The British film and television industry has a long history and produces countless film and television works, with an annual production of nearly 100 films and an output value of over 100 million pounds. Presumably, everyone will have their favourite British movies and TV dramas, from Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and James Bond series to recent popular series such as Game of Thrones and The Crown, all of which are filmed or produced in the UK. Many British universities offer Bachelor's and Master's programs in Film Studies/Film Production and related production, attracting students from all over the world to pursue further studies in the UK. Moreover, in recent years, there have been more and more Thai students studying film in the UK. Some are studying film theory, while others specialise in production, directing, and other fields. Graduating from a university in the UK with a major in film, there are many opportunities to participate in international blockbuster production, which is definitely a dream opportunity for students to enter this dream workshop in the film and television industry.
In the UK, the subject of film is mainly divided into two categories, namely Film Studies and Film Production. If you enjoy watching movies or are deeply interested in film cultures from multiple countries, you may consider taking a look at Film Studies; If you are lively and enjoy collaborating with others, film production will be more suitable for you.
Do I only watch movies every day while studying 'Film Studies'?
Students studying Film Studies not only spend a lot of time watching different types of movies every day, but also learn and delve into filmmakism, theory, writing reports and papers, discussing the theories or meanings behind the expression techniques used in movies, and reflecting what social culture they reflect. The scope of film research courses is very broad, including the development process, aesthetic characteristics, creative patterns, and classification of film works. Students can even pursue or study units related to human sensory cognition, history, and psychology.
Film, as an international cultural medium, students not only study films from the United States and the United States, but also learn about films from different countries such as Europe, Asia, Latin America, India, and other countries. They explore how movies in different societies, eras, and countries can bring out social problems through compact and precisely calculated plots, and learn various film theories such as cross-border films, film cultures, styles, and genres. The student union will describe and interpret the theory, history, and practice of art, literature, film, television, new media, and communication.
Studying 'Film Production' to Save Thai Films?
In this era of information technology explosion, approximately 70% of the content on the internet is video content. On social media sites, with over a million views of film content per day and up to 100 million hours of playback time, the importance and potential for development of films are evident. Regardless of the industry, using films as a promotional medium is an inevitable trend.
Film Production is more diverse and comprehensive than general disciplines, but it is more adept at learning practical techniques and dedicated to cultivating film art creators compared to film research. Students not only learn basic film production techniques and skills such as photography, screenwriting, directing, and editing, but also advanced courses include creative writing, digital cinema, film soundtrack and animation production, film production in studios, and learning to use digital production tools to edit short films, covering various aspects. Not only film and television shooting projects, but also adapted films, documentaries, corporate advertising videos, music videos, etc. are all shooting works that the student union is exposed to, and the production field is very broad.
Students can not only learn production skills in the course, but also collaborate with students from different disciplines, such as film music and dubbing, marketing strategies, etc., and collaborate with people from various industries to enhance soft skills. Many students start setting up studios during their academic years, studying course content while working to adapt to the commercial film production environment and cultivate communication skills with people from all walks of life. Good interpersonal skills are detrimental to students, allowing them to establish more industry connections, meet like-minded partners, and even have more opportunities to participate in filming projects. Students will have many opportunities to have face-to-face communication with famous directors. Some schools invite famous film directors to screen new films on campus every year, exchanging their experiences and insights in film creation with students face-to-face.
Student portfolio requirements
Some schools require students to provide their own works for school review, including various details in short films or film works produced by them, such as copywriting, storyboards, filming techniques, dubbing, and target audiences. The school will review students' professional skills, balance between text and vision, communication skills with the audience, creativity, and rendering through their works. Students can use text to explain the design ideas used in the work process. The school hopes to see the development process of the work, forming a story from the needs of middle school students to use images, expressive language, sound effects, colour tones, basic composition, and splicing, and using media to showcase their ideas. The school also hopes that students can showcase their thoughts on certain topics and have an independent perspective on certain social situations in their works. At the same time, in the portfolio, the school wants to know if students have professional practical experience in the field of film production, and hopes that students can showcase the results learned from their previous practical experience.
Critical analytical thinking is necessary to cultivate skills
I believe that students can critically analyse movies to understand the meaning behind directors and producers, how film critics and other audiences express their opinions through consuming movies, and the status of movies in different social, cultural, historical, and industrial backgrounds. The social effects and aesthetic perspectives generated by it will also be one of the main learning directions for students.
In addition to studying film studies/film production theories, it is essential for students to have the opportunity to try different positions and practice theories learned in the classroom, such as directing, screenwriting, and acting. Students are able to create their own works while understanding the relevant responsibilities and the actual operation of the film industry, as well as the role that movies play in society and culture.
Graduation pathway
Graduates of Film Production and Film Studies have many avenues for development, where a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend. They can find jobs in post production, music, photography, and even the film exhibition industry. Many graduates work in locations, visual effects, production coordinators, photography, editing, and recording. If students are more outgoing, they can also choose to engage in film criticism, film exhibition curation, program planning, or film marketing, or continue to pursue master's and doctoral degrees in film and multimedia research.
In addition to directly participating in film production, pre production affairs are also a very important part of film production. Film producers, commonly referred to as producers by the public, are responsible for initiating, coordinating, supervising, and reviewing works, as well as arranging the distribution of films. Film producers also need to introduce film projects to film companies and investors. In addition to participating in film production, film producers also need to prepare funds, search for and purchase scripts, find actors and behind the scenes staff, find partner manufacturers, transfer personnel, control budgets, supervise filming schedules, and ensure the smooth completion of the work. Due to the diverse work of a producer, a film may have many producers, as a producer is absolutely indispensable throughout the entire filming process.
