Sound Design for Film & Podcasting (BTEC Level 3 National Diploma) (Creative Media Practice)
Why study Sound Design for Film & Podcasting?
“The creative industries are one of the biggest and fastest growing sectors in the UK economy” – Vince Cable MP, February 2010. The opportunities for those with Media Production skills is vast and increasing; the increase in broadcast channels, online channels and internal communications is overwhelming; more and more organisations are looking for creative individuals to get their message across, from advertising agencies to council organisations. They require talented people with professional skills, who are able to lead and manage projects, budgets, and peers.
Entry Requirements
In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have:
- GCSE English – grade 3
No previous knowledge of audio production is required, but you need to have an interest in developing these skills.
The Course
This skills-based course will focus on your development as a practitioner. Many details in audio production will be explored, from producing Foley sound in post-production, layering sound, recording on location, recording in a studio, manipulating sound levels, editing sound, and sequencing.
This course will equip students with all the necessary skills to specialise in an area of audio design and develop this into a final major project. You will learn on the best equipment in the classroom, the studio, and on location, and explore how to use professional industry software like Adobe Audition.
Course Activities
This course involves experimenting with a wide variety of sound techniques and technology to produce a range of products which are relevant to the industry. This could involve:
- Planning and developing programme and production ideas for film soundtracks, podcasts, and radio.
- Constructing a narrative through sound – e.g. adding sound effects, ADR, voiceovers etc.
- Capturing sounds in different locations (thinking about acoustics, sound levels, background noise).
- Production: including editing, sequencing, mixing, adjusting levels, equalising, graphic manipulation.
Career and Progression Opportunities
This qualification will help you to progress to university, while the wide range of technical skills taught will also increase employability within various sectors in media production, such as the TV and film industyr, radio, podcasting, online content or gaming.
There is also an opportunity to experience the University of Bedfordshire’s community station Radio LaB 97.1FM, as part of a two-week practical work placement in which you develop and broadcast live radio shows, and you can get involved in the college’s radio station 6FM, too.
Course Structure and Assessment
This is a two-year course and is the equivalent of 1.5 A Levels.
This is a 100% internally-assessed course in which you will complete two units
Unit title and content
Skills Development
Students will explore ways of informing ideas, understand and develop solutions to creative challenges, acquire technical skills and develop professional practice and communication skills. You will develop these underpinning skills practically through producing work, experimenting with a range of ideas and technical practices.
Creative Project
Students will apply the skills you have been developing throughout the programme to a creative project that demonstrates your ability to self-direct a response to a brief, from inception to completed product. This unit takes place at the end of the second year and will focus on a specialist area you have been developing over your course. The course assessment and structure will resemble industry practice; you will conduct crucial research, develop ideas, experiment with techniques, execute their ideas and present this according to industry standards.
Additional Information
This course would complement various other courses in the Creative Arts. This could include our BTEC diploma courses in Media Production (TV & Film) or Journalism, or A Levels in Media Studies, Film Studies or Music Technology.
It could also be useful for other creative subjects.
Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel