills required to record features and short documentaries. The module builds on the students existing recording and editing skills in aiming to deliver broadcast standard audio and enhances the students knowledge of subject and contributor research, production planning, scripting and interviewing techniques in order to construct longer form speech based features.

A critical and practical exploration of studio production; you will be encouraged to undertake a variety of studio roles throughout the module including vision mixer, floor manager, and sound supervisor, and collaborate on the production of a studio programme item.

Technical audio experiences both in and out of the radio studio and an opportunity for you to learn about station sound: creating a station identity using jingles, beds and other audio. You will develop skills in the use of a range of microphones and microphone techniques as well as a knowledge of the theory of audio capture in a range of internal and external recording situations whilst enhancing your editing skills to create audio soundscapes and also experimental audio pieces. You will also learn and apply techniques for creating audio pictures through use of commentary and actuality.

This module explores the role of the production manager. You will develop your production planning, organizational, and negotiating skills necessary for the role whilst considering issues surrounding creative ownership and rights and key production employment regulations. You will also consider the range of production jobs for different programming genres and how resources can be allocated, scheduled and budgeted.

Students on this module can also take advantage of our education partnership with Albert, and study production practices which will arm them with the sustainability knowledge they'll need when joining the screen industries.

You will enhance your skills and understanding of the writing and production process specific to scripted radio drama and comedy in the development, from idea to finished production, of a multiple-character radio drama or comedy.

An introduction to, and experience of, a range of live on air radio situations and studio programmes, this module provides you with an opportunity to work across all programme-making roles, including producer, reporter, presenter and studio manager. You will develop knowledge of and an opportunity to apply the creative, production and technical skills required to make a variety of live radio including panel shows, music shows, quiz shows, specialist shows and magazine shows.

The module explores the idea of genre as a key critical concept within television studies and enables students to identify the codes and conventions of key television genres such as news, sitcom, reality TV, Soap Operas, heritage TV, and talk shows whilst gaining an understanding of genre in relation to television production and audiences.

To provide students with knowledge of and experience in the making of radio features and documentaries; the module will develop the creative, technical, and production skills required to record features and short documentaries and the capacity to reflect critically on their application; Students will build on existing recording and editing skills in aiming to deliver broadcast standard audio. The module will enhance the students knowledge of subject and contributor research, production planning, scripting and interviewing techniques in order to construct longer form speech based features and students understanding of the history of radio features and documentaries and the current context in which they are commissioned and broadcast.

The aim of this module is to provide you with deeper knowledge and understanding of how to create fiction productions for video based on a critical and practical appreciation of the form on TV. You will develop the skills to produce, direct and edit your own fiction video productions that demonstrate dramatic insight and creative flair. You will acquire the knowledge and hands-on experience to successfully manage each stage of the production process from script to final project delivery.

Scriptwriting module examines all fundamental aspects of fictional storytelling, including narrative structure, character development, character types, relation of character to plot, the use of subplots. The module fosters advanced practical skills in structure, plotting, character creation and dialogue for dramatic scripts.

This module is intended to further develop your editing skills and increase your understanding of the technical and creative processes involved in video editing. You will learn how the creative selection of footage and the organization of shots impact the final programme.

How you can respond to Live Briefs and work with people you would not usually have the chance to collaborate with at a student level. Where Television and Radio fits into the other courses taught here.

This new module enables TV and Radio students to work on a project jointly with students from Animation, Digital Media and Games Design, sharing the skills learned in the first year of each. There will be a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops as you work to respond to a live brief.

Your Final Year project is a significant opportunity to create a substantial media project that showcases your skills and potential to future industry employers. This year-long module will allow you to develop an original idea from proposal to final piece, demonstrating your understanding of and proficiency in the role of a producer and director.

What – and how much – you learn on this module is entirely up to you! The dissertation allows you to choose your own topic and research it in depth, with guidance provided by a supervisor you will meet with on a regular basis. While your tutor will help you select your topic and suggest research methodologies and readings, ultimately you will decide the area in which you wish to specialise. This could take the form of a close analysis of a media text in terms of production and/or reception, or something industry-facing that involves, for example, interviewing practitioners. If there is anything you have studied over the previous two years that you would like to investigate in greater depth, this is your chance.

Building upon your learning from Year Two, this module will increase your knowledge of advanced camera functions and enhance your technical operating skills. You will also practice a range of techniques and solutions for specific shooting conditions which will improve your overall practice and problem-solving skills.

Advanced Editing continues the work started in Editing Film in year two. On this course, you learn AVID to a more Advanced level, and continue developing your skills in using editing techniques to tell cinematic stories. There is also a focus on online editing and grading.

You will develop sound acquisition, mixing and manipulation skills to an advanced level in this module.

Docs Without Rules provides students with opportunities to explore creative documentary production using real world media techniques, tools, processes and briefs. The module explores the language and grammar of documentary film and how and why the rules can be broken and engenders in students a risk taking and explorative attitude to the creative development of their work.

TV Studio Unleashed extends the student’s knowledge of and ability to practise specific TV studio production roles such as producer, director and PA as well as more technical roles such as lighting, vision mixing, sound, graphics and camera by hands-on training as well as meeting a range of current industry experts in TV studio roles. The module challenges students to move on from TV studio basics and create an original TV studio show where the content and vision is coherent, within a fully-functioning team, using all the resources at their disposal. Studio Unleashed engages students in the planning, and production of TV studio shows that could incorporate elements such as live audiences, outside sources, live links, VT inserts, Green screen, live music or whatever is appropriate, and develops collaborative, teamwork and leadership skills through practical projects.

In this module you will focus evaluating and reflecting on narrative themes and the use of characterisation within fiction and/or non fiction based film script forms. You will analyse structural models for linear and non-linear narrative, plot progression, conflict and paradigmatic opposition in film scripts. You will design and apply themes of narrative, genre and characterisation to practice through the production of a feature length script ready for a professional market.

Drama Unlimited provides students with opportunities to explore creative drama production using real world media techniques, tools, processes and briefs. The module explore contemporary industry practices in the capture, realisation and distribution of drama and engenders in students a risk taking and explorative attitude to the creative development of their work. Students have the opportunity to investigate and apply the creative potential of new technologies and techniques in the development of productions and develop reflective skills as a function of the creative process.

The module extends practical experience in Radio Production with reference to different programme forms within the broadcast radio field through a series of practical exercises. Radio Studio and Beyond enhances students’ general experience in sound acquisition for studio and location radio production by focussing on more sophisticated production techniques. The module encourages a sophisticated audio aesthetic with regard to the required quality and range of radio sound produced within specific audio environments, and develops students’ ability to critically assess the production strengths and processes in their own work and that of professional audio productions.

Radio Entrepreneurs equip students with a sophisticated understanding of how to plan, create and manage an online radio station. The module explores the world of online radio and the wide range of commercial and community radio stations that serve a defined audience, locally and globally, and encourages entrepreneurship to provide students with business skills required to set up and fund an online community or commercial radio station. Radio Entrepreneurs equips students with advanced knowledge and foundational skills in website production and social media marketing, and develops students’ existing skills in audio/video editing, station sound, scheduling and multi-platform content creation.

You will learn how to create short-form scripted content for audio (radio or podcast) based on a multiple-character drama or comedy format.

You'll also learn how to develop, write and produce audio drama through from concept and pre-production to post and delivery. You'll apply creative skills in audio capture and soundscape production with a range of contemporary production techniques and platforms.

The module provides a framework for understanding contemporary factual television using a range of perspectives including historical, cultural, industrial, and technological. Areas of study will include television documentary (e.g. ob docs, docu-soaps), the emergence of reality TV and its ongoing impact on factual television forms and genres, transformational television (e.g. lifestyle & makeover programming), and youth TV (factual programming aimed at the 16-25 year audience demographic). The module draws on examples from British and US factual television.

This module will develop to an advanced level your knowledge of contemporary factual television, and will provide you with the opportunity to conduct specialised academic research into a factual television genre/programme of your choosing.