Falmouth University

Film & Television MA

You will:

• Learn from our award-winning staff and interact with high-profile film and television professionals. Previous guest speakers have included Jonathan Glazer (Director, Under the Skin), Hayden Jones (VFX Supervisor/Virtual Production, The Mandalorian) and Adam Gough (Editor, American Utopia, Da 5 Bloods, Roma).
• Become part of our School of Film & Television, a member of CILECT— the global association of the world’s best film and TV schools, and establish a socially sensitive practice that fits into global networks of production.
• Build craft and critical skills to situate your work against current industry trends by taking part in production and research that mirror real-world practices.
• Become involved in our unique in-house slate of micro-budget short and feature filmmaking, along with the opportunity to work on extra-curricular live briefs and get involved with our own creative agency, MAYN.
• Graduate from a Screen Skills-accredited course.

We’ll examine how directors like Ben Wheatley and companies like Curzon and Film4 are using multi-platform release schedules. And how brands like HBO, Amazon and Netflix are shaping what we watch and how we watch it.

Exploring the blurred lines between art and technology, you’ll learn everything from journalism to philosophy to essential research skills. Crucially, on top of learning to develop, write, produce, shoot, record, direct and edit, you’ll look into why your ideas are worth being made.

Study block one

Taking part in intensive practical group work, you’ll build technical skills and nurture your creativity in all areas of short film and television project development, including learning about legal requirements, ethical standards and risk assessment. This work will be supported with a reflection on how cultural contexts frame production and audiences.

Our masterclasses and guest speaker series will introduce you to a network of experienced professionals from companies like the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and Pinewood Studios.

• Contextual Studies: Screen, Culture & Society
• Creative Practice: Foundation

Study block two

The second Study Block invites you to develop your thinking beyond the limits of western culture. Collaborating with a crew of your peers, you’ll have an opportunity to deliver a 10-minute film/TV form or screenplay inspired by research into globalisation and screen media.

You'll also get a tase of the industry with the chance to visit an international film festival and undertake work placements and internships.

• Contextual Studies: Screen & Globalisation
• Creative Practice: Development

Study block three

You’ll choose your final project depending on your career plans. If you're planning to move on to a PhD you can produce a dissertation or research portfolio involving a high level of research, a complex reading of film or television, and further discussion. Alternatively, if you want to head straight into the industry you can choose an Industry Practice Project, where you’ll make a 20-minute film /TV form or write a feature screenplay.

You'll consult your work with an assigned supervisor and share it with your peers and the course team for step-by-step feedback.

• Contextual Studies: Final Major Project
• Creative Practice: Final Major Project

The modules above are those being studied by our students or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

How you'll learn

Taking place over 45 weeks and 3 semesters, you’ll choose specialisms focused on your ideal career, and learn from industry professional mentors. Our visiting lecture programme has featured critic Dr Mark Kermode, Red Riding writer Tony Grisoni, The Midnight Beast producer Mary Burke, and Green Wing writer James Henry.

The School of Film & Television has hosted Channel 4 Talent Day, and we often help our students secure placements at Warp Films and TwoFour.

Assessment methods

• Continuous assessment with no formal examinations
• Core theory based on written assignments
• Core practice assessed on visual project and accompanying portfolios
• Elective modules all with theory/practice options
• Dissertation and/or major project in final semester

Our graduates have secured jobs at HBO, Sky and ITV, and worked on feature films including Disney’s Cinderella, About Time, and The World’s End.