When I attended the Raindance Open Day almost three years ago and had a brief chat with Baptiste Charles-Aubert about the MA in Filmmaking Programme, I had no idea what an incredible, personally transformative experience it would be. My ambition was to become a successful writer-director, but the truth was I had no idea how to realise that goal. With Baptiste’s subtle encouragement that the Raindance M.A. could be my pathway to success, I applied and embarked on the M.A. in January 2019. It was simply one the best decisions I’ve made in my life.
The Raindance MA in Filmmaking experience
In the first six months, which was formally taught online by experienced, and engaging filmmakers, I learnt: (1) how to present and pitch my film idea effectively, and be realistic about my MA goals; (2) on a theoretical level, how to make a proof-of-concept short film of my feature film project; and (3) how to write a Reflective Report, which is the programme’s essay model.
Thereafter, the structured teaching concluded, and I and the other MA students determined our own individual, specific learning pathways, with the guidance of our Academic Advisors and Industry Mentor. There were four modules, structured over the remaining year and half, only I was forced to defer a module due to the pandemic, consequently it was for all intents and purposes two years for me. Being on the Directing Pathway, the first module was devoted to writing the script for my film project, the second to my cinematic vision for the film, the third to working with and directing actors, although mine included working on a new script that I’d switched to because of the pandemic, and finally the last module was about the making of my supernatural short film Grave. My tutors were always on hand to offer me advice and support, academically and creatively, throughout the entire process.
Hard choices
When I completed my last paper in mid-May this year, having wrapped on Grave (it’s still in post-production), I knew that I could legitimately call myself a writer-director, thanks to the Raindance MA in Filmmaking programme.
If you have any doubts about applying to this amazing course, I would say you should have doubts. It’s not a course for everyone. If you’re a dilettante, and doing it because you have nothing better to do, don’t bother. You need to be self-motivated, ambitious and driven to be a filmmaker – a writer, director, producer – whatever it takes. If that’s how you’d honestly describe yourself, then this is the programme for you. It will change your life.
Martin Tunnicliffe-Squirrell
Penzance, Cornwall
July 2021
Want to find out more about the Raindance MA in Filmmaking programme? Book a free, no-strings-attached taster session with our team.
The Raindance Postgraduate Degree has been in existence since 2011.
Your degree, on your terms. The Raindance Postgraduate Degree in Film is a tailored learning environment: there are no boring classes, everything is designed to make you the filmmaker you’re destined to become, help you push your projects forward and find a foothold in the film industry.
Want to find out more? Write us on: masters@raindance.ac.uk
