Film Studies (M.Phil.)

Course Description

The M.Phil. in Film Studies at Trinity offers two interesting ways to pursue further analysis of film and the film industry at university:

1.    The Theory, History, Practice strand is a unique opportunity to embark upon a detailed investigation into the intellectual currents and aesthetic concerns surrounding the study and practice of film and digital media.

2.    The Screenwriting strand offers the opportunity to focus on writing for different screens in a critically informed and creative context.

At every step of the way your progress will be informed by an emphasis on independent study, critical thinking and creative practice. In addition, the course aims to develop the key transferable skills required for postgraduate study. These include research preparation, time management and oral and written presentation skills.

The M.Phil. in Film Studies: Theory, History Practice strand comprises 60 ECTS of taught modules and a 30-ECTS research component. It is a unique opportunity to embark upon a detailed investigation into the intellectual currents and aesthetic concerns surrounding the study of film and digital media. From the outset, questions of history, theory and context are brought to bear on issues of close analysis and interpretation. Modules in Screenwriting, Creative Documentary Practice and Editing allow students to balance film theory and history with practice. In addition to the one-year full-time programme, the M.Phil. in Film Studies: Theory, History Practice strand is also offered part time over two years.

The M.Phil. in Film Studies: Screenwriting strand allows students to develop the skills required to write successfully for a range of different screens in a critically informed and creative context. It comprises 60 ECTS of taught modules and a 30-ECTS research component. The objective of the Screenwriting strand is to prepare screenwriters who can adapt to an industry that recreates itself regularly around technological advances. Students will select their chosen platform(s) when preparing their portfolio, bring their writing to industry standard and complete their studies with a research project screenplay in their chosen area of interest: feature film, television, on-demand broadcast, documentary, or adaptation. In addition to the one-year full-time programme, the Screenwriting strand is also offered part time over two years.

Course Structure

Course Structure

All students take six taught modules and complete a research module that includes Research Methodologies. The Research Project and Research Methodologies module prepares students for the formal processes of research and writing at M.Phil. level.

Core and elective modules over the two strands vary annually but allow for distinct specialisms*:

M.Phil. in Film Studies Core Elective

Theory, History, Practice Cinema and Ireland

Current Trends in Contemporary Film

Digital Story Worlds

  Adaptation for Screens

Creative Documentary

Editing

Screenwriting

Writing for the Big Screen

Writing for the Small Screen

Writing for Computer Games

Screenwriting Screenwriting

Writing for Small Screens

Writing for the Big Screen

  Adaptation for Screens

Creative Documentary

Editing

Current Trends in Contemporary Film

Digital Story Worlds

Cinema and Ireland

Writing for Computer Games

*These module titles are for illustration purposes only; the School reserves the right to change modules annually.

The full-time programme consists of two elements:

1.    6 compulsory taught modules (10 ECTS each) delivered equally across two semesters (60 ECTS)

2.    Research Project and Research Methodologies Module (30 ECTS)  

The part-time programme consists of two elements:

1.    Year 1 (40ECTS) = 3 Core modules (30 ECTS) + 1 Elective Module (10ECTS)

2.    Year 2 (50ECTS) = 2 Elective Modules (20ECTS) + Research Project and Research Methodologies Module (30 ECTS)

Core and elective modules available are linked to the strand chosen when applying for the programme.

Research Projects

Theory, History, Practice students submit either:

1.    A written dissertation of approximately 15,000 words on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff

OR

2.    A short film or a video essay plus a written component of 8,000–10,000 words on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff.

Approval to complete a practice-based research project plus written component will depend on demonstration of the appropriate critical and practical skills and will be subject to approval by the Course Coordinator during Michaelmas Term.

Screenwriting students submit:

1.    A research project of a screenplay

AND

2.    A critical reflection of 3,500-4,000 words.

The exact nature and length of the research project screenplay will be agreed between the student and coordinator and can include a feature film, a series of short films, an adaptation, television screenplay, or on-demand series