Creative Digital Media Production, BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate

This course offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of creative media industries through the analysis of a range of media products across different media forms including advertising, film, and television. Students pitch, plan and produce their own media products, such as music videos and short films, using industry standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite. Students have access to an editing suite, plus HD DSLR cameras, sound and lighting equipment, and dedicated studio spaces for production work.

Students will gain an understanding of industry processes and techniques which will help them make a creative portfolio to use at university or in future jobs.

This BTEC could be studied alongside any other A Level or BTEC course but may combine particularly well with:

• Photography
• Art (Fine Art)
• Graphics
• Film Studies
• Business
• Performing Arts
• Information Technology
• Product Design (3D Design)

The course is aimed at students who may wish to pursue a career in the creative media industries and will develop the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in this expanding field. It will also develop skills that may be transferable to other careers that require effective planning, digital skills, organisation, project management and creativity.

The course covers a wide range of topics. Students will learn how to:

• Create, plan and edit a wide range of products, such as a short films, music videos, adverts/TV dramas and radio productions.
• Analyse examples of existing media products such as film, TV and radio.
• Use industry standard hardware and software, such as Adobe Creative Suite and our sound studios, to produce media products.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of course-specific trips, visits and experiences. In recent years, these have included:

• Reigate College’s Film and Media Awards evening
• Talks from visiting Industry specialists about careers and opportunities in the creative industries
• BFI Film Academy opportunities to participate in one-day and residential courses
• A trip to New York where students had a range of experiences including a guided tour of the Museum of the Moving Image as well as the chance to see locations used in various productions
• Visits to local Media companies
• Work experience opportunities where possible
• A visit to the Warner Bros. Studio tour
• Trips to the BFI in London for special study days, screenings and lectures on course related topics
• Chances to complete practical work “on location”

In addition to course specific experiences, students also have the opportunity to get involved in the College’s Activities Programme. Activities related to the creative industries include; Radio Production, Young Journalist, College Newspaper, Photography club, Film Club, Practical Filmmaking and many more.

All students need to gain an experience of the work place during their time at College and for students studying vocational courses it should ideally be linked to one of their subject areas.

This course is predominately assessed through creative coursework which is worth 60% of the final grade. In addition, students will complete a practical exam, in response to a brief.

All students need to have at least 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (and a satisfactory reference) in order to be accepted on to an A Level/BTEC Level 3 programme.

In addition, students should meet the following minimum entry requirements:

• Grade 4 in GCSE English Literature or Language

Students will enjoy this course if they are:

• Keen to produce their own media products
• Well organised and can manage their time effectively
• A team player who is happy to work with others
• Better suited to coursework assessment rather than written exams
• Considering a career in the creative media or a related industry

What’s the difference between the Level 3 BTEC Creative Digital Media Production course and A Level Film Studies?

In Creative Digital Media Production you will cover a range of different media forms across the course including traditional and new media. 

In Film Studies you will study films from a broad variety of academic perspectives.

Both courses start with analysing images and discussing representation of social groups, places and events. Film sticks just with film while Media covers the broad spectrum of media. 

The practical content is larger in BTEC Creative Digital Media with a focus on practical film production skills. The course revolves around media industry-based ideas and issues. It gives you a very good insight into key roles, practices and processes of industry. 

Film Studies, apart from the 30% Making Short Film unit, has an emphasis on theory and analysis. Both courses can be studied together and give those who want to pursue a career in this area a good knowledge and skill base.

What’s the difference between BTEC Level 3 Creative Digital Media Production and Media Studies A Level – apart from the qualification?

Both involve theory and practical production.

However, the A Level has more emphasis on theory and involves more exam assessment (70% exam assessed). You will study media forms and academic theories on the A Level course.

The Creative Digital Media Production course involves theory and analysis but also includes units that have more of a vocational focus, helping students develop skills such as responding to a brief and planning for production as well as production techniques. If you are considering a career in this area, this course will allow you to develop good academic skills plus a strong understanding of working professional practices.

What kind of job/career will this lead to?

The Film and Media Industries are developing and expanding at a greater rate than most other sectors of the UK economy. In recent years there has been a huge investment by large media corporations in UK production facilities. 

For the first time ever the industry is getting worried it will not be able to fill the vacancies. 

The Creative Digital Media Production course helps prepare students for a broad range of possible progression routes both in the media Industries and beyond. See some examples here – https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/media-studies

The Creative Digital Media Production course helps students develop a range of transferable skills (see course information for details) that are in demand across many industries. Organisations such as the British Film Institute and Screenskills provide education opportunities, skills workshops and careers advice.

Do you need your own equipment?

We will provide the filming equipment and software students will need for practical production work. These are all compatible with our systems and we do not encourage students to buy or use their own equipment due to this. The only cost to students is we require them to purchase an SD Card from our shop as these are compatible with our equipment (the cost is approximately £11.50), and to provide their own 3.5mm wired headphones. These are both requirements of the course and should be brought to every lesson.

What other subjects work well with Film?

There is no bad combination with Creative Digital Media Production, as it is a course that involves a wide range of academic and creative skills. It may be useful to study it alongside essay or art based subjects such as Politics, History, Film or Photography, but we have students studying a wide variety of courses alongside their Creative Digital Media Production BTEC such as Maths, Business and PE.