Over the summer of 2017 I extensively pondered my future beyond graduating from CCAD with a BA (Hons) in Creative Film and Moving Image Production. I asked myself the usual questions; where do I see myself? Why? What strengths or weaknesses do I have that would permit me to succeed or fail in my chosen area? Unfortunately my time at CCAD has undoubtedly tainted my idea of what a degree should stand for. I have watched many a lazy individual graduate with a degree. One which they likely do not deserve. It is this which has driven down the value of a degree in wider society. Many young people see it as a form of security for a couple of years and do not strive for anything other than having the title of a degree. It’s this exact thinking that made me want to pursue a Masters degree. As the value of the degree has declined, the Masters degree has kept the prestigious status it always had. It’s a separation point I believe, between an employer taking a risk on employing you on the basis of a degree, or employing someone who has a Masters degree, knowing the MA student likely has more drive and discipline. This was the objective side of my brain thinking. I was methodically calculating the meanings behind our education system and how that may affect me getting a job later down the line. But I was also operating on a subjective basis. I love film studies, and I have since I began back in 2013. Therefore I’d love to carry on my studies, and push my academic knowledge and understanding further.
I then began the process of looking at what MA degrees were on offer in the country. I knew I wanted to stay somewhat local, meaning the North of England. I had already looked at the likes of MET Film school in London years ago, and priced them at £28,000 per year. And then there’s rent. Basically impossible. Moving to London is never out of the question and is something I will likely do in the coming years, but as for studying there it was never a possibility. I looked at the MA degrees at York University and found that they were too specialist. One of the good things about the degree I’ve been doing at CCAD is that it covers every base, though sometimes very briefly, you leave with a broad knowledge and the ability to understand the different roles and positions of filmmaking. The emphasis of York was on a very specific area. For example the Sound MA degrees were split into three. Sound Operator, Sound Engineer and Sound (Post-Production). This was the same for the editing degrees, camera etc. Then I came across Newcastle Uni, which like CCAD, placed equal emphasis on combining academic and practical study. Newcastle is also part of Russell Group, one of nine institutions in the country to offer this type of prestigious degree. Once I had found Newcastle I put on halt all of the other options until I had visited the institution and spoke to a member of staff to confirm the legitimacy of the course.
Next came the thing that required the most thought. Am I to do my Masters degree over one year? Or part time over two? After speaking to Alyson Agar, a lecturer of Visual Culture at CCAD, I was almost entirely convinced to do my course over two years. The benefit of this is that you have more time to complete your modules, and for me the more time I have the greater my work is and the more creative/analytical I can be. Masters degree are inherently intense processes I have found from people who have done them first hand, so the part time degree proved to be the best and more sensible option. It is the same price as one year, but payments are split in two. One year at Newcastle would be £7200. Over the two years its £3600 each year. Doing my degree part time would allow me greater flexibility to have a part time job on the side, like I currently do during my degree. It also allows me greater flexibility when looking for work experience opportunities. I would likely be timetabled in only one or two days a week, leaving me the rest of the week to work (to support myself financially) but also to complete my assignments.
On Wednesday the 7th of February I visited Newcastle University as part of their Post-Graduate opening day, to see what the course was all about. I had previously looked at the course online, but I then became aware that like most higher education institutions their syllabus changes frequently. To begin the day I explored the campus. Unlike CCAD which is a tiny institution, Newcastle has the feel of a real University Campus, with coffee shops and activities advertised around every corner. I met with the female programme leader and a second year part-time student of the course. The course itself is titled Film Theory and Practice MA. The brief chat I had with the current student and the programme leader was informative enough however I was noted about the official seminar which was to take place at 4PM, giving a complete overview of the course. I returned at four to be seated within a group of around ten people, all from academic backgrounds which was not surprising, but what was surprising was that the majority of them were from seemingly unrelated courses such as politics and english literature. The programme leader was there again to give a detailed outline of the course. There I found out that with my intention of studying part-time, I would have three compulsory modules within the first year. These modules would be made up of academic work for the most part, then in the second year the optional modules would kick in, allowing for more practical based study to kick in with emphasis on screenwriting and filmmaking. I enquired about the use of equipment or stores when it came to asking questions at the end. I was informed the Uni does in fact have its own equipment stores.
I was extremely pleased with how the day went, and after learning more about the course and learning about the work experience and placement opportunities that were affiliated with the degree, my mind was almost made up. Over the coming months my focus will be on my Final Major Project and Professional practice modules. I will most likely work toward the application process as I am at least 90% sure that the Film Theory and Practice MA is the right step forward for me into my future as an aspiring filmmaker.
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