How important is it to do a ScreenSkills/CILECT accredited course for film production

As above

It's not the only way to guarantee industry standard equipment and course content - but it's the easiest way. If you're considering a non accredited course then you need to check for yourself that you'll be studying the content and with the equipment/techniques required by industry.

Reply 2

Nats94

Speaking from ScreenSkills perspective (full disclosure!), I agree with PQ that it is not the only route. However, courses accredited by ScreenSkills are a good way to identify the courses that would be most relevant to you if you want a career in the screen industries: film, TV, animation, gaming, VFX etc. Courses are assessed by industry experts and have been accredited because they deliver the practical skills and knowledge that employers are actually looking for. They generally have strong industry links as well and are continuously reassessed to reflect changes in the industry. If work-readiness is your priority, then it’s definitely the place to start.

Reply 3

OhGod

Original post by PQ

Original post by Nats94

Problem is that most ScreenSkills accredited courses (especially the CILECT) ones are often in very small universities or are on multiple campuses which have very lacklustre student unions.

I studied at AUB for a year and hated it, partly because the university was so small. Do you know of any universities that have good film programs but also have good student unions/good social lives?

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 4

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by OhGod

Problem is that most ScreenSkills accredited courses (especially the CILECT ones are often in very small universities or are on multiple campuses which have very lacklustre student unions.

I studied at AUB for a year and hated it, partly because the university was so small. Do you know of any universities that have good film programs but also have good student unions/good social lives?

Leeds Beckett has the Northern Film School which is a CILECT member and has a Screenskills tick...Leeds is a very student friendly city and with 28,000 students at Leeds Beckett it's far from small (and the Northern Film School is in the city centre campus so not remote at all).

Reply 5

OhGod

Original post by PQ

Leeds is too far away from me! I live in the South West. Any other suggestions? I dosent matter wether or not the course is ScreenSkills or CILECT accredited.

Reply 6

OhGod

Would it be worth not doing a ScreenSkills accredited course just because it would be at a bigger university, meaning that I’ll enjoy myself more?

Reply 7

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by OhGod

Would it be worth not doing a ScreenSkills accredited course just because it would be at a bigger university, meaning that I’ll enjoy myself more?

That depends. Do you want to go to university to enjoy yourself or to prepare for a career in the film industry?

Reply 8

OhGod

Original post by PQ

That depends. Do you want to go to university to enjoy yourself or to prepare for a career in the film industry?

I do want to prepare for a career in industry but I won’t enjoy myself if I go to a small university, because I went to AUB three years ago and I was incredibly unhappy due to the lack of clubs/society’s/general social life etc.

I have absolutely no idea what to do.

It’s made me really unhappy and stressed because I know I’d be happier at a more traditional university but I also know that the better, more film industry ready courses are at the smaller universities and art colleges. I can’t do both.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 9

OhGod

Original post by PQ

That depends. Do you want to go to university to enjoy yourself or to prepare for a career in the film industry?

Please help. I really need some advice

Reply 10

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by OhGod

Please help. I really need some advice

Where do you plan to live after graduation?

Reply 11

OhGod

Original post by PQ

Where do you plan to live after graduation?

I have no idea. Wherever I get offered a job I guess

Reply 12

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by OhGod

I have no idea. Wherever I get offered a job I guess

My point is that there's not much of a film industry in the South West. If you're not willing to move to London or the north for university (where your costs will be minimal and funding is available) then your future career options will be quite limited.

Have you looked at Westminster? They're a pretty big university - the only problem is that London has a pretty limited "student" lifestyle.