MP4022 - Approaches to Storytelling

You will learn via a variety of mechanisms. These include lectures, seminars and independent learning. Lectures will provide the contextual and theoretical information you need to understand the module’s themes and approaches. The lecturer will provide examples that will demonstrate how to apply relevant critical techniques, and to stimulate your engagement with the course material. Seminars will provide space for you to interrogate and discuss the ideas raised in the lectures, both with your peers and with the tutor. Seminars are oriented around discussion questions and activities to stimulate your engagement.
Outside of the taught sessions, you will be expected to engage with module-relevant reading in preparation for the sessions. An electronic reading list is supplied via the e-Learning Portal, which will guide you towards appropriate resources, although you are encouraged to explore the wider library catalogue to engage with additional sources too. During your independent working time, it is also expected that you will apply the ideas raised in the reading and the taught content to contemporary media examples beyond those cited in the lectures.
Where appropriate, additional materials will be supplied on the eLearning Portal. These independent activities will facilitate your development as you progress through the module, laying a foundation for your assessed work.

You will be supported by the module lead; they will introduce the module at the start of the semester and offer advice and guidance throughout. Your learning is mapped out via documentation on Blackboard Ultra, the Northumbria University online electronic learning portal; this is accessible online on and off campus. The e-Learning Portal will include guidance notes and key dates to help you organise and plan your time. It will also include teaching materials, announcements and updates, and detailed information on assessment. You will have a university email that we contact you through. We support your learning by providing on-going feedback (Formative and Summative) through the range of teaching and learning approaches offered. We ask you to submit your work electronically, and we will supply feedback via Turnitin. You will be able to compare your feedback across modules so that you can assess your development as you progress through the programme.
Formative assessment is offered throughout the module, and summative assignments will receive written feedback within 20 working days of assignment submission. Every tutor has set weekly feedback and tutorial drop-in hours, wherein you can seek advice on your academic progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of storytelling concepts in narrative filmmaking.

• To identify and develop potential stories for the screen based on robust research practices.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• To develop a professional production proposal that demonstrates an ability to turn an idea into an engaging story.

• To cultivate a critical engagement with storytelling concepts and approaches and a contextual awareness of your work in relation to film practice.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• To demonstrate an understanding of the scope and range of ethical considerations in narrative storytelling.

Summative assessment will comprise of two components submitted at the end of the semester. Each component weighs 50% of the overall mark.

Component A) A creative portfolio including a
detailed concept for a narrative film.

Component B) a written reflective commentary (2000 words) on your learning that articulates an understanding of storytelling concepts and approaches and a contextual awareness of practice.

You will receive formative feedback from your peers and the module tutor during the seminars throughout the course, allowing you to apprehend how your critical skills are developing. You will receive a detailed commentary and a summative mark on your written work in accordance with the assessment criteria (supplied on the eLP). Under normal circumstances, you will receive written feedback on your summative submissions within 20 working days. The feedback will normally be supplied electronically as part of the ESAF process. This feedback will provide a detailed account of your skills, critical engagement and communicative ability, as well as supporting future learning by indicating areas for development. You can also request additional verbal feedback on your submissions by arranging a meeting with the module tutor.

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‘‘Approaches to Storytelling’ asks you to consider what a story is, and how storytelling works on screen. This module will introduce you to fundamentals of storytelling for the screen to help you develop a concept for a film through a creative portfolio of work. This module is an opportunity to test ideas out, experiment and take risks. During the module, you will be introduced to practical and creative skills including writing, production research and storyboarding. You will also acquire critical and reflective skills, as you respond to your own work and that of others. Furthermore, this module enables you to develop transferable personal skills to support your future study and employability.