Unitec New Zealand | Experience Real World Learning

[BPSA]

7, 360

Full-time for three years

Starts February 

16 places

Applications will close Monday 30 November. Any applications received after Monday 30 November will be contacted and held until 2011.

CA2222

Mt Albert campus

NZ$ 7581

International fees
Programme summary
Career opportunities
Courses and timetables
Admission requirements

Programme summary

Interested in a career as a writer or director for film, TV or the theatre? Gain an understanding of creative and conceptual processes, and see your work realised in film and theatre productions.

The Directing and Writing major offers a unique opportunity to learn about the creative development of production for the screen by participating in the making of a large body of work for film, from drama to documentary.

You’ll acquire the ability to develop, communicate and critique your creative ideas, while working to a variety of briefs within industry-standard parameters. This will allow you to understand the writing, directing and production aspects of television and film making and to move more readily into the industry with a body of work or to seek further specialisation at postgraduate level.

Our aim is to produce creative practitioners who understand the professional requirements and conventions of their chosen field and who are able to pursue career pathways in the film, television and theatre industries in New Zealand and internationally.

Real-world learning
You’ll participate in a series of practical projects, including documentaries, commercials, short films, experimental film and studio pieces. This will be supported by a comprehensive theoretical component enabling you to explore key concepts, technologies and processes, and to examine film and television works, from their evolution right through to the present day.

A general first year will give you the opportunity to understand the wider context of film and television. In Semester One, you’ll learn the basic skills and techniques associated with specialisations such as camera, directing, editing, production, sound and writing, 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, as described below.

Film production
You’ll learn about production management, assistant directing and location managing, in a variety of industry-modelled projects and workshops. You’ll progressively learn to harness your organisational and communication skills as you keep the production moving according to set timelines and ensure that production deadlines are met. You’ll plan ahead, trouble-shoot and pay close attention to detail as you assist the director and co-ordinate all production activity, supervising the cast and crew.

Directing
Not only will you learn about the creative and technical side of directing, but also about text analysis, actor process, shaping performance, design and the associated technologies of film. An important component of the course is the opportunity to work in teams of students – acting, art direction, camera, sound, production, editing and design– while practising your specialisations. This will help you understand what it means to work at a professional level, and assist the formation of important future collaborations.

You’ll work closely with students and professionals on documentaries, commercials, short films, experimental film and studio pieces.

Scriptwriting
You can also develop your writing skills in a practice-based course that offers in-depth knowledge of the craft and creative processes involved in writing for screen.

You’ll study all key areas of scriptwriting, short films/plays (which increase in length and complexity from Year One to Year Three), feature film treatments, soap and sitcom. Your scripts may even be made into a film.

Experienced lecturers
Lecturers and guests are talented and professionally credited writers, directors, designers, actors and creative technicians. They’ll inspire you to produce innovative work and support you in gaining the exposure you need.

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. We have close links with South Pacific Pictures, Auckland Theatre Company, Silo Theatre and Downstage Theatre, where students have gained real-world experience before graduating.

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
Unitec directing and writing graduates have produced prize-winning short films and plays for seasons at festivals and other venues around New Zealand. Recent graduates have received New Zealand Film Commission funding for the development of feature films.

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Career opportunities

  • Director for theatre, film and television
  • First assistant director
  • Playwright
  • Production manager
  • Script editor
  • Scriptwriter for film and television

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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 also 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 higher 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.

 

Audition/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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