Film MA

While some modern production practices have democratized the ability for creatives to produce film projects, the fact remains that most work requires sources of funding to support the practice and the observance of certain working methods in order to bring teams together in a professional manner. The media industry employs a wide range of tools to facilitate any given film to be ‘made’.
These budgets are achieved through sourcing appropriate finance and developing media marketing strategies to help ‘sell’ a project to various audiences, from fellow practioners to potential funders.


In this way the module 'How To Get A Film Made' addresses the central elements of film production in two key ways: firstly, it introduces you to various forms of film finance available both in the UK and internationally i, covering such aspects as related legal issues and agreements with the development and production of film on a global stage. Secondly, the module emphasizes the importance of media marketing through pitch decks and transmedia strategies that are often built in from instigation.


Overall, you will be introduced to techniques of creative thinking and strategy development in financing and organization which will transfer to future professional practice and aid your future employability.

This module will introduce you to independent cinema, a mode of cinema informed by its difference from more mainstream forms of cinema. You will critically scrutinise and theorise the concept of ‘independence’ and how it operates within film to draw distinctions between – in particular – Hollywood cinema. But you will also be introduced to different modes of independent cinema, spanning underground, art film, and exploitation film, as well as looking at independent genre films. While the first half of the module will concentrate largely on an American context and address various forms of non-Hollywood filmmaking, the second half will focus on independent productions outside of America, so that there is a progression towards considering independent film from a more global perspective.

This module examines the landscape of independent film circulation, distribution, and exhibition, equipping students with both the conceptual understanding and practical tools needed to get a film seen. Topics covered include: the international film festival circuit - its structure, hierarchies, programming logics, and submission strategies; theatrical and non-theatrical distribution models; streaming and video-on-demand platforms and their relationship to independent cinema; self-distribution and DIY screening strategies; film marketing and audience development; and the role of the film programmer and curator in shaping how films are received and contextualised. You will examine these areas through a combination of theoretical frameworks, industry case studies, and guest contributions from practitioners working across distribution, exhibition, and programming. The module is designed to serve both filmmakers developing strategies for their own work and students with curatorial or programming ambitions, with dedicated attention to both perspectives throughout.

This module will introduce you to the theory and practice of writing a screenplay, including considerations around research, archetypes, plot, dialogue, screen directions. It aims to enable you to see the potential in your story ideas and develop them into a realised screenplay work. The module leader will facilitate and encourage critical discussion of the screenplay work within an informed and supportive environment and support you to develop your ability to use the techniques and processes of screenplay writing to create strong and coherent stories. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding and practical application of story structuring, by developing and writing a short form script. Thereby completing a practical demonstration of how to delineate and develop characters and how to write effective screen directions and believable dialogue. Through the process of receiving notes from your lecturer on the work and actioning those notes to a professional standard. over at least two drafts.

In this module you will develop an individual Major Project embodying, conceptualising and/or reflecting upon the practices, meanings and values that underpin Independent Cinema. This project can take the form of a 15,000 word written dissertation, a 12-15 minute Audio-Visual Dissertation with an accompanying 5,000 word critical commentary, or portfolio of practical work embodying a film or script with an accompanying 5,000 word critical commentary. This Major Project represents the culmination of your postgraduate studies on the MA Film programme. It will enable you to apply the skills you have acquired in other modules and a distinct and original piece of creative or conceptual work. As an exercise in advanced research and project development, it is intended to develop further your research and/or production skills, alongside your ability to work independently. The project may employ methodologies that require in-depth critical literature analysis, primary/secondary data collection, and/or practice-based filmmaking activities, which can include creative experimentation, tests and validation of creative methods. AS a year long module, Major Project will begin with a series of seminar/workshops which outline various research and practice-based methodologies and approaches that will inform the development of the subject for your project and your choice of project-type, which you will need to propose in the second semester. In the second semester you will be assigned a supervisor who will provide support by regular personal tutorials and correspondence throughout the module towards the completion and submission of your final project. The final project, which will be completed over the summer, will be informed by the overarching understanding of independent cinema drawn from across the year. It is the capstone project for your Masters of Film.