Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Acting for Screen and Theatre)

7, 360 3.0
Full-time for three years
Starts February
24 places
Applications for 2014 by 1 September 2013. Auditions will be held in October 2013.
Mt Albert campus
Semester 1 2013: 25 February - 28 June; Semester 2 2013: 22 July - 22 November

Programme summary

Want to become an actor? Develop your acting, voice and movement skills, and become familiar with acting techniques for theatre and film, and the history of drama. Perform in front of a real audience at Unitec's Theatre and other venues.

Are you passionate about acting? Develop the acting and performance skills you need to realise your full potential as an actor on screen and on the stage. Increase your awareness of voice, posture, fitness, co-ordination, spatial awareness and use of breath in relation to acting. Work on a variety of film and stage projects, and learn to express the emotional and intellectual states of a character through classical and contemporary acting techniques.

Highlights

• Numerous performance opportunities both on film and in front of an audience at Unitec's theatre and in the community.
• A chance to learn from leading industry practitioners. In recent years these industry experts included Sara Wiseman, William Wallace, Elena Stejko and Paul Gittens.
• Staff who are professionally credited dancers, actors, writers, directors, designers and creative technicians, and who will support you in gaining the exposure you need.
• Visits from international experts through Unitec's partnerships with groups like Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission.
• A model of the real entertainment industry: you work closely with directing and writing, film and television, and performance technology students.
• Close links with industry: we're 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.
• Strong ties with South Pacific Pictures, the Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre and Downstage Theatre, where students have gained practical experience before graduating. In 2011, our actors worked with Auckland Theatre Company in Mary Stuart.
• Strong international connections.

The unique nature of each student is celebrated through an intensive training programme built on bravery, risk, humour, respect, teamwork and innovation. You'll be nurtured and challenged to reach your potential through four interdependent core units:

Acting technique

In Year One, explore both traditional and contemporary acting techniques, from Stanislavski to Mike Alfreds, Laban and Improvisation. These techniques will be actively investigated, extended and tested through public and workshop performances in your second year. In Year Three, you'll prepare for the realities of this competitive industry through research and professionally modelled performance work, both on and off campus.

Voice

Develop a free, clear, rich and fully embodied voice that fully informs the text. You'll work regularly with classical and contemporary texts to connect thought, word and voice. In Year Two, you'll focus on accent and dialect, vocal character and the art of oratory. Year Three will explore the actor's voice at work, extending your vocal range and flexibility, and building a strong, intelligent professional practice.

Movement

You'll focus on the fundamentals of effective body and mind integration by addressing posture, body alignment, fitness, co-ordination, spatial awareness, use of breath and body knowledge in relation to acting. Develop skills in stage movement, specific dance styles (from period ballroom to contemporary techniques), stage combat, fencing and acrobatics, and explore how physicality can express the complex emotional and intellectual states of a character.

Theatre and screen studies and critical practices

Explore the historical development of drama, from its origins in ritual and religion to the age of digital communication. Examine the anatomy of drama, with emphasis on the historical evolution of dramaturgy, actor's training, the use of space, set and costume design, technology, relationship with the audience, directing and theories of drama, and the dialogue between western and eastern theatre traditions. Alongside your future industry peers, you'll explore in-depth theoretical and critical thought, integrating theory and professional practice in an exciting cross-discipline environment.

Auditions

Around 150 people apply each year for the 24 places offered in Year One. First round auditions are held throughout New Zealand in early October. You'll be given clear information at the time of your application about what to learn and how to prepare. From these first-round auditions a group of applicants is selected for second round auditions. These are held in Auckland over Labour Day weekend. From this two-day workshop the final selection of trainee actors is made for the following year.

Please note: If you're not sure that you're ready to audition for this highly competitive programme yet please look at the Certificate in Communication and Media Arts, which is a semester-long programme designed to help upskill students who are interested in progressing to the degree.

Career opportunities

• Acting trainer/teacher
• Actor for theatre, film and television
• Performer
• Performing arts manager
• Presenter
• Theatre deviser/creator

Courses and timetables

The following courses are valid for 2013. The courses may be offered as part of the programme. Click on the course links below to see the course details and timetables.

If you're a current student, find out how to re-enrol in your programme.

Compulsory Courses

Elective Courses

Elective courses from other programmes

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/audition.

General admission

Applicants must:

• 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 Maori, 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
• Certificate of University Preparation (Level 4); or
• Certificate in Foundation Studies (Level 4); or
• Equivalent

Applicants must also provide a 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.

Interview/audition

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.

^{Note: New Zealand secondary school graduates who have English as an additional language (EAL) and are using NCEA to meet the general admission requirements 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.}