BTEC Level 3 | Digital Film & Video Production – Leighton Park

Exam Board

Pearson

Will the Course Suit Me?

This qualification is designed to provide a technical introduction to digital film and video production. Students develop skills in areas such as single and multi-camera techniques, stop motion and film editing.

This qualification is aimed at students who are looking to progress to the Creative Industry.

Course Description

There are two mandatory units, one internal and one external:

• Digital Media Skills (Externally moderated): Students will learn how to work to a client brief relating to a specific media sector and its associated digital skills.

• Film Production – Fiction (Internally moderated): This unit will focus on the process of producing a short narrative film or film extract that uses generic conventions. In this unit, you will investigate how conventions of narrative storytelling are used by filmmakers, looking at formats and generic conventions. You will then prepare for a film production by creating and gathering the materials and preparing the cast and crew. You will need to bring together a range of elements to successfully produce your product: camera, lighting, acting, direction and sound during the production phase, and successfully use post-production techniques to deliver a final outcome.

Students then complete three optional units chosen from:

• Single Camera Techniques (Internally moderated): This unit will explore the techniques needed to produce a single camera production. In this unit, you will focus on the techniques of using a single camera to capture high-quality footage to create a narrative production. You will produce recorded material demonstrating your use of advanced camera techniques, including movements, different mounting options and make selections from this material to produce appropriate footage for a single camera production.

• Film Editing (internally moderated): Students will explore the purposes and techniques of editing for film and television and develop skills in different editing tools to produce a final, edited sequence. In this unit, you will learn about the development of different editing purposes, conventions and techniques. You will develop skills in digital editing techniques and create a final, edited sequence for a specific purpose.

• Sound Recording: Students will explore the theory and practice of sound recording, both in interior and exterior environments, and record their own examples of soundtracks for identified purposes. The importance of recorded sound for media products is central to the complete understanding of the content. Sound, in the form of dialogue, creates mood, emphasis, tone and focuses the audience’s attention on the action. Clarity and quality is vital for sound in all its applications.

  In this unit, you will be introduced to theoretical concepts of sound recording, equipment used and the techniques to use it. You will look into recording challenges in interior and exterior locations, and you will demonstrate your understanding by recording sound for a variety of purposes and set outcomes.

• Multi Camera Techniques (internally moderated): This unit focuses on techniques for multi camera production, exploring filming in a studio, outside broadcast and event production that requires the use of multiple cameras. The television industry is increasingly using multi camera production as a quick and efficient way to produce generic content to fill schedules. Live sports coverage, studio panel shows, soap operas, live music performances and news broadcasting all rely on multi camera techniques to bring the content to the screen. You will prepare for a multi camera production, creating running orders, scripts, pre-recorded video tape (VT) items, timings and cues, floor plans and camera scripts, to ensure the smooth running of a production.

Who is this Qualification for?

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Digital Film and Video Production is intended as a Tech Level qualification, equivalent in size to one A Level. When taken alongside further Level 3 qualifications (A levels), it also supports access to a range of higher education courses in film and video production and the wider media industry.

As well as direct entry to employment, this qualification provides preparation for higher study of a specialist degree or BTEC Higher National Diploma. This route gives students the opportunity to enter the sector at a higher level, or in a more specialist role.

What Could this Qualification Lead to?

There are many roles in the digital film and video sector where recruitment is at graduate level. The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many relevant courses alongside A levels.

Career Pathways

• Television Production
• Film Production
• Journalism
• YouTube
• Netflix and all streaming platforms
• Radio
• Magazines
• Social Media
• Public relations
• Marketing and Advertising (including TV and online commercials)
• Corporate Communications
• Events and Conferences
• University Undergraduate Degree

If you have any questions about this course, please contact Film & TV Production Teacher, Mac Kenny.

To apply for our Sixth Form, please see our Admissions page.