Degree Programme in Film and Television: Film and Television

Description

BACHELOR´S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN FILM AND TELEVISION
Qualification: Bachelor of Culture and Arts
Extent and duration: 240 ECTS, 4 years
Implementation method: full-time study
Language: Finnish
Campus: Art, Music and Media, Finlaysoninkatu 7, 22100 Tampere
Education Manager: Leena Mäkelä
Eligibility: see TAMK’s websites on application and eligibility for bachelor’s / master’s degrees at www.tamk.fi/en
COMPETENCES DEVELOPED
The graduates of the degree programme find employment in artistic and production tasks in film and television or as audiovisual designers for theatre. The aim is for them to become professionals, who have the skills needed to act as experts, developers and entrepreneurs of the field, both in Finland and abroad.
During their professional studies, the students can specialise in production, scriptwriting, cinematography, editing or sound design. In addition, the students may also take specialisation studies in lighting design for theatre. The degree programme also offers studies in directing. In directing, the main focus is in managing a working group and organising production. Artistic direction is seen as a process, which the degree programme offers skills for, but the actual qualifications are acquired through work experience and Master’s degree studies.
The basic studies common for all contain introduction to content, expression and production of both film and television.
COMPETENCES COMMON FOR ALL
The aim is to have the graduating students to
- make creative solutions in ideating, scriptwriting and production process
- be able to design and manage production
- have an excellent grasp of the expression, working methods and technology of their field of specialisation
- have the necessary skills to found a company and to work as entrepreneurs
- have international skills
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Production
Production skills include project management (scheduling, budget, resources), assembling and managing a working group, knowing the parties of the field, production contracts and jurisprudence as well as creating international contracts. A producer also understands the basics of business and entrepreneurship and the customer service viewpoint.
Sound
Sound designer designs the sound dramaturgy for a piece of art or programme and is proficient in capturing and editing sound, from field recording to after treatment as well as playback in different spaces and formats. The tools are microphones, recorders, sound workstations and sound playback systems. The aim is to be able to work as the responsible producer and designer for various sound projects.
Script writing and content design
A scriptwriter is able to come up with, design and implement contents for different media and formats. They are proficient in pre-production, are self-developing writers and have the skills needed to design and implement audiovisuals. They know the financing possibilities and are able to sell and market ideas to the customer, as well as to develop the contents together with customers.
Video and Cinematography
Video and cinematography studies prepare the students for the demanding visual design and shooting tasks of film and television as well as working as a leader of a filming crew. The aim is to train experts, who can design and implement a visual look for audio-visual products. The cinematographers know the visual expression and visual design as well as the equipment, software and working methods.
Editing
The editor creates the total look for a piece of art or programme and knows the post-production tasks from the raw editing to the post-production of sound and colour correction of the image. Editors work with digital image and sound workstations and image processing and effecting software. Another important skill is knowing how to operate as a project manager in the post-production process.
Lighting Design
The lighting designer for theatre and events is proficient in the dramaturgical and technical design of productions as well as project management and leadership. Through basic studies focusing on film and television expression, the students gain the skills needed to implement moving image on stage.
BASIC VALUES OF EDUCATION
The Degree programme of Film and Television appreciates the traditions of culture and art while generating new ways and techniques for creating and producing content. The basis for creative and innovative work is the respect for difference, pluralism and multiculturalism.
Individuals are active participants whose choices affect the processes of media culture. Being a professional in the field of film and television means considering ethical questions regarding professional ethics and media as well as having a critical understanding of media culture. The principles of sustainable development reach through the whole study process and they are connected both to the themes and methods of implementation of the studies.
TEACHING METHODS
The Degree Programme of Film and Television emphasises project studies. The aim is to have the graduating students to have not only excellent skills in project work but also in project management. The curriculum contains 15 credits worth of project management studies. During the first year, the students study the basics of project management, during the second year they manage customer projects and during the third year they manage development projects.
LEARNING OUTCOMES OF PROGRAMME/ ACADEMIC YEAR
First year
The aim of the first year studies is for the students to achieve the necessary skills needed to work as assistants in a film or television production. The content studies develop observation and ideating skills as well as the basics of script writing and film expression. Project studies focus on the working processes of an audiovisual production and product management, and the students implement a fiction project. An important part of project studies is developing interaction and group working skills. The first year studies also contain the basics of event production, studies in Finnish language and communication, media history and English.
Second year
The aim of the second year studies is for the students to achieve the necessary skills needed to work independently in a production task. The basic studies for the second year focus on design and implementation of television shows and television journalism. During the professional studies, which begin in the spring, the students select their field of specialisation from the following: production (also contains studies in direction), cinematography, sound expression, script writing and content design and lighting design. The students draw up their personal skills goals, which also take into account the demands of independent learning and working life in relation to professional development. The students also draw up goals for their practical training. Second year studies also include film analysis and, for students specialising in theatre lighting, a course in theatre history. The second year students also complete their studies in Swedish language (required). A skills test for Swedish is organised during the first year of studies, along with preparatory studies.
Third year
The aim of the third year studies is to support the development of innovative expertise of the students. The students design and implement 1-2 development projects together with their collaboration partners. The projects are open and the students ideate them actively. The projects need to develop the field, by e.g. creating new types of content, thinking up new distribution channels or target audiences, improving working methods or applying new kinds of technology. Another aim is to work in close collaboration with the other degree programmes at TAMK.
The teaching for the development projects is organised according to the groups’ needs. During the third year of studies, the students also learn about audiovisual business and entrepreneurship as well as film and television research. The students are encouraged to carry out international student exchange during their third or fourth year of studies, as well as to take free-choice professional studies and other free-choice studies.
Fourth year
The aim of the fourth year studies is for the students to achieve the necessary skills needed to work as managers as well as in artistic, productional and technical expertise tasks. The students carry out their final thesis work and complete any missing studies. The fourth year may also contain practical training, international exchange or free-choice professional studies. The final thesis process contains courses on research and development methods as well as professional reporting. The final thesis is a project, which includes a written report and a portfolio displaying the students’ skills.
STRUCTURE OF DEGREE PROGRAMME
The degree of Bachelor of Culture and Arts (Media) contains 240 credits. The degree consists of the following:
- Core studies 120 cr
- Professional studies 60 cr
- Elective Studies 15 cr
- Practical training 30 cr
- Bachelor´s thesis 15 cr
PRACTICAL TRAINING
Practical training lasts for 5 months (30 credits). It begins with a course familiarising the students with practical training conventions, job seeking and working life practices. The practical training is carried out in 2 – 3 segments and it can also take place in the students’ own companies. The coaching for practical training takes place during the second year of studies, but the students may begin practical training even earlier through their individual study plan. Practical training is an important part in achieving professional skills. The students should familiarise themselves with several work places and tasks. The practical training always has an instructor and the school and the work place must draw up a contract which also lists the learning goals.
OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND ELECTIVE STUDIES
In addition to mandatory professional studies, the students must also choose optional professional studies from the courses of the Degree programme in Film and Television. They can also select the studies from the courses of other degree programmes as well as previously completed university level studies.
The studies also contain 15 credits worth of other elective studies. They can be selected from the courses of any university.
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
The curriculum for the Degree Programme of Film and Television is based on skills and offers flexible opportunities for alternative completion methods. For example, skills acquired in the working life can be counted as completed courses through demonstrations. The demonstration can be evaluated through e.g. interviews, portfolios, learning tasks or practical work.