Northern Film School

BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production

Introduction
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Documentary

shoot

In taking our students through the BA we seek to ensure that they develop their creative and craft skills to the highest possible level, that they explore the full dimensions of their practice.

We expect our students to come out of the Film School with a thorough understanding of their particular craft specialism, and to relate that understanding to the collaborative creative process.

The BA aims to provide our students with the opportunity to develop creative partnerships and friendships that will last them a lifetime, partnerships that will enable them to move forward into what is a highly competitive industry and succeed.

But the BA is not just about practice. It is about the idea and responsibility of film-making. We insist that our students develop an awareness of the space they occupy as film-makers; and that in understanding the processes and the materials of their art form, our students will engage with their audience, whoever that might be, in a fully self-conscious awareness of themselves as film-makers.

Level 1

shoot Within the first few weeks of Semester One our First Year students start making a series of three films.The first two films are basic film exercises with the third film selected from scripts they have written in the Constructing Narrative workshop.

During this time students complete an intensive hands-on introduction to AVID editing, followed by individual editing exercises using the three films. Students also undergo training in sound recording and health and safety, with taster sessions in both Production Design and Animation, all following industry best practice.

During the second semester every student has the opportunity to develop and pitch to a panel their own Documentary ideas. The most innovative, creative and feasible proposals chosen go into production and students form their own production teams.

You’ll be encouraged to find those different and unusual stories that reflect your society today. While learning about what Documentaries are and the process of how to make films to a Broadcast standard you’ll also be encouraged to be creative, to explore new ways of producing and making Documentary films.

Throughout the course the emphasis is on team work and professionalism, both in studio and out on location. Students attend a variety of workshops, lectures and visits, all designed to be informative, instructional and above all, enjoyable!

Level 2

The Contemporary Creative Practice module introduces students to a range of experimental film, video and performance practice within a historical and contemporary context. The module aims to broaden understanding and engagement of the visual arts, encouraging students to develop research leading towards production of experimental work. There are workshops, lectures and development tutorials geared to help students work with a range of techniques and media. These include visual tools such as for example super 8mm film and phone-cameras, to performance techniques such as physical performance and improvised dialogue. Students produce engaging work that allows a period of reflection, and a possibility of exploring new talents.

Level 3

Each year the third year BA students make a wide range of projects on a variety of formats. All types of short projects are considered – dramas, documentaries, commercials, pop promos, experimental films and animations. The emphasis is on the students tailoring their production to the type of film they wish to develop and make further down the line in their career.

In recent years, we have made social realist dramas, genre films (including zombies and time travel), documentaries on bare knuckle fighting, wildlife and the real story behind the image of the kitchen chef.

It all comes down to the idea, the script and the pitch. Nothing is made for the sake of it or just to fill up the numbers. It may sound harsh, but we do reject a lot of projects in our challenge to students to come up with new, exciting and creative ideas.

Projects that we select are given a budget and a lot of school support and have all the potential to reach a very high standard. It’s a rollercoaster, exactly the type that you’d want to get on – exciting, scary and life changing.

The Dissertation develops students ability to research and formulate a formal written contextual work. This is often based around an aspect of the student's final year specialism, such as for example, cinematography. Subjects are agreed at the start of the third year and developed and supported through one to one tutorials. Specialist tutors within the school mentor students projects through to completion.

Documentary

After all the serious learning of crafts in year 1 semester 1 it’s time to pull all that knowledge together as the course turns into a mini production company. Documentaries are a main stay of the Television, Film & Broadcast industries worldwide. Hours and hours of Documentaries and Factual Programmes produced each week mean that this area has become the biggest employer in the Film & Moving Image industry. We know that many of our graduates will earn a living in this sector at some point during their careers, so we take the teaching of Documentary seriously at the Northern Film School. You’ll be guided and taught to current professional standards by Documentary makers whose work has won awards and who continue to work in the industry.

Every student has the opportunity to develop and pitch to a panel their own Documentary ideas. The most innovative, creative and feasible proposals chosen go into production and then students form their own production teams. We don’t want you to just copy what’s out there already, you’ll be encouraged to find those different and unusual stories that reflect your society today. While learning what Documentaries are and the process of how to make films to a Broadcast standard you’ll also be encouraged to be creative, to explore new ways of producing and making documentary films.

We expect your films to be of a very high standard. Previous Documentaries made on the BA course have been entered into film festivals including a number from the 1st year. Previous students have said “the Documentary module is an amazing experience, it’s hard work but great fun”. And then if you really get the Documentary Bug, during years 2 & 3 you also get the opportunity to attend the world famous Sheffield International Documentary Festival as a Northern Film School Delegate.


The Filmmakers' MA BA (Hons) Animation BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production FdA Film & Television Production Short Courses & Workshops Documentary Staff Students Associates Alumni News Contact NFS About NFS Links & Partnerships Equipment & Facilities Festivals International	BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production Introduction Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Documentary In taking our students through the BA we seek to ensure that they develop their creative and craft skills to the highest possible level, that they explore the full dimensions of their practice. We expect our students to come out of the Film School with a thorough understanding of their particular craft specialism, and to relate that understanding to the collaborative creative process. The BA aims to provide our students with the opportunity to develop creative partnerships and friendships that will last them a lifetime, partnerships that will enable them to move forward into what is a highly competitive industry and succeed. But the BA is not just about practice. It is about the idea and responsibility of film-making. We insist that our students develop an awareness of the space they occupy as film-makers; and that in understanding the processes and the materials of their art form, our students will engage with their audience, whoever that might be, in a fully self-conscious awareness of themselves as film-makers. Level 1 Within the first few weeks of Semester One our First Year students start making a series of three films.The first two films are basic film exercises with the third film selected from scripts they have written in the Constructing Narrative workshop. During this time students complete an intensive hands-on introduction to AVID editing, followed by individual editing exercises using the three films. Students also undergo training in sound recording and health and safety, with taster sessions in both Production Design and Animation, all following industry best practice. During the second semester every student has the opportunity to develop and pitch to a panel their own Documentary ideas. The most innovative, creative and feasible proposals chosen go into production and students form their own production teams. You’ll be encouraged to find those different and unusual stories that reflect your society today. While learning about what Documentaries are and the process of how to make films to a Broadcast standard you’ll also be encouraged to be creative, to explore new ways of producing and making Documentary films. Throughout the course the emphasis is on team work and professionalism, both in studio and out on location. Students attend a variety of workshops, lectures and visits, all designed to be informative, instructional and above all, enjoyable! Level 2 The Contemporary Creative Practice module introduces students to a range of experimental film, video and performance practice within a historical and contemporary context. The module aims to broaden understanding and engagement of the visual arts, encouraging students to develop research leading towards production of experimental work. There are workshops, lectures and development tutorials geared to help students work with a range of techniques and media. These include visual tools such as for example super 8mm film and phone-cameras, to performance techniques such as physical performance and improvised dialogue. Students produce engaging work that allows a period of reflection, and a possibility of exploring new talents. Level 3 Each year the third year BA students make a wide range of projects on a variety of formats. All types of short projects are considered – dramas, documentaries, commercials, pop promos, experimental films and animations. The emphasis is on the students tailoring their production to the type of film they wish to develop and make further down the line in their career. In recent years, we have made social realist dramas, genre films (including zombies and time travel), documentaries on bare knuckle fighting, wildlife and the real story behind the image of the kitchen chef. It all comes down to the idea, the script and the pitch. Nothing is made for the sake of it or just to fill up the numbers. It may sound harsh, but we do reject a lot of projects in our challenge to students to come up with new, exciting and creative ideas. Projects that we select are given a budget and a lot of school support and have all the potential to reach a very high standard. It’s a rollercoaster, exactly the type that you’d want to get on – exciting, scary and life changing. The Dissertation develops students ability to research and formulate a formal written contextual work. This is often based around an aspect of the student's final year specialism, such as for example, cinematography. Subjects are agreed at the start of the third year and developed and supported through one to one tutorials. Specialist tutors within the school mentor students projects through to completion. Documentary After all the serious learning of crafts in year 1 semester 1 it’s time to pull all that knowledge together as the course turns into a mini production company. Documentaries are a main stay of the Television, Film & Broadcast industries worldwide. Hours and hours of Documentaries and Factual Programmes produced each week mean that this area has become the biggest employer in the Film & Moving Image industry. We know that many of our graduates will earn a living in this sector at some point during their careers, so we take the teaching of Documentary seriously at the Northern Film School. You’ll be guided and taught to current professional standards by Documentary makers whose work has won awards and who continue to work in the industry. Every student has the opportunity to develop and pitch to a panel their own Documentary ideas. The most innovative, creative and feasible proposals chosen go into production and then students form their own production teams. We don’t want you to just copy what’s out there already, you’ll be encouraged to find those different and unusual stories that reflect your society today. While learning what Documentaries are and the process of how to make films to a Broadcast standard you’ll also be encouraged to be creative, to explore new ways of producing and making documentary films. We expect your films to be of a very high standard. Previous Documentaries made on the BA course have been entered into film festivals including a number from the 1st year. Previous students have said “the Documentary module is an amazing experience, it’s hard work but great fun”. And then if you really get the Documentary Bug, during years 2 & 3 you also get the opportunity to attend the world famous Sheffield International Documentary Festival as a Northern Film School Delegate.