The module aims to provide students with both theoretical and practical skills and experiences which develop their understanding of communication and media roles and industries and enhance their commercial awareness, employability and enterprise skills.

(LO1) Students will develop a critical awareness of viral video theory, production and practice.

(LO2) Students will ideate original content by designing and producing viral videos.

(LO3) Students will respond professionally and creatively to ‘client’ and tutor briefs.

(LO4) Students will promote videos on public video-sharing and social media networks.

(LO5) Students will demonstrate critical reflective thinking.  

(S1) Communication skills.

(S2) IT skills.

(S3) Commercial awareness

(S4) Teamwork

(S5) Reflective thinking

This module introduces students to the theory underpinning social media and viral video production, and to the practice of designing, producing and marketing viral videos.
Students design, produce and promote short videos in response to specific ‘client’ briefs set by tutors and through collaboration with external partners and content experts.
Topics may include:

Viral media theory
•Techno-optimism, pessimism and the political economy of social video
•The viral media life cycle – social media marketing and building user engagement
•The characteristics of contagious content and social video genres

Working in the creative and digital industries
•Managing creative projects
•Leadership and teamwork
•Working with clients
•Critical reflection for creative practitioners

Production skills
•The video production workflow – planning production proje cts
•Cinematography – composition, framing, focus, lighting
•Introduction to animation – pencasting and online tools
•Audio production – recording and importing
•Post-production – editing and rendering social video

Teaching Method 1 - Workshops
Description:The main teaching method is a weekly two-hour workshop session (24 weeks). Some workshops take place in flexible teaching spaces; others take place in PC suites.
Compulsory attendance throughout.
Directed student hours: 2 hrs x 24 weeks = 48 hours
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching method 2 - Studio
Self-Directed Learning Description: Studio consists of timetabled sessions which students are required to attend and complete individual and group work tasks relating to the weekly workshop content. Generally unsupervised, activities may include group discussion, designing and planning video productions, developing practical skills using specialist hardware and software, and working on formative and summative assessments, both individually and with group members.
Unscheduled directed student hours: 2 hrs x 24 weeks = 48 hours
Attendance recorded: No

Self-directed learning hours:
Students will spend thi s time reading texts on the module reading list; sourcing and reading wider texts; developing technical skills