Course summary
MA Directing is designed for you to develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a director in today’s multi-faceted screen industries. Today’s director must be knowledgeable about industry, entrepreneurial, multi-skilled, and able to bring a deep understanding of story and performance in different contexts. Through the programme, you will acquire advanced insight into the interpretation of scripts, visual storytelling, and working across a variety of screen platforms and industry contexts. You will develop your skills in directing actors, learning about the director’s role as a leader and collaborator, and working to realise client briefs and audience expectations. You will learn to recognise the importance of diversity and progressive working practices in your approaches to content making. Why Take the Course?
- Practical: Through hands-on exercises, workshops, seminars, masterclasses, and screenings, students will gain the practical skills and knowledge required to work as a director.
- Industry-facing: Work collaboratively with students on other MA pathways as a part of a creative crew to mirror industry practice on shooting exercises. Experience what it takes to deliver a project, and develop communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
- Real-life Experience: Learn the importance of working on a creative brief as a director while completing a project for an external company. Our students have previously worked with companies including Nespresso, Stonewall, Time out, DHL, HM Treasury, and Fender Guitars.
- Portfolio: Students have the opportunity to undertake a number of directing exercises, including a short-form project for an external industry client, and a final project.
- Professional tutors: Many of our teaching staff are currently working in the industry as: TV and film directors, first assistant directors, writers, and more*.
Modules
Please download the Course Specification for a complete overview of MA Directing modules. Find below an overview of the key learning themes that this course will cover. Directing Craft and Industry The key roles and responsibilities of the contemporary director are explored through the perspective of story development and creative collaboration in the production of screen content. You will develop an understanding of content, industry, and audiences, to pitch a feature film or television project to a panel. During the early weeks of the module, you will work with students to make a short video using a camera phone, based on something that you would like to say. Directing for Film You will focus on the practical challenges of creating a self-contained, narrative film. You will cover a range of skills appropriate to the role of the director, including project planning, rehearsing and shooting with actors, visualising the story and on-set protocols. In addition, you will look at creative troubleshooting and working in a collaborative environment. Professional Profile You will develop authentic and detailed career paperwork and supporting materials including a CV and personal profile. As part of the module you will be offered Elective Upskilling sessions – opportunities to develop screen industry skills outside of your chosen discipline or as part of your multi-skilling profile. Directing to a Client Brief Working with production teams drawn from the other pathways, you will work as a director and in other roles on a number of videos for external clients. You will develop ideas, engage in appropriate preparatory work and direction, alongside gaining insight into a range of production roles and responsibilities. Directing Television You will understand the hierarchical relationships between director, writer, and producer in the creation and delivery of serialised narrative content. You will learn to work to a house style alongside initiating a series ‘look’ or vision. Practice-based Research Building on the work of previous and concurrent modules, you will gain a deeper insight into current theories, principles, and discussions relating to issues of diversity, sustainability, and ethics within the screen industries, and continue to engage with content about/from diverse cultural/social/gender groups of contributors in the UK and across the world. Final Project and Career Plan Your third collaborative project gives you the opportunity to work independently to create work that demonstrates your development as a director. Your project is an opportunity to deliver work that is distinctive, industry-facing, based in research, and reflects awareness of a diverse and inclusive world. You will also refine your career plan in preparation for entering or re-entering the screen industries on graduation.
Assessment method
We include a diverse range of learning and teaching methods, which include: Productions Seminar-style Group Teaching Tutorials Practical Group Work Formative Feedback through Critiques, Pitches, Screenings, and Reflective Sessions Work-integrated Learning Authentic Assessment We use a wide range of assessment methods, which include portfolios, performances, research presentations, and reflective work. Please download the Course Specification below for more information.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
For more information please visit our website: https://www.metfilmschool.ac.uk/admissions/international/ LANGUAGE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS Students applying for a visa via the Student Route must provide evidence of their English language ability. The following tests are satisfactory to demonstrate this: IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge PET, ESOL Skills for Life Level 1 and 2, Trinity Level 1. - IELTS – MA Postgraduate courses requirements: Students need to achieve an IELTS overall score of at least 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and at least 5.5 in listening, reading and speaking.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have a minimum 2:1 honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent. Applicants without this qualification, but possessing relevant work experience, are also invited to apply. Each application is considered on its individual merits.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £24500 | Whole course |
Northern Ireland | £24500 | Whole course |
Scotland | £24500 | Whole course |
Wales | £24500 | Whole course |
Channel Islands | £24500 | Whole course |
Republic of Ireland | £24500 | Whole course |
EU | £26500 | Whole course |
International | £26500 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
MetFilm
Ealing Studios
Ealing Green
Ealing
W5 5EP