Experimental and Convergent Animation Environments provides an introduction to contemporary and traditional practices and establishes contexts for independent and commercial production, developing skills and concepts in relation to experimental animation production and research. You will explore the notion of an alternative vocabulary within animation production including innovative approaches to the aesthetics of motion, pacing, structure, visual design, colour, form and the interaction of image and sound. You will also investigate how digital animation environments can reinvent ‘classic’ approaches to production forming synergies between contemporary and traditional practices. This module introduces issues surrounding ‘new’ and ‘old’ within the context of artistic achievement, develops an insight into the historical lineage of experimentation into established processes and concepts, and identifies contemporary examples through production research.

Drawing Practice encourages the development of a creative approach to traditional and non-traditional such as digital methods of drawing, with specific relation to the development of your studio practice. Through a series of studio-based workshops, you will analyse, explore and manipulate imagery and adopt an experimental approach to the practice and process of drawing and mark making. The module will look to foster a lexicon of visual tools centred around drawing to foster creativity and observation techniques. It will build your understanding of form, line, texture, colour and movement and lead onto a greater confidence of drawing technique across a broad set of media.

Design for Animation tests and explores key design concepts via practical application, examining creative approaches to animation production and investigating a range of design theories.  Within this practice you will develop key skills in production design and art direction and will learn to research, plan and articulate your ideas. You will develop techniques for designing visual treatments, storyboards and animatics for pre-production presentations.

What is Animation? History and Context places animation within an historical and contemporary context and explores the concept of animation as a form of communication within today’s creative and interdisciplinary visual environment. Through a combination of written and practical work, you will investigate a broad range of animation styles and approaches in European and international animation texts. This will develop your understanding and knowledge of animation production and enable you to place your own production design work within an appropriate contemporary context.

Animation Production provides you with a comprehensive overview of historical and contemporary animation production, including stop-motion, CGI and mixed media methods. Practical workshops will equip you with an essential foundation within which to establish connections and relationships between various animation processes and motivations as well as the techniques and procedures that underpin them. This includes sound, editing, cinematography and a range of practical skills. The module also provides you with the opportunity to engage with fundamental concerns relating to the synergies that exist between design and animation production.

Stop-Motion Studio Practice provides an introduction to the design principles, production processes and craft skills for stop-motion animation. Within a stop-motion context, practical workshops will equip you with an essential foundation within which to establish connections between various animation processes and motivations. You will start to develop a range of creative animation skills and production methods for stop-motion, both from a digital and traditional perspective. The module also introduces you to a variety of associated animation production techniques, including 2D and CGI animation, and their relationship to stop-motion studio practice.

Scriptwriting examines particular demands of scriptwriting for the moving image and, in particular, scriptwriting for animation. During the module you will undertake a variety of exercises and practical writing projects designed to help encourage an appreciation of the processes of dramatic creation. Ideas will be developed from initial concept through to final animation production and translation of a finished product.

Sound for Picture introduces you to the theory and practice associated with film sound and particularly post-production sound design. The module examines both the relevant theory and the technology necessary for successful capture of audio suitable for film. You will record all of the sound for a short digital movie, using only one microphone and a digital recorder. You will then have the opportunity to explore the perceptual properties of sound and manipulate it for dramatic effect with industry standard software. Keeping a production diary will encourage you to reflect upon the skills you gain.

Understanding Visual Cultures introduces you to ways in which you can think about, and thus critically examine the visual and visualisation. Engaging with a variety of theoretical approaches, you will be offered opportunities to actively engage with visual technologies and experiences and to apply and problematise critical approaches through reflection upon your experiences.

Animation Practice 1 gives you opportunities to attain skills in production research, pre-production processes, presentation, pitching, portfolio and showreel development. Through a structured approach to project development and workshops from practitioners in related disciplines, you will experience, discuss and present commercial projects and concepts to industry specialists. You will also explore alternative routes and outputs for animation products such as festival film opportunities, abstract and art-based animation and urban projection projects. The module identifies common and specific working practices across a broad range of animation production disciplines. These might include independent and commercial practice in television, cinema, advertising, computer games, design, advertising, and multi-platform media.

Animation Practice 2 develops your skills in production, production research, presentation, portfolio and showreel development.  Through a structured approach to project development and workshops from practitioners in related disciplines, you will be given the opportunities to discuss and present both personal and commercial project concepts to industry specialists. The emphasis for this module is on the completion of an animated project.

Realism and the Cinema asks some fundamental questions about realism in film, what makes a ‘realistic’ film, what the key realist film movements are and what we understand ‘real’ to mean.

Creative Research Methods and Professional Ethics gives an overview of the main research methodologies used in communications. You will get a chance to identify, justify and implement different methods and techniques depending on the chosen topic and type of project. There is a focus on ethics in research and on ethics in the broader world of public relations. This focus includes the ethical codes of the various professional organisations and a look at corporate social responsibility.

SFX and Post Production builds upon the skills-base accumulated throughout the programme and is designed to provide you with a high level of practical post-production techniques and skills as well as the ability to critically analyse screened SFX. The module may include the following subjects: advanced 3D effects, compositing and SFX techniques, and post production processes including blue-screen.

Media Genres and Narrative investigates, through a variety of topical examples, how genres are formed and reworked and how narratives are constructed within the complex interrelations among texts, industries, audiences and historical contexts. The module enables you to study a number of genres and their narrative construction in contemporary media, completing in-depth work on genre and narrative theories, from structuralist approaches to postmodern analyses. You will develop knowledge and understanding of various manifestations of media genres and an appreciation of the cultural interactions with industries, audiences and broader contexts.

Lighting, Sound and Art Direction gives you the opportunity to engage with the complex nature of lighting in both physical and virtual environments. Within the theoretical framework of the module you will explore the practical and dynamic effects of lighting and colour. The module provides the opportunity to enhance your sound production skills and consider the use of sound within the animation arena at an advanced level of detail. You will generate lighting and sound effects using a variety of techniques as a complement to animated sequences.

Analysing Film and Television develops your skills in the close analysis of film and television. The module surveys a range of critical approaches to the study of film and television institutions, texts and audiences. You will gain the skills necessary to develop and undertake analysis as part of a film and/or television research project.

Transmedia Storytelling examines the development of transmedia storytelling within digital environments. The convergence of media, technologies and culture has heralded in a new age of audience engagement within media franchises. The module will reflect on this enhanced two-way communication and engage you in new and innovative ways of connecting to the audience with extended narrative and content.

Postproduction Sound recognises that motion picture audio is characterised by a heavy dependency on post-production techniques, such as Foley, sound effects, dialogue recording and voice-over. It is common practice, therefore, for the soundtrack to be constructed separately from the moving image. Dialogue and sound effects are, more often, re-recorded in post-production, after the production/location film has actually been shot, whilst in animation and computer games sound is typically constructed during the production itself. Post-production sound employs specialist hardware and software, a range of studio recording techniques, and a high degree of sonic awareness in order to help bring to fruition the overall aesthetic of the moving image. You will be immersed in a post-production facility and be exposed to the software, hardware and workflows typically found in the film, animation and gaming industries. You will also be expected to develop critical listening skills and a working knowledge of how post-production sound can be used to shape the sonic landscape of the moving image.

Character Design focuses on the disciplines of character animation design. You will develop and utilise creative skills to analyse and implement linear, non-linear and non-narrative structures in your animation production. You will also be introduced to the importance of good character design, gesture, timing, performance, movement analysis, animation control and the various constraints and parameters that are imposed by media approaches. The module encourages you to converge scriptwriting with character development and to adapt script to practical production within the context of specialised industrial practices. You will experience a variety of character animation production techniques and processes for the development of 2D, 3D and CGI animation and develop transferable skills which can be applied across a range of animation media concepts, processes and technologies.

2D and Convergent Animation: Principles, Processes and Technologies recognises the opportunities offered by contemporary 2D and related mixed media practices open to the modern animation designer. The module explores the broad range of emergent and avant-garde animation practice, delivery options and their implications on the design process. It encourages you to begin to develop an individual signature and design style and place your work in appropriate contemporary production contexts for your studio practice.

3D CGI: Principles, Process and Technologies offers the opportunity for specialist study in the key aspects of contemporary CGI animation. This includes character development, 3D CGI construction, modelling and animation; environment design; SFX techniques; and processes relating CGI to mixed and multimedia animation practices. The module enables you to begin to define an individual signature and design style in this area of animation and to place your work in appropriate contemporary production contexts.

3D Stop-Motion: Principles, Processes and Technologies offers the opportunity of specialist study in the key aspects of contemporary stop-motion animation, from character animation and SFX processes to mixed and multimedia design practices. You will explore advanced model making techniques, character rigging and 3D movement calibration as well as specific stop-motion lighting and SFX designs, processes and production practices. The module enables you to begin to define an individual signature and design style in this area of animation and to place your work in appropriate contemporary production contexts for your studio practice.

Animation and the Cinema provides a critical and historical overview of animation on film, encompassing mainstream, political and avant-garde forms and styles. The module encourages an appreciation of diverse animations from around the globe.

Personal Specialism (Pre-Production) enables you to undertake in-depth personal research and to develop the pre-production process for a substantial animation project. The module guides you through three of the five key processes of production (development, pre-production design, production scheduling) and provides you with a professional framework in which to prepare to undertake a supervised large-scale animation/SFX production project. You will develop advanced skills in pre-production design, process and management.

Personal Specialism (Production) offers you the opportunity to work under supervision, to develop a substantial animation project and undertake in-depth personal research relevant to that project. The module enables you to focus on areas of interest and to investigate topics and explore a range of presentational forms explicitly linked to the project. You will be taken through the final two key processes of production (production and post-production) and gain a professional framework in which to undertake a supervised large-scale animation/SFX/VFX production project.

Personal Specialism (Audio) offers you the opportunity to work under supervision and develop a substantial audio project relating to an animation product. The project work associated with the module will enable you to explore a breadth of audio production as well as investigate and apply a variety of production methods and effects.  The module takes you through the two key stages of audio production (production and post-production) and develops your audio skills within a professional and academic framework.

Studio Practice/Placement focuses on the real-life aspects of running and working with an animation studio. You will engage with important practical issues and essential professional practices including health and safety, copyright and project budgeting. The module is designed to provide you with real opportunities to meet and discuss the experiences of animation with professionals and also explores the range of opportunities for postgraduate study. Guest speakers will be a particularly important component of this part of the module and you will be encouraged to evaluate the realities of working within the animation industry, engaging in postgraduate study and being proactive in assessing your future. Key workshops on issues such as employment, interviews, networking, freelance work and finance will be offered throughout the module. You will also be given the opportunity to engage with industry in terms of both placement and live projects.

Dissertation offers you the opportunity to undertake an in-depth personal research project, under supervision, and explore a range of research methodologies and presentational formats appropriate to the project. You will gain a thorough knowledge of your chosen subject area and will be expected to shape that knowledge to produce a final submission that demonstrates your ability to locate the material within the wider contexts of your discipline. The module will enable you to work independently, with a supervisor, to explore areas of contemporary academic interest, consider issues of current or historical industry practice, and critically analyse case studies or products within specific cultural and social contexts.

Showreel and Enterprise is focused on the production of an industry standard showreel, or equivalent, which provides you with the opportunity to present your best work in formats suitable for potential employers to judge. The module is designed to provide you with a means of demonstrating your production skills to potential employers, as well as funding bodies for postgraduate study. You will engage with entrepreneurial routes to employment, receive assistance in working with local and regional initiatives, and be introduced to employer mentoring, networking communities and small business set-up.

Contemporary European Cinema explores the landscape of 21st century cinema in Europe by examining the films produced across the continent. Initially, the module will pose the question of what European cinema might be. You will then explore the national cinema paradigm in Europe, authorship in Europe, and major pan-European themes and aesthetics. By means of close textual analysis, the module will explore the similarities and contrasts that emerge between the nations and across the continent as a whole, and conclude with consideration of whether we can say with any certainty that a ‘European’ cinema exists.

Reading for Research provides you with the opportunity to develop and exercise the ability to critically research, plan, organise and prepare an outline structure and thesis for a coherent piece of independent research on a subject of your own choice.

Independent Research Project provides you with the opportunity to develop your own specialised interest in a topic related to your programme of study in an academically rigorous context. You will work with a supervisor to develop provisional work into a sustained independent research project.

In cases where an applicant does not meet the UCAS Tariff requirements, we may invite him/her to submit a portfolio as evidence of suitable matriculation.

A Language module is now available as a Year 3 option, providing Language modules were studied in Years 1 and 2.