Production Design for Screen & Film

Course Summary This course reflects current high demands for professionally ready, technically skilled production design graduates equipped with vital creative, logistical and production skills to enter into the screen, film and television industry.

Fundamental to the delivery of this course is the teaching of production design within the broader MetFilm School environment. This unique symbiotic arrangement will enable students to hone specialist design skills in the classroom and test them out in live film projects. Thus, students will gain understanding of their place within film production and build a network of peers, alongside whom they can progress throughout their education and on, into the workplace.

In Year 1, students will be introduced via core modules to fundamental design skills and will gain insight into art department roles and relationships with production and the wider industry. A unique aspect of this course is the introduction of professional film directors as mentors, establishing and developing that key professional relationship between director and production designer. A module introducing costume design, props and make-up will further enhance skills and the ability to support live film projects throughout the three years. This learning will be underpinned by short film productions taught in collaboration with BA Hons Filmmaking and BA Hair and Make Up for Screen and Film degrees, enhancing an understanding of the film and related creative industries, critical analysis and overarching film craft.

In Year 2, via specialist optional modules, students will further develop their skills in production design through theoretical and live projects focusing on design for both studio and location. At the heart of this approach, is the combination of traditional design skills, drawing and modelmaking with cutting edge digital production skills, including animation, 3D modelling and digital VFX. The level 5 core modules (taught in collaboration with BA Hons Filmmaking and BA Hons Hair and Make Up for Screen and Film) will support the realisation of these skills with the production of two short form films, one in each semester.

As students’ progress from Year 2 to Year 3 they will develop and refine their creative and technical proficiency, research methods and personal professional development. The final year also comprises of an in-depth personal design project and the development and production of a final live film in collaboration with BA Hons Filmmaking, BA Hons Hair and Make-Up for Screen and Film and BA Hons Film Business and Production students. The course will be delivered by experienced film practitioners who combine their academic teaching with relevant and current professional practice.