This module provides an opportunity to creative a student-centred output with supporting professional documentation on an externally facing platform. You will be supported in the creative and technical development of your final master’s project. The specifics of this support will be dependent on the nature, form(s) and format(s) of the individual project undertaken, as you will negotiate your project, the output and your approach to the work. The project can take any form which speaks to your future-plans and career aspirations so for example a short film, creation and implementation of a film festival, developing a new company, or creating an outreach programme of training or education in the community.

¿¿In the previous stages of the programme, you will have made progress in defining the direction of your project, at least in terms of an outline proposal, and in some cases to a fuller degree of specification. This final module builds on the research and development undertaken in prior modules, specifically Practice as Research (module 2) and Career Development (module 3). You will engage in research, pre-production, production and post-production (or equivalent) of an individually chosen project negotiated with your supervisor and course leader.


The teaching element therefore transitions into a more mentored approach, calling on tutors, specialists and experts to help guide you towards your final output which will be presented at a publicly facing showcase and exhibition.

The learning element thus integrates around ‘experience building’: when and how to solicit advice and feedback from multiple resources including tutors and experts; how to critically evaluate self-progress; and how to iterate and improve upon creative outputs.¿¿This is delivered through a combination of¿¿
- Group Creative Exercises and Seminars
- Tutorials and Co-Development Sessions
- Specialist Talks and Presentations
- Critiques – Group and Individual

Technical Instruction to reflect the needs of the project, your individual skills development and your individual ambition

Depending upon the direction of your project you will be expected to apply methods of critical analysis in creating a thoughtfully developed creative project. You will be asked to bring together your learning and knowledge development from the other modules and implement your understanding, practical skills and contextual understanding. The module encourages you to facilitate partnerships with peers, collaborators and external specialists as you develop your project, you should be working to build communities of contributors, collaborators and creatives to work on this project with you.

Through this degree and final project, you will develop expertise and confidence in project leadership and creative direction, ensuring that you are leading within your discipline and as project director. You will be utilising and developing a resource bank of industry and research-ready transferable skills, consolidating your development in readiness for next career steps as creative practitioner and/or practice-led researcher.

Development portfolio – LO 2, 3, 4
Will reflect the needs of the negotiated project – the portfolio can include scripts/development, production file or planning and implementation paperwork for entrepreneur or outreach work (this could be an educational initiative, working with a charity or running a festival as examples)

Final Output - LO 2, 3, 4, 6
Negotiated final practical or entrepreneur/outreach piece of work – this will be agreed with the course team

Reflection – LO 1, 5, 6, 7
This can be a written piece of work, presentation, video essay or podcast to present your reflection on your progress, development and final project.

1. Reflect upon and articulate your filmmaking and professional film practice.
2. Apply creative and technical skills in realising a successful practical artistic or industry outcome in form(s) and format(s) of your choice.
3. Sustain a critically engaged creative and critical activity, exploring your critical engagement with specialist practice.
4. Originally employ your knowledge in realising your projects aims and objectives.
5.Discuss and locate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment at a professional level.
6. Realise negotiated practical outcomes considering creative, logistical, and practical constraints and opportunities
7. Articulate and present creative concept and final practical outputs with coherence and passion.

Workshops will introduce initial concepts and parameters – supporting the foundation building of your final project. Specialist academic support and technical instruction will facilitate your creation of your final output.

Seminars and discussions will expand your awareness and understanding of your project and will support you with peer led feedback sessions as you move through the touchpoints of your project.

Linked In
Linked In Learning
TI sessions (as Requested)
Box of Broadcasts
Staffordshire University Library
Blackboard
Site specific spaces
Film Production equipment

Lorenz, D. M. (2021) Short Film Distribution: How to market your short film successfully. The essential guide to festivals, TV, VOD and Co.

Mackendrick, A and Cronin, P. (2006) On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director

Schenk, S and Long, B. (2021) The Digital Filmmaking Handbook: Seventh Edition.

Tarantino, Q. (2022). Cinema Speculation.

Reading lists will be tailored to the individual student project.

Making your mark in the industry or creative/academic community with a final major project is an important final step in any practical degree. This module enables you to produce a final project which speaks to your individual career aspirations and industry direction. With specialist support you are encouraged to “think big” and “aim high” as you produce your individual creative statement and consolidate your development as a creative in readiness for your next steps in industry, as a practitioner or as a practice-led researcher.