Course summary
This MA will develop your skills and creative vision in documentary production. It enhances your understanding of the historical context and contemporary modes of documentary production against a backdrop of the wider issues in media production. This Masters, a pathway of the MA Filmmaking, will encourage your understanding of the politics, aesthetics and ethics of documentary production, and the nature and diversity of documentary practice in contemporary society. The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 12th in the world (2nd in the UK) in the 2022 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies. What we offer The programme is housed in a new purpose-built media facility equipped with state-of-the art teaching spaces including a range of digital cameras, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Film Editing suites, Animation, Digital Special Effects, Pro Tools Audio Postproduction suites. You will be able to make your own documentaries, learning and refining research, interviewing, self-shooting and editing techniques – but also have the unique opportunity to be part of a programme that includes specialised producers, cinematographers, editors, sound recordists and sound designers, so that you can develop the scope and range of your filmmaking by collaborating with them. You work on at least two films during the year, culminating in a major production towards the end of the degree. In addition you can attend classes in related disciplines such as Cinematography and Editing and may collaborate with students across other specialisations on film projects. This framework is designed to provide you with a breadth of filmmaking knowledge combined with a high level of expertise in your chosen filmmaking discipline. The MA encourages you to develop:
- an awareness of documentary production techniques, ethics and aesthetics
- specific filmmaking and production management skills
- technical skills (including camera, lighting and sound editing)
- an understanding of the workings of the media and their broad cultural and social impacts
- Best Documentary at the Exposures Film Festival
- Postgraduate Factual Prize at the Royal Television Society Student Awards
- Student Award at the One World Media Awards
Modules
You will be taught the skills to be able to self-shoot and edit, but will also have the chance to work with specialised camera-people, editors and producers. You complete several short films and exercises, then make your own 15-25 minute documentary, during which you will fully explore research methods, visual and thematic storytelling, experimental and multi-platform formats and much more. For two terms you will spend a full day a week in specialised contact with your specific programme convenor, plus a further day in Screen Lab working with colleagues across the programme in a Talent Campus-style project-led learning structure with: Masterclasses Pitches Role-plays Exercises aimed at using your skills specialism in a variety of live shoot situations You will also have a variety of research projects to undertake, as well as other module options. Compulsory modules You will take the following modules: Documentary: Specialist Skills 45 credits Representing Reality 15 credits You will also complete a Final Project (90 credits), assessed by a portfolio of work and a viva that reflects your practice. Screen School options As well as your Screen Documentary specialism, you will choose option modules to the value of 30 credits to enhance your other skills and critical approaches. Examples of the modules available include: Social Activist Film 15 credits Adaptation and Script Editing 30 credits Archaeology of the Moving Image 15 credits Camera Fundamentals 15 credits Contemporary Screen Narratives in Practice and Theory 15 credits Experimental Media 30 credits or 15 credits Filmmakers Make Theory 15 credits Film Producing Fundamentals 15 credits Sound Design Fundamentals 15 credits The Ascent of the Image 15 credits Visual Storytelling 15 credits Doctor Holby: Writing for Existing Continuing TV Drama Series 15 credits Media Law and Ethics 15 credits Practical Law for Film-makers 15 credits Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject as well as a level of practical experience from work in the arts or the media. You might also be considered for the programme if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. Because funding deadlines and requirements vary around the world, applications are considered on a rolling basis from February onwards and places on the programme fill up across the recruitment cycle. For this reason, we strongly advise you to submit your completed application as early as you can. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW