Factual Production (P4162)

15 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the core skills of producing factual content, with a particular focus on:

• sound recording
• conducting interviews
• working with real people
• working in real environments.

You’ll learn to operate professional-standard audio and video equipment, including:

• microphones
• portable recorders and cameras
• editing software.

You’ll gain practical experience in:

• capturing clean location sound
• conducting ethically informed interviews
• shaping non-fiction narratives using audio and visual materials.

The module emphasises ethical considerations when working with contributors, addressing issues such as consent, representation, and responsibility in factual storytelling. The teaching is aligned with current industry practice and introduces you to professional workflows and the key concepts that underpin careers in:

• documentary
• factual television
• media production.

A series of exercises will help you to develop confidence in your voice as a factual storyteller, while also building the foundational skills necessary for employment in the screen industries.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 117 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• Filmmaking BA