TV2S01 - Production Design for Feature Film (Fantasy) 26 Feb 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: TV2S01
Module Title: Production Design for Feature Film (Fantasy)
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Timothy Overson
Module Team: Anna Solic, Emma Marshman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100441 - film production
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 26 Feb 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To enable students to develop a knowledge and understanding of production design for large scale feature films in the fantasy genre, introducing the relationship between built sets and C.G.I.

To encourage students to expand their research activity to include a wide range of primary sources and apply this research to production design for the fantasy genre.

To develop an understanding of ‘World Building’ as a methodology in production design.

To engage students in exploring a highly creative, individual and imaginative visual interpretation of a text or script that is appropriate to this genre and continue to develop the visualising techniques required to communicate this interpretation.

To build on each student’s model making and draughting skills, developed in ’Production Design for Period Drama’ and ‘Production Design for Contemporary TV Drama’ , to describe larger scale, ambitious and imaginative structures and filmic spaces.

 

Content Summary

This module comprises of one assignment.

Students will act as production designers for a Feature Film in the fantasy genre based on a given novel of that genre which has not previously been adapted and released as a film or television programme/series.

The given book will form, in effect, the script- the assumption being that the novel is to be adapted for the screen.

Students will be required to read, (or listen to audio versions of) and thoroughly understand the narrative and themes of the book before engaging in research and ‘World Building’ activities to create the world of the whole novel.

Students then narrow down their field of interest to a particular sequence and setting within the book for which they would like to design.

Story boards will be developed for these sequences and the design of sets will derive from the anticipated action and the student’s creative, individual interpretation of the world and so the settings.

The outcome of this module includes mood boards, concept visuals, story boards, construction drawings and white card models. This is equivalent to the culmination of the pre-production stage in industry i.e. the point at which the design agreed, is ready ‘on paper’ and set construction can begin.

The complete process outlined above is supported by lectures, seminars, small group tutorials and individual tutorials where appropriate. Where ever possible visits to studios and master classes by visiting industry professionals also enhance this teaching. Sharing ideas through regular student presentations and discussion within a small group or the whole cohort exposes students to a wide range of creative and problem solving solutions so that they learn, not only from their own process, but through those of the whole cohort.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 4
Seminar 4
Tutorial 5
Supervised time in studio/workshop 33
External visits 2
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate the ability to design for large scale feature film drama applying a broad range of research and engaging with the wider role of the production designer.
LO2 Explore a highly imaginative visualisation of a fantasy text/script while considering the practical implications of bringing that visualisation to the screen.
LO3 Communicate design decisions using methods and techniques appropriate to large scale feature film design.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Creative Designs / Art 1 Practical design project designing for the screen in response to a given script /text in the fantasy genre. 0 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Creative Designs / Art 1

Reading List

Halligan F. (2012) Film Craft: Production Design :Ilex Press.

Vincent Lobrutto (1992) By Design. Interviews with Film Production Designers: Praeger ,

Woodbridge P. (2013) Designer Drafting and Visualising for the Entertainment World Focal Press

Lucci G. ( 2009). Ferretti: Art of Production Design Hardcover –Mondadori Electa

Barnwell J. (2017) Production Design for Screen . Visual Storytelling in Film and Television

McHenry D. (2018) Drawing the Line: Technical Hand Drafting for Film and Television. Routledge.