MA/Postgraduate Diploma (Production and Direction)
College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies
Course overview
The programme offers advanced training in filmmaking integrated with courses in film history and analysis and is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the filmmaking process from both a professional and a critical perspective. Film criticism comprises approximately half of the course, with the rest of the time devoted to production practice and hands-on filmmaking experience.
Huston School of Film and Digital Media
The Huston School of Film and Digital Media was established in 2003 under the active patronage of the (John) Huston family. The School offers a dynamic approach to film and digital media training, with a strong emphasis on critical studies. As well as offering postgraduate programmes, the Huston School also hosts a range of guest seminars during the year with academics and practitioners of film. Visitors have included Gabriel Byrne, Seamus McGarvey, Lenny Abrahamson, Mark O’Halloran, James Cromwell, John Boorman, Roddy Doyle, Colin MacCabe, Laura Mulvey and Mike Figgis.
Postgraduate Portfolio Day Ireland
Huston School are participating in an event in Dublin on Jan 31, 2013, that will bring together a number of "creative colleges" offering postgraduate fine art and media courses in Ireland. Faculty from the different courses will be there to give feedback to prospective students on their portfolios and advice on the various programmes on offer, etc. Admission is free; more information and registration form online.
Key facts
Entry requirements
NQAI Level 8 degree or equivalent H2.2. GPA 3.2 or international qualification. IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent if applicable. Students who do not meet the honours degree requirement but have a Level 7 degree may be admitted to the PDip course with the possibility of progressing to the MA if they receive a minimum of 60% in their course work during the year, subject to qualifying examination and appropriate arrangements.
Duration:
1 year, full-time
Next start date: September 2013
ECTS weighting: MA—90, PG Dip—60
Average intake: 15
Closing date: You are advised to apply early, which may result in an early offer; see the offer round dates
Course outline
The Production Practice module covers Camera, Editing, Production, Direction, and Sound. In the first semester, students take part in directing workshops where they learn techniques such as blocking actors for camera. These are taught as hands-on exercises where all students block and shoot a scene from a feature film as a workshop exercise.
Academic modules include Creative Documentary, Imaginative Reponses, and Theory of Film Practice. These classes involve regular screenings, discussion, and analysis. In the second semester, students realise two short films, collaborating with teams from the MA (Public Advocacy) on one of them, and should be prepared to work flexibly in the various roles involved in the production process.
Applications and selections
Who teaches this course?
- Dr. Seán Crosson, MPhil, PhD
- Dr. Niamh Doheny, MA, PhD
- Dr. Mary Watson Seoighe, PhD
- James Finlan, MA
- Patsy Murphy, MA
- Rod Stoneman, BA, PG. Dip
Requirements and assessment
Find out more
PAC code
GYA63
Fees for this course
EU (Total): €6,015 (MA); €5,956 (PDip)
- Student levy: €224
Non-EU (Total): €13,250
Current students
Kyle Kroszner
"I decided to come to NUI Galway to study Film because of the atmosphere. Galway's reputation for the arts is known around the world, but I wanted a school whose expectations were as high and achievable as my own.
NUI Galway has that, but it also has much more. I wanted to learn more about Irish culture, storytelling, and the Irish language and I found it not only in the school, but in the city centre, outside of Galway City, and Connemara."
Download taught and research
Past students
Niall McCann
"The MA in Production & Directioin was everything I was looking for and more. The library offered me the chance to immerse myself in filmmakers and films I would not have ordinarily have come into contact with. Guest lecturers and Trips to film events can only serve to set further light to any enthusiasm for film a student has. The course consists of a strong emphasis on technique, structure and form, wherein the practical and theoretical combine offering a new and unique way of approaching the art form. I am currently in production on my first feature documentary titled ART WILL SAVE THE WORLD with Happy Ending Productions and I was actively encouraged and helped in every way by the staff to make this film a reality whilst studying in Huston. The MA changed my life or at least gave me the confidence I needed to change it."