MA Film Studies

This course unit provides students the opportunity to work on an independent collaborative group project related to a relevant topic of study or research in Film Studies. It is designed to complement the core theoretical units by offering students the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts to practice-based, ‘real world’, contexts, such as film festivals, curation, and programming, taking into account where relevant any archival work, policy considerations, and community engagement practice (leading to positive social impacts). Students will be introduced to the work of industry professionals and be able to work on a topic of their choice and be supported through the collaborative process from preparation through to proposal and presentation.

The unit aims to enable students to:

• to apply critical approaches to Film Studies in ‘real world’ contexts, such as in curation and programming of film festivals
   
• to understand how these contexts shape the production, distribution and exhibition of film in local, national and international contexts
   
• to develop a group project successfully from idea to proposal to planning and delivery within a given time frame and proposed budget

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the social, political and industrial contexts in which film cultures operate
   
• Develop specialised knowledge and understanding of film practice as cultural practice within the contexts of social and community engagement
   
• Contextualise various film practices and research within broader industrial developments and demand

Intellectual Skills

• Demonstrate advanced independent thinking and critical writing skills
   
• Demonstrate advanced understanding of socially engaged practice and research in film
   
• Demonstrate ability to integrate advanced theoretical understanding and research in aspects of film practice to social and community contexts

Practical Skills

• Demonstrate advance ability to undertake research design and presentation at Masters’ level
   
• Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and exercise independence in self-directed learning
   
• Demonstrate advanced ability to use visual aids as appropriate to a presentation

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Develop individual leadership and collaborative working skills in a group setting
   
• Demonstrate advanced ability to articulate ideas and argument cohesively,
   comprehensively and effectively in a group setting
   
• Demonstrate advanced ability to work to a timeline and boundaries delineated by resource limits

Block 1: Preparation / Ideas / Contexts

Over 3 weeks: 1 professional speaker per week introducing students to different aspects of film programming and curation, and contexts of exhibition beyond the commercial multiplex

Block 2: Planning the Proposal

Over 3 weeks: students will be mentored through the process of planning a project proposal, working within budgets, and delivering a pitch deck to an industry professional for formative feedback

Block 3: Project delivery

In the final 3 to 4 weeks, students will be supported with planning the delivery of their project and their individual reflective essay.

3 hours’ workshop/seminar per week x 11 weeks 

Office hours available for consultations with course tutors and academic advisors where needed; 

267 hours of independent study, adding up to 300 notional hours of learning.

Engleberg, Isa N., and Dianna. Wynn (2003) Working in Groups : Communication Principles and Strategies. 3rd ed. Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin. 

Haslam, Mark. (2004). Vision, Authority, Context: Cornerstones of Curation and Programming. The Moving Image. 4. 48-59. 

Iordanova, Dina., and Ruby. Cheung, eds. (2010) Film Festivals and Imagined Communities. St. Andrews, Scotland: St Andrews Film Studies. 

Valck, Marijke de, Brendan Kredell, and Skadi Loist, eds. (2016) Film Festivals : History, Theory, Method, Practice. London: Routledge.