BA (Hons) Film Practice graduate wins prestigious awards for ‘Paul is Dead’
London College of Communication graduate Harry Green has won a number of prestigious awards for his collaborative Degree Shows film ‘Paul is Dead’
BA (Hons) Film Practice
College
LCC
Start date
September 2020
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
W603
Designed to develop the creative, technical, commercial and practical skills required in digital film production, BA (Hons) Film Practice is geared towards industry.
This course is subject to revalidation, which is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During revalidation there may be some changes to course content. Please contact us if you have any questions about this course.
Open Days
Student work
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Image © Jonas Juskaitis -
Image © Jonas Juskaitis -
Still from Day Street Writer/Director: Paige Neilson Producer: Rebecca Gill Costume Design: Tom Holman Sound: Tyler Ward Editor: Maya McAllister Demangeat 1st AD: Ekin Ilkbag, Script Supervisor: Sam Mathias-Stanley -
Uncle Steve's CD Sleeve Writer/Director: Dana Jungerius Producer: Morgan Macgowan Production Design: Georgia Fisher Director of Photography: Adam Trzcinski Sound: Tyler Ward -
Cosmos with Venus Writer/Director: Elifcan Yazgün Producer: Gracie Mills Production Design: Kitty Brown Construction Manager: Tom Holman Director of Photography: Nabila Nugroho Key Lighting Operator: Lara Diamond Editor: Ekin Ilkbag 1st Assistant Director: Radu Roja -
Writer/Director: Elifcan Yazgün Cosmos with Venus Producer: Gracie Mills Production Design: Kitty Brown Construction Manager: Tom Holman Director of Photography: Nabila Nugroho Key Lighting Operator: Lara Diamond Editor: Ekin Ilkbag 1st Assistant Director: Radu Roja -
Writer/Director: Sonny Gaythwaite Producer: Hanni Hooper DOP: Zach Hewett Producer Designer: Maya McAllister Demangeat Construction Manager: Tom Holman First AD: Steve Duan Editor: Radu Rojas Oprean 1st AD: Louis Luckwell Sound Recording: Cathy Marriott-Brown -
Boys Will be Boys Writer/Director: Sonny Gaythwaite Producer: Hanni Hooper DOP: Zach Hewett Producer Designer: Maya McAllister Demangeat Construction Manager: Tom Holman First AD: Steve Duan Editor: Radu Rojas Oprean 1st AD: Louis Luckwell Sound Recording: Cathy Marriott-Brown
Trailer: BA (Hons) Film Practice Graduation Films 2019
A taster of the graduation films made by Film Practice students. Video edited by Radu Rojas Oprean
Showreel: Graduation Films 2019
Clips from films made by our graduating students. Video edited by Radu Rojas Oprean.
Building sets
A timelapse of second year Film Practice students building and shooting in a set.
Saber Divider by Luiza Herdy Costa
First year student Luiza Herdy Costa made the film 'Saber Divider' for Shell through MOFILM.
Throw me to the Dogs, Joseph Ollman and Aaron Dunleavey
LCC graduates Joseph Ollman and Aaron Dunleavey are nominated for BFI Futures Best Director Award.
Student Voices: Dana Jungerius
Dana tells us about writing and directing a short comedy, 'Uncle Steve's CD Sleeve'.
Student Voices: James Clarke
James's final year film is a documentary called I Shine, about people who believe that they've encountered Big Foot.
Course stories
Facilities
Lens-based and Audio-Visual
Find out about the range of resources, workspaces, and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practices.
The Digital Space
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
3D Workshop
Learn to work with a range of tools and technologies from traditional woodworking to digital fabrication.
Course overview
BA (Hons) Film Practice has been developed for students with a passion for independent cinema – both documentary and fiction. The course is hands-on and industry-oriented, with a strong practical emphasis on single-camera digital production.
You’ll be introduced to professional models of practice in the various disciplines of production and come to understand how those disciplines intersect in the pursuit of a common cinematic goal.
The course is collaborative and promotes teamwork over the auteur, or director-led model of production.
We prefer a structure that reflects professional realities: producer-lead, with semi-autonomous heads of department working with directors to realise a shared vision.
You’ll also benefit from London College of Communication's excellent location which has easy access to the British Film Institute, Tate Modern and The Cinema Museum. The College is also home to the Stanley Kubrick Archive from where films are screened for seminars and guest lectures.
What can you expect?
Year 1 lays the foundations for practice with introductory technical workshops in all the areas of production from development to post-production.
You’ll be encouraged to try your hand at a number of specialisms and expand skills within a variety of technical roles.
In Year 2 the focus shifts to more specialist training. Through the production of one studio-based film, and an extended production of your own choosing, you’ll take on Head of Department (HOD) roles such as AD, cinematographer, production designer, sound designer, editor/VFX, director and producer.
You’ll also gain key skills in script supervision, lighting, assistant camera, sound recording and production management.
Teaching in Year 3 is more oriented towards individual and group tutorials, with support geared specifically towards those specialism(s) that you may choose to pursue for your major project(s).
Depending on the role(s) you undertake and where they fall in the production cycle, you can expect to work on up to three graduation productions.
Direct industry engagement is embedded within the programme through the wide range of industry-active professionals who teach on the course and the work-based learning unit in year 2, which develops your capacity to navigate the professional arena by assisting you to secure meaningful work experience.
The course also places a heavy emphasis on the art of story-telling and all students will undertake a dedicated screenwriting / documentary development unit in the second year.
With a minimum of 6 productions throughout the course, work-based learning and a dedicated screenwriting programme, the syllabus offers a generous practical bias.
But nobody works in a void and a compact theoretical programme exploring historical and contemporary cinematic syntax, genre and form, underscores all the practical elements of the course.
Mode of Study
BA (Hons) Film Practice runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.
Course units
In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Film Practice qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.
Year 1
Unit summary
- Introduction to Film Practice (20 Credits)
Develop your skills for independent and collaborative learning, reflection and self development.
- Documentary Film – A-Z Non-Synch Production (20 Credits)
The unit focuses on sound design and experimentation and introduces you to basic film production, external sound recording techniques, documentary editing practices and post-production software.
- Contextual Studies 1 - Classical and Modernist Film Forms (20 Credits):
You’ll write an essay in response to one of five specified essay questions.
- Fiction Production (40 credits)
This unit introduces After Effects, editing for fiction, three point lighting and working with actors.
- Contextual Studies 2: Contemporary Film and Ideology (20 credits)
You’ll write an essay in response to one of five specified essay questions.
Year 2
Unit summary
- Studio Production (20 credits)
You’ll attend workshops in the specialism of your choice on a production with a complex set build, learning Green Screen filming techniques, strict developmental deadlines and creative compromise.
- Contextual Studies 3: Creative intent and Genre (20 credits)
This unit will emerse you in cinematic paradigms from different genres and narrative traditions and examines the creative choices that shape them.
- Story (20 credits)
This unit offers you the opportunity to explore story-telling with the option of either a documentary proposal, or a short script.
- Open Production (40 credits)
This unit offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with students from other courses and disciplines across UAL on an ambitious film (documentary, fiction or a combination of the two) developed throughout the previous unit.
- Work Based Learning (20 credits)
During this unit, you’ll be supported by tutors as you gain professional experience in the wider sector.
Year 3
Unit summary
- Creative Development (20 credits)
This unit gives you the options of either a developmental portfolio of work in preparation for the Major Project, or a stand-alone piece of work that may inform your creative approach to the Major Project.
- Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (40 credits)
This unit involves developing a focused argument around your own selected topic, (subject to the approval of the academic staff). The dissertation gives you the opportunity to do deep research and draw on material from specialist journals, libraries, archives and internet databases.
- Major Project (60 credits)
This extended unit will be the most comprehensive test of your practical skills, demonstrated in one or more extended film productions.
Learning and teaching methods
- Lectures/large group learning
- Workshop and seminar learning
- Academic tutorials
- Self-directed learning
- Outside speakers and visits
- Assessed assignments
Assessment methods
- Collaborative skills and group work
- Crits
- Production skills
Staff
Klaus Fried
Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Film Practice
Polly Nash
Joint Course Leader, BA (Hons) Film Practice
Tim Harrison
Associate Lecturer
Peter Matthews
Lecturer, BA (Hons) Film Practice
How to apply
Opportunities for all
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
Entry requirements
Home/EU/International
The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
80 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:
- A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
- Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
- Merit, Merit, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, Media).
- Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production).
- OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum
And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).
APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
- A combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English Language Requirements (International/EU)
IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English language requirements page for more information.
All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.
Selection criteria
The portfolio/body of work, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Evidence of an informed interest in and appreciation of the subject area
- An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study
- Evidence of research and development of ideas through practice to achieve specific outcomes
- Quality of ideas and thought processes in the approach to and production of your finished work
Making your application
Personal statement advice
This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in film practice, and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.
You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.
You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.
State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.
You must apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you'll need the following information:
- University code: U65
- Course code: W603
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Making a deferred application (for entry in 2021/22)
Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application.
Entry to Year 2 or Year 3
If you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Click here for important information about our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Erasmus
For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.
International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:
- Through one of our official representatives in your country
- Through UCAS
- Through a direct application
If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:
- University code: U65
- Course code: W603
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate Application page, and for further advice for international applicants, please visit the UAL International Application page.
Application deadline
We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.
Immigration history check
International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
Making a deferred application (for entry in 2021/22)
International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.
Entry to Year 2 or Year 3
If you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units/modules on a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer to year 2 or year 3 respectively.
The Admissions Tutor will consider applicants for entry to year 2 and 3 on a case by case basis, subject to places being available on the course. You must apply through UCAS and indicate POE 2 for entry to year 2 or POE 3 for entry to year 3 on your application.
Click here for important information about our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Study Abroad applicants
International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Film Practice for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.
Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.
After you apply
Communicating with you
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full digital portfolio/body of work.
We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.
International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.
Portfolio advice
Your portfolio/body of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.
Important Note: You are strongly advised not to delay the upload by trying to create new work; your main aim should be to demonstrate the creativity within your current portfolio.
1. We want to see a maximum of 3 minutes worth of film/sound work.
This could be work you have produced on your current courses however we also encourage work produced outside of education. We would prefer not to see show-reels, but rather full scenes, or coherent sections of your films. You could also include a short piece of work that gives us a sense of who you are and your film making identity. You can submit excerpts from any number of fiction, experimental and documentary film work, but it should not exceed 3 minutes in total and should all be compiled within one file. (Further, detailed upload instructions will be shown in the upload system.)
We encourage applications from all specialisms within filmmaking and it is very important that you clearly describe your specific role(s) on the work you are submitting. This will in no way determine your roles on the course, should you receive an offer, but this information is essential if we are to properly assess your experience to date.
If submitting a film extract, please add the URL to the full version of the film (if possible) at the bottom of your contextual statement (see below).
2. Your practical work should be accompanied by a contextual statement.
Your contextual statement should be brief, no more than 500 words, but could be less. It is your opportunity to tell us what you are proud of regarding the work you undertook on the films you have submitted and to really give us a sense of who you are and what makes you tick. This statement is also an opportunity to describe what qualities you think constitute a good collaborator and why you think BA Film Practice is the right course for you.
We are looking for students who have a keen interest in cinema, be it mainstream or independent, from anywhere in the world - any era. We want to know what your favourite films are and why. We want to know that your understanding and love of film extends beyond what you have studied at school.
We are looking for people who enjoy working in a team. You don’t have to have already decided what you want to do within the film making process, but if you have a particular interest, such as sound design, production design, production etc., please let us know what it is about this particular specialism that excites you.
Your contextual statement is an opportunity to demonstrate all of the above.
3. You can also submit a further 9 still images/sound files.
This can include primary and secondary research, ideas development and experimentation with a different range of materials, techniques and media. We are also interested in evidence of the planning around film making, such as story boards, floor plans, technical drawings, concept art, schedules etc.
Due to the high volume of applications we are unlikely to read scripts, and essays.
What happens next?
We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.
We invite all offer holders to come to London College of Communication to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.
Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.
Deferring your place
If you are offered a place for 2020/21 but wish to defer to 2021/22, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.
International applicants will have to pay a pre-payment in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU fee
£9,250 (2020/21).
Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
International fee
£22,920 (2020/21).
Additional costs
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Accommodation
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Careers and alumni
Career paths
Students graduating from the Film Practice course will be prepared to enter a variety of roles within the film and wider related media industries including within the following areas:
- Production
- Camera and lighting
- Sound
- Post-production (editing)
- Art Department
- Distribution and exhibition
- Screenwriting / development
- Graduates may also progress onto postgraduate courses, such as MA Film, MA Screenwriting and MA Documentary Film at LCC.
Industry links
BA (Hons) Film Practice is well-connected to industry and students on the course often gain high-profile work-based placements. Previous students have gained placements with organisations including:
- De Lane Lea (Warner Bros)
- Art House Hire
- Film Fix – Southwark Film Office
- Technicolor
- Imaginarium Studios
- Spectacle Productions
- Newman Hire
- Vice TV
- Lionsgate
- Caviar Content
- Food Network
- Shanghai Media Group
Alumni achievements include:
- Short film Paul is Dead, by recent graduates George Moore (Director), Stuart Armstrong (Screenwriter and Production Designer) and Harry Green (Cinematographer/Colourist), will be screened at the London Short Film Festival in January 2019.
- God Bless This House, a film by LCC graduates Rodrigo Mendez (Director) and Tomas Fernandez Vertiz (Director of Photography), has been selected for the London Short Film Festival 2019.
- She Dreams, a short film made by graduates Joe Daly (Writer/Director), Zanvier Allison (Producer), Sophie Earthroll (Production Design) and Ernest Tu (Director of Photography) whilst in their second year on BA (Hons) Film Practice, has been nominated for an award at the Global University Film Awards and selected for the Cyprus International Short Film Festival.
