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Behind the scenes at MetFilm School: How we bring the industry into the classroom

By MetFilm School

04 August 2025

At MetFilm School, we believe that a first-class film education goes beyond lecture halls and seminar rooms. We’re committed to immersing students in the realities of the screen industries from day one – whether that’s through direct industry contact, access to industry-standard kit, or masterclasses with leading professionals.

So what does that actually look like behind the scenes?

Industry at the core of the curriculum

Every MetFilm School course – whether BA, MA or short course – is built around the realities of today’s screen industries. Our lecturers are active professionals, so students learn what it’s really like to work in film and TV today.

Many courses include time on kit and on set and collaborations with industry partners, giving students experience that mirrors professional practice – whether that’s developing a short for a festival pitch, assisting on a live set, or working on a brief from a production company.

Guest speakers and masterclasses

We regularly welcome a wide range of industry guests – from Oscar-winning directors and producers to executives and marketing experts – to share their stories and insights with students. These masterclasses and Q&As offer a direct line to the people shaping the industry right now. Recent highlights? Guests include legendary actress Lesley Manville (All or Nothing, The Crown), cinematographer Eben Bolter (The Last of Us), writer/producer/actor Phoebe Waller‑Bridge (Fleabag), and actor Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders, Last Breath) – each sharing personal insights you won’t find in any textbook.

Learning through doing: Industry leading lecturers

Our lecturers are not just educators – they’re screenwriters, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, actors, and commissioners. They bring the most current thinking and practice into the classroom – often between shoots, edits, or festival appearances.

Some of our lecturer highlights include:

James Pickering (MA Screen and Film Production, Manchester) recently shot He Kills at Night, premiering at FrightFest, and brought MA student Daisy Russell onto set in a paid Production Supervisor role – a standout credit.
Milda Baginskaite (BA Filmmaking, Manchester) involved students across departments in her award-winning short Little Pains, supported by Kodansha’s Cinema Creators’ Lab in Japan.
Jordon Scott Kennedy (BA Acting for Screen, Leeds) and Casey Shaw (BA Content, Media & Film Production, Leeds) co-produced Rocket Fuel, giving students hands-on crew roles across directing, performance, and production.
Mark Tew (BA Filmmaking, Brighton) Helped produce The Captain, a feature screened at the Galway Film Fleadh. He’s worked on independent films and major commercial briefs for clients such as American Express, MTV, and the BBC.
April Pearson (Senior Lecturer Brighton) A founding team member of Jump Start Productions, alongside director Jamie Patterson and editor David Fricker. April’s acting and producing credits include Skins, Tormented, Tucked, The Kindred, Home for Christmas, and Netflix’s Kiss Me First.
Christoph Hochhäusler (BA Filmmaking, Berlin) has received development funding from the German Federal Film Board for his upcoming screenplay EINMAL UM DEN BLOCK. The project has been awarded a massive €50,000.

Students on set, gaining real credits

At MetFilm School, learning is practical from day one – whether you’re behind the camera, in the edit suite, or directing your first scene. Our courses are designed to immerse students in hands-on experience throughout their studies, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, creativity, and industry-level application.

On top of this day-to-day practical training, many students also benefit from opportunities to work on professional productions – often through connections with tutors, alumni, and industry partnerships. Recent examples include:

On Little Pains, students stepped into key crew roles such as Camera Trainee, Assistant Director, Art Department, and Production Coordinator.
On He Kills at Night, Daisy Russell earned a Production Supervisor credit before completing her MA.
On Rocket Fuel, students supported lighting, camera, sound, and performance – many now building professional CVs around those credits.

These opportunities build on our hands-on approach and reflect the strength of MetFilm School’s industry connections – helping students take their next steps with confidence.

Creative Futures: turning learning into careers

Each campus has a dedicated Creative Futures team, working to connect students with the industry through:

Placements and partnerships (BBC, ITV, Picture Shop, and more)
Live Briefs and employer-led projects
The Greenhouse Enterprise Programme for student-led productions
CV workshops, networking sessions, and 1:1 career support

Industry integration isn’t a one-off – it’s built into your whole degree.

Ready to roll?

Bringing the industry into the classroom isn’t just something we say – it’s how we teach. Whether you’re behind the camera, performing, producing, or planning your first pitch, MetFilm School offers the tools, insight, and connections to help you take that next step.