ES2S210 - Wildlife Film Making 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S210
Module Title: Wildlife Film Making
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Malcolm Thomas
Module Team: Chris Hughes
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100444 - media and communication studies 100469 - environmental management
HECOS Code Weighting: 80 20

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This high-tech module builds upon the skills and techniques developed from the Year 1 Wildlife Photography module.

It has a high practical content and will involve students in deploying the techniques and utilising media equipment developed in Year 1 applying them to film production.

Overall, the module will aim to allow students to become independent learners and practitioners and equip them for developing their own professional wildlife film portfolio

Content Summary

Development of intermediate NH film making skills.

Use of Specialist Cameras (Remote Cameras, Infrared, Thermal). These will be deployed in a variety of settings and their use in ecological surveying will be explored in more detail.

An introduction to quantitative analysis of remote camera data. Introduction and use of Broadcast Cameras.

Development of Podcasting for Natural History.

Use of Drones in filmmaking

An introduction to Natural History Presenting skills.

Importance of preplanning in film making.

Video production – industry standards and techniques. Creating and researching the story, shot type and cut ratios.

Postproduction techniques.

Introduction to natural history website development. Introduction to the fundamentals of science communication.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Practical classes and workshops 38
Independent Study 152
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Develop intermediate skills in the use of a wide range of media techniques and equipment
LO2 Investigate and establish a critical evaluation of professional natural history media output.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Practical Assessment Production (Online) 2 Podcast Production - Production of a 10-minute podcast based on a Natural History Theme 10 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Practical Assessment Production (Online) 1 Film Making - Submission of a fully edited 10-minute film based on a Natural History theme 10 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Production (Online) 2
Production (Online) 1

Reading List

Video Journalism for the Web 2012 Kurt Lancaster,

Media, Culture and Society Paul Hodkinson 2016

500 Social Media Marketing Tips: Essential Advice, Hints and Strategy for Business: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and More! Andrew Macarthy. 2018

Wild Pages 3: The Wildlife Film-Makers' Resource Guide Paperback 2018 Jason Peters and Piers Warren

Science Communication: A Practical Guide for Scientists Paperback 2012 Laura Bowater and Kay Yeoman

Digital Filmmaking. Revised Edition Paperback 2014 Mike Figgis