This course aims to give students the tools and the confidence to become successful documentary makers. We put storytelling at the centre of the filmmaking process, while at the same time encouraging each student to experiment and develop their personal voice.
Our students are regularly nominated for, and win, prestigious prizes around the world. In recent years they have been consistent winners at the Grierson Awards, as well Sheffield DocFest, BAFTA, Student Academy Awards, Royal Television Society, Hot Docs, Poitiers and many others.
Students collaborate with students in other specialisms to make several films and participate in practical projects, developing the vital skills of both directing and collaboration. All production costs are met by the School.
All NFTS students can attend Masterclasses. Recent guests include David Fincher (Fight Club), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave), Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Ben Wheatley (Free Fire), Rapman (Blue Story), Louis Theroux, Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Denis Villeneuve (Bladerunner 2049), Lynne Ramsay (You Were Never Really Here), Sam Mendes (1917), Asif Kapadia (Senna), Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) and Alex Gibney (Citizen K).
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Students will direct and shoot at least three films during the course of the MA. The first year consists of four practical exercises, increasing in length and complexity.. These focus on the techniques and approach of a specific documentary genre: observation, sound and music, character–led narrative and an enquiry. Students collaborate with editors, sound recordists, sound designers and composers, and are encouraged to build relationships with cinematographers and producers. They are also expected to know how to work alone.
The second year includes three projects: a graduation film in which students synthesise what they have discovered in the first year, and use it to challenge conventional approaches to documentary; an MA dissertation in which they reflect on a documentary topic that has intrigued them during the course; and the opportunity to develop a project to take out to the industry.
The second year also consists of a visit to a film festival, meetings with broadcasters and contact with industry professionals alongside seminars on commissioning, legal requirements, financing and distribution.
Beaconsfield, London, Part-Time, 1 Year (Monday Evenings)
Beaconsfield, London, Part-Time, 1 Year
Beaconsfield, London, Full-Time, 15 Months
Beaconsfield, London, 24 Weeks, Part-Time Blended Learning
Beaconsfield, 8 Weeks, 3 Days Per Week
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 2 Years, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 15 Months, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Full-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Part-Time
Beaconsfield, 1 Year, Part-Time (Monday Evenings)
London, 1 Year, Part-Time (Thursday Evenings)
Online, 10 Months, Part-Time
Londond, 18 Months, Part-Time (Tuesday Evenings)
Beaconsfield, 12 Weeks, Full-Time
This course is designed to help new producers enter the world of professional filmmaking.
London, 6 Months, Part-Time (Tuesday evenings)
London, 9 Months, Part-Time (evenings)
Beaconsfield, 3 Months, Full-Time
My First Job In Film is the biggest community of new filmmakers in the UK. If you are looking to promote your film course or scheme then please get in touch.