Film Production and Theatre BA

With the central aim of developing your creative and technical skills, this module will introduce you to the vocabulary, concepts and equipment needed in film production. You will work collaboratively with your peers to train with our technical and academic staff as well as engage in all aspects of storytelling. This is where you begin your journey learning the conventions and practices of filmmaking with our industry standard equipment.

Embark on a journey to critically explore the theoretical and practical realms of performance. Uncover how the study of performance can dynamically respond to challenges on local, national, and global stages. This module provides a canvas to apply performance analysis to political, social, artistic, and cultural phenomena, offering insights into the transformative impact performance practices and research can have on individuals and communities.

This module engages students in their own professional development. Throughout the module, you will take part in scheduled professional development sessions, for instance camera training, edit training, and CV workshops. Throughout the module there will be an emphasis on developing professional behaviours such as timekeeping, attendance, participation, organisation and communication. You will also have the opportunity to engage with students in other levels of study and learn to effectively work in a team.

Uncover some of the core skills in analysing and reading film and television texts. This module focuses particularly on how we might understand film and television in terms of the context of its production and reception. We will carefully consider the importance of social, cultural and political contextual relationships with film and television products.

Sometimes we might become preoccupied with film and television as an artform, which is important. But we also need to consider developments in the industry in terms of economic models, and changes in technology and context. This module examines how film developed in terms of sound, colour, the development of the classical Hollywood system, and where we are today in terms of industry models. We will also look at television from the broadcast era through to contemporary streaming services today.

It’s important in the film and television industry to consider whose stories are being told, who is in creative roles behind the camera and how people are being represented. This module will explore identity politics and consider theory such as feminism, queer theory, postcolonialism and disability studies, among others. We will consider how certain identities are portrayed onscreen both historically and now.

Unleash your creativity as this module introduces diverse strategies for crafting theatre. Lay the groundwork for your creative journey by understanding devising and dramaturgical principles, connecting the dots between various performance elements to give life to your imaginative expressions.

Dive into the world of performers and their unique abilities to craft theatrical performances. This module is your backstage pass to developing performance skills, drawing inspiration from a diverse array of training practices, and navigating the exciting boundaries between training, rehearsal, and the spotlight of live performance.

This module allows you to develop your film practice and production skills further. You will continue developing skills learnt in level 4 in relation to filmmaking. You will develop your critical appreciation of fictional filmmaking and the processes that are involved by engaging in practical work throughout the module.

Transform your curiosity into a dynamic performance exploration. Engage with performance to probe specific topics, unravel issues, and pose questions. This module empowers you to view performance not just as an art but as a potent mode of inquiry into the world around you.

Embark on an intellectual journey as this module introduces you to diverse realms of arts research. Survey recent and emerging research, analyse existing practices, and master key academic approaches that will shape your research endeavours within and beyond the academic realm.

Join the exploration of performance practices and practitioners delving into the critical discourse surrounding gender. Develop not only a critical vocabulary but also frameworks to dissect gender as a vibrant performance woven into everyday life. This module takes you on a global adventure, exploring transnational analyses of gender performances.

Step into the shoes of a creative powerhouse. This module invites you to create and evaluate applied drama workshops and performances tailored for specific audiences. Dive into collaborative ventures within student companies, where collective working becomes the heartbeat of your creative process.

This module will introduce you to key practitioners in the field of musical theatre aiding you to recognize and ponder the impact these practitioners have had on shaping the art form. Analyse the critical aspects of musical theatre, journey through its historical lineage, and feel the stage come alive as you gain practical insights through performance.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of naturalism and acting as a critical practice. Explore the techniques of pioneers such as Zola, Hagen, Adler, and venture into the intersection of naturalism with magical realism, Epic Theatre, and farce. This module is your ticket to understanding how acting and critical practices intersect with the rich tapestry of cultural contexts.

This module aims to build on the content of the level 4 module The Professional Self, further engaging students in their own professional development. There will be an emphasis on the professional world, looking at freelancing, setting up a business, insurance, ethics, and tax.

Throughout the module there will be an emphasis on further developing their own professional behaviours such as leadership, risk assessment, timekeeping, attendance, participation, organisation and communication, as well as mentoring students from level 4 through the development of their professional behaviours.

Genre is integral to mainstream filmmaking and beyond, and this module allows you to engage with critical frameworks and theory for understanding genre in an industrial, historical, and cultural context. A range of case studies are explored in detail allowing students to fully develop an understanding of genre film and television.

Interested in exploring the dynamic relationships that exist between different cinemas from different places? Then this option is for you. We will consider a range of world cinemas from the Global South, Asia and beyond. We will consider global art and alternative cinemas as well as more mainstream practices, considering films in terms of globalisation and the transnational, as well as the regional and the national.

Theoretical perspectives are at the core of this module, giving you the frameworks you will need to read and make meaning from film and television. We will consider feminism, structuralism and post-structuralism, Marxism among many other approaches we might take to understanding film and television.

Students will explore the role that film plays in advocacy, activism and social justice. The purpose of this module is to provide opportunities for students to create a portfolio of moving image work that has been developed to address social injustice. Students will explore the role of corporate, NGO, commercial and independent filmmaking, as well as looking at campaigns and distribution strategies. Students will work in a team and contribute to decision making processes.

A production-based module, you will be able to explore the process of adaptation from a variety of sources to the screen. Developing your creative skills you will consider many forms of storytelling and character construction as well as developing your production filmmaking skills.

Firstly, this module will allow you to explore the medium specificity of animation, the range of techniques available, as well as different industries and their development. We will then go on to teach you a range of animation production skills which will allow you to create your own short form animation in a style and medium of your choosing.

Become a creator of original performance works, drawing from your interdisciplinary experiences. Navigate the dynamic interplay between performance-making and the ever-changing contexts of local, national, and international stages. This module equips you with tools to not only create but also market your work effectively.

Undertake a substantial research journey, crafting a written dissertation that contributes to the field. This module is designed to empower you to plan, design, and execute a specialised project. Develop research skills, critically evaluate your project, and leave an indelible mark on the academic landscape.

This is your final year film project and provides students with the opportunity to produce dissertation films and choose two specialisms that demonstrate a high level of achievement in Film Production. Each student will specialize in two areas of film practice. The specialisms correspond to real world roles in production and are divided into two categories of the above the line and below the line.

This module is largely led by feminist theory and queer theory where we examine a range of identities onscreen in relation to gender and sexuality. A number of case studies are examined across the module from historical examples to more contemporary work.

As part of our employability strand this module will give you a large range of guest talks from people that work across many different parts of the creative industries. Many of the guest speakers are Film@Brunel alumni. You will also have the opportunity to undertake your own work placement as part of this module allowing you to develop both your employability and networking skills.

This module provides students with an in-depth examination of the horror genre across both film and television. Critical frameworks and theories relevant to the study of horror will be explored in depth across a range of case studies from historical and more contemporary contexts, as well as from a range of global contexts.

If you are interested in alternative or more experimental approaches to filmmaking, then this module is for you. Exploring a range of examples from distinct periods of filmmaking history, this module will also allow you to creative your own experimental film. You will also examine connections between the economic, formal-aesthetic and social-political aspects of these alternative practices.

This module will give you the skills to analyse cinematic representations of violence and develop a critical awareness of different types of violence in relation to warfare and military technology. You will gain skills in developing insights into visual themes, narrative structures and techniques used in moving images’ engagements with violence. You will also have the opportunity to develop techniques for the use of found footage to research and communicate different types of violence.

Elevate your acting in this performance-focused module. Intensive workshops, theatre productions, and a focus on realism and naturalism await you. Dive into the techniques of acting pioneers and let the stage become your workshop for honing your skills.

Ignite change as you explore anti-racism through the lens of performance. Navigate the historical landscapes of Critical Race Theory and delve into the intricate relationships between race, racism, and colonialism. This module is your gateway to understanding how performance becomes a powerful tool for social repair, protest, and activism.

Embark on a research adventure, independently and within a vibrant community of peers. This module mirrors doctoral research contexts, offering a blend of taught sessions, practical workshops, and collaborative exploration. Your journey involves discovering, testing, refining, sharing, and reflecting on emerging research findings.

Fine-tune your instrument—voice and body—in this practical module. Develop rehearsal and performance skills, seamlessly integrate singing, dancing, and acting, and embark on a journey of critical self-reflection on your evolving practice. Explore the industrial context of the musical theatre performer and master the art of auditioning with confidence and flair.

Prepare for your journey from university to professional practice with this module. Gain sector-specific insights and align academic experiences with career goals. The module develops crucial skills for post-graduation challenges, ensuring graduates emerge academically enriched, focused on key employment areas, and prepared for life after university.

Become a creator of original performance works, drawing from your interdisciplinary experiences. Navigate the dynamic interplay between performance-making and the ever-changing contexts of local, national, and international stages. This module equips you with tools to not only create but also market your work effectively.

Undertake a substantial research journey, crafting a written dissertation that contributes to the field. This module is designed to empower you to plan, design, and execute a specialised project. Develop research skills, critically evaluate your project, and leave an indelible mark on the academic landscape.