If you want to be the next David Bailey, or direct an Oscar winning film, or create a powerful search engine, there are lots of courses for you. Sabuhi Mir investigates.
The media arts encompass a broad range of subjects, which include film and TV studies, multimedia and photography to name a few. For students wishing to apply for these courses in the UK, the choice can be very overwhelming with regard to what course to choose, whereabouts to study, and whether that particular course will guarantee a job in the highly competitive media industry.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) estimates that 20,368 students applied for a media studies degree, 560 students applied for a foundation degree and 287 students applied for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in the UK alone for 2006/7.
First steps
Before choosing the most suitable media arts course for you, it is important to carry out research either online, by phone or by visiting open days. Most universities and colleges have a website that will provide you with relevant information about potential courses you want to study. Getting in contact with admissions tutors of a particular college or university is also helpful as they can run the admissions procedure for the course you want to study.
Most universities and colleges also hold open days for prospective students: this is an ideal opportunity not only for getting an idea of what the institution is like with regard to its teaching methods - you can approach a relevant lecturer in your chosen subject - but for also checking out the institution’s wide range of facilities.
Where to study?
It is important to consider whether the media arts course you choose is a vocational or non-vocational one. Studying a vocational course is always preferable as it is likely that it will equip you with the necessary skills, training and experience for your first film, multimedia or photography job.
Students who study the Fashion Photography BA at the London College of Fashion are taught the technical skills of photography. They become familiar with location and studio shooting and develop creative skills using the College’s photography studio and darkroom facilities. In addition, students explore the newer technologies of digital image production and manipulation.
Being based in London, students have immediate access to a wide range of exhibitions, galleries and cultural events that provide inspiration for photographic work. The course is underpinned by professional, business and related industrial studies, providing you with preparation for mainly freelance careers in photography.
The University of Westminster offers numerous film-related courses including: a Film Television Production BA , a Film and Television MA and MA in Screenwriting and Producing for Film and Television. The following areas are covered in the Film and Television Production BA, which is spread over three years: film-making, television drama and documentary, screenwriting, film theory and criticism.
Students engage with the creative, practical and collaborative processes of film and television production. The course benefits from being close to the film and television industries and receives support from manufacturers, facilities companies and film laboratories. Many of the seminars and workshops are given by working professionals.
The University of Central England in Birmingham (UCE) offers a three year Web and New Media BA which gives the student a range if cross-sector skills. The course is not taught in isolation but involves plenty of interaction with other students studying journalism, public relations, TV, film, radio and music industry skills.
As well as the teaching of standard web design, there is a professional studies element to the course where students learn how to develop contacts with employers, how to network, apply for jobs, develop interview skills and write CVs, which are all essential practical skills. Students also have full access to the department’s computer rooms, audio and visual equipment, TV and video editing suites and a darkroom.
Paul Bradshaw, Degree Leader for the Web and New Media BA, and also the Undergraduate Media Admissions Co-ordinator, says:
‘After completing this course, most graduates go on to become web assistants, content developers, online journalists, online editors, set up their own businesses or become freelance designers. One former UCE graduate now works for BBC Birmingham Online and another works for What Car?website.
Getting an audience
Most media arts course include end of year exhibitions. These end of year exhibitions usually take place in the summer, and they give you the opportunity to showcase the work that you have produced while studying. These exhibitions are open to the public, buyers and potential employers. Depending on the discipline, they range from the static exhibitions in galleries and studios, to installations and film screenings.
You will get the chance to meet people and tell them about your work at the private viewings that kick off the exhibitions. Students often produce business cards, which they place next to their work as a means of promoting themselves to prospective buyers and employers. The exhibitions often attract media coverage and the university or college promotes these events in online, print and broadcast media.
Ask a professional
If you need any more information about studying your chosen media arts course, you could approach a professional industry body or a course director who could give you advice about course content, fees, living expenses and career prospects. There are many professional bodies who are qualified to give advice, for instance the Association of Photographers (UK), the British Film Institute (bfi) or the UK Film Council. The bfi offers a range of film and TV courses, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Film journalism, which is a distance learning course. The course team is drawn from Sight&Sound, the UK’s foremost journal, and from the bfi’s Education Department.
How much does it cost?
Studying and living in the UK can be expensive, not to mention hidden costs like buying the necessary equipment for multimedia, film and photography courses. However most university or college media departments will let you use their facilities for free.
For photographic students, having a camera is an essential, although cameras can be hired usually free of charge from the college or university or can be bought second-hand. The studios are free to use and provide backdrop paper and lights. However, photography students will need to buy their own film, pay for processing and must keep in mind that if they want to shoot on private land or property they may need to pay a fee to do so.
New media students will most likely have to buy their own PC or laptop so that they cand design and build their own websites - although most universities and colleges will grant students access to and use computer rooms. For film and TV courses, it will probably be necessary to buy recording equipment including DVDs or CDs, microphones and mini DV tapes. On the MA Filmmaking course at the London Film School, you have to pay a film society subscription of £15 and for a personal still camera, if necessary.
Future prospects
After studying a media arts course, there are many career paths you can follow. You can either be a broadcast engineer, film and video editor, lighting director, lighting technician, a television camera operator, a sound technician, a film director, a freelance photographer, a radio producer or write screenplays, and even more.
It is important to remember that you might have to work your way up in order to get your ideal job. So with regard to the film and TV industry you will probably have to do work experience - often unpaid - in a role such as a runner, before you become the next Martin Scorsese. Success is achievable and three people represent just some of those striving for a fruitful career.
Danielle Mourning is studying a two year MA in Photography at the Royal College of Art in London. After finishing her course she hopes to work towards a commercial career in advertising and have her photographs displayed in gallery or book format. Roger Stamp became a sound recordist for documentaries and drama production for ITV, BBC and Channel 4 after also completing a Film and Television Production BA at the University of Westminster.
Roma O’Conor, a former Head of Production at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, also did a Film and Television Production BA at the University of Westminster. She says: ‘The course was invaluable experience because it not only gave a sound technical grounding and therefore adaptability, it also taught me to work within a team environment where every area is given due relevance, which is essential in film-making especially features.’
A career in the media arts may seem like a glamorous option and you could rub shoulders with some famous people, but you may have to put in a lot of hours and late nights. However, if you’re passionate and work hard, the media arts will give you a fruitful and successful career.
Tom Hunter
Photographer
Tom Hunter studied a foundation course at London College of Communication followed by a BA in Photography, before completing his studies with an MA at the Royal College of Art in 1997.
He is now represented by the prestigious White Cube gallery, who also look after hot artists, such as Damien Hirst, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Antony Gormley and Gilbert&George.
Hunter began as part of a group of squatters who moved to a neglected area in Hackney, east London, and recycled derelict property into homes to create a community. His MA degree focused on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people within domestic settings.
Hunter got his inspiration from the paintings of Johannes Vermeer and the ‘golden age’ of Dutch art. His works re-envision the squatter community, presenting them with dignity. In 1998 he was awarded the John Kobal Photographic Portrait Prize for Woman Reading a Possession Order. His work now forms part of the collection at the Museum of London.
To view more of Tom Hunter’s work, go to whitecube.