Course summary
MA Documentary and Factual will give you the skills and understanding needed to work as a director and/or producer in today’s factual content industries. Specific topics include finding and developing ideas, researching protagonists, learning interview techniques, research and access to contributors, creating stories, and pitching ideas. You will learn about production roles and develop skills in documentary editing, sound recording, and camerawork. Throughout this degree, you will explore funding strategies and potential audiences, and be immersed in productions where you can try out a range of skills. Why Take the Course?
- Practical: Gain training and experience in producing, directing, camera operation, sound, and editing.
- Comprehensive: For students passionate about the various ways to shoot and document reality in today’s world, and who want to produce content that offers new insights and promotes compassion and awareness about a specific subject
- Industry-facing: Build your understanding of the contemporary industry landscape for documentaries and factual programming, including commissioning, financing, distribution and exhibition.
- Real-life Experience: You will conceive, create, and deliver a project to a client brief. Working within a creative team with other MA students, you will respond to a professional brief from a commercial or non-commercial business to produce a short project and showcase their creative talent to industry professionals.
- Portfolio: Create a portfolio of work with accompanying creative development and pitch documents to support you in your future career.
- Professional Tutors: Many of our teaching staff are currently working in the industry as Film & TV DOPs, Camera Operators, Colourists, and more*.
Modules
Please download the Course Specification for a complete overview of MA Documentary and Factual modules. Find below an overview of the key learning themes that this course will cover. Documentary and Factual Craft and Industry Across the module, you will develop an understanding of documentary theory, forms and audiences, leading to the development of a documentary or factual pitch to a panel. During the early weeks of the module you will work with students from other pathways to make a short video using a camera phone, based on something that you want to say. Authorship and Context You will gain understanding of the theory of authorship as well as alternative paradigms and be encouraged to analyse and engage in how ‘point of view’ impacts the structure, form, and genre of non-fiction storytelling. Through practical workshops, students will create two short film pieces demonstrating authorship and context. 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 their chosen discipline or as part of their multi-skilling profile. Factual Production for Clients Working with students from other MA courses, you will develop proposals and pitches to present to real world clients for whom you will deliver factual video content. Through the subsequent video production you will develop skills in budgeting and scheduling, and what’s required of producers and directors across a variety of platforms. Documentary and Factual Business Through case studies and industry guest speakers, you will analyse the various financing and commissioning structures, and look at emerging distribution avenues, including cross media platform development, as well as the use of web-based marketing and publicity. You will plan distribution and marketing strategies for project ideas aimed at finding funding and audiences. During the module you will write and pitch project proposals and create a filmed trailer for a long project. 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. Final Project and Career Plan Your project is an opportunity to deliver work that is distinctive, industry-aware, 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.de/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
To apply for the MA course you will need to be 18 years of age or older at the time the course starts. 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. Please note all our courses are taught in English.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
International | €20500 | Whole course |
England | €20500 | Whole course |
Northern Ireland | €20500 | Whole course |
Scotland | €20500 | Whole course |
Wales | €20500 | Whole course |
Channel Islands | €20500 | Whole course |
Republic of Ireland | €20500 | Whole course |
EU | €18500 | 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