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 every aspect 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
Performing Arts at Trinity was ranked in the top 100 subjects worldwide in the QS Rankings 2022, reflecting the quality of our teaching and learning. 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.
Public events: In Conversation
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. All talks are podcast and available on our website.
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 careers in the industry. Many of our graduates have gone on to undertake further training and enter the film industry, while others have gone on to careers in writing, journalism, marketing, as well as to advanced study.
What jobs do Trinity graduates of Film do?
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; 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. A number of our graduates have gone on to further study in film and associated areas. This degree also offers opportunities in the many general areas open to arts graduates, such as administration, teaching, civil and public service.
Your degree and what you’ll study
Examples of our modules include:
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 NonWestern 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 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
Assessment
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.
This degree is also available within the Dual B.A. Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University.
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 BA Programme
Two BA Honours Bachelor Degrees (NFQ Level 8) Degrees awarded by Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin and Columbia University
What is the Dual BA Programme?
The Dual BA Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University offers students a unique opportunity to earn two BA degrees while spending the first two years at Trinity and years three and four at Columbia University in New York.
The Dual BA: The course for you?
This course is for those interested in expanding their experience to gain a truly international education. Students in the Dual BA Programme graduate with two BA degrees, one from Trinity and one from Columbia. After the first two years in Trinity, students then spend a further two years at Columbia, where they fulfil the requirements for one of the approved majors while also completing Columbia’s core curriculum. Students also undertake additional study to meet the requirements of the Trinity BA, including a Capstone project.
Your degree and what you’ll study
At Trinity students undertake foundational modules in film history and theory, including the history of Hollywood, trends in European and Non-Western cinema, screenwriting and film production, editing, and documentary making. Students are encouraged to engage creatively with the course and express themselves through podcasts, blogs, class debates, and digital portfolios in addition to conventional essays. At Columbia, students major in Film and Media Studies. Students also opt between a multidisciplinary-taught module and a summer film festival project.
Application process and requirements
Applicants to the Dual BA Programme must apply by 2nd January 2022 for September 2022 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 2022 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).
GET IN TOUCH!
Further information and contact details:
www.tcd.gs.columbia.edu
E columbiadualba@tcd.ie
