Script Writing (MA)

Overview

The London Film School's MA Script Writing course is designed for graduates and those with equivalent experience in creative practice who wish to pursue a professional-level training in all key departments of filmmaking. You work in small units on at least 10 film exercises, of which a minimum of six are shot and delivered on film (16mm and 35mm) and are trained around these exercises to deal with the increasing complexity and the technical demands of the practical work.

You also have to produce a Work and Research Journal for each of the three modules, reflecting on the development of your collaborative work, your skill base and creative priorities. You will study as a director, a director of photography, a camera operator, an editor and as a sound recordist, and you are likely to work, with supporting classes, as a producer, screenwriter or production designer. Although the course is primarily practical and vocational, it includes intensive teaching in film history, film analysis and other contextual studies.

The London Film School was founded in 1956 and is recognised as one of the world's key graduate schools. It remains film education's most cosmopolitan institution with LFS graduates established in film and television production in more than eighty countries. Alumni include many great filmmakers and very successful technicians, covering all kinds of cinema - names like Mike Leigh, Michael Mann, Tak Fujimoto, Roger Pratt, Ueli Steiger, Iain Smith, Danny Huston, Franc Roddam, Anne Hui and Bill Douglas. LFS is one of only three ‘Skillset Film Academies’, institutions which offer the highest quality training and skills and have been approved by the UK film industry as centres of excellence.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

Minimum qualifications for an application to be considered are a three year university degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant area. The need to follow and understand the intensive course of lectures, and the high pressure of group work make it imperative that all students must have a satisfactory knowledge of the English language.

English language requirements for EU students: Evidence of such knowledge would be: .

Minimum TOEFL at Paper Based Grade: 550 or Internet Based Test: 79+.

IELTS score 6.0 with all components 5.5 or above.

English Language requirements for UKBA Tier 4 student visa applicants.

The UKBA require that the Tier 4 applicant: .

Is from majority English speaking country OR.

Has completed an academic qualification, at least equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree which was taught in a majority English-speaking country; OR.

Is proficient at B2 level in each of the four sub-components of language learning (reading, writing, speaking and listening). .

Students should apply directly to the London Film School.

Course contents

The course consists of three essential modules and three Work and Research Journals. The modules are:

• Language: Image, Meaning, Style (Leading to Postgraduate Certificate)
• Practice: Non-Fiction and Fiction (Leading to Postgraduate Diploma)
• Synthesis: Industry and Independents (Leading to MA Filmmaking)

Teaching Methods

Film Exercises, Practical Classes, Lectures and Workshops, Assessment by Work and Research Journals.

Application process

A new MA Filmmaking Course starts each term, so it is possible to enrol for entry in September, January or May. All candidates who wish to apply for entry must complete an Application Form and Reference Form. With this application they must submit a script for a short film about three minutes in length and a personal statement of not more than 750 words.

Candidates resident in the United Kingdom are required to attend for an interview. Candidates resident abroad should make themselves available for interview in the event that they visit the United Kingdom and intend to submit, or have already submitted, an application. They may be interviewed by telephone.

For further details and application forms visit www.lfs.org.uk

Careers

LFS Graduates are working in all departments of film and television production throughout the world. They include many directors, cinematographers, editors, sound technicians and production designers as well as those working in production, commissioning, sales and distribution.

Student Profiles

“Knowing how a process works liberates the imagination. Progress in filmmaking is inconceivable to me without a formal education in cinema – for me it was two years at The London Film School”. Michael Mann, Dir Public Enemies, Last of the Mohicans, Collateral

“An LFS education is not limited to the technical skills that produce new filmmakers, it’s an education that challenges you to find your voice and make it heard.” Oliver Hermanus, director Shirley Adams, Beauty)

"The beauty of a good film school is that it invites you to make mistakes, but never dampens your enthusiasm. At LFS I made plenty, and ignited a passion." Duncan Jones director Moon, Source Code

“There are so many different kinds of films – in choosing a film school, you choose an approach, and the programme at LFS works for people from all over the world because it can be adapted to all conditions; professional actors or non actors, different sized crews, 35mm or miniDV. What I loved about LFS is the way we were taught to think about films; without pretense, with discipline, and centered around process and finding things out for ourselves. It’s an extraordinary thing to teach film without reducing it to techniques and rules, and yet teach the rigour and effort that is necessary to improve your work.” Paz Fabrega, director Agua fria de mar)

“My own personal progression as a filmmaker has developed at an amazing pace- due largely to intense tutorials with staff- who have challenged and provoked me and given me confidence and advice as a new entrant into the film industry. I am proud to have been part of a very strong , visionary and passionately energetic institution “ Verity Healey