MA in Filmmaking - Additional information

Guidelines for Applicants

• Prospectus information
• Introduction
• Programme overview
• Time commitment
• Best Short Script competition
• Project costs

• Applications for January entry will be considered between the beginning of March and the end of August of the preceding year.
  
  
• Because funding deadlines and requirements vary around the world, applications are considered on a rolling basis. For this reason, you are advised to submit your application at your earliest convenience between these dates.
  
  
• Late applications will only be considered in the unlikely event that the course is not fully recruited.
  
  
• In your application, you should clearly specify your first and second choices of filmmaking craft specialisation. The choices are:
  
  
  • Film Editing
  • Sound Design
  • Cinematography - Lighting
  • Cinematography - Camera
  • Directing
  • Producing
• Please be aware that we receive a large amount of high quality applications for this programme.
  
  
• Important elements of your application are your supporting statement and dvd showreel of moving image work.
  
  
• As we can offer only four places in each of the specialisations, prospective students are advised to think very carefully about their choices. For example we receive a disproportionate amount of applications for the Directing specialisation, which means competition for Directing places is consequently intense.
  
  
• You may be offered a place in your second choice specialisation.
  
  

• It is important to bear in mind that in addition to your specialist role, you will learn about many other aspects of filmmaking on the course.
  
  
• It is important to recognise that the MA in Filmmaking has a collaborative philosophy and is not aimed exclusively at directors. The curriculum is not designed according to the traditional Writer-Director led film production model; neither is it an MA in each of the individual specialist subjects.
  
  
• Please note that there is no screenwriting component in this programme.
  
  

• If you do not have a showreel of moving image work, you should provide us with some other way of assessing your aptitude for your chosen specialist area. For example Sound Designers may provide radio work and Producers may provide examples of work which has required a high level of organisational / collaborative ability to produce.
  
  
• It is important to bear in mind that in addition to your specialist role, you will learn about many related aspects of filmmaking on the course.
  
  
• While the Goldsmiths MA in Filmmaking is an entirely team-based programme, we are interested in you as an individual. Please tell us about your passion and aptitude for Filmmaking. What are your dreams and aspirations ? How did your engagement with visual media develop, and how has it developed in terms of professional, voluntary and personal work ?

 "I believe we have created an entertaining, daring and artistically challenging film that can touch a global audience. The Goldsmiths MA in Filmmaking not only gave me the opportunity to experience all aspects of the filmmaking process; it also allowed me to focus on the area I am most passionate about – Film Editing.

As the Editor, I felt I held the potential to transform our film into something amazing, but just as easily I could have destroyed it. This gave me a direct awareness of what filmmaking is really about – creativity and decisiveness. I expanded my storytelling ability and judgement of how to keep a story in flow – by giving the audience enough story information to keep them engaged, but also withholding information to make the audience crave to know what will happen next. This course gave me an accurate insight into what it will be like when I am working in the film industry and I look forward to applying my knowledge, skills and experience to my next project."

Mouthanna Al Sayegh
Student Filmmaker / Film Editor

 

 "Since starting the MA in Filmmaking at Goldsmiths I have managed to get to grips with the entire process of producing a high quality film. In particular, I’ve learned about the importance and difficulties of collaborating with your team; I’ve learnt the value of being able to think creatively; and also the knack of remaining decisive when under pressure. Performing so many roles on this course has enabled me to learn a phenomenal amount about collaborative filmmaking. Having had limited experience of Sound Design prior to joining the course, I have been able to learn a lot about the theory and practice of sound storytelling for the cinema. Now I am ready to apply this knowledge in my career as a young Sound Designer."

Rubel Ahmed
Student Filmmaker / Sound Designer

"Your whole life revolves around short films. There’s no world outside of making the films and gearing up for festivals. This year, our film was accepted into eight festivals and won an award at one of them!"

Helen Goossens
Student Filmmaker / Producer