School of Film, Media, and Creative Technologies
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The School of Film, Media, and Creative Technologies brings together investigative rigour with creative storytelling and communication to make positive changes to the world and how we think. We work in the real and imaginary worlds to produce skilled graduates, quality research and compelling stories through innovative technology. Our goal is to challenge and disrupt the way people relate to and communicate with each other through creative practice and the development of innovative technologies.
We seek to change the world one story at a time. Our storytelling has many formats, whether reporting breaking news, writing myths, or producing visually impactful documentary films, TV and books.
Our research is focused on collaborative, cross-disciplinary projects that improve our quality of life and rethink how we interact with each other and our environment. We deliver outstanding research in VR and its applications to healthcare, computer games, and visual computing in image analysis and big data representation. We've also overhauled the management of digital archives and promoted new approaches to storytelling in video games.
Many of our staff have industry experience and links with the creative industries, and bring this experience to their teaching. Jared Embley worked as a creature effects artist on Game of Thrones, Niki Wakefield was a compositor for the Harry Potter films and Space Jam, and Gavin Wade has worked on over 50 published titles in the games industry.
Teaching
We mix creative practice with critical understanding to offer our students an engaging and socially and culturally relevant learning environment. We have a mixture of talented staff with international reputations for their work and research, and their expertise feeds into our globally minded, practically focused approach to teaching.
Students use industry-standard technology, including games console dev kits, VR and Motion Capture (MOCAP) labs, AR and VR headsets, and our music studios with an SSL desk and Buchla synth. They're encouraged to learn new software and hardware, and apply what they learn in practical settings and through project based work with our staff supporting their individual creative approaches.
Our students also get involved with CCI TV, our student-led TV channel. Students work collaboratively in a fully equipped broadcast studio, streaming their content live for YouTube, social media and the Big Screen in Guildhall Square.
Our strong links with employers offer students varied placement year opportunities. Past placement students have worked at Sony, BluePrint Media, EA, Disney, ASOS, Framestore, Intel, Sega and the BBC. Many of our graduates go on to work with professionals they've met in their placement year.
All our undergraduate courses include the opportunity for students to set up their own business or go on a one year placement. Past students have worked for companies such as Walt Disney, NBC Discovery UK, Sky, BBC, Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, Vogue, The Daily Telegraph.
Our courses are recognised and accredited by various bodies:
- Our BA (Hons) Journalism course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Students taking this course are automatically entered for the NTCJ Diploma in Journalism examination, and can graduate ready to work as a qualified journalist.
- Our BA (Hons) Film Production and BA (Hons) Television Production courses are ScreenSkills-accredited, a key signpost for employers looking to hire industry ready graduates.
- Our BA (Hons) Animation, BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects and BSc Music Technology courses are Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) accredited, which assures employers that graduates have the relevant skills and abilities needed to work in the animation industry.
- Our BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc (Hons) Computer Games Production courses are accredited by The Independent Game Developers Association (TIGA). All TIGA Accredited courses teach skills required by the games industry.
Our teaching areas
Explore the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees we offer within the following areas.
Computer games, animation, and digital technologies courses
Keep up with the latest technology and techniques in computer game design & animation by taking one of our degrees. Take a placement with Sega, ILM and more.
Drama, music, and performing arts
Take to the stage, hone your talents, and prepare for a career in drama, music or the performing arts with one of our degree courses at the University. Find out more.
English and creative writing courses
Writing has the power to transport readers and listeners to an entirely different time and place. Tailor your studies to suit your goals, and graduate with the knowledge and skills find your dream career.
Film and television
Do you see yourself behind the camera, in front of it, or assessing the work of others? Study a film or television degree course with us. Earn vocational qualifications as you study, use our equipment and TV studio, and organise placements through our industry connections.
Media and Journalism courses
Want to work in journalism or media? Our expertise, industry ties, and comprehensive facilities will give you a platform to succeed in your career. Find out more now.
Partners
We've developed teaching and research partnerships with King's College London, Star & Crescent, University of Brighton, Cardiff University, University of Porto, Foundation for Science and Technology, Limerick School of Art and Design, University of Hertfordshire, University of Lincoln, Portsmouth City Council, University of West England and University of South Wales.
Outreach
Our School is also active in the Portsmouth community, hosting and working with locally based events including:
- Portsmouth ComicCon — We've been organising events and planning panels at this celebration of popular culture since 2018
- Portsmouth Book Fest — We're been building on our city's strong literary heritage with local organisations to run an annual book and author festival and year round literary events
- Darkfest — Inspired by the Supernatural Cities project, we've been running this annual celebration of spooky, gothic and horror cultural production from 2016
Research
Our research has considerable impact. We contributed impact case studies to several units of assessment in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Because of REF 2021, 64% of our research outputs in Music, Drama, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies, 73.9% of our research in Area Studies, and 54.4% of our research in English Language and Literature were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
We've carried out collaborative research with partners including Doye Mosse Productions, Emteq, Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands, RSK ADAS UK, Greenyard, Cato Engineering, Research Centre Hoogstraten, NIAB EMR, National Institute for Astrophysics, The Geological Society, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Paris Institute of Earth Physics, Fugro Geoconsulting, OASP Earthquake Planning Protection Organisation and the Hellenic Oceanographers Association.
We've collaborated with other universities on multiple projects, including Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Lille 1 University of Science and Technology, University College London, Brunel University, University of Kent, Aberystwyth University, Buckingham New University, University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Clermont Auvergne, University of Athens and Óbuda University.
We've received research funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund, Interreg, British Academy, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Council, American Society for Theatre Research, the Leverhulme Trustm, Innovate UK, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Interreg, Natural Environment Research Council, A2C Services, Erasmus Plus, Bounce Foods, Xim Ltd., Royal Academy of Engineering, University of Southampton, Department of Education, Arts and Humanities Research Council, European Commission, Technology Strategy Board, National Institute for Astrophysics, Parkinson's UK, Solent Innovation and Growth Network, Joint Information Systems Committee, and UK Council for International Student Affairs.
Our research areas
Journalism, communication and creative writing
We're researching how media can be used by organisations, institutions and people to benefit society, how we consume media, and how the media's influence can be abused. Explore our journalism communication and creative writing research.
Film, television and media
We're exploring how film and other forms of screen media shape societal attitudes and beliefs, and informs our daily lives. Explore our film, television and media research.
Our areas of expertise
Across the School, our research covers the following areas of expertise.
Animation and virtual production
We're creating ground-breaking, award-winning CGI films, and investigating how film production can be used in education.
Computer games design and technology
We're examining the theory, psychology and development of video games and contributing to the design, development and release of games.
Music
We're investigating music and sound and creating new tools to enhance performance and creativity.
Experience design
We're investigating the impact and application of experience design and digital technology in the cultural and heritage sectors to improve visitor experiences and conserve cultural and historical sites.
Our research groups
Much of our exceptional research takes place within the following cross-disciplinary research group – find out more below.
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Advanced Games Research Group
We're exploring a number of research-informed projects that are directly feeding into the design, development, and release of a range of games, both commercial and free.
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Creative Writing Team
We're engaged in fiction, travel writing, poetry and screen writing at local, national and international levels.
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Visual Computing Research Group
We're researching and developing knowledge and technologies in vision, AI, machine learning and computer graphics.
Recent project highlights
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Virtual Reality Research
Our virtual reality research contributed to a BAFTA White Paper titled 'Virtual Reality In Entertainment – The State Of The Industry'. This research explored the features, benefits and limitations of different forms of virtual and augmented reality. We looked at current psychological and physical risks, the significance of its value, and best-practice for entertainment and the mission of BAFTA.
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Mary Rose Museum
We worked with the Mary Rose Museum to create a 3D visualisation of the ship's figurehead by piecing together shadow photographs and coordinate data. The 3D image of the figurehead can now be seen by visitors to the museum in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard.
Our staff
Explore our faculty
Explore the other Schools and Departments that make up our Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries.
School of Architecture, Art and Design
Explore the School of Architecture, Art and Design at the University of Portsmouth, and find out more about our teaching and research activities
Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
Explore the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Portsmouth – and find out more about the teaching and research activities taking place within our four Schools.
