Filmmaking - MA

The MA Filmmaking programme will engage you in the production of advanced digital film products.

You will study modules in the production and technology of videography (shooting, editing, post-production), together with specialist modules in film industry practices, music video commissioning and film history and context.

Students will also be taught theoretical and historical/contextual analysis and creative processes such as visualisation and storyboarding.

Graduates of this programme will have acquired the tools of critical analysis, ideas-generation and industry understanding to go on to produce successful practical projects.

The inter-relationship between theory, creativity and practice is increasingly valued by employers, and the programme builds on a strong School tradition of integrating theory and practice.

This MA in Filmmaking will enable you to produce cinematic projects that will be technically effective whilst being strong on content.

What you will study

The programme is intended to enable you to develop a deep understanding of the development and current status of the film industries and institutions, the products they make, and their audiences.

Core Modules

• Cinematic Language
• Independent Filmmaking
• Film Industry Practices
• Post Production
• Visualization and Storyboarding
• Short Form Commissioning
• MA Project

Learning and assessment

The MA Independent Filmmaking programme uses a variety of learning and teaching strategies, all of which are intended to facilitate to development of independent learning. After some initial theoretical, research and creative modules, practice will be facilitated through a series of core and optional modules that help you develop your own project ideas in partnership with tutors and supervisors. A great deal of autonomy is integrated into this programme whilst maintaining as much of a taught component as is necessary for theoretical and contextual studies.

Learning and teaching strategies include formal lectures, practical workshops, seminar and tutorial work. The types of assessment that these strategies involve (discursive essays, oral presentations, assessment of practical videographic and photographic/still image projects etc.) will allow you to effectively and independently integrate theory, creativity and practice, a key aim of the programme. As is common practice in arts and media education, and due to the creative nature and negotiated aspects of the programme, formal examinations are not used as assessments.

Facilities

As a student you will have free access to a variety of high-spec filming equipment, including; DSLR to HD4 cameras; editing labs open 24/7; photographic studios with green screen technology; sound recording studio. Depending on your production projects you may also have the opportunity to work with our state-of-the-art Outside Broadcast Truck, Television Studio and Motion Capture Suite.

Career prospects

This course will prepare you for a career in film and television production in research, content creation, scriptwriting, camera, sound, lighting, editing, studio and location management, production management, producing and directing.

Graduates have also gone on to develop their own independent film companies and teacher training.

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

The Programme Leader is the academic tutor responsible for each students enrolled onto the programme. Students are expected to meet twice per semester with their Programme Leader, in a timetabled slot, but have the opportunity to see them more often via a weekly, drop-in office hour.

Research

Most of our staff are research active, and contribute to the cutting edge of their disciplines. Our Academics have extensive industry experience and engage in film history research. Bradford has a strong pedigree of world leading research, and our aim is to ensure that students benefit from our staff’s insight into the future of their subject.

Independent Filmmaking is taught by a team of active researchers that form part of the Communication, Culture and Media research group. 

The research group hosts a seminar series with leading experts which students are invited to attend.

Visit the Filmmaking - MA page on the University of Bradford website for more details!