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In today’s world, the skills and capabilities demanded of the screen director are multifaceted. Unique in its structure, the Master of Arts Screen: Directing provides the opportunity for emerging directors to develop towards a mastery of screen directing through a program of carefully scaffolded collaborative workshops, research projects and mentorships.
For 50 years, AFTRS’ directing graduates have enjoyed successful and celebrated careers across the screen industries, locally and globally. AFTRS has repeatedly been named among The Hollywood Reporter’s top 15 film international film schools in their annual roundup.
You will gain access to world-class mentors and lecturers for practical and theoretical insights into screen directing skill sets and leadership. This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside cinematographers, writers, producers, production designers, editors, sound designers and composers in the development of creative projects. Through it you will build ongoing relationships within future industry networks.
A range of scholarships are available to successful applicants of the Master of Arts Screen; you will be prompted to apply for them following your submission.
You will gain access to world-class mentors and lecturers for practical and theoretical insights into screen directing skill sets and leadership.
You will have the space, time and resources to develop, challenge and realise your vision. This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside cinematographers, writers, producers, designers, editors and composers in the development of creative projects. Through it, you will build ongoing relationships within future industry networks.
The Master of Arts Screen: Directing supports and develops your creative voice while proposing an active engagement with emerging technologies, screen culture and audience.
Your creative leadership will be exercised through intensive practical workshops, underpinned by an investigative approach to contemporary screenplay analysis, screen language and best-practice collaborations with actors and other screen disciplines.
Throughout the first year of the Master of Arts Screen: Directing, you will develop practical directing skill sets, learning from leading industry practitioners. In the second year, using AFTRS’ world-class facilities, you will direct a major project and a strategically aligned creative practice research project.
During the course, there will be an opportunity for a professional placement, which aims to support your transition into the industry upon graduation.
For more information download the Master of Arts Screen course guide.
The Master of Arts Screen: Directing will equip you with specialist knowledge and practical experience, propelling you towards a professional role directing TV series, feature films, TVCs, gaming, VR, AR and web-based screen projects. The course suits highly collaborative directors who aim to be creative interpreters of other writers’ scripts in the dynamic episodic space, as well as those whose focus is to be a writer-director.
The course suits highly collaborative directors who aim to be creative interpreters of other writers’ scripts in the dynamic episodic space, along with those who may choose to pursue their own story ideas. Award-winning alumni include Jane Campion, winner of the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Venice Silver Lion for The Power of the Dog (2021), nominee of BAFTA and Emmys for Top of the Lake (2013, 2014) and Academy Awards for The Piano (1994); Gillian Armstrong, winner of AFI Awards for My Brilliant Career (1979); Chris Noonan, Academy Award-nominee for Babe (1996); Cate Shortland, director of Marvel’s Black Widow (2021), Berlin Syndrome (2017) and the AACTA Award-winning Somersault (2004); and Shannon Murphy, BAFTA-nominee for Babyteeth (2019), and whose episodes of Killing Eve were nominated for multiple Emmys.
Pearl Tan is the founder and director of Pearly Productions, a creative boutique creating content with a focus on diverse…
Hannah Hilliard is a multi-award winning AFTRS graduate who has worked as a director in film, television, and commercials. She…
Megan Simpson Huberman is a writer, director, development consultant, script editor, story producer and senior development, production, and creative executive…
Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and practice as a director
Apply a deep understanding of cinematic storytelling to create audience-engaged work for the screen
Implement a creative practice that synthesises specialist knowledge and an understanding of personal process
Apply an adaptable skill set
Demonstrate an ability to collaborate across diverse projects
Storytellers
Practitioners
Creators
Cultural leaders
Storytellers who possess the courage and integrity to embrace and reflect Australian perspectives.
Practitioners skilled for the screen and audio industries.
Creators who can effectively communicate ideas, problem-solve and collaborate inclusively.
Cultural leaders able to apply positionality and ethics in their practice.
DISCLAIMER: Changes in circumstances may impact upon the accuracy or currency of information. While AFTRS takes all due care to ensure that the information is accurate, it reserves the right to vary any information described here without notice.
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