MA Filmmaking (Screen Documentary)

Program Overview

This Master's program in Screen Documentary develops students' skills and creative vision in documentary production. It provides a comprehensive understanding of documentary techniques, ethics, and aesthetics, as well as specific filmmaking and production management skills. Students work on multiple films throughout the program, culminating in a major production, and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry connections. Graduates pursue successful careers in various roles within the film and television industry.

Program Outline

The program encourages you to develop:

• Awareness of documentary production techniques, ethics, and aesthetics
• Specific filmmaking and production management skills
• Technical skills (including camera, lighting and sound editing)
• Understanding of the workings of the media and their broad cultural and social impacts
The program is housed in a new, purpose-built media facility equipped with state-of-the-art teaching spaces, including:
• A range of digital cameras
• Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere film editing suites
• Animation and Digital Special Effects
• Pro Tools Audio Postproduction suites

You will be able to:

• Make your own documentaries
• Learn and refine research, interviewing, self-shooting and editing techniques
• Be part of a program that includes specialized producers, cinematographers, editors, sound recordists and sound designers, so that you can develop the scope and range of your filmmaking by collaborating with them

In addition, you can attend classes in related disciplines such as Cinematography and Editing and may collaborate with students across other specializations on film projects. This framework is designed to provide you with a breadth of filmmaking knowledge combined with a high level of expertise in your chosen filmmaking discipline.

Outline:

This includes:

• Masterclasses
• Pitches
• Role-plays
• Exercises aimed at using your skills specialism in a variety of live shoot situations

Compulsory modules:

• Documentary: Specialist Skills (45 credits)
• Representing Reality (15 credits)

Final Project (90 credits):

• Assessed by a portfolio of work and a viva that reflects your practice.

Screen School options (30 credits):

• A variety of options are available to enhance your other skills and critical approaches.
Examples include:
• Social Activist Film (15 credits)
• Adaptation and Script Editing (30 credits)
• Archaeology of the Moving Image (30 credits)
• Camera Fundamentals (15 credits)
• Contemporary Screen Narratives in Practice and Theory (15 credits)
• Experimental Media (30 or 15 credits)
• Filmmakers Make Theory (15 credits)
• Film Producing Fundamentals (15 credits)
• Sound Design Fundamentals (15 credits)
• The Ascent of the Image (15 credits)
• Visual Storytelling (30 credits)
• Doctor Holby: Writing for Existing Continuing TV Drama Series (15 credits)
• Media Law and Ethics (15 credits)
• Practical Law for Film-makers (15 credits)

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Portfolios of work
• Vivas
• Presentations
• Essays
• Examinations

Assessment criteria are based on:

• Originality and creativity
• Technical proficiency
• Critical thinking skills
• Research skills
• Communication skills

Teaching:

The teaching methods are varied and include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Individual tutorials
• Guest lectures
• Field trips

Careers:

Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in a variety of roles within the film and television industry, including:

• Directors
• Producers
• Editors
• Camera operators
• Sound recordists
• Writers
• Researchers
• Academics

Other:

• The program is accredited by Creative Skillset.
• The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (3rd in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
• The program is designed to be flexible and can be tailored to meet the individual needs of students.
• The program is open to students from all backgrounds and nationalities.

Annual tuition fees These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year. Home - full-time: £14120 International - full-time: £28580