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Film Production

Higher National Diploma, Leading to a Top-up (Hons) Degree in CDCFE*  – 3 Years

Film Production offers a thorough study of film through both practical and academic avenues. Students will study key practical areas such as scriptwriting, directing, producing, sound, lighting and editing all of which will culminate in the creation of their own films. These areas are complemented by the study of film history, film theory and film industries.

Visit our Film Production at Colástie Dhúlaigh College of Further Education channel here

 

Course Content

YEAR 1

  • Camera Techniques
  • Lighting Techniques
  • Sound Design
  • Film Production
  • Editing
  • Film Studies
  • Creative Media Industry
  • Professional Practice

YEAR 2

  • Scriptwriting
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Advanced Film making
  • Advanced Editing
  • Documentary Production
  • Personal Professional Development

 

Irish film director, Frank Berry (Aisha, Michael Inside, I Used To Live Here), gives advice on how to become a Film Director, following a Q&A with CDCFE students.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate.

Mature students, and those without a formal education, are welcome to apply.

You will be required to submit a sample of your work. This could be anything you have written, (e.g. a script, poem, school essay), examples of photographs you have taken on your phone, or any video/film work you have made.

Certification

Higher National Diploma (BTEC), leading to BA (Honours)
Completion of this course qualifies you to apply to complete the BA Hons in Film and Video Production in Coláiste Dhúlaigh. More details on the BA Top up year are available here.

Duration

2 years with optional 1 year top-up degree.

Career Opportunities

Scriptwriting, directing, producing, editing, cinematography, sound, research, education, marketing.

College Links

Entry into final year of three year degree programmes in a number of UK universities is possible. But, as stated above, completion of this course qualifies you to apply to complete the BA Hons in Film and Video Production in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. More details available here.

Course Charges

Year 1: €660
Year 2: €520

This course is free for those over 21 and in receipt of a social welfare payment*. Click here for more information and to check eligibility.

Patron: Damien O’Donnell

Damien O’ Donnell, BAFTA award winning director of East is East is a graduate of Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. Damien has also directed films such as Heartlands and Inside I’m Dancing and is a prolific TV and cinema commercial director. As Patron of the Film Production course, Damien will visit the college once a year to give a key-note lecture to Film Production students.

Social Media

We also have a lively Facebook Page where we share links and discuss Film and the Film Industry. Why not like it and join in the discussion?

Testimonials

“I commenced my studies at the college in 2019 as a mature student. I found the level of professionalism, expertise and teaching style in the college to be to a very high standard. This has carried on through each of the three years I have attended the college from HND to Degree in Film and TV Production. The relationships the lecturers develop with the students have played a pivotal role in advancing students skill sets to a very strong level. The diploma & degree courses are intense but rewarding courses. Through forming a strong understanding of industry practices it has allowed me to transition smoothly into the professional industry.

I have been fortunate to gain employment on big-budget international productions over the last 18 months. I put this down to the guidance of the lectures and the college. The diverse skill sets they have helped me acquire and the professional work ethic they instilled has been influential in my job prospects since completing the course.” – Peter Keating

 

“Completing the Film course in CDCFE was such an amazing experience for me, the modules and lecturers prepared me for how the industry operates and helped me realise what I excel in. The practical aspect of the course was extremely beneficial to me when I started working in the industry and having the experience of making short films, ads and documentaries gave me content for a showreel.

Since graduating I went on to complete the Film and TV degree in CDCFE. I went on to work in casting for a few months, I was then given an opportunity to work in the art department on a pilot TV series, and I have been working in the art department for multiple productions ever since.” – Jessica Donohoe

 

“A big part of what made my CDCFE experience so great were the tutors. Their experience in the industry and expansive knowledge of it was so valuable to me as a learner. The tutors really want you to do well and produce your best work. Their support really got me through my final degree year as the pandemic hit less than a month after I had shot my final major project. 

Film is a collaborative media and you really feel this working on your projects with your peers. Everyone has different strengths and skills they can bring to the table so not only do you learn from your tutors, you also learn from each other. We genuinely had such a good time on set because we were all in it together, working on each other’s films, and all had a love for what we were doing. It really was a great time.” – Megan Hayes