On this course you will learn the research, scriptwriting and production skills that you will need to produce polished, professional wildlife documentaries.
As well as lectures and seminars, you will attend masterclasses given by expert practitioners with links to the television industry. Plus you will take field trips to a range of animal habitats, where you will work on individual and group projects.
During your time with us, you will learn specialist wildlife-production techniques, including long-lens and time-lapse photography and close-up sound recording. There is a strong emphasis on professional practice, and your projects will be expected to measure up to scientific scrutiny, as well as exhibition and broadcast standards.
Graduates’ final films have won many awards at national and international festivals.
The course will employ a range of teaching and learning strategies in order to meet learning outcomes. These will include:
This strategy will be integrated with an assessment strategy based on outcomes, students' reflective self-assessments and learning plans. Assessment methods will include production exercises and portfolios, projects, critical essays and a dissertation project.
Each module within the course uses and combines a number of different assessment criteria. The following styles are used within the course modules:
The course is ideal for those wishing to pursue careers in all aspects of wildlife documentary production, including directing, producing, script-writing, photography, sound recording and editing. A number of graduates are now working within the TV industry both in the UK and abroad, including several independent companies and ITV, all within wildlife documentary.
The majority of past students have found jobs in the television industry. Examples include:
This course has a number of links with media companies throughout the UK including the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol. The current external examiner for the course is the head of the BBC Natural History Unit, Andrew Jackson. Students have undertaken work experience both at the BBC, Warehouse51 Wildlife Production Company and [email protected], the post production company that works on a range of wildlife programmes for the BBC and Disney Nature. Both the course leader and the visiting fellow keep close links with companies within the TV sector, including Panasonic, Sony, Canon and Arriflex to ensure students are aware of latest technologies.
Documentary filmmaking is constantly evolving, thanks to the rise of internet and social media, there are now countless places for filmmakers to screen their work. This course will help you find an audience for the idea or subject you are passionate about, and it will support you in turning your vision into a bold and innovative film.
At the Northern Film School you will have the opportunity to explore and communicate a subject you are passionate about. We support all types of filmmaking, including campaigning and issue-led films, observational and character pieces, experimental films and wildlife documentaries. You will develop and pitch your ideas and successful ones will be made into masters projects and given real production budgets.
Workshops will train you in the craft and technical aspects of filmmaking: producing and directing, camera, sound and editing. Using our industry-standard facilities, you will produce films of integrity and importance.
As the first and only film school in the UK to receive JAMES accreditation, our Northern Film School is the ideal environment to explore your ideas and creativity. Our industry-standard facilities and experienced staff will give you the support you need to make your passion a visual reality.
You will be joining a strong and successful group of graduates, many of whom have won Oscars and BAFTAs for their work. The prestige of the Northern Film School will set you up to achieve your ambitions and our reputation will provide you with the foundation to becoming a successful documentary filmmaker. We have contacts with the BBC, ITV and Channel Four and strong connections to Sheffield International Documentary Festival where you will have the opportunity to showcase your work.
This course will prepare you for the collaborative environment of documentary filmmaking. You will gain the experience and knowledge you need to interpret your ideas and give them exposure to new audiences. Your technical and creative skills will enable you to make films you care about, ensuring your voice is heard and paving the way for your future career as a filmmaker.
