Critical Media Practice

This module focuses on making short films based on the principles of critical media practice. These are films that argue against or question dominant conventions, values, and beliefs in media and society, especially regarding gender, sexuality, race, class, and/or urgent social and political issues inherent in technology, landscape, environment, cityscape, public space, temporality, labour, political power, social justice, inequality, decoloniality, and migration. The module is practice-led and thus will provide practice-based experience in various aspects of pre-production, production, and post-production, but its focus is on conceptual filmmaking in relation to realising a critical media/film praxis. All practical work will be expected to be informed by relevant scholarship. Hence, the module will teach techniques and skills of audio-visual communication and argumentation, complementary to the verbal techniques and skills typically required in other MA modules. You will work collaboratively in small teams, and with supervision, on the creation of original audio-visual outputs.

This module aims to:

• provide you with practical experience in identifying an idea for a critically informed short film on digital video, pitching it, developing it, and then narrativising and visualising it for an audience
• provide training and experience in various key skills involved in the making of short films on digital video, including directing, cinematography, sound recording, and audio and video editing
• educate and inform you in the socially- and politically-informed topics and methods involved in 'critical media practice' and 'critical media studies'
• educate you in the potential value and benefits of integrating academic study and filmmaking practice in the form of 'critical media practice'
• provide you with experience of working in teams toward the shared goal of completing a short film on digital video, while having to work within strict production constraints (e.g. of time, budget, equipment, and technical knowledge)
• develop your willingness to take creative risks and to evaluate, debate, and explain the merits of creative ideas and decisions in a group setting
• provide you with opportunities to apply knowledge in a hands-on way, enhancing your future professional and vocational options.

At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of pre-production, production and post-production activities and processes in filmmaking on digital video
• demonstrate an understanding of a range of specific filmmaking activities, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, sound recording, screen performance and editing
• understand the importance of teamwork, collaboration and negotiation in filmmaking
• develop an original short film all the way from concept to finished film shown to an audience
• understand the importance of written production records and logbooks
• understand the opportunities and challenges of filmmaking as a profession
• understand the relationship between filmmaking practice, on the one hand, and academic study (history, theory and analysis) of film and related arts and media
• articulate scholarly and intellectual concerns through creative practice, with an emphasis on the politics of representation, creative expression and media, and on issues of identity, social justice and the environment
• verbally explain your creative work, creative process, and its scholarly and intellectual precepts in written form and orally in front of a live audience.

The standard entry requirements comprise:

• A 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent
• A CV and personal statement outlining your reasons for study
• English language band C (for example, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing, and 6.0 in listening and speaking).

Plus, you must also have some prior practical experience of filmmaking on digital video (ideally in an academic setting) and of using at least prosumer or semi-professional digital video and post-production equipment and software.

You will be assessed via the following:

• Film Exercise 1: 10% 
• Film Exercise 2: 10% 
• Presentation - Concept Document and Treatment Presentation: 15% 
• Audio-visual project, 7-9 min (50%) + Critical Reflection, 800 words (15%): 65% 

This is an on-campus module. You will be expected to attend a 2-hour seminar and 3-hour film screening in-person. Exact days and times will be provided upon enrolment.

This module is offered as part of our flexible master’s awards in Professional Development. The awards are one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. Whether you are looking for a promotion or to retrain, you have come to the right place.   

Designed for mature professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of CPD modules.  

We can’t wait for you to continue your lifelong learning journey here at King’s.