Creative Digital Media
Course Overview
The Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in
Creative Digital Media Production provides a coherent
introduction to the study of creative digital media world.
Students develop an understanding of the media industry through analysing media representations and pitching and producing media projects. It is designed for post- 16 learners who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment, possibly in the media industries. The course is built around a series of tasks and assignments that enables students to develop a portfolio of skills including technical skills, audio-visual skills, presentation skills, communication skills and team work.
Examination Board:
EDEXCEL
Entry Requirements:
Ideally you will have a grade 4 in English Language.
You must have the required qualifications for the Advanced Pathway.
Course Level:
BTEC – Level 3
Assessment Objectives
Unit 1: Media Representations (External Exam Unit)
Students will explore how different media representations are constructed by media producers to create meaning, messages and values. They will study a range of media from different sectors, such as music videos, short film extracts, animation, news programmes, websites, digital games and print adverts. It provides an introduction to fundamental media theory and analysis that is the basis for many progression routes at higher education level. This unit is assessed through an on-screen two hour examination set and marked by Pearson.
Unit 4: Pre-Production Portfolio
Students study the requirements of planning and delivering a digital media product, carrying out essential pre-production tasks and creating a pre-production portfolio. Students will gain an understanding of the requirements of the planning stage, from finance and logistics to regulations. They will develop the pre- production skills and experience needed to carry out your own tasks and to produce a digital media product.
Unit 8: Responding to a Commission
Students study the requirements of planning and delivering a digital media product, carrying out essential pre-production tasks and creating a pre-production portfolio. Students will learn how to respond to a commission brief with ideas based on the required content, style, audience, purpose and approach proposed by the client.
Unit 10: Film Production
This focuses on the process of producing a short narrative film or film extract that uses generic conventions. Students will
investigate how conventions of narrative storytelling are used by filmmakers, looking at formats and generic conventions. They will then prepare for a film production by creating and bring together a range of elements camera, lighting, acting, direction and sound during the production phase, and successfully use post-production techniques to produce a final product.
What skills will I develop?
| Detailed knowledge and understanding of how media texts are constructed through the study of form and conventions | |
| How audiences are targeted and manipulated by media texts | |
| How to construct media texts using the conventions of a range of mediums Application of media theory Academic research skills | |
| How media institutions operate on a domestic and global scale |
How will I be assessed?
Units 1 and 8 are externally set and assessed units andnmake up 60% of the overall grade. Units 4 and 10 are internally assessed. The assessment for these units is made through the completion of assignments. Tasks will be completed to PASS, MERIT or DISTINCTION level.
Each individual assignment must be completed to the minimum required standard in order to pass the whole unit. On successful completion of a unit, points are awarded depending upon the level of completion and the size of the unit. At the end of the course, the points will be added from all three units to make a combined total points score.
Overall PASS- Equivalent to E grade
Overall MERIT- Equivalent to C grade
Overall DISTINCTION- Equivalent to A grade Overall
DISTINCTION*- Equivalent to A* grade
Is there anything else I should know?
Future Progression BTEC qualifications are fully
accepted by universities, higher education institutions and employers across the country. The level 3 course is excellent preparation for entering university courses in Digital Media, Media Production, Media and Communications and Film Studies or for entering straight into the industry.
Progression Routes
Students mainly pursue careers within media, but the skills developed are essential to a variety of other professions such as teaching, social media, website design, advertising, journalism or TV and film production. It is respected by higher education institutions and provides a range of transferable skills. With the growth of Media City in Salford, there are a wide range of potential career pathways and higher apprenticeships available too.