MA Film Producing and Production Management

Why study this subject?

An MA in Film Producing and Production Management will not only provide you with the opportunity to explore your creativity to the fullest, but also help you gain a combination of skills to make you highly valuable to employers in this competitive industry.

There is always room for growth in film and the deep understanding of film production and management that this course provides, along with a determination to succeed in the industry, is a recipe for a successful career.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Studying Film Producing and Production Management at BNU will not only give you insights and strategies to help you succeed, but you will be in the right kind of supportive and creative environment to develop and flourish as a film producer.

During your time with us you’ll learn hands-on practical skills to help you stand out to potential employers. You’ll get to grips with industry-standard equipment including cameras, lighting and sound, ensuring upon graduation you are prepared for your first role.

We create the industry on campus, giving you every opportunity to collaborate across courses, just like the real world. You will work with our audio specialists on the Audio and Music Production course and our selection of new stars in the Performing Arts course.

You'll have the chance to learn not only on our High Wycombe campus but also at our BNU teaching base in the heart of Pinewood Studios. This makes this MA unique in that you will get a feel for first-hand industry life, whilst gaining a postgraduate degree and networking with the best in the game.

You’ll also benefit from our dynamic programme of visiting lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. You’ll also benefit from our expert-lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the industry.

What facilities can I use?

Film and Television is mostly taught in our newest building, the Gateway building. It’s equipped with modern suites and brand-new facilities. 

We have two video studios, one with green screen and an extensive studio lighting rig, as well as a drama studio.

Our extensive range of HD broadcast camera include URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, over forty Panasonic cameras (AG-HPX301E, AG-HPX371E, AG-HPX171E and AG- Panasonic HMC41E), Canon XF305, Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 60D cameras, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 4K cameras, Sony A7R Mark III cameras and additional specialist cameras (GoPro Hero 7 cameras, a GoPro Fusion 360 camera, ZCAM E2 6K camera).We also have a four camera live broadcast set up with Grass Valley LDK6000 cameras and industry-standard EVS action replay/asset management system with two XT3 servers.

In our individual video edit booths equipped with powerful iMac Pros and our communal editing suites and teaching rooms equipped with i9Macs, you’ll get the chance to become skilled with post-production software solutions including Blackmagic Davinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite among other post-production software.

We also have an extensive lighting kit, sound studios, and sound equipment including Sennheiser EW 100 radio mics, Sound Devices 302 sound field mixers, Sennheiser ME66 condenser microphone, XLR microphone beach box adaptors for DSLR sound recording and Sennheiser ME64/K6 condenser.

What will I study?

The course has been carefully designed by industry professionals to ensure your taught real industry skills that will equip you with the knowledge and problem-solving tools necessary for employment in the industry after you graduate.

We ensure that your modules give you the knowledge and skills you need in both practical and theoretical elements of the industry, ensuring you gain a fully rounded experience and preparation for your first role upon graduation.

From researching market trends and project’s commercial potential, to scheduling, budgeting and dealing with contracts, the lessons learnt on this course will ensure upon graduation you are ready to take your first step on set.

You’ll be supported throughout your time with us by tutors and lecturers. Our small classroom sizes mean you can create close-knit bonds with your peers. When you leave, you will feel confident in working with industry-standard kit and will feel prepared for your first role within the industry.

How will I be taught and assessed?

On our course the teaching will feature a variety of approaches and technology, blended together to engage your learning in class and beyond, and to encourage your full participation. The teaching and learning strategies have been designed to ensure that there is progression from formal teaching through to independent learning as you progress through the levels of the programme.

You will be taught by tutors and lecturers who are current or former industry practitioners, meaning they have in depth knowledge and experience that you can benefit from and in addition, you will experience industry guest masterclasses.

You will be supported with workshops, lectures and seminars that introduce you to a range of topics, from your role and responsibility as a producer and 1st AD to how to work alongside crews, agents and directors.

Throughout your time studying you will be assessed in a range of different ways, including;

• essays where you will be required to present research material in specific subjects and edit it to fit desired outcomes as well as write in depth about particular topics
• reports where you will be encouraged to document your entire learning progress throughout the degree
• portfolio which is an essential part of the course in order to present yourself visually to prospective employers. You will be taught on the different processes involved in producing industry-standard portfolio and assessed on the outcomes
• practical skills which is one of the most important elements of the degree and you will be assessed on the quality of your finished pieces throughout the course.

Placement Plus

BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.

We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.

Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.