"Doing Digital" in the Film Department

How do we "do digital"?

In BA (Hons) Film we have a healthy approach to doing digital and doing analogue. In the development of ideas, scripts, production design and the shoot itself, we use a variety of digital and analogue resources. We rely completely on digital software for our film post-production, and make use of digital college Google/Moodle systems to support teaching, assessment, and presentation of work, as well as communication.

We use Google Drive for students to submit their finished films and supporting documentation. This allows us the option of viewing the work very easily, from virtually anywhere. The film team can easily scroll through the work, which helps with second marking, and can refer back to specific modules to reference examples. The Google folders act as an archive of student work, which can also be easily downloaded for submission to festivals, and other events.

We use Blogger as an online sketchbook. We set up a blog for each first year student, using our filmteam@pca.ac.uk login. Each student uses blogger as their digital sketchbook, throwing together their research, ideas, production logs, as well as their finished work. By owning these blogs, the film team can see work in progress (drafts) as well as the published posts. We have found that 'owning' the student blogs in this way, gives us greater access, and may give the blogs more permanence than when they are attached to students email accounts, which may be deleted a year after graduation.

We use Moodle to upload all module documentation, including assignment briefs and sessions notes, as well as useful resources for students, such as weblinks and films.

We use Blogger as a shared space for students to analyse and critique the films that we screen at the Plymouth Arts Centre. Second year students are invited weekly to the Arts Centre, and enjoy a varied programme of films, some from the current catalogue, and others from our own resources http://pcafilmscreenings.blogspot.co.uk/

We use Facebook to communicate with our Film students. Our 110 Film students use our 'PCA Film' group responsibly, sharing ideas, film reviews, opportunities, and support for each others projects. We have some honorary members such as the Performance students at Plymouth Uni.

We use Twitter, Facebook and Vimeo as recruitment tools, sharing news, programme updates, and film awards/prizes. We have paid to target specific audiences via Facebook, and have a professional Vimeo account for greater control of the application  https://www.facebook.com/PCAFilm/

https://twitter.com/pcafilm