MA Documentary Practice
In recent years there has been a renaissance in documentary - both in terms of production and forms of dissemination. At the same time there have been profound changes in the boundaries that define the genre - expanding the notion of what documentary is and what it can be. Consequently, ‘documentary’ stories are being disseminated across very different platforms - from broadcast television and cinema, to the internet, theatre and art gallery. This MA is one of the few postgraduate courses with the ambition to respond to these changes, offering a ‘creative’ approach to documentary – encouraging students to explore their curiosities about the world, and to evoke their ideas and tell stories in original and dynamic ways. While there is an emphasis on practice-based work, the course is underpinned with a rigorous exploration of documentary history and critical analysis; production processes, including ethical issues; and research methodologies utilising a wide range of references. Students will graduate with a portfolio of at least three short film works, providing a solid foundation for them to develop careers in the wide range of arenas which involve aspects of documentary - either as self employed practitioners or working within organisations. This MA is also designed to work as an springboard for those who might want to develop their research interests further within academia, as a PhD choosing either practice and theory outputs.
Overview
In recent years there has been a renaissance in documentary - both in terms of production and forms of dissemination. At the same time there have been profound changes in the boundaries that define the genre - expanding the notion of what documentary is and what it can be. Consequently, ‘documentary’ stories are being disseminated across very different platforms - from broadcast television and cinema, to the internet, theatre and art gallery. This MA is one of the few postgraduate courses with the ambition to respond to these changes, offering a ‘creative’ approach to documentary – encouraging students to explore their curiosities about the world, and to evoke their ideas and tell stories in original and dynamic ways. While there is an emphasis on practice-based work, the course is underpinned with a rigorous exploration of documentary history and critical analysis; production processes, including ethical issues; and research methodologies utilising a wide range of references. Students will graduate with a portfolio of at least three short film works, providing a solid foundation for them to develop careers in the wide range of arenas which involve aspects of documentary - either as self employed practitioners or working within organisations. This MA is also designed to work as an springboard for those who might want to develop their research interests further within academia, as a PhD choosing either practice and theory outputs.
Fact File
| Duration: | Twelve months full-time. The academic year is divided into three semesters, but this course is administered in two parts: Part One runs from September to May; Part Two runs from June to September. |
| Assessment: | The taught part of the course (Part 1) is delivered and assessed through lectures, tutorials and essay projects. Successful completion of your dissertation (Part 2) leads to the award of an MA. |
| English Language Requirements: | International and EU applicants will need to show evidence of a sufficient knowledge of English. Please see the English Language requirements page for details. |
| Entry Requirements: |
BA honours degree (2:1) or above in a related subject at undergraduate level and accompanying references. The Department will consider applicants with other experience which gives an equivalent basis for entry. |
| Tuition Fees: |
Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase. |
Contacts
For further information about this course pleas feel free to contact the Course Director.
Dr Heike Roms (Course Director) - Email: hhp@aber.ac.uk
Departmental information can be found on the Departments website.