Theory/practice and the British film conservatoire

Abstract

Film and media education in the UK has long been characterised by a fundamental polarisation between theory and practice. This is most clearly manifest in the widespread separation between academic study and hands-on production training within University and College departments and programmes. The situation has arguably been exacerbated over the past few years by the training agenda devised and promoted by Skillset and the UK Film Council in the creation of networks of Screen and Media Academies to ensure an appropriate focus on industry approved vocational skills. The Skillset Screen Academy network includes two long established traditional film schools — the National Film and Television School and the London Film School — and in this paper, I will examine the history and development of these two institutions in order to consider the conception and operation of theory and practice within a sphere of education and training that has a longstanding relationship to industry. Such a consideration can not only help us to understand the obstacles to a more productive integration of theory/practice, but it can also indicate potential opportunities for achieving such an integration

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