What makes us unique? 5 things that prove we do it differently

We’re not just any Film School… we’re Screen and Film School.

We know we’re not the only one out there, but there are several reasons why we consider ourselves to be a truly unique Film School. A Film School that all film enthusiasts should look to when they start their university lives. From regular masterclasses with industry A-listers across three brilliant cities, to being a part of a larger creative University, we have it all. Not to mention the fact that we allocate budgets to assist our students in their productions, something we have always prided ourselves on. The list of our unique traits goes on, but we’ve managed to come up with a run-down of five things that prove we do it differently.

1. Industry-focused degree courses   

Screen and Film School courses equip students with the best tools and expertise required to develop a fulfilling and sustainable career in the industry. We have expanded our curriculum to meet the needs and demands of the screen and film industry, an industry that is rapidly expanding. Whether it’s your dream to be a director, producer, screenwriter, SFX artist or production designer, you can do it all at Screen and Film School. Not to mention other diverse areas such as screenwriting, directing, producing, camera, sound, editing, lighting, hair and make-up, production design and location management.

Screen and Film School students learn how to conduct themselves in the professional screen and film environment and they gain the skills required to put themselves at the forefront of the talent pool. Employability is a key focus, and we are committed to providing directional support into the world of work, which helps to bolster the industry with a diverse and consistent talent pipeline. During their time with us, students build a portfolio of work, a network of contacts and evidence of industry placements, allowing for a smooth transition into a future career.

2. Based in three top filmmaking cities

We have three unique schools, located in the heart of three exceptional cities. What they all have in common is a bespoke combination of practical courses, high-tech facilities, industry placements, high-profile college patrons and masterclasses, which provide students with an understanding of how to operate and flourish in the world of film. Our three exceptional schools, in Birmingham, Brighton and Manchester, make us a mighty force in the UK film and screen world. Here’s why…

Birmingham

Birmingham’s film scene is on the rise. Interest in the city has grown exponentially, attracting Hollywood directors such as Steven Spielberg and his production of Ready Player One. As well as that, films including Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Jawbone, and The Girl with all the Gifts, were all filmed here, as were iconic television classics such as Peaky Blinders, Spooks, The Game, and Line of Duty. It’s no wonder then that Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight, is set to open his very own Loc Studios here, a huge new development for Digbeth and located just streets from the Film School. This will create huge industry opportunities for the area and for our students in the coming years.

Brighton

Brighton is the birthplace of early cinema and home to one of the longest continuously functioning cinemas in the UK, The Duke of York’s Picturehouse. This art house cinema holds screenings of independent film, Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries, and one-off specials. In 2012, Duke’s expanded into the centre of Brighton’s North Laine, adding a further two screens to long established music and comedy venue, Komedia. The seaside city continues to serve as the perfect location for a vast number of high-end productions, most recently for the Amazon period feature, My Policeman, starring Harry Styles, and the serial drama Grace, adapted from the writing of local author Peter James.

Manchester

Manchester and its surrounding areas offer a wide variety of shooting environments and backdrops. A short hop away in Salford Quays is MediaCityUK, one of Britain’s leading television facilities. The multi-purpose production space The Sharp Project can be found in the northeast of the city and is an invaluable resource for commercial ad filming. Within a short commute are the historic buildings, rolling vales and cobbled streets of Calderdale – fondly referred to as ‘the Hollywood of the North’ – an area chosen by HBO and the BBC in the creation of popular dramas such as Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack. The striking architecture of the Northern Quarter recently attracted Columbia Pictures in the production of Marvel epic Morbius, whilst Old Granada Studios is regularly utilised for hit shows such as Peaky Blinders and Dragon’s Den. All this and much more gives students studying in Manchester a huge advantage when making all-important industry connections.

3. Leading industry connections and events

At Screen and Film School, all our degree courses have been developed on a foundation of industry engagement and employability opportunities. We’re dedicated to providing the skills, experience, contacts and confidence needed to thrive in the film industry. We have access to a wide range of film, TV and digital media production companies. Our dedicated Industry and Careers teams arrange work experience, internships, and freelance opportunities with an unprecedented range of industry partners, to help students prepare for a successful and sustainable career. Click here to explore some of the partnerships we have across our three cities.

We have some of the film industry’s most prolific names at our fingertips. Plus, we have the connections to get them in front of you at our exclusive masterclasses. Prestigious cinematographers, editors, producers, screenwriters, directors and many more filmmaking professionals give our students expert advice and crucial insights that you won’t find anywhere else. In the past year alone, here are some of the names we have hosted as part of our masterclass events: Daniella Pearlman (Sex Education), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Killing Eve), Nicola Shindler (It’s a Sin), and Eben Bolter (The Last of Us).

4. Budgets for student productions

This is a big deal for us: we would never expect our students to self-fund their productions, which is why Screen and Film School is one of the few higher education providers in the country to offer budgets to students for the entire duration of their three-year undergraduate degree. This offers vital experience of how to handle finances across a production and also as part of a film crew – which are some of the most important skills that are outlined by our industry partners. 

5. Part of BIMM University

Screen and Film School is a part of BIMM University, and a vital part of it. As a University, BIMM provides an extensive range of courses in modern music, performing arts, as well in filmmaking, to over 9,000 students across 15 colleges in the UK, Ireland, and Germany. For 40 years, BIMM have equipped students with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the demands of the creative industries – and graduate feeling industry-ready. BIMM’s inclusive culture is at the core of everything they do, binding students together and driving them forwards. At Screen and Film School, we are proud to be a part of this creative community and we appreciate the vast array of opportunities this offers to our film students to collaborate with like-minded people in our three cities.

That’s a rundown of 5 things that make us truly unique. Stay with us next week as we step into the shoes of a Screen and Film School student and begin a journey to become industry–ready. First up on the journey, we’ll be going back in time to discover the rich history of the Film School, from its origins in Brighton to its exciting current status as a UK-wide university.