Year 2 Terms Development Plan

Year 2 Task 1 - Research

 Film Arts:

Information from the Plymouth Art College website: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/artadvantage.php?pageID=52&courseID=14&misCourseCode=FMFB1A1314&courseField=course_info#.UjGcp42cd8E

Our practice-based programme provides a stimulating environment in which students explore a range of practices, processes and theoretical approaches to contemporary filmmaking. The programme also explores the connections between film and other visual, narrative and performing arts, making the most of the our unique interdisciplinary art college environment. This programme has also been validated by the National Association for Higher Education in Moving Image (NAHEMI). 

Students are encouraged to embrace the role of film artist, investigating various production roles, with the aim of contributing new ideas and talent to contemporary moving image culture and the creative industries. Our aim is to support the development of distinct voices, the creation of imaginative and challenging personal film work, and the realisation of individual career aspirations, within appropriate professional contexts. We work in partnership with Plymouth Arts Centre to enable students to experience independent cinema and build valuable connections to the sector. 

Graduates have progressed to work in a variety of professional contexts including Ridley Scott Associates, BBC Films, Two Four Productions, and Channel Four, as well as working as independents and freelancers, and continuing to Postgraduate Study.

Plymouth College of Art boasts a comprehensively stocked film production resource, offering students the opportunity to experiment with technologies including, Super16mm and High Definition cinematography, Industry Standard Audio and Lighting equipment, 5.1 Surround Sound, Professional Post-Production facilities, and underwater film and video technologies.

Photography:

Information from the Plymouth Art College website: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/artadvantage.php?pageID=52&courseID=19&misCourseCode=PHFB1A1314&courseField=course_info#.UjGdXI2cd8E

During the 1^st year practical, conceptual, contextual and vocational skills are embedded, informing an increasingly self-initiated approach in the 2^nd year.

Throughout the BA Photography programme, students benefit from a comprehensive range of industry standard resources including film and digital SLR, medium and large format cameras, lighting, studio and location equipment and silver based and digital post-production processes. Practical modules are designed to develop technical excellence in all aspects of photographic craft skill. We also encourage experimental work and believe, for example, that a pinhole camera is as valid a tool for image making as a large format camera.

Our overriding concern is to match technical excellence with creative endeavour. Photography students are expected to find innovative and original methods of making photographic imagery, underpinned by articulate visual communication skills and an acute understanding of the formal elements of art and design; composition, tone, line and form. The influence of art and design and the media, which is recognised as fundamental to photographic practice, is supported by a complementary studies option encouraging experimentation with disciplines outside of the photography subject specialism.

Throughout the BA Photography degree, critical thinking and reflective self-awareness are embedded in practical and theoretical modules. Links are made between formal lectures in contextual studies and the themes explored by students in their photographic practice, encouraging ownership of personal direction in all aspects of study. This integrated approach is further supported by the direct involvement of theory staff in studio modules and vice versa.

BA Degree Photography recognises changing career opportunities and vocational aspirations. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of photography related ethics, legislation and business skills, and undertake work-based learning to realistically enable them to meet their career aspirations in the arts, media or associated industries.

Further opportunities on completion of the programme include progression to a BA hons ‘top up’ year and potentially, post-graduate study.

The BA (Hons) honours year in Photography affords the opportunity to develop and expand your skills. You will explore in detail your chosen area of photographic practice leading towards the production and presentation of a major body of work that will be exhibited to the public and form the basis of your professional portfolio.

During your photography studies you will have developed a clear artistic direction and a strong professional identity. You will have learned the skills and developed the contacts necessary to enable you to pursue a career in photographic practice, as a self employed artist or in employment in the creative industries.

Animation:

Information from the Plymouth Art College website: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/artadvantage.php?pageID=52&courseID=21&misCourseCode=ANFT1A1314&courseField=course_info#.UjGdS42cd8E

We welcome students who have an interest in all areas of creative practice – from fine art, animation and film to our BA in Animation. The programme enables you to find and develop your creative voice.

The course is based on learning through making. Lectures and workshops run alongside a professionally mentored animation studio. Students from all years take on studio roles where they learn the essential skills of creative collaboration and professional practice.

The emphasis in the first year is on fundamentals such as storyboarding, narrative, drawing and technical skills, both traditional and CGI. During the second year you extend and deepen your knowledge in your vocational pathway alongside developing production management and entrepreneurial business acumen. In your final year you consolidate your professional identity producing your own animation production, either individually or by taking a lead role in a studio collaboration. By the end of the course you will have begun to market and distribute your work.

The animator’s skills are sought after not only by the entertainment industry but also by documentary makers, scientific and architectural visualisation, projection for performance, games, education and fine art practice.

BA (Hons) Design For Games:

Our degree programme recognises that games technology is being put to a huge range of purposes, for example in education, medical simulation and architecture, and is informing the spread of new ideas about social and democratic design. The meaning and value of games and play are changing and deepening and Plymouth College of Art is at the forefront of this emerging sector.

We teach the complete design chain from drawing on paper to developments in Photoshop, to making 3D models and adding texture and rig, as well as sound production, narrative structure and character development. You will explore how digital games have evolved in genre and design to become complex experiential-narrational texts with the power to influence how we understand stories and information. And just as the industry relies on teamwork among specialists we will encourage you to collaborate through live projects.
Tuition is provided through lectures, studio-based activities and online through a virtual learning environment. You will be encouraged to meet practising designers and to participate in study visits, external commissions, national competitions and exhibitions. The reality of the games producing world is built into everything we do.

Information from the Plymouth Art College website: http://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/artadvantage.php?pageID=59&courseID=24&misCourseCode=DFFT1A1314&courseField=course_info#.UkQMOI2cd8F