Bachelor's degree

In Bolton

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Duration

    3 Years

MWP prepares students for work as screenwriters in the film industry, as well as for other entry-level industry positions such as camera operators/assistants, editors and sound recordists. Graduates also go on to study on masters programmes. You will develop creative, intellectual and people skills that are highly employable in a variety of contexts outside the industry. Suitable for: You should choose this course if you are interested in the media industries or if you want to develop intellectual and people skills that are highly prized by a variety of employers.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

On request

About this course

240 UCAS points from at least two A2-levels (or equivalent) in any subjects.

Applicants should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) in any subjects.

Applicants will be required to attend for interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work.

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Course programme

About the course

This is an ambitious, innovative course for students who aim to work in the film and television industries. Combining theory, screenwriting, digital film production and professional development, it puts the script at the heart of production, enabling students to develop skills in screenwriting and digital filmmaking. Replicating industry working practices, in production modules students make digital films based on the best screenplays written in the screenwriting modules.

This course is growing and expanding each year. One of the latest developments is to introduce a work based learning module whereby students undertake a placement within the industry. In addition to formal teaching, we offer a comprehensive range of guest speakers from the industry in association with other networking events. In order to foster professional film making practices students have access to small production budgets to help make their films.

What you will learn

You will learn to communicate with a range of audiences and to site your work within a critical understanding of media institutions and practices.

During the first half of the course you develop good basic screenwriting and digital film making skills, knowledge of the UK film and TV industry, and an understanding of professional relationships. You will consider the ways in which moving image texts create and communicate meaning, and explore key ideas about social and political functions of moving image entertainment.

In the second half of the course, you can continue to deepen your skills and knowledge in all three disciplines - screenwriting, digital filmmaking and film/media studies – or decide to specialise in just one. Most students focus on developing professional skills and competences in one specialism.

This is both a practical and theoretical degree. In the first half of the course, each semester you will take a module of critical theory, a module of practical filmmaking and a module of screenwriting. During the second part of your degree you can undertake more specialised work which may involve making your own short film, writing a feature film or engaging in an extended academic dissertation about some aspect of film theory.

Throughout the course you will develop a range of skills. These will include strong written and spoken communication skills, organisation and management skills and practical craft based skills. You will become effective in researching and information gathering and you will develop confidence in expressing your own ideas.

What you will study

From semester 2, Level 2, you choose 3 modules each semester from a range of screenwriting, digital film production and film studies modules including: Writing Short Films; Writing TV Drama Series; Screenwriting Workshop; Directing Actors for Digital Film; Documentary Practice; European Cinema; Experimental Film; British Cinema; etc.

Your third-year dissertation project can be a digital film, a feature length screenplay or an extended essay based on theoretical/contextual research. An appropriate work placement at Level 3 is compulsory.

We have the latest state of the art industry standard equipment for you to use in your practical modules. We aim to keep class sizes to a minimum to ensure that you have the maximum opportunity to develop your skills.

The course is mainly assessed by written work and practical assignments. There are no exams. If you wish to succeed at this course, you need to be highly motivated and have a strong interest in all aspects of film making.

Special features

  • Lecturers' creative and theoretical work includes feature film production, social activist documentaries, experimental filmmaking and publications on Hollywood blockbusters and European art cinema.
  • We offer a programme of guest lecturers who are successful industry practitioners.
  • We provide broadcast quality digital equipment.
  • We have a dedicated Media Industry Liaison Co-ordinator to help establish industry links and work placements.
  • We are a BBC Educational Partner.
  • We offer a dedicated industry liaison co-ordinator who ensures that we keep abreast of the latest developments in the industry, locally, nationally and internationally.
  • We can make available paid work experience placements to students.
  • We organise trips to film festivals throughout the UK and abroad.
  • We have a graduate mentoring and tracking scheme to help students succeed in their first year of work.
  • We offer students financial support for their production work. Each production has a small budget so that students can cover essential costs and bring in professional expertise. Students compete for commissions in their final year - last year we awarded 4 commissions for film projects.
  • We work with industry partners to provide live production briefs for our practical projects.
  • We work with local filmmaking networks and contribute to their screening programmes.
  • We organise student centred festivals and opportunities to meet writers and film makers.

Careers and professional development

Previous students have secured employment within the industry working as writers, editors, sound recordists and assistants. Some students have set up their own companies or have worked collaboratively with small production companies. A few have gone on to make short films of their own which have featured in film festivals around the world.

Media, Writing and Production graduates from Bolton have also gone onto work within related creative industries such as teaching, arts, administration, PR and publishing. The skills we teach are transferable to a variety of employment situations.

Professional recognition

Avid accreditation.

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Media, Writing & Production

Price on request