MA in Filmmaking

The Met Film School is London's leading provider of practical filmmaking courses, based in Ealing Studios.

Course Overview                                                         

The MA in Filmmaking programme, validated by Bournemouth University, consists of a series of units led by experienced filmmaking practitioners. The programme enables you to complete a portfolio of six short films, plus a Master's research or production project accompanied by an exhibition. The course is divided into eight units; Drama Production, Production for the Small Screen, Feature Film Production, Documentary Practice, Thinking Beyond: Experimental Film Conception & Creation, Working with Genre, and the final Master's research or
production project followed by the compulsory exhibition.

Within each eight-week unit you will develop an individual learning agreement with your tutor that sets out the
project objectives you will pursue in a largely selfdirected learning environment, which is combined with
two weekend workshops. Where relevant, you will have access to teaching support in disciplines such as editing
or directing, whilst you lead the necessary independent research to develop the project. You will also be expected
to engage with the postgraduate online forum, which allows you to draw upon and share the expertise and opinions of your tutors and peers.

The MA programme enables you to develop a theoretical framework based on broader conceptual issues that will inform your research and filmmaking practice. Your projects will contribute to your showreel, demonstrating your individual voice as an advanced-level filmmaker. Students who successfully complete the first six units of the programme will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking, those who complete all eight units will be awarded the MA in Filmmaking. All students must successfully complete the first six units to continue on to the Master's research or production project and exhibition phase of the programme.

There are two study routes open to MA in Filmmaking students. You can apply on a full-time basis, or alternatively you can complete each individual unit of the programme as a short course. Students who successfully complete the first six units will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking, those who complete all eight units will be awarded the MA in Filmmaking. All students, full-time or otherwise, must successfully complete the first six units to continue on to the Masters research or production project and exhibition phase of the programme. However students who choose to take each unit individually do not get access to production or post-production facilities or support. 

For more information Request A Prospectus and our enrolments team will get in touch to talk you through the course.

Production Experience

This course offers students the chance to gain experience across a range of filmmaking formats.

During the course students will complete the following film projects:

- Drama Production

- Production for the Small Screen

- Feature Film Production (the completion of a short extract, pilot or trailer)

- Documentary Practice

- Thinking Beyond: Experimental Film Concept & Creation

- Working With Genre

- Masters Research OR Masters Production Project

Students will also benefit from production support across areas including camera, lighting, sound and casting.

Course Structure

Each of the first six units that make up the initial Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking is delivered over the course of two weekend workshops, which are delivered four weeks apart and coupled with extended self-directed learning. The dates for each unit are:

- Drama Production: first weekend January 29-30, second weekend Feb 26-27 

This unit will equip you with a precise understanding of advanced filmmaking practices and narrative skills. You will develop a critical understanding of the conceptual and organisational skills necessary for drama production and apply an innovative understanding of the visual language of cinema to your work.

- Production for the Small Screen: first weekend April 9-10, second weekend May 7-8 

During this unit you will gain in-depth knowledge of small screen production industries and techniques in order to develop an innovative idea from concept to completion. The process will further your understanding of pitching and presenting a concept, as well as awareness of industry and market requirements for small screen production.

- Feature Film Production: first weekend Jun 11-12, second weekend July 9-10 

This unit will cover conceptual and professional practices relating to feature film production. You will have the option of filming a pilot, trailer or extract accompanied by a professional marketing package. Additionally, you will critically evaluate key issues of the feature film industry, such as commissioning, budgeting, finance, production management, marketing and distribution.

- Documentary Practice: first weekend August 12-14, second weekend September 10-11 

In this unit you will engage the conceptual and professional skills necessary for the creation of a documentary film for which you demonstrate an awareness of target audience and distribution outlets. You will demonstrate an informed ability to identify suitable story material and perform multiple roles simultaneously, such as director, producer, camera operator and sound recordist to an advanced industry standard.

- Thinking Beyond: Experimental Film Concept & Creation: first weekend October 22-23, second weekend November 19-20 

During this unit you will apply an informed knowledge of film and other moving image media to produce and design a creative moving-image artwork and effective exhibition. You will demonstrate your understanding of applied theories, processes and practices associated with experimental film in order to create new perspectives on the work and its subject.

- Working with Genre: first weekend January 28 2010, second weekend February 25-16 2012 

Through this unit you will develop an advanced understanding of genre and its impact on both filmmaking and audience. You will create a professional and critically informed project within a selected genre, applying your knowledge to innovate across generic conventions. You will display conceptual and practical engagement with genre across all decision-making processes, including production, marketing and distribution.

Masters Research Project   This is a project that can be individual or collaborative; it can take the form of a practice-based research artefact or
a written paper. You will research, plan and execute a significant piece of work or written investigation that fits within a theoretical, aesthetic, professional or industrial context. The practice-based research option consists of a written investigation into an aspect of practice, supported by media artefacts. The research paper option will consist of primary and secondary research supported by scholarship and will result in a paper, or book chapter of publishable standard designed for publication in a journal or book of your choice.  

Masters Production Project

The Masters Production Project is offered as an alternative to the research project. It allows you to put into practice the critical, conceptual, technical and professional skills and understandings required for the production and evaluation of a significant industry-standard production.

You must demonstrate advanced critical understanding of appropriate media and audiences. You will also be expected to experiment with form, convention, technique and practice to produce a distinctive piece of work. Additionally you will evaluate your own work in the context of academic and professional debate.

Exhibition

You will exhibit your work to a select audience of peers and professional stakeholders, which will further your understanding of industry practice and marketplace considerations. The exhibition will enable you to reflect upon the learning journey you have undertaken and the effectiveness of the exhibition will be evaluated.

All students must complete the first six modules and qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking before progressing on to the MA in Filmmaking units. 

Entry requirements:  To enrol on the Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking leading to MA in Filmmaking you will need to have completed a BA Degree in a relevant subject and have some industry experience. If you do not hold a degree qualification we would require you to have substantial, proven industry experience to be considered for the course.