In this first unit, you will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows you to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to Film & Animation. 

Projects* 

Mini-projects during Induction and Collaboration weeks:  

Phonotropes: You will create a short sequence of drawings that come to life when placed on a spinning record player and viewed through a camera’s viewfinder. 

Pixilation: In small groups, you will animate people and objects to tell a magical short story. 

Project 1: Future Fiction 

Imagine the world in 100 years; how will it have changed? You will create a world outline, character design and environment design. During practical workshops, you will build a jointed paper puppet of your character and shoot an animated stop motion sequence against your environment background. 

Project 2: Animating Spaces 

In small groups, you will devise a short story taking place in a specific location, e.g. the room of a hotel. You will design and build a miniature scale model of the set with props, light it and make a short animation or film based on a storyboard. You will also design a poster for your film. Workshops on set design, modelmaking, cinematography, 3-point lighting and Dragonframe stop-motion software will support you in creating your project. 

Project 3: The Past is Present 

You will write a beat sheet and a 2-3 page script in which a person interacts with a past version of themselves. You will then direct, film and edit a live action short film, using a green screen for at least one shot. You will present your film as a physical installation, using a projector and objects, or using screens in an unusual way.

 *Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Developed In Unit 1

Character Design, Environment Design, Concept Art, World-Building, Animation, Stop Motion, Puppet-Making, Collage, Pixilation, 3-Point Lighting, Architectural & Technical Drawing, Model Making, Scaled Construction, 2D & 3D Representational Techniques, Laser Cutting, Photography, Adobe Suite, Dragonframe, Storyboarding, Scriptwriting, Cinematography, Green Screen, Sound Design, Video Editing, Video Installation.

This unit will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices you have developed in Unit 1 and to define your creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position your creative endeavours within Film & Animation.

Projects* 

Project 1: Narrative 

You’ll explore how strong narrative structure shapes compelling films and animations, learning how to build engaging stories from concept to final piece. You’ll experiment with ideas, develop characters and refine your storytelling techniques while pushing your creative boundaries. By the end, you’ll produce your own short film or animation that captures an interesting story and showcases your unique creative voice.

Project 2: Documentary 

After learning about the history of documentary and its use in contemporary practice, you will create a 1-5 minute documentary film or animation on a topic of your choice, beginning with a recorded interview. A practical workshop on interview skills, including lighting and microphone setup, will prepare you for individual approach. A workshop on ethics in animated documentary will support those of you working with animation. 

Project 3: Sound & Image 

You will create a 1-minute non-narrative film or abstract animation to a piece of composed sound, in collaboration with Music students at CSVPA. You will experiment with materials and focus on colour, shape, movement and speed. Workshops to support this project include direct animation on 16mm film, animating with sand, paint and clay, and digital video effects. 

Project 4: University Research & Application 

This unit is designed to support you at every stage of researching, shortlisting and applying to university. You’ll receive regular guidance through weekly personal tutor sessions and one-to-one tutorials during the Autumn term. In September, a dedicated UCAS week includes a visit to the London UCAS Fair, where you can explore courses, meet university representatives and ask questions directly.

Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course, applying the skills learned in your Portfolio Skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.

Skills Developed In Unit 2 

Interview Techniques, Lighting, Sound Recording, 2D Paper & Digital Animation, Walk Cycles, Camera-less Animation, Sand Animation, Claymation, Paint on Glass, Collaboration, Production Planning

This unit will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices you have developed in Unit 1 and to define your creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position your creative endeavours within Film & Animation.

Projects* 

Project 1: Narrative 

You’ll explore how strong narrative structure shapes compelling films and animations, learning how to build engaging stories from concept to final piece. You’ll experiment with ideas, develop characters and refine your storytelling techniques while pushing your creative boundaries. By the end, you’ll produce your own short film or animation that captures an interesting story and showcases your unique creative voice.

Project 2: Documentary 

After learning about the history of documentary and its use in contemporary practice, you will create a 1-5 minute documentary film or animation on a topic of your choice, beginning with a recorded interview. A practical workshop on interview skills, including lighting and microphone setup, will prepare you for individual approach. A workshop on ethics in animated documentary will support those of you working with animation. 

Project 3: Sound & Image 

You will create a 1-minute non-narrative film or abstract animation to a piece of composed sound, in collaboration with Music students at CSVPA. You will experiment with materials and focus on colour, shape, movement and speed. Workshops to support this project include direct animation on 16mm film, animating with sand, paint and clay, and digital video effects. 

Project 4: University Research & Application 

This unit is designed to support you at every stage of researching, shortlisting, and applying to university. You’ll receive regular guidance through weekly personal tutor sessions and one-to-one tutorials during the Autumn term. In September, a dedicated UCAS week includes a visit to the London UCAS Fair, where you can explore courses, meet university representatives, and ask questions directly.

Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course, applying the skills learned in your Portfolio Skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.

Skills Developed In Unit 3

Interview Techniques, Lighting, Sound Recording, 2D Paper & Digital Animation, Walk Cycles, Camera-less Animation, Sand Animation, Claymation, Paint on Glass, Collaboration, Production Planning

This unit aims to provide you with an opportunity to take control of your own learning and demonstrate your creative talent by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its final outcome.

Skills Developed In Unit 4 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that you will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake your devised project with confidence, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and supported where possible. You may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department.