Filmmaking (Sound) (Taught)

On this Masters you'll learn the fundamental technical skills necessary to begin a career in screen sound, both as a location sound recordist and post-production sound designer. But equally importantly, you will gain an understanding of how a film’s narrative relies on the precise partnership between image and sound.

• Underpinning the ethos of the fiction-focused MA Filmmaking programme, is a production process modelled on established industry practices, processes and workflows. Within this MA programme you'll work collaboratively with students across different pathways on a number of film projects and exercises, culminating in a graduation film in the summer term.

• In your craft area of Sound, you will expand your existing knowledge of sound. Through recording and design, you'll investigate what it means to listen with awareness and to translate that experience to your audience. You'll study how sound is created, captured and manipulated.

• The Sound curriculum focuses on the structure of the soundtrack, deconstructing it from its beginnings in pre-production to the final mix, experimenting with the ways in which different components (dialogue, atmospheres, sound effects, music) allow an audience to engage with a film's story.

• Through iterative exercises, group reviews and regular feedback, you will explore the inclusion of narrative-based audio techniques that harness sound design as a form of sonic storytelling within film.

• Using professional grade field recorders and a variety of microphones, you'll approach sound acquisition from a pragmatic perspective, with a focus on anticipating project-specific challenges and adapting to them in order to obtain the best possible recordings from the shoot location.

• You'll then focus on acquisition after the main shoot, gathering other sonic elements needed to construct the sound design (such as layered atmospheres, effects, additional dialogue & foley).

• Goldsmiths is an Avid Learning Partner offering Sound students accredited training in Pro Tools and the opportunity to certify as an Avid Pro Tools Specialist, enhancing student's skills and CV.

• As a sound specialist, you'll work on at least two major collaborative film projects during the year, each receiving an allocated budget to support professional-standard production values.

• You'll learn about related fields such as directing, editing, producing, documentary, & experimental approaches, and work with students across specialisms.

• You'll also benefit from guest lecturers who bring their professional expertise into our classrooms during masterclass sessions.

• You can choose to upgrade your degree to an MFA by completing a second year of study. During this time, you will work on an Independent Practice Project.

• MA Filmmaking is housed in a purpose-built media facility equipped with state-of-the-art teaching spaces including a film studio, Pro Tools editing suites, post production recording studios, a Dolby spec dubbing theatre, Avid Media Composer editing suites, screening rooms, specialist teaching labs and an Avid NEXIS network linking all area specific teaching & creative spaces together.