Film-making

Why study BA Practical Film Production at Aberystwyth University?

Our exciting and innovative Film Making degree will examine the process of how a film is developed, financed, shot, delivered and exploited. The aim of the degree is to provide our students with the knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the film making experience.  

As the name suggests, this is a practical degree with a strong vocational ethos. Through producing their own original films, as well as working with the camera, sound and post production equipment in the department, the student will gain valuable hands on experience preparing them for a career in this exciting and innovative industry  .

The department has specialist filming equipment as well as editing suites with AVID software and Protocols, a dedicated sound design studio and a preview cinema, which will enable the student to shoot and complete their films to a professional standard. 

The Film Making BA has also teamed up with the Production Guild of Great Britain to enable third year students to become student members, giving them access to Guild members and resources. The degree has been established by industry experienced teaching staff with over 35 years’ experience of completion and delivery of films within the international film industry.

Our Staff

All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.

The course is supported by an industry panel, people who have extensive experience in their field and they will also oversee a mentoring programme for the second and third year students with industry specialists in the areas that they have decided to specialise in:

 The panel consist of:

 Julie Baines:  Producer 

 Simon West: Director

 Simon Moseley: Line Producer

 Sheila Fraser Milne: Completion guarantor

 Colin Nicolson: Production Sound Recordist

 Patrick Fischer: Creativity Media

 Mike King: Warner Bros.

 Suzanna Wyatt: Production accountant and former Head of Production at Pathe

 David Freeman: Editor

 John Stephenson: Director

 Allison Small: CEO the production Guild of the United Kingdom

 Sarah Kay: Financial controller

What employability options are available to you? 

Students studying this course could pursue a career in:

• Producing; 
• Directing;
• Assistant Directing; 
• Sound department; 
• Filming department; 
• Post-production;
• Tech crew.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three-year degree scheme.

In Year 1 we will cover the following topics:

• An introduction to Film Production; 
• Making short films; 
• Introduction to post-production and editing. 

By the end of the first year the student will have gained a working knowledge of the film production cycle as well as an introduction to the technical processes required for shooting a film.

 In the second year the students will build on the knowledge gained in the introductory year one and will be encourage to commence on their advanced specialised area of interest:

The first semester of year two will concentrate on the fundamentals of the following:

• Cinematography - directing; 
• Sound recording - editing.

The second semester will concentrate on a film production project, which is the first of two practical production modules.  Students will devote the year working on their production, technical and artistic skills and will produce a 10-minute short film.  Students will be able to apply their knowledge in their chosen area  and form production teams to produce their 10 minute short.

Year three will continue to build on the expertise learnt in year 2 with the addition of 4 further modules:

• Sales and distribution; 
• Sound design and dubbing - VFX and Grading; 
• Fiction film project. 

 The department is currently building a viewing, dubbing and grading theatre which will allow the students to complete and screen their films in a professional environment.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a variety of lectures, seminars, screenings, technical demonstrations and group-based project work. The diversity of activity is essential part of our philosophy, and creates a uniquely exciting and productive learning environment.

How will I be assessed?

We assess our students through:

• Group devised productions;

• Individual film and video projects;

• Practical analyses;

• Production diaries and creative scriptwriting;

• Formal essays and examinations;

• Reflective journals, blogs, Wikis;

• Seminar presentations.

Additional assessments may include:

• Storyboards;

• Screenplays;

• Pitches;

All of these materials you could use to generate a working portfolio to present to potential employers.

More information:

You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree scheme, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.