Acting for Screen, MA

Course information

Duration
1 year, full time
Course start
October
Award
Master of Arts in Acting for Screen (180 credits)

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About this course

The MA Acting for Screen degree at Central is a professional training that focuses on acting in film, television and screen-related media. Primarily for those with previous training or professional experience, it explores the expressive potential of performance and the relationship between performers and camera. The course will build on your existing skills and focus on the specific needs of the year group.

  • Draw on the expertise of Central’s permanent staff team and specialist professionals from the industry
  • The course aims to encourage your development as a creative artist with the flexibility to work across all performance mediums, specialising in screen performance
  • The emphasis of the training is on producing actors who, on leaving, have a high skill level, with the necessary technique to apply to a screen context.

Specialist, rigorous training

Throughout the first two terms, you will follow rigorous training in acting, which will concentrate on the core skills of voice, body, acting and creative interpretation. The principles of study derive from psychophysical methods, particularly the techniques of Michael Chekhov and Stanislavski.

The range of classes across the first two terms will include screen technique; this will essentially examine the distinction between screen and live performance. It will also cover visual storytelling, working in – and adapting to – shot size, cheating, hitting the mark, shooting contemporary scenes from television and film, and the preparation of different styles of work, including soap, drama and comedy.

Acting classes will interrogate the body and provide you with a toolbox of exercises. There is a specific focus on relaxing and working with ease, developing the imagination, unpicking personal habits and creating believable performances.

Voice and dialect classes will encourage an understanding of the voice as an instrument and will work with a variety of texts including poetry, verbatim, classical and contemporary material. In the area of movement, there is exposure to various styles, which may include jazz and historical dance, yoga and chi kung.

Other classes include sight-reading, textual analysis, casting and mock auditions led by casting directors, actors and directors. Professional preparation will involve guidance on selecting photographs, writing CVs, self-marketing and online promotion.

Accordion

  • Course Detail

    In Terms One and Two, screen study interrogates the work of various filmmakers from the perspective of the actor. This may include the work of Pedro Almodóvar, Luc Besson, David Lynch, Jean-Luc Godard, Andrea Arnold, Jane Campion, Lynne Ramsay and Michael Haneke.

    In Terms One, Two and Three, Performance Projects are designed to put classwork into practice, enabling you to develop and hone your acting skills on screen and learn the fundamentals of filmmaking. Projects may include a silent short film, which will examine visual storyboarding, using a camera, learning about different roles on set, and editing.

    In the summer term, there is a Short Drama Project which is commissioned for Central and written by professional writers/filmmakers and is shot on location by a professional crew. These films are screened in London’s West End as a showcase in June. Previous films have been entered for, and received awards at, national and international film festivals such as Sundance (2017), London Film Festival (2016), Monaco International Film Festival (2017), Raindance (Winner 2016), Encounters and London Short Film Festival.

    During Terms Three and Four, you will complete your work with the Sustained Independent Project. There are three options offered in this unit: a research portfolio, a dissertation, or producing and performing in a short film. The work must be original and partnerships with graduates from film schools are encouraged. In previous years, films have been accepted at festivals, including London Short Film Festival, Aesthetica and Norwich Film Festival.

    Assessment

    Modes of assessment include practical assignments, reflective writing, presentations, and written and practice-based research. For the Sustained Independent Project there is an option to make a film, write a dissertation or compile a portfolio, which would include a case study of a filmmaker and an extended research enquiry.

  • Entry Requirements and Auditions

    You should normally have a first degree in the broad field of performance and drama studies, although applications from students of other disciplines may be considered if they have sufficient experience of performance. Your application may also be considered if you have appropriate professional experience, or can otherwise demonstrate your potential to undertake this form of postgraduate study successfully. An offer will normally only be made after audition and interview.

    We particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as students with disabilities and members of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Find out more information on Central’s commitment to equality and diversity.

    English Language Requirements

    Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to prove their English language proficiency by gaining an overall score of 7.0 in an IELTS test. We do accept equivalent English language qualifications.

    While a test result is not required in order to submit an application, applicants are advised to gain this certification as early as possible. More information can be found through the English Language Requirements page. 

    Auditions

    To audition for a place on the MA Acting for Screen, upon receipt of your application, we will ask you to submit a self-tape consisting of a short monologue (maximum three minutes). The monologue must be from a recognised source (play, film, television drama).

    Selected candidates will be invited to attend a live recall audition at a later date (for overseas applicants this may be online).

    Applicants who are recalled to the second stage will be invited to:

    • participate in a voice and movement workshop
    • participate in a group discussion where you will have the opportunity to find out more details about the programme.

    Self-Tapes

    Please note we only accept links to self-tape auditions via YouTube, Vimeo or similar platforms. Videos must be set to ‘public’ or ‘unlisted’ to ensure the panel is able to view them. DVDs will not be considered.

    International Applicants

    Central regularly welcomes students from all over the world – and we are proud to have a large network of alumni working internationally.

    Visit our International Students pages for advice and information on studying at Central and living in London, if you’re not a home applicant.

    There is no formal application deadline for our MA courses. Applications are assessed, and places offered on courses, on a rolling basis, and applications are closed when a course becomes full. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

  • Recent Visiting Professionals

    Recent visiting professionals on the MA Acting for Screen course include:

    • Jeremy Zimmermann
    • Jane Deitch
    • Jennifer Withers
    • Jane Epstein
    • Janis Pugh
    • Rebecca Gatward (Director, Casualty, EastEnders, Doctors)
    • Smita Bhide (Best Feature, Raindance)
    • Keir Burrows (Winner Best Short/Best Director at Reykjavik International Film Festival)
    • Martin McKellan (Head of Voice, Shakespeare’s Globe)
    • Paul Harris
    • James Kent
    • Amit Gupta
    • Alison Steadman
    • Lesley Sharp
    • Riz Ahmed
    • Mark Street
    • Miriam Kerbavcic
    • Janis Price
    • Rob Savage.
  • Notable Graduates

    Notable Graduates Include:

    Nigel Allen (2012) film credits include Misson Impossible - Rogue Nation and Golden Years. Television credits include Home Fires, Suspicions of Mr Whicher and Doctors. Theatre credits include Warhorse (The National Theatre).

    David Avery (2008) played Freddie Hamid in BBC’s The Night Manager, and Tariq in Channel 5’s Borderline. His film credits include The Inbetweeners Movie and Starred Up.

    Samantha Baines (2009) film credits include Mary in A Royal Night Out. Television credits include Mary in BBC’s The Crown and Steph in Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People.

    Victoria Emslie (2012) television and film credits include The Theory of Everything, Downton Abbey and The Danish Girl. Victoria is currently taking part in the UK touring production of Lotty’s War.

    James Farrar (2010) television credits include Liam Gilmore in Hollyoaks, Dean Fallon inSilent Witness and Brendan in Eastenders.

    Hamza Jeetooa (2010) television credits include Usmal Kamal in BBC’s Capital, Raj in The Thick of It and Alan in Being Human. Hamza also works as a Producer and Director and is the co-founder of Untethered Films.

    Valmike Rampersad (2007) film credits include Art Malik in Hotel, which was a semi-finalist at the Academy Awards and winner of Best Drama at the L.A International Festival, Right Hand Drive and Open Secrets which won Best Film at The Buffalo-San Film Festival. Television credits include Ajay in Cloud 9.

    Ben Tavassoli (2014) co-stars in the BBC’s New Blood, a British television drama series created by Anthony Horowitz. Other television credits include Alpha in Channel 4’s No Offence, and Zak Latif in ITV’s Silent Witness.

  • Recent Graduate Employment

    Graduate employment and career pathways include actors in:

    Film 

    The Theory Of EverythingStarred Up, Maleficent, Disney.

    Television

    • True Blood, HBO;
    • Silent Witness, Casualty, Doctors, EastEnders, Doctor Who, Luther, Call The Midwife, BBC;
    • Top Boy, Channel 4;
    • Downton Abbey, ITV;
    • The Inbetweeners, E4;
    • Nip/Tuck, FX;
    • Black Sails, Starz.

    Theatre

    • The Internet Is A Serious Business, Royal Court Theatre;
    • The Judas Kiss, Hampstead Theatre.

    Founder members of theatre and film companies have shown their work at the Edinburgh Festival, London Film Festival, Brighton Fringe Festival, London Short Film Festival, Battersea Arts Centre, King’s Head Theatre, Sundance Film Festival and the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

  • Tuition Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships

    Tuition Fees for 2024 Entry

    UK (Home) students: £16,800*
    Overseas students: £24,150

    Please note that there may be additional costs that you need to incur as part of the training for the course.

    Full information is available on the Tuition Fees and Additional Costs page.


    Bursaries and Scholarships

    Central offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. If you are holding an offer for a place on a course then you will be invited to apply for a bursary or scholarship.

    *If you are a UK student but already hold a qualification at the equivalent or higher level to the one that you are applying for, then you may be classed as an ELQ student and be required to pay the same fee as an overseas student.

Student Feedback

“The moment I was accepted on to Central’s MA Acting for Screen was the turning point in my career. I was given an opportunity to learn everything I needed to know about the craft, receive invaluable training and, most importantly, showcase my work to core industry professionals.”

Ben Tavassoli

Graduated 2014, television and film credits include Tomorrow, New Blood, Silent Witness, No Offence and Tyrant.

“Acting for Screen opened so many doors for me (both inside and out) and it is hard to put into words exactly how beneficial this course actually is. All the tools learnt, and the hours of practice has given me: confidence, grounding and the tools for executing the carefully considered details that bring a performance to life.”

Victoria Emslie

Graduated 2012, credits include The Christmas CandleThe Theory Of Everything, Downton Abbey, The Danish Girl, Amy and 12 Monkeys.

Staff On The Course

Reyes is a Visiting Lecturer at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Portrait of Reyes Hiraldo

Morwenna Rowe is a voice practitioner, actor trainer, performer and writer with two decades teaching experience in UK conservatoires, theatre, film and TV.

Morwenna Rowe

Amanda Brennan is an acting teacher, coach, trainer and an award winning film director and producer.

Amanda Brennan

Students On The Course

Linda is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Linda Adey

Renee is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Renee Louise Bottern

Isabela is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Isabela Cordoba

Rose is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Rose Daher

Grace is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Grace Dewhurst

Lucy is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Lucy Eddington

Alessia is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Alessia in a a black and white photo

Justin is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Justin Kendal-Sadiq Headshot

Mikkie-dené is studying on MA Acting for screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Short curly brown hair, brown eyes. Wearing a light blue jumper.

Eero is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Eero

Iryna is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Iryna Poplavska

Laurenz is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Laurenz.Prader

Kenichi is studying on MA Acting For Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Kenichi Ri Headshot

Taniya is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Taniya

Petra is studying on MA Acting for Screen due to graduate in 2024.

Headshot photo Petra Vukelić

Davis is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Davis Headshot 1

Ciara is studying on MA Acting for Screen, due to graduate in 2024.

Ciara Whiting

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