Digital Media: Storytelling and Production MA

This module provides you with a theoretical and historical overview of digital and immersive non-fiction narratives. It covers the evolution of factual storytelling since the early 2000s, spanning the platforms that have emerged since (mobile phone, tablet, AR, VR, XR, social media, spatial media, locative audio, interactive spaces and AI). Theories of agency, user experience, interactivity, interface and non-linear narrative structures will be analysed while looking at a multitude of cases studies and engaging in class debate and in depth analysis. By the end of this module you will have acquired a solid understanding of the current breath of digital and immersive narratives; you'll be aware of current and future trends in the field and will be ready to pitch an interactive idea of your choice to the rest of the class.

This module is designed to help you create an extended digital media project and a related industry treatment - taken together these will constitute a piece of professional level work showcasing their skills which you can use as you build your career after graduation. Projects may take the form of more traditional linear media  - they can be audio, video or online narratives. But you can also explore and create projects that work in more non-linear ways, using interactive and immersive media technologies. Whatever path you choose, the work you do will build on the work done throughout the whole year, the knowledge, skills, and critical/analytic perspectives you have gained. The project will need to be backed up by research, context analysis and an industry treatment that you will present in person in the form of a pitch.

This module mixes theory and practice as it focuses on traditional linear media storytelling. It critically examines work designed to work on specific media platforms and also across a range of platforms simultaneously. You are introduced to – and develop a critical understanding of - classic narrative theory and its use by a variety of media producers and creatives. You'll apply what you have learned to analyse a range of media stories – from long form features and documentary reports to podcast investigations and video essays, evaluating how effectively they engage different audiences and their social and cultural impact. You will be encouraged to apply the theoretical knowledge gained to your own media story ideas, developing a long form feature and ideas for different media treatments of this story.

You will be taught the professional skills to research, write, and produce multimedia journalism. The module will evaluate concepts and techniques in different fields and for different platforms of news journalism. Techniques for audio and video editing will be addressed and stories will be output for a news website and social channels on mobile and desktop devices. This module includes a series of all-day newsdays which are held within the newsroom and broadcast suite. You will individually and in groups practice professional news gathering, live reporting and news production. It also includes instruction in voice coaching in small groups, trips to court and City Hall, and video presentation skills which are requirements for BJTC accreditation for all students, regardless of pathway.

This explores the digital tools that are used to build and design compelling interactive content. You will work in editorial teams to produce content for a new digital magazine edition, content-driven app or CMS-based website. You are invited to select the best tools for the output and get instruction in the design of interactive magazine digital editions, app development and website creation.

This module examines the role of Digital Marketing within the eMarketing context. It provides you with advanced knowledge of how to use web-based technologies to develop, run and manage digital marketing campaigns. You'll build your understanding and use research-led and practice-informed approaches to predict future trends and develop an analytical approach to digital marketing.

This develops your practical production skills further into making documentary radio and television. Instead of reacting to immediate events as you do in broadcast news, documentary requires a more considered approach to the subject and offers time to research and dig into the topic.

This module develops your skills in cutting-edge interactive and immersive media production technologies. You will be introduced to a range of interactive and immersive storytelling platforms. You'll research and explore different approaches to interactive video creation, geo-located audio, audio-visual interaction, and other online and interactive multimedia work. You will also be introduced to extended reality technologies and will have the chance to analyse and experiment with 360 content, immersive audio, AR projects and VR experiences. As the module progresses you'll focus on developing your own interactive or immersive production project,  learning how to implement your ideas and design them with a specific target audience in mind. In this module, you will develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills via in-class discussions, lectures and practical exercises, with opportunities for presentation and peer feedback.

Teamwork is at the core of the creative industries, so to be successful in their professional lives, you need to learn to have a voice while creating the conditions you want to work in, and to be aware of the values you stand by. Successful teamwork needs you to have a good understanding of who you are and what you can bring to others, a culture of respect and safety, a shared methodology to come to decisions, and an agreement of who is accountable for what. In this module, you will be encouraged to become more aware of your personality traits and what sort of professional environment you want to work in. You'll learn techniques to align your values to others, how to design a team alignment, how to be inclusive and give a voice to all, how to solve arising conflicts before they become problematic, how to create the right conditions for innovation and ultimately how to make yourself and the teams you work in thrive. This is a module that gives you soft skills that will serve you for life. It is hands-on, fun, experiential, co-created and deeply transformative.

An exploration of the factors that influence journalistic practices in Britain and around the world. There is a detailed discussion of the theory and contexts of media law, ethical issues, regulation, and voluntary codes of conduct that must be followed by journalists. Additionally, there is also a discussion of public affairs – local and national government.

In this module, you'll learn about the different facets of podcast making, exploring genres (e.g. journalistic/investigative, personal storytelling, fictional narrative, sports, comedy, interest groups) and the production techniques required for specific formats. You'll also learn about idea incubation, pitching, marketing and monetisation.

This module explores the use of different media practices as a means for people to tell personal stories about their own lived experience. It examines the roots of participatory media, considers different approaches to personal storytelling, explores a range of established practices, identifies emergent practice and enables you to make your own digital story.  It also addresses ethical dilemmas within participatory media practices, the impact of social media, the rise of influencers and ‘me media’ and considers the opportunity opened up by participatory platforms for more diverse media representations of identity. Mixing theoretical and practical work, the module helps you to develop an advanced understanding of a specialised area of contemporary media practice and utilise this to create stories about yourself and your experiences.

This module offers you an introduction to digital entrepreneurship. It builds an understanding of start-ups, SMEs and micro businesses and then explores how they are developed, established and financed. The focus is on the critical evaluation of technical methodologies and entrepreneurship within the creative industries.  The module teaches the research methods and transferable skills needed to realise business ideas and plans. It uses readings, research, critical theory and successful case studies to help you come up with your own business ideas and then develop them. Whilst providing you with a theoretical and critical base, the module will also build your practical skills through assessments focused on business plans and e-commerce digital solution(s).