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Wimbledon College of Arts

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BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen

College
WIMBLEDON
Start date
October 2020
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
W690
Apply Open days

Applications closed 2020/21

We are no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry to this course.

Coronavirus updates

All our courses starting in 2020/21 will be running as a mix of on-campus and online activities and will follow UK government safety advice. It may be necessary to make some adjustments to course delivery as a result of this. We will notify applicants and students of any changes directly.

For more information, read our guidance for prospective students during the Coronavirus outbreak.

BA Production Arts for Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts offers a unique combination of design and making skills for film, television and other screen-based media.

This course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Student work

  • Student working on film project.
  • Storyboards and models.
    Storyboards and models - BA Production Arts for Screen
  • Students working on film project.
    Students working on film project - BA Production Arts for Screen
  • Still from animation.
    Still from animation - BA Production Arts for Screen
  • Storyboards and character models.
    Storyboards and character models - BA Production Arts for Screen

Wimbledon Stories

Course overview

More films, television programmes, animations and screen-based content are being made than ever before. Old and new technologies are working alongside each other to create digital, online and analogue content across all media. The gaming industry is growing, and virtual and augmented reality are in their early experimental stages. In a time of huge development and investment in the industry, it is a great time to get involved.

What to expect

  • To gain skills in filming, editing and sound
  • Production design - visualising the concept of a film, television or other screen-based production
  • Art direction - supervising and unifying a designers' vision
  • Introduction to new technologies - Virtual Reality (VR) and Computer Generated Imagery (CGI)
  • Character and script analysis
  • Model making
  • Green screen technology
  • Introduction to digital special effects
  • Development of your research skills and personal reference material
  • Technical drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD) in 2D and 3D
  • To have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops. View the Wimbledon facilities

Work experience and opportunities 

Work placements are a key feature during the second year of this course, providing essential links for students’ graduate careers within industry and beyond. Students may have the opportunity to visit London television and film studios, scenic workshops, prop houses, makers and suppliers. 

Students will have the opportunity to take part in the Erasmus scheme to study abroad for a term in the second year of your degree.

Mode of study 

BA  Production Arts for Screen  is  offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.  

Course units

A short description of each unit and what you can expect.

Year 1

Unit 1 - Introduction to Production Arts for Screen

This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university. 

Unit 2 - Designing and making 1

This unit will introduce you to into a broad range of skills and techniques in production arts. 

  • To be set a large-scale project 
  • Subject specific technical workshops
  • To create a workbook to record technical skills, processes and techniques
  • Seminars, lectures, talks and tutorials
  • Group presentations

Unit 3 - Designing and making 2

You will further your technical and digital skills and begin to place your project work in a professional context.

  • To undertake both project and research work
  • To record your personal interests, critical thinking and knowledge of production arts on your personal reflective blog
  • To continue to record newly learnt techniques and skills in your workbook

Unit 4 - Exploring ideas

The emphasis of this unit will be on making connections between ideas, processes and skills through thinking and decision-making.

  • To experience the whole design and making process involved in a large-scale filming project
  • To expand on your technical, filming and digital skills
  • To develop your collaborative skills by working in a team to produce a short film
  • To research and analyse different media and communicate your responses
  • Seminars on contemporary and historical viewpoints and approaches to production arts
  • To continue to use your workbook and personal reflective blog

Unit 5 - Who are you? Establishing practice

In this unit you will design a set for the camera. The project will be about the history of Britain. You will design a domestic living space from a specific time period.

  • To research and start your own personal library of technical, geographical, sculptural and architectural references
  • To make a rough 3D white card model at 1:50 scale
  • To use the digital drawing program Sketchup to create a 3D model

Year 2

Unit 6 - Practice as laboratory

This unit will develop your analogue and digital skills and techniques further. Projects will enhance your specialist skills for film and television.

  • Projects that cover art direction, model making, research, technical and computer aided drawing
  • To continue to use your workbook and personal reflective blog

Unit 7 - Collaborative and collective practices

This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes: 

  • To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project
  • To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work
  • To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts

Unit 8 - Where in the world? 1

This unit is about learning to understand the role of the production designer. It will focus on the research and design development stage of designing for a longer narrative for cinema or television.

  • To use a screenplay to carry out script analysis, script breakdown, character analysis, set dressing and research into period and genre
  • To engage with and respond to broader concepts and themes. These might include, but are not limited to body, gender, genre, agency, authenticity, movement, audience, spatiality
  • Lectures and seminars that introduce you to contemporary theorists and practitioners working in the field of theatre, film and performance
  • To write a 2500 word essay responding to a concept or theme you encounter in the unit
  • To apply for work placements to be undertaken in unit 9
  • To work on your CV and professional portfolio

Unit 9 - Where in the world? 2

In this unit will you continue to develop and complete your large-scale production design project that you started in unit 8.

  • During this unit you can undertake a work placement
  • To continue to use your workbook and personal reflective blog 

Year 3

Unit 10 -  Finding your voice: portfolio design, crafting research skills, career planning

The work generated for your final year project will be self-directed and involve extended pieces of work. The unit has 3 elements:

  • Research portfolio - a visual and reflective project that demonstrates your research voice within your studio work
  • Dissertation - a research project which can be written, filmed or presented
  • Personal profile - development of a personal profile for potential employment

Unit 11 -  Show your work: independent practice

This final unit enables you bring together all the ideas and learning from the course. You will undertake a major production design, art direction or spatial design project. This might be for a film, television drama, entertainment production, event creation, museum exhibition, digital game, VR or other environment creation for screen.

  • To continue a self-directed programme of practice and related research
  • Seminars and talks on working in production arts
  • To present work in the college degree show

Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3

Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Artist and professional practice talks and workshops
  • Briefings, discussions, lectures and seminars
  • Cross course group crits
  • Field trips and off-site visits
  • Group and individual presentations and tutorials
  • Independent learning
  • Lectures and artist talks
  • Online learning
  • Peer learning and review
  • Portfolio review
  • Project planning
  • Research training
  • Student presentations
  • Studio and workshop based self directed study and research
  • Study skills
  • Technical workshops and inductions
  • Workshops on writing styles, research methodology and critical debate

Assessment methods

  • Blogs
  • Critical professional practice presentations
  • Exhibition of work
  • Off-site project
  • Peer evaluation
  • Portfolio
  • Presentations
  • Research journal
  • Self evaluation
  • Studio exhibition presentation
  • Technical skills
  • Written work - assignments, essays, reports, scripts and statements

Staff

  • Paul Franklin - Course Leader
  • Geraldine O'Reilly - Lecturer
  • Simon Stringer - Lecturer
  • Kate Wicks - Lecturer

Visiting Staff

  • Keith Frederick - Puppet maker, costumier and puppet restorer. Recent work includes Midsummers Night Dream at the Globe Theatre. Has worked extensively at the Little Angel puppet theatre
  • Dan Martin - Special effects, effects make-up artist and co-ordinator. Work includes Batman Begins, High Rise, The Human Centipede, The Wolfman
  • David McHenry - Draughtsman. Worked on Game of Thrones, Rush and Dredd
  • Catrin Meredydd - Production Designer. Worked on Best Possible Taste, Broadchurch, IBoy, Jekyll & Hyde, Our Loved Boy, Poldark, The Fades
  • Christina Moore - Production Designer and Art Director. Worked on Game of Thrones, Just Henry, Lena,  Sense & Sensibility, Surviving Picasso
  • Aya Nakamura - Puppet maker and performer. Worked on Newzoids puppet animation for ITV. Recent puppet stage productions include Duvet Day, Hansel & Gretel, Tarrare the Freak
  • David Neat - Model maker and author of the book 'Model-making, Materials and Methods'
  • Tom Roberts - Propmaker. Worked on Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Inbetweeners, Macbeth, Peaky Blinders, Sherlock Holmes, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Tulip Fever
  • Matt Scott - Director, Scott Fleary scenery builders. Built X-Factor, The Voice and Sky Sports news
  • Roman Stefanski - Actor and Director of puppet productions for theatre, film and television. Has worked extensively at the Polka theatre, Wimbledon. Films include Leap Year and Under the Same Sun
  • Andy Symanowski - Animator and director, Aardman Animation. Worked on Shaun the Sheep and the Wallace and Gromit films
  • Livia Turco - Senior Character Modelling Sculptor at Merlin Entertainment / Madame Tussauds
  • Robert Tygner - Actor, Director and puppeteer. Worked on Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Jim Henson’s Jack and the Beanstalk, Muppets Most Wanted, Victor Frankenstein, Where the Wild Things Are
  • Fleur Whitlock - Art Director and Production Designer. Worked on Episodes, Oliver Twist, Rev, The Libertine, Wuthering Heights
  • Tom Wilkinson - Sculptor, prop and automaton maker. He is a co-founder of the public art group Arts Republic. His work was on display at the Winter Lights Festival in Canary Wharf in 2015-16
  • Darryl Worbey - Puppetry and SFX Designer. 30 years’ experience in film, television and theatre. Credits include Star Wars - Rogue One, Yonderland for Sky TV, Muppets Most Wanted, Disney, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Basil Brush Show

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

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

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

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An interest, commitment and motivation for studying the subject
  • An ability to work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media, materials and processes
  • Potential for creative problem solving
  • An ability to create and develop new ideas
  • A desire to learn and an ability to investigate and develop ideas independently
  • Ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • Visual awareness and an understanding of the creative process
  • Ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work
  • Cultural and historical awareness of production design, design for screen, technical arts
  • Motivation for working in the related industries
  • A desire to succeed

Making your application

Portfolio advice

Portfolios should show the following:

  • A range of visual recording, such as drawing, life drawing and photography
  • Experimentation, which demonstrates idea generation and development
  • Visual work that uses form, structure, texture and space
  • Design development showing how problems are solved
  • Any previous experience of theatre work
  • Include your sketchbooks and notebooks

Please remember:

  • The quality of the work is more important than the quantity
  • Where possible, large or 3D work should be photographed and scanned
  • To organise your work by project, with supporting work presented alongside final outcomes

We are no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry to this course.

Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.

You must apply through UCAS, where you’ll need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W690

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 15 January for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

External Student Transfer Policy:

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units and modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, 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. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.

Deferring your place

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

If you are an EU offer holder, it is important to consider that, from 2021-22, you may be charged International fees, which are higher. Read our Coronavirus guidance for prospective students for details.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.

Interview selection event

You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

The event will also give you a chance to meet current students, take a tour of the college and see the facilities.

More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for Home/EU applicants happens in a variety of different ways:

  • In person at Wimbledon College of Arts
  • By phone or Skype

If you choose phone or Skype, you will be sent an email requesting that you upload a digital portfolio using UAL’s online portfolio review system.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

Please note that applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

We are no longer accepting applications for 2020/21 entry to this course.

Applications for 2021/22 entry will open in Autumn 2020.

There are 3 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Wimbledon College of Arts:

If you are applying via UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code - U65
  • UCAS course code - W690

You can only apply to the same course once per year whether you are applying via UCAS, UAL representative or using the UAL online application system. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 15 January for equal consideration.

However, this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

External Student Transfer Policy:

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 120 credits (year 1) or 240 credits (years 1 and 2) in the equivalent units and modules on a degree course and wish to continue your studies at Camberwell College of Arts, 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. Further information can be found in our UAL External Student Transfer Policy.

Deferring your place

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

What happens next

Communicating with you

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Immigration history check

Whether you’re applying online via UCAS, 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 don’t complete the check we won’t be able to proceed with your application.

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course. If you do, you will be asked to upload a digital portfolio. Once you have uploaded your portfolio, you’ll be invited to or asked to book onto a suitable date to attend an interview selection event.

Interview selection event

You will be expected to bring your portfolio, which will be reviewed by the academics conducting the event. Please be prepared to talk about your work, what inspires you and your influences. We may not discuss all of these topics at the event.

More details about your interview selection event will be emailed to you once you have chosen or been allocated your date.

Selection for international applicants happens in a variety of different ways:

  • By phone or Skype
  • In your country, if your application was made through one of our official representatives
  • In person at our international office based at Chelsea College of Arts

If you choose phone or Skype your portfolio that you uploaded via UAL’s online portfolio review system will be used during the interview.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

  • If you applied through UCAS you will receive the final outcome of of your application through UCAS track
  • If you applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL portal

Please note that applicants for this course may be given an alternative offer. This decision will be based on our assessment of your creative and potential interests.

Study Abroad

Through the Study Abroad programme international students can apply to join an undergraduate course.

For information on how to apply visit the Study Abroad section.


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

Use our search tool to find out more about the scholarships and awards available to students.

BAFTA UK scholarship programme

The scholarship programme is open to British citizens in need of financial assistance. Wimbledon's BA Production Arts for Screen is one of the eligible courses. Find out about the benefits and how to apply to the BAFTA UK scholarship programme.

Scholarship search

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Careers and alumni

This course prepares you for progression into a range of careers such as:

Art departments for film and television, animation, art direction, draughts person, education and teaching, event design, exhibitions and curating, model making and sculpting, postgraduate study, production design, prop making, production buying, scenic art and construction, set dressing, special effects and technical drawing.

Alumni

  • Joe Beagley - Head of Masks and Puppets for Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London
  • Paul Cripps - Production Designer and Art Director on Atlantis, Bones, Borrowers, Hex, Merlin, Skins, Sugar Rush and The Missing
  • Eun Jung Ha - Senior Character Modeller at Merlin Entertainment / Madame Tussauds
  • Patrick Harris - Art Director / Assistant Art Director on Guardians of the Galaxy, Kingsman and Wonderwoman
  • Sean Hogan and Ben Gerlis - Production design studio Stripe Land
  • Steven Granger - Art Department Assistant, draughtsman, standby Art Director on Marcella, Paddington and The Mercy
  • Sarah Greenwood - Production Designer on Anna Karenina, Atonement, Beauty & the Beast, Hanna and Sherlock Holmes
  • Will Houghton-Connell - Concept artist, storyboard artist and draughtsman for Stuart Craig on Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars Episode 7
  • Christian Huband - Art Director on Dark Shadows, Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter, The Invention of Hugh Cabret and Supervising Art Director on Justice League
  • Solrun Jonsdottir - Production Designer on Enemy of England
  • Steven Lawrence - Art Director on Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jungle Book, Paddington and The Dark Knight
  • Cher Leigh - Creature creator for Solo and forthcoming Disney film
  • Thomas Lowthian - Assistant Art Director on And Then There Were None (BBC1 Agatha Christie) and Designer on Mars mini series
  • Viviana Motta - Art Department Assistant for Victoria & Abdul
  • Olivia Muggleton - Draughtswoman on Star Wars: Rogue One and Force Awakens
  • Dan Ojari - Award-winning animator selected for Sundance Film Festival. Ojari also worked on BAFTA award-winning short animation The Eagleman Stag with Michael Please. They now run their own company Parabella
  • Max Patte - Sculptor for Weta Workshop. Worked on Harry Potter V, Justice League of America and Prince Caspian
  • Alistair Pauly - Amour maker on Game of Thrones, The Kid Who Would Be King and Outlaw King
  • Will Pearce - Formerly Head of Masks and Puppets for Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London
  • Jack Perry, Sara Stanton, Mia James - Director, Production Designer, Art Director on A Girl Goes For Dinner
  • Michael Please - BAFTA award-winner for short film The Eagleman Stag
  • Vicky Ralph - Art Department Coordinator for Paddington 2 and for Stuart Craig at Leavesden studios on Fantastic Beasts 1 and 2
  • Owen Robertson - Art Department Assistant on Justice League
  • Betty Sims-Hilditch - Art Department Assistant at Pinewood studios on Chesil Beach
  • Mark Tildesley - Production Designer on The Constant Gardener, 28 Days Later and Designer for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.

Wimbledon College of Arts

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Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 9641
Address
Wimbledon College of Arts
Merton Hall Road
London
SW19 3QA