ObjectivesWe aim to give graduates from visual arts degrees (or those with equivalent professional experience) the opportunity to develop and expand their own practice through the making of short films. This predominately practice-based course encourages you to locate your work within the growing range of documentary, dramatic and experimental filmmaking and to extend the emerging visual grammars of those genres. Ultimately we offer you an opportunity to develop your skills through practice and intellectual enquiry whilst being attuned to potential audiences, markets and employers. You are expected to crew on each other's productions and to work effectively as part of a team, drawing on your peers' expertise and experience. The course also provides a thorough understanding of the principles and day-to-day practice of freelance and independent production, as well as grounding in business skills, commercial awareness and entrepreneurship. Students on the MA in Audio Visual Production (AVP) and the MA Digital Moving Image (DMI) courses are encouraged to have a creative and supportive working relationship with each other. This synergy is reflected in the sharing of three modules across both courses. The MA AVP and DMI courses are located in two adjacent dedicated studios equipped with high definition editing and animation workstations.
Entry requirements-An Honours degree in a relevant subject (film and video, communications, media studies or fine arts); or -First degree plus relevant professional experience or training; or -Extensive professional experience at a high level. All applicants are required to provide evidence of appropriate skills through a showreel. You will also be invited to attend an interview: alternative arrangements can be made for those who might find it difficult to attend, such as overseas students.
Academic titleMA Audio Visual Production
Course descriptionCourse structure
During the first part of the course you produce a commercial, short documentary and short drama exercises which develop your imaginative, technical and craft skills. Extensive learning takes place through self-directed study. In the latter stages of the course, you will produce a final production project. Filmmaking is essentially a collaborative process and a strong commitment to teamwork is an integral part of this course.
A series of research seminars and lectures help you develop your creative, methodologies and evaluative skills. You also complete a case study analysis of a major contributor to the development of TV, film or animation language.
Assessment
The main method of assessment is the formative and ongoing 'crit' of practical exercises, presentations and the final production project. A case study based on a theoretical research project, various scripts, treatments and production reports are also required. Work is usually evaluated by staff and by your student peer group, as well as by industry professionals visiting the MA, or acting as course consultants.
Career opportunities
Graduates typically gain employment in the creative industries, or develop freelance filmmaking or artistic careers. Others have progressed in their current jobs with terrestrial or satellite broadcasters, international film production companies etc. by securing promotions through their increased knowledge and experience.
Many graduates have successfully set up their own production companies and/or have had their work screened at international festivals or events. You are encouraged to develop a showreel that targets a specified market for your work.
Suitable graduates are also encouraged to apply for practice-based Doctorates, thus contributing to the emerging and exciting research culture within the department.
Attendance & duration
Full-time: one year
Part-time (day & eve): two years and one semester