Course Leader shares a year’s worth of filmmaking expertise via LinkedIn

Consisting of weekly and practical bite-sized lessons that cover everything from story ideation and casting to navigating AI, Dr Jem Mackay’s year-long LinkedIn series is a fascinating insight into the process of filmmaking. 

The course leader for Film & Television MA (Online) started the project three months ago with a desire to make learning more accessible for everyone while showcasing a snapshot of what there is to discover about filmmaking. Whether you are a creative looking to refine your skills or someone who enjoys watching cinema, the series is one that caters to a range of interests no matter where in the world you live. 

We caught up with Jem to hear how he started the social media series that shares a glimpse into the topics you can study on Falmouth’s online course. 

What inspired you to want to create this unique and engaging series? 

I really wanted to help advertise the Film & Television MA (Online) course and share how studying online has incredible benefits – you can enrol wherever in the world you live, if you’re unable to leave your location, and if you have work or family commitments. I want the series to showcase the brilliance of online learning, highlight the course at Falmouth, and share with people all over the world just how much there is to discover about film. 

What’s your favourite lesson that you’ve shared so far? 

I really loved Episode 11, where I moved on from screenwriting to discuss directing. It was brilliant to see how well it performed, with the lesson reaching over 6,000 impressions. It’s great to see this interest and inspire a sense of community that can happen within the comments. I’ve really loved that one as it brings me a lot of joy to see people showing interest and reposting. 

I am very much interested in each lesson – as I make sure to discuss topics that are particularly inspirational. I’m currently working on a storyboarding lesson, within which I share how it is a very cost-effective way of working out how to be a director, because you can visualise everything, all you need is pen and paper.  

AI often produces nonsense, but in examining its flaws, I’m discovering more about the technology, the topic, the data it draws from, and the assumptions we make about how we create and consume knowledge.

How does it all connect to your passion for teaching filmmaking? 

The key thing about teaching is that you’re always learning; and this project has allowed me to embrace that. One of the things I’m keen to explore is how we can create using new technologies such as AI. 

AI often produces nonsense, but in examining its flaws, I’m discovering more about the technology, the topic, the data it draws from, and the assumptions we make about how we create and consume knowledge. I’m particularly interested in discovering how it can help us to present information coherently on a topic and enhance rather than replace our work.  

Discover the series for yourself 

Jem Mackay’s LinkedIn series 

Learn more about filmmaking with a Film & Television MA (Online)