Higher Nationals

The second year is an advanced vocational set of modules which build upon the foundations provided in year one. The second year will take a deep dive into advanced film production techniques, offering students the opportunity to build a substantial portfolio of work which they can use in the search for jobs in the Irish and international film industries. There is a greater emphasis on industry practices and more opportunities for specialisation.

Audio Production
This module introduces students to the technical and creative aspects of digital audio, a vital part of modern film production. Students will learn how to record, edit, mix and distribute audio using a range of techniques and tools, including Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). By the end of the module, students will be able to plan and produce audio content that enhances their film projects and strengthens their overall production skills.

Cinematography
This module explores the craft of cinematography, focusing on camera operation, lighting design and visual storytelling. Students will develop the skills needed to work within a camera department, gaining experience with various camera systems and equipment. Emphasis is placed on understanding how cinematography shapes narrative and audience experience, preparing students for roles across the film production process.

Creative Media Industry
This module provides an overview of the creative media sector, helping students understand the broader industry landscape. Students will examine the structure of media companies, economic models, and career pathways within film and media production. The module also explores how creative practices intersect with emerging technologies, giving students the tools to position their work within the wider creative industries.

Editing for Film and Television
Students will explore the post-production process, learning how to shape raw footage into compelling stories. This module covers editing conventions, technical workflows and creative techniques used in film and television. It highlights the collaborative relationship between editor and director and equips students with the ability to create mood, build suspense, and convey meaning through visual storytelling.

Film Practice
This module takes students through the complete film and television production cycle, from concept to finished product. It covers project planning, production management, legal and ethical considerations, and audience engagement. Students will also gain experience in marketing and promoting their work, ensuring they understand both the creative and professional demands of working in film production.

Film Studies
This module offers an in-depth exploration of the history, theory and cultural impact of film. Students will examine the evolution of the film industry, key movements and genres, and various critical approaches to film analysis. The module also explores audience behaviour and the role of narrative, helping students develop academic research and analytical skills that inform their creative work.

Documentary Production
This unit allows students to develop and deliver a documentary project from initial concept to final product. It encourages independent research, planning and production, helping students apply their technical and storytelling skills in a real-world context. By working on a project of their own design, students will develop confidence in managing workflows, solving problems, and creating meaningful, original content.

Professional Practice
This module focuses on career planning and personal development within the creative industries. Students will assess their strengths, explore potential career paths, and develop a plan for building their professional profile. It encourages reflective practice and an understanding of how to remain adaptable and informed in a rapidly evolving media landscape. By the end of the module, students will be better prepared to enter the industry or progress to further study.

Advanced Editing for Film and Television
The Advanced Editing for Film & Television module expands upon students’ basic editing skills, focusing on the development of sophisticated creative and technical expertise. Students will examine the narrative significance and technical capabilities of visual digital effects software within edited sequences. They will also study the impact of rhythm, pacing, and music on audience experiences in drama and documentary by deconstructing professional sequences and creating their own.

The unit explores image and sound specifications, resolutions associated with film and television post-production, and techniques for crafting transitions and effects. Upon completion, students will be adept at analysing colour and sound levels, comparing them to industry standards, and applying corrections to produce a polished product that meets professional benchmarks.

Advanced Film Production Studies
This unit offers students the chance to delve deeper into film-making skills, encompassing practical, creative, and management aspects of film production, from the initial pitch to a completed short film. Both individually and collaboratively, students will enhance their understanding of equipment, techniques, and processes related to film-making. They will develop and pitch short film ideas, assume various production roles, and consolidate their knowledge of pre-production, production, and post-production processes.

By presenting their final short films, students will evaluate the connection between audience experience and their creative and technical practice, reflecting on their accomplishments and future plans. The unit’s framework supports the development of in-depth knowledge and skills in the specialist subject, with the flexibility to accommodate broad subject areas and greater specialisation based on local needs or student interests.

Collaborative Project
This unit fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and creative engagement within creative media production. Students can work in small groups, collaborate with external partners, or as a cohort to undertake shared creative media production experiences. The unit strives to simulate working studio conditions, thus enhancing and developing professional industry skills and practices.

Developing the ability to define, plan, and execute projects is critical across various roles within the creative industries. Students will learn to identify relevant information and analyse it to devise clear solutions underpinning numerous applied practice processes. By focusing on collaborative working practices, the unit prepares students for the realities of the creative media production industry.

Documentary
Documentaries serve a crucial role in society, distinct from fiction, as they record, portray, inform, educate, and interpret events and experiences. The genre transcends traditional film and television realms with the emergence of hybrid and new documentary forms using technology creatively. Documentaries encompass various communication styles, from shocking and controversial to informative and emotional, and have inspired countless authors, filmmakers, radio presenters, podcasters, and media producers.

This unit enables students to explore documentary genre conventions, understand its context and origins, and contemplate its future. They will learn how to identify a subject, conduct research, plan, and produce a short documentary, gaining valuable insights and skills in documentary creation.

Film Criticism
Film Criticism delves into the theories and concepts related to the film medium and individual films. It extends beyond film theory, focusing on examining and evaluating films from cultural and theoretical standpoints.

In this unit, students will engage with theoretical constructs such as ideology, auteur theory, gender representation, psychoanalysis, spectatorship theory, and postmodernism, applying these concepts to film critiques. The unit equips students with the skills to analyse, discuss, contextualise, argue, and evaluate films from various perspectives while also informing their own film-making practice.

Personal Professional Development: Professional practice necessitates a thorough, objective analysis of one’s strengths and weaknesses, along with a clear strategy for showcasing skills and abilities to potential employers or clients, which is crucial for future success.

This unit supports students transitioning from study to employment or freelance work in creative media production. Building upon the previous study, students will now develop a strategy for their future career, whether employed or self-employed. The unit covers topics such as career planning, CV writing, interview skills, self-promotional material, legal frameworks, business planning, and social and professional networks, preparing students for the challenges of the professional world.

Scriptwriting for Film and Television
The scriptwriter plays a crucial role in the production process, often involved from the initial stages. They create characters and narratives for diverse film and television productions, spanning genres and formats such as soaps, comedies, thrillers, and entertainment shows.

This unit aims to enhance students’ understanding of script development, including idea creation and expansion, presenting script proposals in various industry-accepted formats, and drafting film and television scripts to professional standards across different genres. Upon completion, students will be able to describe the people and practices involved in script development and create industry-standard film or television scripts using recognised software.