SL2S201 - Sound and Lighting for TV and Film 01 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SL2S201
Module Title: Sound and Lighting for TV and Film
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Rob Locke
Module Team: Philip Hughes, Ian Williams, Lucy Squire
First Intended Intake: APR 2023 Final Year of Intake: 2028
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100703 - stage management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

The module aims to establish a reliable understanding of lighting for situations other than direct viewing, in theatre for example. To explore the interaction of cameras and lighting and to develop the skills required to create the images required by a production.

To calculate quantities of light to be added or removed from a scene to establish the correct contrast. To acquire the knowledge of lighting rigging systems in a variety of situations, including, but not limited to, green screen and LED walls.

To gain knowledge and understanding of sound and audio in the fields of TV and Film and in particular mic placement and use of location recording and sound capture.

To also consider the role of communication and communication systems and post-production and the impact that has on live workflow.

Recording wild track or room ambience for later recreation.

Content Summary

Through a series of lectures and practical workshops, this module will broadly cover subject matter in the following areas to inform the capture of excellent pictures and sound:

Lighting for TV and Film:

·         Lighting Instruments & Photometrics

o        LED, HMI, tungsten: spectral characteristics, CRI/TLCI.

o        Inverse-square behaviour, and falloff.

·         Studio Lighting for Multi-Camera TV

o        Key/fill/back/set ratios. Hi Key Low key

o        Special environments, different genres.

·         Location lighting

o        Size and scale of lights

o        Environment control

·         Lighting Design

Sound for TV and Film:

·         Broadcast audio

o        mix-minus, cleanfeed,  IFB, comms, and multiple programme outputs

·         Real-time dynamics, loudness compliance (EBU R128).

·         Film Techniques

o        Portable mixer/recorders, timecode sync, metadata workflows.

·         Managing unpredictable acoustic environments

o        Placement strategies for dialogue, wildtrack, panel shows, sport, OBs etc.

·         Film and TV differences

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Demonstration 4
Practical classes and workshops 20
Independent Study 84
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the application of sound and lighting in relation to the requirements of the production.
LO2 Apply the skills and technical creativity required to produce sound or lighting solutions such that further specialist knowledge may be developed in the future.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment  Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online)  In session Class tests 60 N/A 25 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 A portfolio of work completed throughout the yea 0 3000 75 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Sound for Film and Television ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0240813301 (2010)

Lighting for Televised Live Events: Making Your Live Production Look Great for the Eye and the Camera ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0367256661 (2021)