Acting for Screen

The famous American actor and teacher, Sanford Meisner, defined acting as ‘living truthfully under imaginary circumstances’. This three-year, full-time undergraduate course will prepare you to apply this philosophy appropriately in a variety of different media environments, exploring the commonalities and differences in – for example – acting for drama on-screen, presenting to camera, and performing in other settings.

Why Take the Course?

• Practical: Each semester will combine three module types: an Acting Skills Module; a Screen and Industry Skills Module; and a Portfolio Module. This structure aims to support the development of your career ambitions while learning both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills.

• Comprehensive: This course is founded on the premise that to succeed as an actor, performer, or presenter, you need to understand the basics of film and content production. It has been designed with industry professionals to reflect the real business of acting for screen in its many traditional and emerging forms.

• Industry-facing: Learn from industry professionals, with members of the teaching team holding individual memberships in a variety of leading external organisations such as BAFTA, BFI, and the WGGB (Writers Guild of Great Britain)*.

• Real-life Experience: Build a range of work, from self-tapes and group projects, to becoming comfortable with the flexible and dynamic world of the creative industries.

*For a selection of the tutors who teach across our campuses, please visit our website https://www.metfilmschool.ac.uk/people/acting/.

Please note: BA Acting for Screen is Subject to Validation. From 2025/26, this course will be validated by BIMM University.

Please download the Course Specification for a complete overview of BA Acting for Screen modules. This can be accessed on our website. Below is an overview of the key learning themes that this course will cover.

Level 4

In your first year, you will be introduced to techniques of performance and screen craft. You will focus on the basics of storytelling, how to create a script, engage with an audience and develop an understanding of different production processes.

You will work with smartphones and edit equipment to develop an understanding of the versatility and opportunities afforded within contemporary media for acting and performance, beyond traditional studio-based craft.

In parallel, you will focus on honing your acting, presenting and performance skills so that you can actively participate in productions on camera, or create your own pieces of work which demonstrate your performance skills.

This work will feed into and culminate in the work you undertake in the Portfolio modules where you will be asked to create a collaborative production, which draws on both acting and screen production skills learnt in each semester.

Level 5

In your second year you will develop your screen-acting and production skills to a more advanced level and gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary media landscape. You will learn how to enhance and manage your screen personality and presence, while experimenting with a diverse selection of media platforms and screen production skills.

The first half of the year will focus on non-traditional forms of screen-acting such as self-shooting, where you will be given the chance to experiment and innovate with your screen persona. You will be encouraged to work collaboratively with other students, along with developing your own brand of screen personality.

In the second half of the year you will develop your skills and understanding with drama production, enhancing your understanding of storytelling and dramatic performance within traditional media forms such as film and television, as well as experiment with social media and the internet. You will also be able to connect productively with cultural industries outside of the canvas and network with industry professionals and organisations.

You will also gain a deeper understanding of dramatic productions and performances, culminating in a drama-based artefact in your Portfolio module. Research methods and skills are embedded across modules at Level 5. Students are encouraged to engage in and reflect upon their practice as research, and so develop your research skills in preparation for you to work at industry-level standard in your final year and in preparation for your Graduation Portfolio.

Level 6

Your final year will see you build on your performance and production skills to an advanced level and prepare you for the exciting and competitive world of the creative industries.

Your acting modules will build on your previous experiences and equip you with advanced acting techniques as well as a sophisticated understanding of your screen personality and performances.

Your screen skills modules will focus on preparing you for the world of work, developing your entrepreneurial and business skills, as well as developing your knowledge of industry practices to an advanced level.

You will learn how to feel ‘at home’ with the flexible and dynamic world of the creative industries, as well as further develop your networks. The year will culminate in the production of a graduation portfolio which will enable you to showcase your skills to employers, both as a traditional screen actor and as a performer and personality, with the versatility to work within a variety of contemporary media formats."

Please refer to the website for more information https://www.metfilmschool.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-acting-for-screen/.