BA (Hons)
Television and Film Production
Informed by current industry practices and techniques
Course Overview
Why take this course?
We are an exciting and rigorous television and digital film production course. We strive for independent thinking, creative competency and professionalism in the production of digital short films and television programme making. If you are looking for a career in film, television or video production then this course is for you!
The curriculum is highly creative, with 80% being practice-based and 20% theoretical. We focus on fiction and documentary forms of digital storytelling enabling you to develop skills in researching, producing, directing, scripting, cinematography, sound recording and editing.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Learn how to develop, write, produce, direct, shoot, edit and promote a short film and/or television programme
- Gain key practical techniques of filmmaking and operational skills using industry standard filming equipment, hardware and software
- Take workshops and masterclasses to develop advanced skills in scriptwriting, directing actors, cinematography, sound design and post-production
- Visit our course website to find out more
What opportunities might it lead to?
Our course specialises in a multi-skilled approach, much favoured by the TV and film industry. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of many key roles required for the digital production process. By the completion of your studies you will be a prepared, skilled and thoughtful practitioner with the expertise to fulfill a range of industry-related jobs.
Our students’ short films are regularly submitted and selected for International film festivals and have also been recognised by The Royal Television Society (RTS). We annually host a screening event of our graduation films in London (BFI) to an invited guest list of industry contacts.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- broadcasting
- producing
- media management
- scriptwriting
I chose Portsmouth to study TV and film on account of its industry links, the experience of the lecturers and the facilities available to me.
Julian Zarzoso-Lowe, BA (Hons) Television and Film Production student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- W612
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
240-300 points to include a minimum of 240 points from A Levels or equivalent, with 100 points from film, video or media subjects, or National Diploma in Media.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,000 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- create.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2421 - Department
- School of Creative Technologies
Subject:
Computing and Creative Technologies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Hands-on, practical work and real-life learning, which is transferable to future careers
- Modern facilities and access to the latest technology including numerous computer labs, TV studios and a motion capture suite
- Approachable lecturers who have experience and contacts in the industry
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In the first year, you will work in teams on a broad range of non-fiction storytelling formats. There’s also focus on practical skills and craft units providing a firm introduction to the whole production process including camera work, lighting and sound.
Core units in this year include:
- Shooting Techniques
- Non-Fiction Storytelling
- Editing for TV and Film: Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer
- Film Studies: Film Form and Narrative
- Meaning and Representation
- E-Portfolio
Year two
This year focuses more specifically on drama, documentary, scriptwriting and cinematography, as well as TV multi-camera studio work. You’ll also experience the many factors involved in the production process, from commissioning, pitching and proposal writing, through to the creation of a short film and applications for broadcasting.
Core units in this year include:
- Cinematography and Sound Design
- Scripting for TV and Film
- Short Film Producing and Production Management
- Documentary Production
- TV Studio Production
- Creative Music and Effects for TV and Film
Year three*
As well as some core units, this year will give you the chance to showcase your practical skills. You will make two digital short films, each of up to 15 minutes’ duration, and you can choose between non-fiction and fiction. Following this major project, you’ll then round off your studies by completing an independent written project allowing you to develop your own critical question around film/TV.
Core units in this year include:
- Fiction Short Film
- Written Project
- Masterclasses – Cinematography/Sound/Editing
- Major Project
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
You will experience a variety of teaching through lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops.
However, independent study and self-motivation is also an essential part of your studies. We aim to encourage you to read from our numerous resources, take out university kit or use computer workstations in your own time to enhance your learning.
How are you assessed?
Due to the practical nature of this course, assessment is extremely varied and includes:
- essay and report writing
- film production artefacts
- live TV production output
- group projects and presentations
- pitching
- production files
- practical assessments – live projects that emulate real-world practice
- workshops and supervised work sessions
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Filming Equipment
Access industry-standard professional filming equipment
TV Studios
Our purpose-built TV studios that allow the production of all types of television work
CCI Channel
CCI Student TV - our student-run TV channel
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Filming Equipment
You will have access to a wide range of technical resources including industry-standard professional filming equipment that includes:
- Sennheiser microphones
- Final Cut Pro editing facilities
- Avid Media Composer editing facilities
- Foley and ADR Sound Studio
- Multi-Camera TV Studios
We are accredited with Avid to offer certification in Avid Media Composer 6.0.
TV Studios
We have purpose built TV studios that allow the production of all types of television and film work. The studios are fully equipped enabling you to get loads of practical experience and ensure you are working to an industry standard.
CCI Channel
Our student-run TV channel, CCI Student TV, will also enable you to regularly contribute content that is screened live over the internet and around the University. You can submit your work or even be part of the presentation team.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This course is designed for those who want a career in television or film. By the completion of your studies you will be a prepared, skilled and thoughtful practitioner aware of the practices, protocol, techniques and technology involved in filmmaking and television production, with the expertise to fulfill a range of industry-related jobs in the UK or elsewhere.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- runners
- camera assistants
- junior/editing assistants
- sound recordists
- junior researchers
- personal or production assistants
- junior/production coordinators
- 3rd / 2nd assistant directors
When established, our graduates go one to have successful staff or freelance careers – as researchers, production managers, producers, directors, camera operators, gaffers, cinematographers, production designers, sound and editors.
Work experience
The course operates a system of short work placement opportunities taken in the vacation periods and also the option to take a placement year in industry. Placements vary from regional and national TV companies, independent production companies, facilities and specialist equipment companies, and for freelance practitioners/filmmakers. Students have recently completed placements at:
- BBC
- ITV
- Sky
- Talkback
- Maverick
- Firecracker Films
- Endemol
- Shine
- Personal Assistant for film director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men, Jack the Giant Slayer)
Our students have also gained work experience working on studio-based TV shows Take Me Out, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and Big Brother. Other students have worked on independent feature films such as Asylum and mainstream cinema releases such as Jack the Giant Slayer and Les Miserables.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more