Assignment:
By week 3, you should have decided on your major project (Independent Study module) for level six. Around week 7 (depending on the time slot allocated), you will present your idea to your colleagues.
This is the project for which you are undertaking the research and planning for in this module.
Type of project:
This is for you to decide, according to your area of specialism. You are advised not to undertake a project in a field for which you have not taken any preparatory modules. It may be a video production, a piece of animation, a portfolio of creative digital prints, photographs, illustrations, a motion graphics sequence, a website, interactive media, sound applied to visuals – or a combination of some of these. It may be in traditional materials, or a conceptual work, but should involve some elements of digital media, even if this is simply by recording an event.
Collaboration:
You may collaborate with a colleague on your Independent Study, provided that it is clear as to what your area of responsibility and contribution is. This should be stated in the Proposal Form (see below).
Scope of project:
The project must have the scope for you to engage with it as a major project over one semester, as a ‘short, fat’ module, or two semesters, as a ‘long, thin’ one, as 30-credits. It might well be your showpiece to show a prospective employer or client. However, it should be manageable within the time. Your tutor will advise you.
If you change your mind about your independent study project after completing this module, you may do so but ensure that your supervising tutor is aware of the change.
This is your showpiece. It should incorporate all of the creative, critical and practical skills that you have acquired over your course. Try to be original in your concept! Remember, this might be what you show in your portfolio, or on your showreel to a prospective client or employer. It should be distinctive as a competently-realised, original concept. Think of something original that will really stand out as memorable, and on which you will enjoy working.
Proposal form:
During this module, you will be asked to complete a Proposal Form (download this from your SOLE page). We will tell you when to do this. At this stage, you must also identify a lecturer who will be your tutor for your Independent Study and ask them if they can fulfil this role. You will give a copy of the Proposal Form to the tutor for this Research module (once your Independent Study tutor has approved your topic) and one to Helen Holmes, who is our Independent Study Coordinator. Without submission of the form, you will not be allowed to take the Independent Study!
Presentation:
You will be required to present your idea to your colleagues – just as you will be to a prospective employer. No need to be apprehensive: this may only be an informal, brief talk of around five minutes. During the course of your career in the media, you will almost certainly be required to give similar presentations in order to win a commission – often in competition against other practitioners or studios. This is called a pitch.
The purpose of the session presentations is to give you initial confidence in presenting to a group and to share the ideas of colleagues in the group. Your colleagues will be required to give you constructive feedback, to help you develop your idea further.
Finally, enjoy your project!
Finally, enjoy your project!
Finally,