BA (Hons) Creative Writing and Film Studies

In studying film language students will gain key foundational skills in practising in textual analysis in relation to film.

This course surveys the history of the various traditions of theoretical inquiry in film studies. We investigate textual criticism (formalism, structuralism and auteur theory), identity politics, (feminism, masculinity, queer and disability theory and race) and various other theoretical paradigms.

The module encompasses intercultural and boundary spanning skills, professional written and spoken communication and collaboration between students as they are introduced to workshopping techniques.

The module explores the building blocks of character development and character driven story lines through various forms of writing and requires the student to evidence a variety of research skills and evidence professional written and communication skills, and collaboration between students as they are introduced to workshopping techniques.

As with other Level 4 modules, this module is designed to encourage consistent engagement, with smaller assessment items that build on each other in terms of attention to language and form, providing both summative and formative feedback. This module aims to develop student skills in textual analysis and academic writing skills.

Through a series of seminars student will develop a deep understanding of developments in American cinema from its beginnings to the present day. Students learn about early entrepreneurial approaches to cinema, through to the studio system, independent production, post-studio conglomerations, censorship, and international co-production.

This module will consider theoretical debates such as the limitations of Fidelity and whether Adaptation can be considered a genre. Specific attention will be paid to Stage to Screen adaptations, Shakespearian translations, Comic book and Video Game adaptations and Fan Adaptations. The module also includes a series of workshops and tutorials designed to develop student screenwriting skills as they create an adapted screenplay.

In this module you will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience, planning and managing a short experimental film production. You will be able to develop specific skills in the areas of cinematography, lighting and sound design, as well as post production skills in editing and colour grading that are appropriate for experimental filmmaking.

The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5. This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.

The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the University Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.

Through a series of lectures and practical making workshops, students will be introduced to the video essay as a form of scholarly engagement with Film. They will gain familiarity with current practice within the academic video essay community and explore existing scholarship on the developing form of the scholarly video essay as a legitimate form of academic research and publication.

This module will introduce you to the basic principles of directing, filming, editing and producing for a short documentary film.

The fiction filmmaking module will develop students’ knowledge and experience of the technical, creative, organisational and administrative demands involved in a short film production. The overarching theme of this module is the development of the creative processes in relation to film production.  The short film genre gives students the opportunity to test out ideas or tell a story within the confines of a limited run-time. The relationships between technical, creative, and aesthetic choices will be considered in relation to the ‘real-world’ issues of production management. Working to a brief is designed to give students opportunities for work-based learning.

This module serves as an introduction to the range and variety of films produced in Europe, as well as to the significance of film festivals for its visibility and promotion. It highlights the diversity of cinematic production in Europe, focusing not only on different national traditions, but also on the fact that European cinemas consist both of art and popular films.

This module aims to give students an understanding of the working practices and organisation of the British film industry. This module will provide all students with a work-based learning experience through opportunities to network with and present to industry. Students will be encouraged to develop their understanding of the different sectors of the local and national film industry into a recognition of the job opportunities that are presented in an area of personal career interest to them. Students will test out the industry relevance of their careers knowledge by presenting to, and networking with, industry partners. They will then apply to relevant work experience opportunities as part of their career portfolio.

Students will workshop their writing in tutor-led and peer-led sessions, offering and receiving constructive criticism, reading and performing key scenes from their scripts and re-drafting and developing their work. They will also share insights into their ongoing research process with peers. Industry guest speakers will also share their knowledge and experience in seminars and masterclasses.

This module expands students' understanding of short fiction and fosters independent reading. It supports their short story writing skills, enhancing their creative confidence and critical insights. Students learn to think creatively about the possibilities of short story writing and develop their ability to evaluate both published authors and peers constructively. Through workshops and essays, students gain a strong foundation in narrative craft, preparing them for more advanced prose modules at Level 6.

This module has creativity embedded throughout, with a heightened awareness of written and spoken communication and the power of language. Poems are designed to be heard as well as read. Students will be reading their own draft poetry aloud in class, thus developing self-confidence in their own voices and work.

The module will include a diverse range of texts that promote intercultural understanding. Boundary spanning skills will be developed across the many forms of creative non-fiction and an exploration of the writerly techniques they value.

Students will workshop their writing in tutor-led and peer-led sessions, offering and receiving constructive criticism, reading and performing key scenes from their scripts and re-drafting and developing their work. Industry guest speakers will also share their knowledge and experience in seminars and masterclasses.

In this module, students will learn scriptwriting for radio and stage, focusing on modern techniques. They'll explore these forms through reading and listening, and develop their work collaboratively in a writers' room. Students will also improve their communication skills, refining their scripts through workshops and industry expert input in seminars and masterclasses.

The module embeds key employability skills: leadership and motivational skills, analysis and problem-solving, creativity and enterprise, professional written and spoken communication, financial literacy, planning and organisation, digital capability and teamworking and collaboration. 

In this module, students will learn how to propose novels effectively, understand their target market, and master the art of crafting compelling opening chapters. They'll also explore various novel genres and develop essential narrative skills. Through peer workshops and hands-on practice, students will prepare work suitable for the publishing industry, all while gaining valuable insights into genre, market, and narrative craft.

The module provides insights into a range of non-US and non-European cinemas, and critical tools for the students to engage with films from different cultural contexts.

This module gives the students an opportunity to develop their understanding of pre-production skills and practice applied to film making. It enables students to develop an ability to understand and reflect constructively on the pre-production process for independent film production.

In this module you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of some of the technical equipment required for short video production at an advanced level with either fiction or non-fiction filmmaking.

Through a series of seminars student will develop a deep understanding how to interpret film through a variety of theoretical approaches. These will include text-based approaches, as well as other understandings, such as paratexts and promotion, taste cultures, audiences, and fandom.

This module provides Film Studies students with the opportunity to widen their direct knowledge of working practices in a film-related field. The module allows students to widen their contacts and to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned on the programme to a work setting. Students negotiate a learning contract with an employer/client and a tutor, and are assessed on their written account of the content and relevance of their work experience/client project to the Film Studies degree.

 

In this module, students are encouraged to advance the work-shopping skills that they have developed over the previous four semesters to give and receive constructive criticism in peer-led sessions as well as tutor-led work groups. Key employability skills are embedded throughout. These include: analysis, problem-solving & decision-making, communication, ICT, numeracy & financial literacy, planning & organisation and team work and collaboration, as well as creativity and enterprise. 

The focus on published collections encourages students to focus on how a poet's'voice' is developed and how individual poems are collated to inform the collection asa whole.

This module enables students to develop an understanding of writing for digital platforms and skillsets necessary to produce digital content. Over the semester students will not only discover the creative possibilities of writing for online platforms but also the career opportunities in this field of writing. The module will look at diverse areas of text and writing online, from media characters portrayed in social networking, bloggers, viral campaigns, podcasts, music production and participatory projects to location based storytelling. The module is open to new and emerging possibilities and platforms.

The module will be a mix of class and group activities, sessions with guest speakers, and independent research and planning. It will draw on the expertise of the university's Student Futures team, alongside the subject-specific knowledge of the module teaching team, and a range of guest speakers from the creative industries, to deepen students' understanding of potential employment opportunities and to help them map and plan their own routes towards this. Through a series of guided activities, students will be enabled to reflect on their existing skills and experience, identify areas for development, and explore ways of presenting themselves as writers and creative-industry professionals. They will also develop their skills in research, analytical writing and clear written communication, through researching case studies in the creative industries and writing these up in a comparative analytical study.

This module builds on key employability skills providing a work-based learning opportunity whilst also continuing to develop students' skills in research and analytical writing suitable for postgraduate study.