Program Overview

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Film (MA)

Overview

Film is the most important mass medium and art form of modern times. Shaping our modes of perception and communication, it is popular in its appeal and radical in its practices. It has transformed our ways of seeing and storytelling. Film-making and criticism is an area of immense interest, pleasure, and creativity. Supported by state-of-the-art film teaching and production facilities, the MA in Film at Queen's aims to offer a rich, diverse curriculum designed to enable students to specialise in practice-based and critical approaches to film, and other media arts.
In particular, students will develop skills in the analysis of film and media arts and apply these skills in the production of creative projects, and critical work. Throughout the programme, students will acquire basic or enhanced film production skills. They will also acquire transferable skills valued by employers: creative thinking, verbal and visual communication, problem solving, project management, and teamwork.

Film Highlights

• World Class Facilities: State-of-the-art digital production and post-production facilities, as well as substantial lighting and grips kits, and a purpose-built 'black box', giving students the opportunity to film in a multi-purpose, professionally equipped studio.
• Industry Links: Strong contacts with the local film and broadcast industry, enabling us to organise regular meetings with industry professionals, workshops for students interested in a career in film and the creative industries.
• Professional Accreditations: We are an Avid Learning Partner, and Film students are offered the opportunity to become certified in the use of Media Composer video editing, an industry qualification and valuable addition to any CV.

Course Structure

Full-time students:

For full-time students the MA Film degree runs from September to September, with graduation normally in December. Full-time students complete a total of three modules per semester (60 credits).

In semester one, full-time students take FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (compulsory), plus two optional modules.

In semester two, full-time students take FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (compulsory), plus two optional modules.

The FLM7005 SUM Dissertation module is taken in the summer (June to September). To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Dissertation module. The Dissertation module includes the major creative project as one option.

In summary, the MA in Film degree for full-time students consists of the following:

Semester one:
FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (compulsory)
Plus two additional modules

Semester two:
FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (compulsory)
Plus two additional modules

Summer (June to September):
FLM7005 SUM Dissertation (compulsory, 60 credits).
The major creative project is offered as one option within the Dissertation module.

Part-time students:

Part-time students may complete the MA Film degree in two or three years. For part-time students, FLM7018 must be completed in year one, and FLM7019 in year two. Part-time students take three modules per year (60 credits per year), followed by the Dissertation module (60 credit module). The Dissertation may be completed in the summer of year two (for those pursuing the degree in two years) or in an additional third year. To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Dissertation module. The Dissertation includes the major creative project as one option.

In summary, the MA in Film degree for part-time students consists of the following:

Year one:
FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (compulsory)
and two additional modules.

Year two:
FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (compulsory)
and two additional modules.

For part-time students, FLM7005 Dissertation (60 credits) is taken the summer of year two (FLM7005 SUM), or in a third year (FLM7005 FYR).

Exit qualifications are available: Students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 credits of taught modules, including FLM7018. Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules.

Compulsory Modules

• FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (20 credits, compulsory)
• FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (20 credits, compulsory)
• FLM7005 SUM Dissertation or FLM7005 FYR Dissertation (60 credits, compulsory)

Optional Modules

Modules are subject to change. Not all modules will be available every year.

• FLM7008 Film Practice (20 credits; creative practice)
• FLM7010 Screenwriting (20 credits; creative practice)
• FLM7012 Political Film: Form and Conflict (20 credits)
• FLM7013 European Film Industries and Digital Cultures (20 credits)
• FLM7016 Avant-Garde and Experimental Filmmaking (20 credits; creative practice)
• FLM7017 Censorship, Regulation and Audiences (20 credits)
• FLM7020 The Film Soundtrack (20 credits)
• FLM7021 Global Film Cultures (20 credits)

Module Descriptions

• FLM7008 Film Practice (20 credits; creative practice)
  This is a practice-based course on the methods, processes and creative competencies involved in the development of a film project. The emphasis in the module is on the combination of theory and practice within a workshop setting to develop project ideas into a coherent form that can be successfully researched, shot, edited and exhibited. Accordingly, the course uses different modes of teaching and learning which are designed to complement each other in order to develop skills and awareness of the development and management of film projects in preparation for production.
• FLM7010 Screenwriting (20 credits; creative practice)
  This is a practice-based course covering the methods, processes and research techniques involved in the development of a screenplay, with a particular focus on the short film format. The course uses different modes of teaching and learning which are designed to complement each other in order to develop skills and awareness of the writing process. Students are encouraged and enabled to develop material through a series of writing exercises and assignments. Moreover, they are introduced to different approaches, formulae and guiding principles recommended for successful screenwriting. Class time involves workshops, screenings and script analyses. Students will explore the conceptual and practical aspects of screenplay writing underpinned by in-depth class discussion and feedback. As well as contributing to discussions during class, students are expected to support their colleagues by offering constructive critiques of each other’s work as well as by actively participating in script readings and workshops as the semester goes on.
• FLM7012 Political Film: Form and Conflict (20 credits)
  In tracing the relations between film and political conflict, this module examines how images – representations – of society have competed for significance at different historical moments, from the revolutionary experiments of the early twentieth century to the radical counter-cultures 1960s, and beyond. Throughout the module students study a range of international films, addressing such questions as: How has film language been extended and transformed by the pressure of contemporary political commitments and social circumstances? How effective are different approaches to political filmmaking (propagandistic, realistic, allegorical, satirical, essayistic, avant-garde, etc.)? Is it ever possible for filmmakers to articulate an authentically radical – dissident, even – political vision by means of conventional and essentially conservative film forms? Does a corrupt polity or repressive state necessarily discredit films made under its influence, or auspices? How important are filmmaking groups or collectives to the ideological integrity of political cinema? How important is the distribution history of a particular film to an assessment of its political significance? What does it mean to make films politically?
• FLM7013 European Film Industries and Digital Cultures (20 credits)
  This module aims to introduce students to the various practices of film industry through a specific focus on European cinema. Methods and theories supporting the critical study of media industries through a series of case studies covering such topics as the marketing, critical reception, distribution and exhibition of films, looking in particular at the impact of digitalisation. In doing so, the course will also cover theories of national and transnational cinemas, globalisation, marketing and production studies. Students on this module will engage with theorisations of the production, promotion circulation and reception of cinema, and will be required to analyse both theoretical texts and primary source materials in order to gain fuller understanding of these topics.

This module also provides an overview of the methodological issues involved in the actual practice of carrying out research projects on the topics discussed. Students will learn about the various industrial approaches to understanding films and filmmakers, and gain the study skills necessary to conduct their own research project.

• FLM7016 Avant-Garde and Experimental Filmmaking (20 credits; creative practice)
  This module is intended to develop students’ creative skills and conceptual understanding of experimental filmmaking. The class is built around the development and production of a short experimental film.
  We’ll begin by exploring how we can characterise or define experimental film. We will then consider important historical forms of experimental film, which may include essay, lyrical, and/or landscape films, looking closely at examples. By understanding the ideas, approaches and techniques of filmmakers working in these forms, we will seek to extend and develop our own filmmaking practices, and formulate a project for production in class. After this, we will focus on particular areas of moving image practice, including image making and sound recording, and develop our craft skills in these areas as appropriate. An important aspect of the class will be presenting and discussing student work.
• FLM7017 Censorship, Regulation and Audiences (20 credits)
  This module will explore censorship, film regulation and audiences within British Cinema. It will use a variety of historical and contemporary case studies to explore the legislative and industrial frameworks, which shape practices of film censorship and the critical and cultural debates which surround discussions of the regulation of cinema.

It will look at local example of film censorship to examine the hierarchies of power at work in exhibition and regulation of film and cinema. It will also examine the role played by audiences in determining what will and what will not be shown. Case studies may include Last Tango in Paris, The Exorcist. The Devils, The Life of Brian, The Hunger Games, Casino Royale.

• FLM7020 The Film Soundtrack (20 credits)
  This module serves as a guide to the film soundtrack offering a critical overview of its history, technical processes, aesthetics and key theoretical approaches in order to elucidate its expressive and narrative potential. In addition to delineating the processes of production and post-production, it explores the nuances of the film soundtrack, examining how its various elements such as dialogue, sound effects, foley sound, environmental recordings, soundscapes and music coalesce to form a complex audiovisual relationship with the image. Further to this, it will also explore key scholarly approaches to film sound in order to enhance critical understanding of film.
• FLM7021 Global Film Cultures (20 credits)

This module explores a range of film cultures, their engagement with global dynamics and how cinema produces plural modes of imagining the world. The module is divided into two parts. The first part emphasises filmmaking in the context of globalisation, aesthetic trends and the spaces where audiences encounter and consume cinema. The second part focuses on how different film cultures nurture and challenge imaginations about the world to address contemporary global challenges, such as transnational migration and the environmental emergency. The module considers a range of film forms, practices and genres, which are contextualised alongside the ideas of globalisation, world cinema, cosmopolitanism, decoloniality and post-humanism. It equips students with relevant critical approaches and theoretical frameworks to analyse contemporary film cultures. Case studies may vary each semester, and students are expected to engage with cinematographies beyond US production and European cinema.

People Teaching You

• Cahal McLaughlin
• Richard O'Sullivan

Teaching Times

Morning, Afternoon and Evening. Part Time mode of study is over two or three academic years.

Learning and Teaching

Each module involves a weekly session of two to four hours, consisting of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, and/or screenings.

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Reports
• Practice-based exercises and projects
• Dissertation: students may choose to undertake a 15,000 word dissertation; or a short film with accompanying essay; or a screenplay with an accompanying essay; or an alternative creative project agreed with programme convenor and designated supervisor, with an accompanying essay. Written dissertations, creative projects and accompanying essays must be in accordance with the parameters specified for the FLM7005 module, including wordcounts.

Entrance Requirements

• Graduate: Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or a cognate discipline.
• International Students: Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £7,300
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £7,300
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,250
• EU Other: £21,500
• International: £21,500

Additional Course Costs

Students may incur costs attending and travelling to performances. The estimated maximum cost is £100 per year. Students may also incur some costs for props or costumes.

Students will incur some costs in producing their short films, if they pursue this option. For example, students may need to cover the costs of props or costumes. The level of costs will depend on the nature of the particular project. Students will need to purchase a USB3 Hard Drive to store video footage for creative practice modules. Access to the Avid Learning Central platform, which includes the AVID Media Composer course and exam, costs £95-£100 (optional; subject to change).

Career Prospects

This MA programme provides a qualification and professional development opportunities ideally suited to a career in film, television and other moving- image and broadcast media. It is also popular with students intending to or already working in education, research, and the wider creative industries sector.
Recent graduates from this programme have gone on to work as freelance filmmakers, script editors, assistant producers, programme researchers, schedule coordinators, and teaching posts in Film and Moving Image Arts.

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Modules

• FLM7005 Dissertation (60 credits)
• FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (20 credits)
• FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (20 credits)
• FLM7017 Censorship, Regulation and Audiences (20 credits)
• FLM7016 Avant-Garde and Experimental Filmmaking (20 credits)
• FLM7012 Political Film: Form and Conflict (20 credits)
• FLM7010 Screenwriting (20 credits)
• FLM7008 Film Practice (20 credits)
• FLM7013 European Film Industries and Digital Cultures (20 credits)