Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE ATS5004

 
TITLE Basic Post-Production

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Arts

 
DESCRIPTION Post-Production is a key stage in the creation of a film, serving to create narrative and meaning through collision and association between various elements.

This study-unit will serve as an introduction to this aspect of filmmaking by looking at the historical, theoretical and practical aspects of the various processes that form part of post-production. In the main: editing, colour manipulation, sound design, and measures that foster accessibility.

Through reference to key texts, demonstrations and a degree of practical work using freely-available tools, the study-unit will aim to transfer knowledge in post-production which will be both intrinsically valuable, and at the same time useful as a preparatory step for the study-unit on practical filmmaking.

Study-Unit Aims:

- Give an overview of what happens between the end of the shoot and the projection of a film;
- Outline the history and evolution of post-production, particularly in so far as editing is concerned;
- Demonstrate the uses of editing, and editing techniques;
- Demonstrate colour correction and colour grading;
- Give an overview of at least one popular non-linear editing system;
- Give an overview of file formats in current use;
- Discuss the aural dimension of a film, and the narrative impact of sound design;
- Discuss processes and techniques that make film reception an inclusive experience through the use of subtitling and related techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Indicate and discuss key narrative implications of post-production processes;
- Be conversant with basic post-production techniques;
- Recall key historical milestones in the development of post-production techniques;
- Analyse existing films in terms of post-production processes;
- Indicate basic techniques used to make films more accessible in terms of the viewer's auditory and linguistic capabilities.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Make informed decisions on the collaborative film project which forms part of the course, and also on their dissertation project should they opt for a practical route;
- Make simple edits under technical guidance;
- Subtitle their own film using freely-available tools.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Arundale, S., & Treu, T. (2015). Modern Post: Workflows and Techniques for Digital Filmmakers. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
- Chion, M. (2019). Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen (2nd ed.). (C. Gorbman, Trans.) New York: Columbia University Press.
- Díaz Cintas, J., & Remael, A. (2007). Audiovisual Translation: Subtitling. New York: Routledge.
- Eisenstein, S. M. (1949). Film Form. (J. Leyda, Ed., & J. Leyda, Trans.) New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
- Murch, W. (2001). In the Blink of an Eye (2nd ed.). Hollywood: Silman-James Press.

Supplementary Readings:

- Chion, M. (2009). Film, a Sound Art. (C. Gorbman, Trans.) New York: Columbia University Press.
- Oldham, G. (1992). First Cut: Conversations with Film Editors. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- Ondaatje, M. (2002). The Conversations. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
- Thompson, K., & Bordwell, D. (2019). Film History: An Introduction (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
- Weis, E., & Belton, J. (Eds.). (1985). Film Sound: Theory and Practice. New York: Columbia University Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Practical

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (10 Minutes) SEM2 Yes 20%
Practical SEM2 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Kenneth Scicluna

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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