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MA Filmmaking – Cinematography

  • DeadlineStudy Details:

    MA 1 year full-time

Masters Degree Description

If you are passionate about pursuing a career as a cinematographer in an environment that promotes innovative filmmaking, this programme is for you.

  • The MA Filmmaking (Cinematography) is a pathway of the Goldsmiths MA Filmmaking. It is housed in a new purpose-built media facility with state-of-the-art teaching spaces including film and photography studios equipped with Arri cameras and lighting.
  • It is a unique blend of hands-on workshops, studio and location filming exercises, and high production value collaborative film projects, the MA elevates your skills as a moving-image storyteller to the level of Director of Photography.
  • You'll learn sophisticated camera, lighting and gripping techniques, and will perform all camera department roles from director of photography to camera operator, focus-puller, gaffer, camera assistant, spark and grip.
  • You’ll work on a number of exercises and films per term in your specialist role, culminating in a major film production towards the end of the degree. 
  • You’ll attend classes in related disciplines such as directing and editing, and advance your collaborative skills by working with students across all specialisations, including writers, producers and sound designers. 
  • Experienced tutors and industry guests provide expert guidance. Recent guest speakers include Barry Ackroyd BSC, Cesar Charlone ABC, Jess Hall BSC, Martin ‘Teddy’ Testar BKSTS, Adam Scarfe (DoP), Howard Davidson (Gaffer), Steve MacCarthy (Operator) and our very own Witold Stok BSC.
  • You'll be able to join the British Society of Cinematographers Club as a student member and have the opportunity to interact with the world’s top cinematographers during our annual trip to the world’s largest cinematography festival Camerimage in Poland.
  • You'll leave the MA with a diverse portfolio of moving-image work that spans fiction and documentary, as well as hybrid and experimental genres.
  • The programme will prepare you to enter the global job market, armed with an enhanced understanding of your practical, intellectual and creative capacities as a cinematographer. 
  • The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.

Entry Requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject as well as a level of practical experience from work in the arts or the media.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

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Fees

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

Programme Funding

Goldsmiths offers a range of financial support including postgraduate scholarships, bursaries and fee waivers. These are awarded based on a variety of criteria, for example academic achievements or personal circumstances.

Student Destinations

Recent alumni are active in the film, media and cultural industries around the world as:

  • cinematographers
  • film camera operators
  • television camera operators
  • lighting designers
  • focus pullers
  • gaffers
  • grips
  • steadicam operators

Module Details

For two terms you will spend a full day a week in specialised contact with your specific programme convenor, plus a further day in Screen Lab working with colleagues across the programme in a Talent Campus-style project-led learning structure with:

  • Masterclassess
  • Pitches
  • Role-plays
  • Exercises aimed at using your skills specialism in a variety of live shoot situations

You will also have a variety of research projects to undertake, as well as other module options.

The third term will be taken up with your final substantive project, and in writing up a process paper on your work and research over the year.

Compulsory modules
You will take the following modules:

Module title Credits
Cinematography: Specialist Skills 30 credits
Contemporary Screen Narratives in Practice and Theory 15 credits
You will also complete a Final Project (90 credits), assessed by a portfolio of work and a viva that reflects your practice.

Screen School options
As well as your Cinematography specialism, you will choose three 15-credit option modules to enhance your other skills and critical approaches. Options include:

Module title Credits
Social Activist Film 15 credits
Adaptation and Script Editing 30 credits
Archaeology of the Moving Image 15 credits
Camera Fundamentals 15 credits
Experimental Media 30 credits or 15 credits
Filmmakers Make Theory 15 credits
Film Producing Fundamentals 15 credits
Representing Reality 15 credits
Sound Design Fundamentals 15 credits
The Ascent of the Image 15 credits
Visual Storytelling 30 credits
Doctor Holby: Writing for Existing Continuing TV Drama Series 15 credits
Media Law and Ethics 15 credits
Practical Law for Film-makers 15 credits

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