International Film Production MA module details
Blocks 1 and 2
The first blocks involve developing core skills in storytelling, pitching, screenwriting, directing, producing, camerawork, sound recording and other filmmaking skills.
Developing and Selling Ideas
Block 1
This module invites students to consider commercial application, audiences, and financing at the same time as developing their creative film ideas. The module introduces students to ‘creative triangle’ writer-director-producer development, pitching, raising finance, and finding collaborators and talent. Students will be introduced to creative development and screenwriting techniques, pitching tools and techniques, alongside learning about the marketplace and financing structures. Students will develop a creative idea into a pitch deck, which will form the basis of their portfolio assessment.
Filmmaking Research and Practice
Block 2
This module will focus on the fundamental principles of storytelling via the different craft departments, including Directing, Editing, Camera, Lighting, Sound, and Production Design while addressing aspects of learning around film production skills, roles and responsibilities. Alongside this, students will engage critically in the contextual analysis of existing directors and global cinema movements, with dedicated taught sessions including on international (non-western) film movements.
Blocks 3 and 4
During these blocks, you will finesse your skills through hands-on collaborative short filmmaking. You will still benefit from the guidance of industry-experienced tutors but will become more self-led, as you manage your own teams and projects.
Pre-Production
Block 3
Building on blocks 1 and 2, this module delves into the detail of pre-production in a hands-on way, using selected short film projects as the focus of the group short filmmaking work. Early in the module students will have the opportunity to pitch projects developed in Blocks 1 and 2, and then work on realising the selected films. This module contains some workshops but is to be largely led by students as they manage their crew’s pre-production activities. Nuances of the pre-production process for different crew roles will be practiced; for example, script breakdown and scheduling, budgeting, casting, contracting/releasing, location scouting and management, rehearsing and working with actors, tech recces, shot listing and storyboarding, location lighting, production design and sound planning. Regardless of crew role all students will face the fundamental filmmaking challenges of balancing creativity with achievability, resourcefulness and problem solving, collaboration and communications, and adapting to deal with the unforeseen. This module leads into INFP5007, which is the shooting and post-production element of these film projects.
Production
Block 4
This module builds upon the previous modules, and explicitly INFP5401. It requires students to collaborate on a large film project of approximately 10 minutes using the pre-production material developed in INFP5401. Stages include production and post-production to a finished short film ready for screening. Regular meetings with the supervisory team are used to manage and assess group work. Students will be allocated roles within the production by the course team and will be expected to work as a group to realise the final project.
Block 5 & 6
Your Final MA Project
For the final project culminating the knowledge and skills developed throughout the MA, you have a choice between a practical film project (INFP5100) or a more traditionally academic dissertation (INFP5200). There are three different options for the practical film project as outlined below. Each option requires written critical reflection on your practice. For the alternative Dissertation module, you will be required to submit a proposal and will receive academic supervision.
Film Dissertation Project
Block 5 & 6
This optional/alternative module requires students to produce a major written research project which displays their expertise as researchers in the field of Film Studies or Film Production. Working in close consultation with a DMU staff member, students are required to design, research, write and submit a 15,000 extended written project. The project should reflect expertise in a relevant area of film and should demonstrate insight and accomplishment and a clear research agenda. Students who select the dissertation option will be provided with bespoke academic guidance by supervisors.
OR
Major Film Project
Block 5 & 6
This module is independently led by the student, underpinned with tutor support (each student will be assigned a project supervisor). The project submission will take the form of a Portfolio; either a Film Project (making a film, independently), Development Project (producing a longer form script and pitch deck), or a Marketing / Distribution Project which proposes a strategy for a specific film based on research. The portfolio should demonstrate project management skills, and professional industry consideration and research, as well as robust creative, logistical and analytical application. All project options require written critical reflection on your practice.