Why should I study this subject?
Are you an aspiring film, television or media producer who sees a future for yourself in an ever-growing industry? Do you want to see your ideas become reality? Well, look no further than this Film Production and Animation course.
The FPA programme is designed for students to gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the live arts, entertainment, and media industries. You will develop key filmmaking skills including directing, producing and editing, as well as writing for stage, screen, television and social media, in a project-based format.
The programme focuses on developing an understanding of Entertainment Industry roles and responsibilities, including academic knowledge and practical experience of scheduling, filming, editing and producing film or animation. It will help you develop your creativity and skills in a hands-on course, where you will bring your ideas to life.
What will I study?
In the first stages of the course, you will explore film production and animation in a range of styles, looking at professional, existing works and creating your own ideas in response to them. After this, you will work collaboratively with students from other Entertainment pathways to take a production from initial ideas to final product, working on briefs set by the exam board. You can explore these briefs in whichever direction your creativity takes you!
The course is made up of three units:
Unit One: You will create original ideas based on your choice of brief. You will research, develop, plan and pitch your ideas as a company, going through all stages that a professional would in the Entertainment and Media industry. In this unit, you will be asked to create a portfolio of evidence of the process you have gone through to create your idea.
Unit Two: You will prepare, schedule, film and edit a production of existing or original work, planning and designing work in collaboration with other Entertainment students.
Unit Three: You will study all aspects of the industry, including the role of the entertainment and media in our society, available careers, technical elements of film production and marketing. You will watch and review professional performances and productions, both live on trips and streamed online in school.
Units One and Two will be delivered in practical workshops, Unit Three in theory or seminars.
How will I be assessed?
In Unit One, you will be assessed on a business-style pitch as a production company, along with extracts of film that you have filmed and produced to support this. You will also produce a portfolio, evidencing the research, idea development, planning and budgeting that have gone into producing your final business proposal.
In Unit Two, you will be assessed on your production of existing or original work in a discipline of your choice.
Finally, in Unit Three, you will undertake a 90-minute examination that assesses your knowledge of the Entertainment Industry as a whole, through a range of multiple choice questions, short answers, extended responses and designing / devising questions.
What skills will I learn?
Many of the skills learnt within the course are transferable. You will learn how important it is to be approachable as a person and how to manage time carefully, which are all valuable life skills. Being creative is a great way to get your brain to think differently and take different approaches to situations.
You’ll learn how to organise and enhance your skills as a creative practitioner, including how to plan, schedule, direct and produce a final product.
You’ll learn the skills to work effectively as part of a team.
You’ll learn how to manage personal workloads, and negotiate and manage personal, as well as company, time constraints.
You will develop a more analytical approach to entertainment, enhancing your awareness of what makes a successful practitioner in the industry.
You will learn how to properly use filming and editing equipment.
What equipment will I need?
A pair of headphones, preferably over-ear, would be of real benefit in a noisy, busy environment.
General art & design equipment will be required. For example, drawing / sketching pencils, coloured pens / pencils, ruler, glue etc.
How will this subject help to develop my sense of character and culture?
This Entertainment pathway will help you to become a confident member of society, to celebrate diversity, to achieve your aspirations through creativity and commitment and help you to secure a better understanding of your own values. All this will be achieved through the study and creation of film and animation, including performance and production from a range of cultures and styles, touching on topics that challenge your perspectives.
Where can this subject take me?
This course will offer a progressive route through to Tech Certificates, Tech Levels, BTEC Level 3, AS and A-levels.
Your teacher will be happy to share knowledge of linked professions with you.
What other subjects would complement my learning in this qualification?
For more information please contact: chu@thehayfieldschool.co.uk