Course Overview
Film, television and theatre designers decide the ‘look’ of any performance that you see on the stage or screen. Starting from the script, designers must bring it to life, creating the atmosphere of the location, costumes and props.
On this Film, Television and Theatre Design course at Cambridge School of Art you will learn the skills needed as a designer, by working on a series of projects. A key feature of the course is the practical element. We aim to give you confidence in your work and help develop your creativity, based on an understanding of the design process. This is a challenging and intensive course, but will prove very satisfying to a committed student.
Cambridge has a busy theatre and film scene, with national, touring productions at the Arts Theatre and the new Junction Theatre, as well as a vibrant amateur circuit at the ADC. There is the annual Cambridge Film Festival and the more recently established Super 8 Festival.
London’s West End is easily accessible, and students visit the Royal National Theatre and the English National Opera both to see productions and to visit backstage designers, by working on a series of projects.
Year 1 core modules
• An Introduction to Film, Theatre and
Television Design Practice
• 20th Century Design History
• 3D Design History and Theory
Year 2 core modules
• Development in Film, Theatre and
Television Design
• Debates and Practices
Year 3 core modules
• Specialised Practice in Film, Theatre
and Television Design
• Research Project
• Major Project
Year 1 optional modules
• Observational and Perspective Drawing
• Mise-en-scène and the Screen
• Anglia Language Programme Module
Year 2 optional modules
• Installation Practice
• Drawing Studies
• Themed Environments
• Identities
• Issues in Contemporary Design
• Contemporary Film and Video
• Writing for Images
• Anglia Language Programme Module
Additional course information
In your first year you will be based in the design studio. Working closely with your tutors,
you will learn the process of design by developing your own ideas for the project briefs that
you will be set. This will take you from the initial analysis of the text, through research,
developing ideas, model making and costume drawing to the final presentation of your
concept in the model box. You will also be introduced to practical aspects of set construction
and scene painting.
In Year 2 you will collaborate with directors, students and technicians from our University’s Drama Department to stage a play for public performance in the Mumford Theatre, and with film students in the design of a short studio-based film.
You will experience working with directors to create your design, followed by the practical processes of set building, scene painting, prop making and buying, and costume buying, making or hire. Subsidiary modules in years 1 and 2 offer a choice of contextual study options. In Year 3, two substantial projects allow you to focus on your specialised area of interest in film, television or theatre, and to prepare your final portfolio.
Key Facts
Final award
Faculty
Location
Duration
Assessment
Assessment will be through a combination of written and practical work
Facilities
You will work in two specially equipped, dedicated studios, which have computer terminals and scanners, a small lighting rig, and equipment for set building and scene painting.
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During your studies, you will design for and work in our Mumford Theatre and Cambridge School of Art film studios, when you undertake collaborative projects with the Drama Department, and Film and Television Production students. You also have access to Cambridge School of Art sculpture workshop and the plaster room.
Special features
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for Art and Design, 70% of our research work was ‘internationally recognised’, ‘internationally excellent’ and, in some cases, ‘world-leading’.
As a result, our income from the RAE to support our research is double our 2002 allocation. The MDes is a four year integrated Masters programme, enabling you to opt for combined undergraduate and Masters level study over four years. The MDes is distinguished by an emphasis upon practical mastery in a professional context.
Associated careers
Exhibition design, museum design, interior design, scene painting, and other ancillary professions
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