CIN306: Art Direction/Production Design

MODULE TITLE: Art Direction/Production Design

MODULE CODE: CIN306

EFFECTIVE FROM: 2017-18

MODULE LEVEL: 5

CREDIT POINTS: 20

MODULE STATUS: Compulsory

SEMESTER: 4

LOCATION: Magee

E-LEARNING: Blended learning

PRE/CO REQUISITE(S): None

CO-ORDINATOR / TEACHING STAFF: Lee Cadieux

HOURS: Tutorials 24hrs / Practicals 24hrs

Independent study (including assessment): 64hrs

TOTAL EFFORT HOURS: 200

ACADEMIC SUBJECT: CIN (Cinematic Arts)

RATIONALE
This module supports analysis and implementation of the practice of art
direction within the Digital Film Production process.

AIMS
The module aims to:
• introduce the skills and processes of art direction/production design
• enable students to implement design, from script to screen
• introduce students to the production design of a real film

LEARNING OUTCOMES
A successful student will be able to show that he/she:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

K1: is able to implement design, from script to screen
K2: can demonstrate knowledge and practical skills and processes of art
direction and production design in film
K3: can analyse the relationship of the various elements within a scene and
how these combine to convey mood and/or emotion
K4: can demonstrate technical control over camera, lighting, sound, props,
movement etc., appropriate to the realisation of their designs.

INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES
I1: can appreciate the need for detail within a design concept
I2: understands the link between exposure and light in scene setting
I3: understands emerging practice in presenting/outputting results
I4: explore matters that may be new and emerging, drawing upon a variety of
personal, academic and practical skills and upon a range of academic and
non-academic sources

PROFESSIONAL/PRACTICAL SKILLS
P1: is able to identify and use appropriate hardware and software
P2: is able to identify and use emerging practice in design
P3: can prepare moving image for distribution on varied formats
P4: demonstrates confidence in the use of visual elements
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
T1: can conceptualise ideas in a coherent and useful manner
T2: is able to plan further development of ideas into other multimedia forms
T3: is competent in the use of technology
T4: has the capacity to contribute to multimedia applications of moving image
in a group or individual context

CONTENT
Students will engage with:
• Contextual studies
• Script analysis / Research processes
• Location surveying and technical recce
• Personal project and design development
• Dressing plans, costume and props
• On set requirements and stand by art direction

LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

Tutorials will be used to:

• Introduce appropriate production design techniques
• Undertake a range of experiential duties to acquire necessary skills
• Establish creative practices in relation to production design
• Undertake independent research

Students will be directed to read:

• Module handbook
• Tutorial handouts
• Recommended Texts

Students will be expected to:

• Attend all sessions.
• Work independently to develop their knowledge, skills and experience
• Work as a member of a team
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
Coursework 1: Case Study Analysis 25%
Students will source information on a current or historical Art
Director/Production Designer and write an overview of 600 wd. the practitioner’s
work referencing productions they have worked on, background and influences,
aesthetics and approach using cited reflective texts/web references.

This assignment will measure the student’s achievement of module learning

outcomes: K1, K2, I1, I2, P2, T1, T2

Coursework 2: Portfolio/Show Reel 50%

Taking inspiration/influence from the chosen case study analysis above,
students will produce a portfolio of practice-based material or a test video
sequence from a current or past film project they have developed.

This could consist of Storyboards, Production Sketches, Location

Photographs, Prop Designs/Photos of Models or Costume Designs,
Cinematic Test Sequences or Animatics of up to I minute duration.

Students will create an online portfolio of their developmental and/or pre-

production work to be hosted on PortfolioBox or a similar application imagery
and text related to their chosen area of specialisation and/or upload a Show
Reel to Vimeo or YouTube.

PortfolioBox and/or Vimeo YouTube links will need to be sent in an email

along with the other written material from Coursework 1 and 3.

This assignment will measure the student’s achievement of module learning

outcomes: K1, K3, I1, I2, I3, P1, P2, P3, T1, T3

Coursework 3: Reflective Report 25%

Students will write a reflective report of 600 wd. on the practice they have
produced in Coursework 2 (above) and reference the Case Study/Practitioner
that inspired the work in Coursework 1 (above)

This assignment will measure the student’s achievement of module learning

outcomes: K1, K2, I1, I2, P2, T1, T2

Coursework Hand-In: Deadline Thursday, May 16, 2019, 12:00 Noon.

Please email a copy of your Reports from Coursework 1 and Coursework 3

(above) and link to the upload of your online portfolio or Show Reel to
l.cadieux@ulster.ac.uk by 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 16, 2019.
Effort Hours

As a 20 credit module, 200 hours of effort are required in total. Subtracting

approximately 25 hours for tutorial and practical support, this leaves a total of
75 effort hours required from each student across the 15 weeks.

Feedback Methods Exemplars:

Adapting the University of Ulster Feedback exemplars (Handbook page 65)

the following feedback methods will be used in Cinematic Arts:

1. Use of a feedback sheet to give all members of the class generic feedback
- this might be focussed around the assessment criteria established for the
work. Individual pieces of work will then be annotated. These sheets
themselves will become a useful and important learning resource. Generic
feedback sheets will contain space for individual comments.

2. Use of a marking sheet to focus the student’s attention on the strengths

and weaknesses of their work.

3. Generic feedback will be given to the class in normal timetabled slots.

100% Coursework

READING LIST (Required)

Fionnuala Halligan. Filmcraft: Production Design. Focal Press, 2012.

Recommended:
Jane Barnwell. Architects of the Screen. Wallflower Press, 2003.
Michael Rizzio. The Art Direction Handbook for Film. Focal Press, 2005.
Peter Ettedgui. Production Design and Art Direction. Rotovision, 2000.
Vincent LoBrutto. The Filmmaker’s Guide to Production Design. Allworth
Press, 2002.

Software:
Celtx: Media Pre-Production Software
Blackmagic Design: DaVinci Resolve

Apps:
Shot Designer App (Iphone & Ipad)
Manual Camera App (Iphone & Ipad)

Online Resources:
BBC Academy Production Design
Film Riot
Filmmaker IQ
Set Decorators and Production Design Pinterest
Movies In Color

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

This module introduces students to art direction and production design in film.
The module is structured to follow the design process used by practicing art
directors and designers and culminates in a short film project for industry.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: All sessions will be held in room MU114

Week Lecture/Seminsr
1-January 30 Module Introduction

11:15-1:05
2-February 7 No Class

11:15-1:05
3- February 14 Roles and Responsibilities

11:15-1:05

4- February 21 Script Breakdown and Analysis

11:15-1:05

5- February 28 Visualisation and Storyboarding

11:15-1:05

6-March 7 Locations and Sets

11:15-1:05
7-March 14 Prop Design

11:15-1:05
8-March 21 Costume Design
Light and Colour

11:15-1:05
9- March 28 Makeup

11:15-1:05

10- April 4 Special Effects

11:15-1:05
11- April 11 Cinematography

11:15-1:05

12- April 18 Review

11:15-1:05
Tutor:

Lee Cadieux
Lecturer in Media Studies

Room MA205
Magee Campus
Ulster University

l.cadieux@ulster.ac.uk
02871675025
@leeDeux
January 2019