Overview
What is Film?
Why do films affect us the way they do? Why did the introduction of sound change film forever? What do we mean by ‘independent cinema’? What is a digital story world? These and many more are the questions that Film Studies asks students to consider in small-group lectures and seminars. In addition, over the course of your degree you’ll be encouraged to respond creatively to critical issues via projects, presentations, short films and video essays, as well as to develop your screenwriting skills to see if you have a fresh vision to share with the world around you.
Do you enjoy:
- Watching and analysing a wide range of films from around the world?
- Formulating opinions and arguments about film and media culture?
- Expressing your ideas critically and creatively in words and images?
Film: The course for you?
If you dream of becoming the new darling of Hollywood, and of immersing yourself in the practicalities of film production, then this is not the course for you. Film at Trinity is built on strong academic and intellectual foundations, core courses include the history of Hollywood filmmaking, Introduction to non-Western cinemas, aspects of European cinemas, Irish cinema and theories of the digital image. You will also be introduced to basic screenwriting and filmmaking, using the format of the writers’ room, and exploring the potential of the smartphone to create mini-dramas. You will study documentary theory and follow this up by making a short documentary film. In third and fourth year, you will build on the fundamentals you have learnt through more advanced options, while always maintaining a balance between critical learning and practical outputs.
Film at Trinity
Film students are encouraged to collaborate with other students in the School through shared learning modules and facilities. Equally, students of Film are very engaged in DU Film Society and in the student-run film journal, Trinity Film Review. Film students regularly attend film festivals, including the Berlin Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival, and organise screenings and film events.
Pathways
The pathways available are Single Honours, Major with Minor and Joint Honours. There may also be an opportunity to take this subject up as a New Minor Subject from second year.
Graduate skills and career opportunities
In 2019, Film formed an Industry Advisory Panel. The members of this panel are: Lenny Abrahamson, Aoife Duffin, Gavin Fitzgerald, Paddy Breathnach, Alan Gilsenan, Ed Guiney, Neasa Hardiman, Katie Holly, Lucy Kennedy, Helena Korner, Claire McGirr, Niall McKay, Maeve O'Boyle, Marian Quinn, Ken Wardrop. The panel is available to offer career advice to students and to give talks on the industry. Our ‘In Conversation’ series of public talks offers students the opportunity to attend talks by leading practitioners. Participants to date include: Lenny Abrahamson, John Butler and Emer Reynolds.
A degree in Film offers career opportunities in many areas such as the film industry; television; journalism; digital media; reviewing and criticism; arts administration; advertising and marketing. Recent graduates of Film Studies at Trinity have gone on to be involved in the film industry in a number of ways, from directing feature length films to editing, scriptwriting, production and administration. This degree also offers opportunities in the many general areas open to arts graduates, such as administration, teaching, civil and public service. A number of our graduates have gone on to further study in film and associated areas.
Your degree and what you’ll study
First and second years
In first and second year, you will study the following subjects: Introduction to Film Analysis; American Cinema from the Silent Era to the 1930s; American Cinema from the 1930s to the 1960s; Introduction to European Cinemas; Introduction to Non-Western Cinemas; Introduction to Digital Media; Ireland and the Cinema; History and Practice of Visual Analysis; Fundamentals of Filmmaking; Introduction to Screenwriting; Introduction to Editing; Introduction to Film Theory and Criticism; The Film Soundtrack; and Documentary Theory and Practice.
Third and fourth years
In third and fourth year you will study modules such as: Digital Storyworlds; Contemporary Non-Western Cinemas; Film Theory and Criticism; Melodrama; Russian Cinema; Screening Irish-America; Transnational Cinemas; New Hollywood Cinema; Cult Cinema; British Cinema; History and Practice of Visual Analysis; Film Costume and Fashion; Post-Revolutionary Iranian Cinema; Writing for the Big Screen; Writing for the Small Screen; Advanced Editing; Creative Film Practice; and Practical Documentary.
Film students are assessed by a combination of essay, assignment, project, class participation and presentation. In their final year, students will students will create a screenplay or video essay with an accompanying theoretical rationale of 4,000 words.
There are QQI/FET routes available for this course. Please see www.cao.ie for details.
Click here for further information on modules/subject.
Study abroad
Film has Erasmus exchanges with universities in France (Paris and Rennes) and Germany (Freie Universität). Students regularly participate in Non-EU exchanges (at UCLA, USC, University of British Columbia and others). For more information on study abroad destinations and requirements visit: www.tcd.ie/study/study-abroad
Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University Dual B.A. Programme
Film is also available within the Dual B.A. Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University. Please note: The Dual B.A. is only open to Single Honours students. Joint Honours students cannot apply to the Dual B.A.. For more details, see www.tcd.gs.columbia.edu.
Applicants to the Dual BA Programme must apply by 2nd January 2024 for September 2024 entry. The admissions process includes a review of the applicant’s academic history, letters of recommendation, an essay, and an interview conducted in English. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) can be submitted but are not required for 2024 entry. Applications are reviewed by a joint committee with representatives from both Institutions. EU applicants to the Dual BA Programme must also apply to and receive an offer from their chosen programme at Trinity through the Central Applications Office (CAO)
