MA Film Production

The MA Film Production has been designed to offer students opportunities to initiate, develop and realise original and advanced level work in fiction or factual film production, with a particular focus on directing, producing, cinematography, sound, and post-production. The programme aims to:

• Enable students to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative work in the fields of film production and post-production

• Gain detailed knowledge and understanding of key production processes and professional practices relevant to the film industry

• Understand the structure and operation of the film industry, its global scope, regulatory frameworks, business practices, markets, and audiences.

• Develop a range of transferable and entrepreneurial skills which equip students to respond to the and future career challenges

• Gain an understanding of sustainability within the film industry, the impact of production on the climate, and the ways in which the industry can impact positively in this area, through a BAFTA albert accredited series of lectures and workshops.
   

Programme structure
 

The structure of the programme is designed so that production is informed by the ideas of the writer, and writing is informed by the practicalities of production and post. Modules in film practice feature lectures and seminars on a range of concepts, practices, genres, and theories, which students discuss and develop in practice-based workshops in a range of settings, and with regular access to actors.
 

Assessment
 

The programme is modular in structure and delivery and assessment is 100% coursework. This will be a mix of presentations, written work as well as the submission of group work and practice-based work.
 

Programme delivery
 

The programme starts in September and is offered in full time (1 year) mode only leading to the award of a MA Film Production. The programme is run over two days a week - Tuesdays and Wednesdays for 6 hours each day. The course is divided into a mix of lectures, practice-based workshops, seminars, tutorials, and independent study. Some work is delivered remotely or in a hybrid fashion, to allow students flexibility in delivery and contact arrangements.
 

Student support
 

All students have a named Personal Tutor. We also provide English Language Writing support is available within the school.
 

Why choose this course?
 

• Excellent employment prospects: There are major skills shortages in the UK film industry. 30,000 new jobs are to be created in the next few years, with most areas of the industry reporting a 35% gap in skills in the workforce according to Screen Skills. Our students go on to work as runners in the assistant director department, screenwriters, post-production runners.

• Teaching excellence: Howard Berry is a multi-award-winning lecturer and industry professional, having won Tutor of the Year 2011 (Vice-Chancellor's Awards) and Inspirational Lecturer of the Year 2018 (Student-Led Teaching Awards). He has worked with Warner Brothers and the Stanley Kubrick Estate for over a decade as a consultant and expert. His last film research project involved him interviewing Steven Spielberg, Simon Pegg, Walter Murch and Sir Roger Moore. He works regularly with Elstree Studios and has been an on-air film expert for BBC Three Counties Radio for ten years.

• Work with professional actors: Our Practice module features regular workshops which involve working directly with professional actors. The module also covers important industry changes in sustainability, through its accredited BAFTA albert training and certification.

• Work experience opportunities: Previous students have gained work placements with leading organisations and productions such as BBC EastEnders.

• Industry quality facilities and equipment: Our Edit Share shared storage media asset management system workflow for post-production editing has been selected as a Finalist in the Broadcast Tech Innovations Awards 2021, for Best Innovation in Lockdown - the equivalent of a Technical BAFTA. The course also makes direct use of our own in-house oral history archive - The Elstree Project, which is a unique oral history of the film and television studios of Elstree and Borehamwood.

• Award-winning student-work: The Academy of Arts and Motion Picture Sciences: Winner 2018 Student Academy Award - Best International Documentary.

• Funding available: The Cynthia Dickinson Trust awards funding towards helping students with the cost of their filmmaking projects. The university directly funds actors for our directing and production workshops.
   

What will I study?
 

Students develop a range of skills required to work professionally within film. Under tutor supervision, students are expected to work independently and to manage the challenge of their Major Project. In readiness for the Major Project, a module focusing on the pitching, development, and context of their chosen idea supports the preparation required at industry level to produce their intended outcome.
 

Students also develop and learn skills in academic, project and industrial research methodologies – expanding their awareness of film styles, technology, finance, the marketplace, and audiences. 

Degree or previous work experience
 

To be eligible for the MA Film Production postgraduate course we consider students with either a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in a closely related field (either Film or television Production, or closely related media production-based subject) or three years working in the industry in a related subject area. Please note, we do not want applicants without experience of being on set/having made short films or broadcast television/feature films. This is not a conversion course for those wanting to move into film - this is for advanced filmmaking.
 

Portfolio
 

As part of your application students need to present at least two short film projects - documentary or scripted fiction - on which they have participated in a lead role of director, producer, or head of the department. Please note, corporate or promo videos will not be accepted, such as videos made for a local group or church.
 

Personal statement
 

A personal statement is also required which outlines your prior experience, intended industry aims and goals, and who your film industry influences are. Please note, to help ensure successful application please do not submit a description of the programme for your personal statement.
 

English language
 

All international students are required to demonstrate suitable levels of English language competence. This can be through the previous study of English tests. All undergraduates must be able to provide a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in every component.

UK Students
 

Full time

• £9750 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

EU Students
 

Full time

• £14750 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

International Students
 

Full time

• £14750 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

The Cynthia Dickinson Trust awards funding towards helping postgraduate students with the cost of their filmmaking projects. The university directly funds actors for our directing and production workshops. You can apply for this whilst on the course and is reviewed on a case by case basis.
 

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

Employment opportunities
 

There are major skills shortages in the UK film industry. 30,000 new jobs are to be created in the next few years, with most areas of the industry reporting a 35% gap in skills in the workforce according to Screen Skills.
 

Career paths
 

Graduates are equipped for careers that could lead to work in the fields of producing, directing, cinematography and camera, sound recording and sound design, editing, and screenwriting. Additional future roles could be in the fields of marketing, distribution, development, production finance and management, script doctoring, social media and online media creation and further academic writing and/or study.
 

Previous graduates
 

Our postgraduate students go on to work as runners in the assistant director department, screenwriters, post-production runners for organisations including the BBC, Envy Post-Production, Freelance are the three biggest areas of post-graduation employment. Graduates have worked their way up from runner and junior positions to Post-Production Coordinators, Assistant Editors, Assistant Producers and higher.
 

Work experience opportunities
 

Previous postgraduate students have gained work placements with leading organisations and productions such as EastEnders on the BBC.