Filmmaking BA(Hons): Links with business and industry

The Filmmaking BA(Hons) programme has strong links within the moving image sector, through both:

• its active staff – all of whom are working within the industry in various capacities); and
• a series of inspiring new work experience programmes – offering students a way into key organisations in moving image.

As a new and progressive programme, emphasising moving image exploration and experimentation, our business links and in-house projects are fresh and exciting. They offer a dynamic environment in which your successful participation is richly rewarding.

Placements and projects

Recent ongoing work placements and one-off projects have included:

• work placements within the BFI Southbank;
• a project placement with the Foundling Museum, London;
• work experience on feature films, including the 'Clash of the Titans' (2009); 
• work experience at Take Two Films, London; and
• student commissions for a BFI/Tate initiative, offering bursaries to develop video art works.

BFI Southbank

Our excellent links with BFI Southbank, the UK's premiere film organisation, have enabled many filmmaking students to participate in BFI Southbank's exciting activities, including:

• the youth jury for the London Film Festival (LFF);
• internships in key departments;
• participation in the BFI's Future Film Festival;
• participating in exhibitions, schemes and programmes; and
• all our students attend an introduction to key BFI resources.

Other recent work placements have included with The South London Gallery, London.

Director of Studies Phillip Warnell co-curates the joint Kingston University/BFI programme of experimental film works, Essential Experiments. The programme, which has run since April 2010, screens some of cinema's most compelling experimental adventures twice a month, each being introduced by an academic, theorist or filmmaker. Filmmaking BA students at Kingston gain free admission to the programme, participating in the ongoing reflection on film's experimental passage, contributing greatly to their practical filmmaking and complementary studies.

On campus

We also bring in experienced visiting staff to teach filmmaking projects, providing a form of professional experience whilst studying on the course.

For example, a current project 'Actorplasm' involves students working with a visiting film director, currently feature film and music video director Jamie Thraves. They undertake a directing actors workshop with professional actors and subsequently work as a production unit to shoot a short film, establishing and mirroring the circumstances of a professional short film production. The majority of our projects, however, encourage the development of an individual practice, with all students developing a range of skills enabling them to crew on each other's projects.

Regular visiting tutors on the programme are active exponents of filmmaking in a range of guises from across the industry. Collectively, we feedback on students' work and offer informal, ongoing professional development advice for those wishing to break into the sector, whether as filmmakers or in another capacity. Our recent visitors and regular staff include:

• Phillip Warnell, Director of Studies (artist, filmmaker and academic);
• Caroline Spry (independent film producer);
• Charlotte Ginsborg (filmmaker);
• Rachel Reupke (filmmaker);
• Richard Squires (production and post-production, animation);
• Maxa Zoller (film curator, academic and writer);
• Lucy Reynolds (film curator, academic and writer);
• Filipa Ramos (academic and writer)
• Ben Rivers (visiting filmmaker);
• David Raedeker (director of photography);
• Phil Coy (filmmaker);
• Samar Pollit (second assistant director, feature films);
• Tamana Bleasdale (independent producer);
• Lucy Harris (editor);
• Lucy Parker (filmmaker); and
• Chu-Li Shewring (Sound Design).

The activities our staff are engaged in form an impressive pointer to how filmmaking at Kingston provides students with significant insight into the moving image sector, through their University experience and outward facing projects.