A Comparative Analysis of the Different Ways that Feature Films have been Made as Part of Higher Education curricula

Abstract

In recent years, a few film programmes at UK and Irish higher education institutions have attempted to produce feature length films (70+ minutes) as part of their curricula. This differs from the dominant approach of producing short student films, which usually require smaller crews. This paper compares five different models that have been used within the UK and Ireland that have successfully produced feature films as part of curricula, yet some of the courses no longer operate and it remains an uncommon method of film education. The aim is to address two questions: What are the different ways in which feature films have been made as part of higher education curricula in the UK and Ireland and what challenges may there be in the future when making feature films using this approach?