Unitec New Zealand | Experience Real World Learning

[BPSA]

7, 360

Full-time for three years

Starts February

28 places

Applications will be considered in the date order they are received. First round of interviews will be held in October

CA2222

Mt Albert campus

NZ$ 7581

International fees
Programme summary
Career opportunities
Courses and timetables
Admission requirements

Programme summary

Want to work in film and television? Gain the skills for a career in cinematography, film editing, sound recording and design, first assistant directing and production management. Work closely with acting, dance and directing and writing students on a range of film and TV projects.

Are you dreaming of a career in film and television? The Screen Arts (film and television) major has an emphasis on hands-on learning to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge you need for a career as a leading film and television professional in a specialist area.

In the first year you’ll understand the wider context of film and television. In Semester One, you’ll be introduced to the basic skills and techniques associated with the major specialisations of camera, directing, editing, production, sound and scriptwriting, that are involved in screen production, and gain an overview of the production process and key roles and responsibilities.

In Semester Two, you’ll further specialise in consultation with academic staff. By the end of Year One, you’ll have a greater understanding of your chosen electives and will be able to make an informed choice of your subject specialisations for the remaining two years of your degree programme. These are described below.

Camera
Aid the realisation of the director’s vision onto the screen through lens choice, lighting, composition, camera movement, focus, filtration and exposure. Develop essential skills and knowledge by working creatively on a wide range of projects, and get trained for the film crew positions of camera operator, focus puller, clapper loader, gaffer, lighting assistant and grip.

Editing
Gain practical, hands-on experience of film editing, from documentary through to motion picture film, and use the latest equipment and technology, which is being constantly updated to include new formats and techniques. You’ll also learn the power of story telling through screen grammar, the cut, and the use of effects and transitions. Unitec is an approved Avid Education Centre®.

Sound
Become involved in field recordings and sound post-production, from basic introductory techniques, such as boom-swinging and mixing levels, to the rigours of dialogue replacement, FX editing and multiple microphone location recording. In your final year, you’ll explore the creativity of the craft via challenging projects such as documentary and short film, and explorative studio work, including surround sound and video dance.

Real-world learning
Work collaboratively with acting, dance, art department, directing and writing students, and gain real-world, on-set experience when making short films on location. Develop the ability to analyse your own work, work to a variety of briefs, and study history, theory and critique of film and television.

Industry experts
Experienced practitioners and educators will guide you through high-quality practical exercises and projects (documentaries, commercials, music/dance video, short films, experimental film and studio pieces) using current industry standards.

Links with industry
We are active members of SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association), WIFT (Women in Film and Television), Playmarket, New Zealand Writers Guild, Entertainment Technology NZ and New Zealand Film and Video Technicians’ Guild.

International connections
International experts visit Unitec on a regular basis through our partnerships with groups like the New Zealand Writers Foundation and the New Zealand Film Commission.

Graduate success
Our graduates are regarded as talented, motivated, creative and highly employable. They work on Hollywood blockbusters and local independent features, and produce prize-winning short films and documentaries in New Zealand and internationally.

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Career opportunities

  • Film and television camera operator
  • Film and television editor
  • First assistant director
  • Gaffer/grip
  • Production manager
  • Sound designer/editor

 

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Courses and timetables

To view the list of courses and timetables for this programme for 2010, please click here.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. All applicants will be required to attend an interview and/or audition.

General admission

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office); and
  • Have a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), including a minimum of:
    • 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
    • 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the NQF or approved subjects; and
  • A minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the NQF; and
  • A minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or
  • Have achieved at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent; or
  • Have the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate, or equivalent.

Applicants must provide a completed medical declaration that indicates their ability to participate in the physical and practical aspects of the programme.

Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level. This may include, for example, experience or employment in a field related to performing or screen arts, or evidence of ability in a related programme of study.

Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

  • Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or
  • Have a minimum of seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or
  • Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
  • Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent; or
  • Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject, with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent; or 
  • Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.0 (with no band score lower than 5.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 550, or equivalent; or
  • Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

Note: New Zealand secondary school graduates who have English as an additional language (EAL) using NCEA to meet Unitec programmes general admission criteria may substitute the eight credits in English at NCEA level 2 (four in Reading and four in Writing) with an IELTS score (or equivalent). This IELTS score is the same as that required by the programme in which they wish to enrol. These students are still required to achieve a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher and the Mathematics or Pangarau requirements.

 

Portfolio/interview

The interview/audition stage will consist of a combination of demonstrations and exercises requiring the applicant to demonstrate their ability to carry out specific tasks individually and as part of a group. The exact nature of the tasks involved will be related to the major of the degree into which the applicant is seeking entry, and will be notified to applicants at least 14 working days prior to the interview/audition.

 



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