MA in Filmmaking - Additional information

Programme Overview

•  Prospectus information
• Introduction
• Time commitment
• Best Short Script competition
• Project costs
• Guidelines for applicants

MA Filmmaking is a collaborative programme, which offers a broad church of specialisation in six filmmaking craft areas. It is important to note that the curriculum is not designed according to the traditional Writer-Director led film production model; neither is it an MA in each of the discrete specialist subjects.

The programme operates in two streams:

Stream 1. Producing, Directing & Editing

Stream 2. Sound Design & Cinematography

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

Students attend all the classes in one of the streams, and specialize in one area. Students from both streams work together on film shoots and exercises. Everyone is also expected to undertake the role of production assistant to the group producer in addition to their specialist role

The programme consists of a Practical Filmmaking course which accounts for 80% of the degree and a Film Theory courses which account for 20%. You are expected to pursue additional research in your particular specialisation, and are encouraged to take advantage of access to production facilities outside of taught classes. The academic content of the course concentrates on situating creative filmmaking within a wider enquiry into media practice as a cultural activity.

We encourage you to develop a variety of transferable intellectual, organisational and communication skills in order to equip yourself for a range of future employment opportunities.

“At the start of my course at Goldsmiths, I had only a vague idea of the complexities that lay behind a film. The structure of the course has allowed me to gain a level of knowledge about all aspects of filmmaking. Now I am confident enough to start my next film project knowing I have developed the resources to complete it successfully.

The daily screening of short films from all over the world were a great way of seeing how the principles and ideas we were taught could be applied. I very much enjoyed the workshops from visiting professionals; the sessions with Sound Designer David Heinemann were particularly inspiring.

My film group was truly ‘international’ and I’ve learned to see things from unexpected points of view. The great thing about Goldsmiths is the possibility of meeting people who possess the most diverse experiences: different cultures, languages and sensibilities come together and create the most unique and productive moments.”

Rocco Giansante
 Student Filmmaker / Sound Designer

 

Before enrolling on the MA in Filmmaking, I had little previous experience of Cinematography apart from learning some basic camera skills when I participated in a few independent television productions in my country, Cameroon. I knew I was fascinated by cinematography and I understood that lighting in particular was a painstaking skill that if successful, produced amazing results. However, I could not have consciously articulated the ways in which specific lighting techniques affected my understanding of a film.

As someone who began the course with limited experience in my specialist role, my learning curve has been dramatic. Our graduation film is a far cry from the first exterior exercise we attempted on campus. In between the two, I began to understand how to translate a story into cinema and how to transfer a collective vision from script to screen. Being able to read a script and make informed choices about its visual representation is a priceless skill that makes the prospect of breaking into the film industry a little less daunting.

Doreen Fonju
Student Filmmaker / Cinematographer 

 Doreen won the NAHEMI Best Cinematography award at Encounters International Short Film Festival for her graduation film ‘Mrs Bates’

 

Film cannot be taught from books. The only way to really understand the medium of cinema is by doing it. This year I had the opportunity to work on several short films that provided me with the necessary skills and capabilities to make a success of our graduation film. The challenge of directing these short films early in the year was key to cementing a good working relationship with my team. I had the pleasure of watching my team evolve and grow dramatically in the short space of a few months. Each film we created together progressed technically, aesthetically and thematically, and our screen storytelling abilities matured. Most importantly, we learned that filmmaking is not about one single element. Over the past year, I feel we have grown and developed sufficiently to be able to thrive in any professional film environment.

Lorraine Nolan

Student Filmmaker / Director