Digital Film and Television Production (MA)

Course content

Our course is highly practical yet underpinned by theory. There is an emphasis on working in a group environment that mimics current industry practice. You’ll gain a rich understanding of the creative, business and management aspects of producing as well as essential knowledge of the tools typically used in single-camera production and postproduction.

You will gain core producing skills and then apply these in the creation of short fiction films, collaborating with students from the other MA disciplines. These works will expand your understanding of producing methods and use them to create more complex work that may, for example, involve visual effects and spatialised sound. You will also have the opportunity to produce a single camera film or TV  project with full control as producer through an extended project throughout the summer term and vacation period.

You’ll also develop transferable skills applicable beyond the world of media, such as marketing, project planning and budgeting, resource management and communication.

Modules Final project Modules You'll study taught modules and an extended project, where you produce a short dramatic or documentary film and write an accompanying report. You’ll advance your knowledge of various areas of script development, from pitching and story creation, to narrative structure and character development, to balancing creative and logistical needs. In the Group Project modules, you’ll work with other film and television production students to create films to briefs similar to those from industry. We’ll provide you with insights into the current film and television business landscape, and you’ll learn about creating proposals, client relationship techniques, legal issues, marketing, scheduling and resource management. Core Modules: Group Projects Producing for Film & TV I Producing for Film & TV II Screenwriting Individual Project Option modules: You will also study one option module each semester. Examples may include: Semester 1 Directing for Film & Television 1 Digital Cinematography I Feminism on Screen Semester 2 Business of Production and Postproduction Gaming: Industry & Culture Exploring Cultural Consumption Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course. Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning. Final project You will have the opportunity to either produce a film with full control as producer or explore a particular aspect related to producing through an extended project worth half of the credits for this course. Film & Television Production Individual Project You may choose from two different types of individual project: 1) A production project that involves creating a short film or pilot television episode – either fiction or nonfiction – along with a written 7,000-8,000 word production report describing your approach to making the project in your role as a producer. You can work either individually or collaboratively with other students on this type of project. 2) An individual research project focusing on a specific area related directly to your chosen specialism. This could take the form of a traditional written dissertation of 8,000 words or a hybrid involving the creation of some sort of artefact such as video, audio or written elements based on your research, along with a 7,000 word written dissertation describing the project. In all cases, the precise nature of the project undertaken, including the involvement of any group members or other collaborators, will be agreed with your academic supervisor prior to the start of the project.