COURSE OVERVIEW
Want to become a Commercials Director?
Delivered in partnership with D&AD (the global association for creative advertising and design), our part-time Diploma aims to equip students with the knowledge required to become a Commercials Director.
Content Tabs
Working as a director in commercials involves a unique skillset. Not only does it require you to have creative vision and technical knowledge but as a successful director you will need an understanding of how to successfully negotiate working in a commercial environment in a highly collaborative way.
This Diploma course gives you the tools to improve your career prospects by gaining an unrivalled knowledge from Industry professionals, and an invaluable list of industry contacts, alongside practical experience and your own showreel of work to leave with.
COURSE FACILITIES
You will have access to Industry standard production and post production facilities and equipment, including stages for shoots and top-of-the-range cameras.
The course is based in London, where, throughout the year, you will have access to weekly talks from key speakers in the Advertising industry, including Agency Producers, Creative Directors, Producers from production companies, successful Commercials Directors and industry professionals from many areas of production.
You will also take part in a practical studio-based workshop and produce two commercials during the course, giving you the practical experience you’ll need to jump straight into your career on graduation, with all production costs met by the School.
This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.
While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification. You may be an independent filmmaker already, or you may have experience of working in the industry.
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk
The following item(s) should accompany your online application:
- A showreel of your own work (no montage cuts). Max 4 minutes. (Vimeo links)
- A written idea for a 30 seconds commercial for a well-known product (one side of A4)
Applications open 8th January 2025 and will close at midnight on the day of the deadline, shown at the top of this page.
Tutors
Student Showcase
Burts Bees - Bee True To Your Nature - commercial
Director: Constança Rodrigues
Winner of the Best Student Commercial at the Young Arrow Awards 2023, dedicated to recognising and rewarding emerging talent.
Adventure 001 Falconry Experience Commercial
Director: Max Bach
Winner of the Best Student Commercial at the Young Arrow Awards 2022, dedicated to recognising and rewarding emerging talent.
"Turn Your Phone Off" Cineworld Commercial
Director: David Graham
NFTS Directing Commercials students took on compelling brief from nationwide cinema chain Cineworld. They were tasked with creating a 10 second high quality film asking cinema-goers to turn their phones off before the start of a movie.
Stella McCartney Commercial
Director: William Markarian-Martin
Commercials created on the course will be for live clients, often these have been about the world of fashion or focussing on a charity.
Graduate Success
Directing Commercials students and graduates are highly sought after in the Industry. They are frequently nominated and win awards including the Young British Arrows and Art & Technique of the Commercial (AICP) Awards.
Recent credits and successes include...
Constança Rodrigues
Winner of Student Commercial of the Year Award for Burt’s Bees, Be True to Your Nature.
This is the second year in a row that an NFTS graduate has won this award and the second consecutive year we have received 11 of the 12 nominations.
Graduate Success
Directing Commercials students and graduates are highly sought after in the Industry. They are frequently nominated and win awards including the Young British Arrows and Art & Technique of the Commercial (AICP) Awards.
Recent credits and successes include...
William Liney
Director and Editor at Creative Listening, producers of content for education, brands and children’s media.
Graduate Success
Directing Commercials students and graduates are highly sought after in the Industry. They are frequently nominated and win awards including the Young British Arrows and Art & Technique of the Commercial (AICP) Awards.
Recent credits and successes include...
Xavier Carbó
Film and Commercials Director, who has has shot for brands including Samsung, Google, Puma and Tate Modern.
