MA Film and Television MA

About the course

The MA Film and Television programme offers an opportunity for students to initiate, develop and realise original film and television work in directing, producing and screenwriting. Students enhance their creative practice in film and television to professional levels, with the aim of pursuing a successful career in the industry.

Students on this postgraduate degree will decide to specialise either in directing, producing or screenwriting. Throughout the course students collaborate on production projects, each fulfilling their chosen specialist roles. The programme commences with a series of taught modules, intended to augment the student's critical judgment and technical capability, before embarking on a Major Project, in the form of a substantial screenplay or digital film.

The Major Project offers a setting in which the student can increase confidence in creative decision making, whilst expanding awareness of the requirements of film style and technology, finance, marketplace and audience. Students broaden their knowledge and experience to gain a better understanding of film and television production and its professional and commercial practices. They undertake a programme of screenings, master classes and seminars, to extend their knowledge of film and television histories, genres, aesthetics and narrative processes and to develop a range of research and communication skills. Students are encouraged to develop the aesthetic and conceptual awareness required to analyse and critically situate their work within current theoretical, cultural and commercial contexts.

Through a series of practical workshops students develop the range of skills required to work professionally within film and television. The modules focus on script development, working with actors, camerawork, lighting, sound recording, post production techniques, funding, distribution and other relevant areas.

You will benefit from the expertise and creative ideas of students working in specialised areas elsewhere in the School (eg Visual FX, Special FX, Animation or Music) whose input can enhance the professionalism of your major projects.

Regular screenings are run to broaden your understanding of film and television and enhance the taught modules. You are encouraged to develop the aesthetic and conceptual awareness you will need to analyse film and television critically. The taught modules are intended to provide a basis from which you can embark on substantial original creative projects, whether as a director, producer or scriptwriter.

Find out more with this leaflet on the course.

Why choose this course?

• The MA Film and TV degree provides an exciting opportunity to learn advanced producing, directing and screenwriting techniques and to build professional links within the UK and international film and television industry.
• This postgraduate degree provides a practical and intensive study of filmmaking in an environment that encourages experimentation, professional development and cutting edge ideas. Students work with up to date professional equipment and facilities and, as part of their Masters Degree, produce, direct or write a major film project with an individually tailored marketing and distribution strategy.
• The University of Hertfordshire film programmes and post-graduate school regularly host industry professionals who lecture and conduct workshops, seminars and tutorials. We work closely with the industry to enable students to connect directly with their future employers and mentors.
• The combination of creative, technical, practical and management skills make this course unique and our graduates highly successful, as employees or as independent filmmakers.
• See our MA Film and TV Vimeo Channel for showreels and alumni activity.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

You will also have the opportunity to exhibit your work at the University and there are good opportunities to develop your teaching experience by mentoring undergraduate students in your subject area. When you successfully complete your MA, you will have made a very substantial addition to your CV and have a clear understanding of the next steps in the development of your career.

 

Teaching methods

You are taught in an intensive mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, masterclasses and industry guest sessions. Tutorial support is offered in small groups and one-to-one, with further support available online and by email.

All students on the PG Media programme engage in an interdisciplinary project as a part of their MA study, giving them an opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in an experimental and creative way.

Professional Accreditations

Skillset Media Academy

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Creative Enterprise and Context

  This module emphasises the professional contexts of the student's work both in terms of its content and in terms of the kind of outcomes used for assessment. A series of lectures present ideas about key issues in the Creative Industries and Health and Social sectors. The lectures provide a broad context for ideas about the emergence and future of the Creative Industries and Health and Social sectors about Intellectual Property Rights, about the social conditions of the workplace and about the planning and management of projects. 'Break out' seminars lead to the student producing a piece of work that explores topics relevant to their award of study. Alongside these is the development of professional 'presentation of self' skills appropriate for the student's aspirations. This includes the development of portfolios, showreels and other material and skills in preparing and delivering a pitch or bid for funding as if for a Creative Industries or in the Health and Social sectors.

• Discourse / Reflection: Professional Project Development

  Directing Performance Acquiring the skills and techniques for working with professional actors, in preparation for your first industry project; in a series of workshops you will explore existing scripts and test out scenes from your developing project. The module explores the range of techniques required to work effectively with actors and crew in a creative team. By examining dramatic writing in performance, there is an opportunity to explore the impact of performance upon text. The module concentrates on the key contribution of actors to the production process. Students have the opportunity to test out scenes in a studio setting with actors, who offer feedback on issues of performance and textual interpretation. This presents an opportunity for students to re-evaluate their working methods, sharpen their focus and develop their directorial skills in accordance with industry expectations. The emphasis is on encouraging professional practices by which students can work creatively with actors and crew to enhance their current and future projects. The module explores the process of casting, rehearsal and directing actors for the camera. Advanced Pre-Production This module explores and applies the skills required to plan and prepare a professional film and television production. It provides an overview of scheduling and budgeting for a professional film or TV production, as well as protocols of working with cast and crew.

• Major Study: Film and Television

  This module enables students to realise a sustained digital film project at Masters level. Supported by a number of technical workshops throughout the course on camera, sound and editing, there are also one-to-one tutorials and industry mentoring sessions during the various stages of the production process, in order to assist in generating independent, student-managed project work at an advanced level. In collaboration with the other MA students and external crew, each student in their role as either director, producer or writer, contributes to the writing, planning, directing and editing of a 10-15 min digital film. The course provides equipment for filming in the UK and editing on-site, with additional production costs being met by the students. Students receive continued tutorial support and professional advice throughout their digital film project. This student collaboration is also encouraged in the development of the scripting, producing and directing of the work within previous modules. There is also the possibility of further crewing with students and graduates of the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production Course. This module enables students to realise a sustained project at Masters level. Students fulfil the director's, producer's or screenwriter's role in the writing, planning, shooting and editing of a digital film. The director, producer and writer are responsible for the shaping of the film through the stages of writing successive drafts, casting, visualisation, editing and sound design. Students write a Production Narrative of the film making process to accompany their final submission. When the project is complete, students also write a Reflective Essay exploring the process of realising the project, reflecting on what they have learnt from the process. This project will typically demonstrate competence at an advanced level and display an understanding of emerging issues and current professional practices of film and TV directing, producing and screenwriting.

• Practice 1: Script Development, Film and TV

  This module explores the craft of storytelling, central to the work of screenwriters, directors and producers. Students consider a range of screenwriting methods and theories, alongside examples for professional films and original screenplays, from the theoreticians like Propp, Campbell and Vogler, to the practical analysts like McKee - they will explore the methods and ideas of Hollywood cause and effect to the more elliptical, realist strategies of European and World arthouse cinema. Examining scene and art structure, linear and non-linear storytelling, developing character and their relation to narrative, exploring theme and building subtext through dialogue. Casting action-ideas, suspense and dramatic irony. Analysing films for the role of visualisation, motif and symbolism. Students begin work on developing their own scripts for their MA Film Project and for an assessed shorter (5 min) script; generating treatments, story outlines and character breakdowns. Students also learn to prepare professional Script Reports, analysing story premise, structure, characters, dialogue, pace, visualisation, setting, mood, genre, commercial and social context. Comparing their observations to existing commercial reports and writing two reports of their own on scripts recently submitted to professional film and TV companies.

• Practice 2: Camera, Sound and Editing

  This module aims to enhance the student's understanding of video cinematography, lighting, sound recording and post-production processes. The module aims to enhance the student's understanding of video photography, lighting and sound recording. Students engage with and critically analyse, a range of camera, sound and editing styles in order to enhance their aesthetic and technical awareness. A programme of screenings and analytic studies of film enhances the student's understanding and awareness of aesthetic approaches to camerawork, sound and post-production. Students reflect on approaches to visualising projects through framing, camera movement, mis en scene and lighting, refining their awareness of shot composition and staging. The aim is to enhance visual storytelling awareness and skills, with a series of masterclasses, workshops and practical exercises. They will also examine technical aspects of camera operation, formats, lenses and filters and the operation of grip equipment. In distinct workshops students will also gain experience of sound recording and mixing, as well as editing in Final Cut Pro and Post-production. There will be analysis and practical exercises exploring different shooting and editing styles and approaches. The technical aspects of the course are taught by practicing directors, lighting camera operators, sound-recordists and editors. The module is delivered in a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials. The aim is to provide a broad educational experience, offering students varied professional perspectives. At the same time, students continue to work on the outlines and scripts for their Digital Film projects and receive further feedback on their proposals.

• Research and Enquiry

  This module aims to provide students with a range of research skills suitable for postgraduate level study in art, art therapy, design, film, media and music. The module helps students locate their work within contemporary advance-level practice in their disciplines and to make a critical evaluation of the bodies of ideas that sustain them. Key skills addressed include those of data management, critical evaluation, communication skills, notions of creativity and a range of modes of contextual analysis. The skills gleaned on this module will provide students with a platform for research for the remainder of the programme and in their future careers.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £6,700 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £11,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply