Gain the expertise needed to direct science and wildlife productions, the know-how to produce and direct entire shows and the confidence to generate and pitch ideas to commissioners.
Train to make your own films, and receive guidance from industry experts through workshops and exclusive masterclasses (including the world-renowned BBC Natural History Unit). Graduate with an unrivalled list of industry contacts and the skills needed to kickstart your career as a producer/director in this exciting industry. Unlike other courses of its kind, all production costs are covered by the School.
Students and course graduates are regularly recognised with key awards such as Student BAFTAs, Jackson Wild Media Awards, Student Academy Awards, Royal Television Society Awards, and at major festivals including NaturVision and Wildscreen.
Gain the skills to confidently direct science and natural history productions, the know-how to produce entire shows, and the ability to generate new programme ideas and formats. You’ll gain a practical working knowledge of current television production methods and insight into how the business works, as well as being on top of current trends.
We put a strong emphasis on professional practice. This means that the projects you make will be expected to measure up to scientific scrutiny, as well as exhibition and broadcast standards.
You will carry out assignments in the specialist skills of long-lens, time-lapse and macro-photography. In the first year, you will produce, direct, shoot and edit a 10-minute film. In the second year, your 20-25 minute graduation film is made in collaboration with other NFTS students, including editors, composers and sound designers.
As part of the course, you will be exposed to the development and production challenges of specialist factual genres from Blue Chip natural history and landmark science series to children’s, people and nature, live, expedition films, magazine formats and observational documentary. In addition, there will be a focus on promoting cross-genre ideas to foster creativity.