Comments about MA-Postgraduate Diploma Documentary Film and Video - At the institution - Bristol City - Bristol
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Objectives
The MA in Documentary Film and Video is an innovative course which allows students to pursue practical and theoretical studies in documentary. Students either produce a documentary or experimental video of up to 30 minutes, or write a dissertation. All students are encouraged to employ digital technology in the presentation of their scholarly work. The course is taught by experienced academics and film-makers and encourages an approach that acknowledges the pursuit of both theory and practice in a context that acknowledges the creative tension between them. It will appeal to those wishing to continue beyond undergraduate studies, those wishing to return to a period of study in order to engage with recent developments in the field of theory or digital video production, and those wishing to work as teachers, critics, curators, etc alongside film-making. The course, which runs both full and part-time, attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Applicants will normally have a grounding in film, media or cultural studies or a related area, a good first degree, or equivalent professional experience, as well as some practical experience in film or video or a related area of creative work.
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Entry requirements
Applicants normally have a first or upper second class honours degree where the course has included an element of film studies or film/video production, or a closely related field. Alternatively, applicants will be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge of film culture. Applicants for the Video Production pathway will need to present a portfolio of practical/creative work.
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Academic title
MA/Postgraduate Diploma Documentary Film and Video
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Course description
Content
The programme includes modules in both theory and practice.
All students take three core modules:
-Practice I - Introduction to Digital Video
-Documentary History and Theory
-Political Economy of Creative and Media Industries
Students following the Practice pathway take:
-Practice II - Production
-Practice III - Postproduction
Students following the Theory pathway:
-Choose an option from other awards (eg MA Cultural and Media Studies or MA New Media)
-Write a dissertation (which may be accompanied by multimedia materials)
Teaching and learning
The programme is taught mainly through seminars and workshops, often incorporating screenings, which encourage the sharing of knowledge, ideas and skills. Seminars involve presentations both by students and by visiting scholars and filmmakers. There will also be some lectures. Support is provided through tutorials and technical demonstration.
Assessment
Assessment methods depend on the type of module, and involve either seminar or workshop methods, but all modules are project based. Seminar or workshop presentations involve formative assessment, which takes account of students' capacity to respond to peer critique, leading to a summative piece of project work at the end of each module. In Common and Theory modules, this work may be presented in non-conventional multimedia formats. An MA with distinction shall be awarded to students of exceptional merit
