Want to Work in Film FX? Here’s Why You Need a Film Master’s Degree

If you’re a third-year film FX student thinking about your next move, a film master’s could be a great way to advance your skills in this field. The MA Film FX Creative Practice degree at the University of Bolton is a highly flexible course that can be tailored to your career development needs.

Not sure what to do after you complete your undergraduate degree in film FX? Here are just some of the reasons a master’s degree is a great investment for your career!

Attract more employers

Film is a competitive industry, and while film special effects jobs can be highly lucrative, getting on the ladder isn’t always easy. For those who are passionate about working in the industry, having a master’s in filmmaking, film production, editing, film FX, or anything film-related, can be a huge advantage.

It doesn’t matter what discipline you’re interested in. Having a second degree can get you noticed because further education demonstrates dedication and focus. This means top employers are more likely to take your application seriously.

Choose your specialism

During an undergraduate film FX degree, students work on various art forms, training in a multi-disciplinary way. While some students like to continue with multi-disciplinary practices, others may prefer to apply their skills in one area.

A film master’s at Bolton is an opportunity to specialise in a single discipline, making it easier to carve a career pathway for when you graduate.

Diversify your skills  

Our MA Film FX Creative Practice is designed to be entirely flexible to your career ambitions, and our passionate teaching staff is here to support you in any professional direction. Some students will take this opportunity to nurture a single specialism, but if you have multiple strengths and interests, we can mentor you on an interdisciplinary route.

For students looking to develop a range of skills at the same time, such as combining VFX, SFX, model making, and special effects make-up, this master’s degree is an ideal learning platform.  

Gain industry-related experience

Another reason to study a master’s before trying to get a film special effects job is to create a smoother transition into the workplace. The state-of-the-art, industry-standard facilities at Bolton are designed to emulate film industry conditions as much as possible, helping students get a feel of what it’s like to work in a professional environment.  

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake projects set by leading industry practitioners, studios, and workshops. This sort of experience is invaluable and will prepare you for the workplace, while also training you to be a collaborative team member.

Develop your showreel or portfolio

For just about any role in film or TV, a showreel or portfolio is vital. Without one, it’s hard to even get considered for a job. By extending time in education with a master’s in filmmaking, film production, or film FX, students get to build on and improve their showreel.

For employers, showreels are highly effective for showcasing the skills of a candidate they are considering. A lot of the time, showreels and portfolios can fill in the gaps where on-the-job experience is lacking, meaning you won’t get stuck in a Catch-22 if you’re trying to get your foot in the door. 

Interested in building your showreel or portfolio to improve chances of getting your dream film special effects job when you graduate? The MA Film FX Creative Practice at Bolton could be the right course for you.

Just like your undergraduate degree, your master’s will be taught under experienced tutors with film industry connections. We’ll help you gain access to live projects and work experience too, as well as opportunities to attend industry events and build your professional network.

As a leading Greater Manchester university that puts students, and their needs first, there’s nowhere better to study your master’s and continue enjoying #UniAsItShouldBe!  

To find out more about applying in 2022/23, see our course page for details.