Explore your options
Study filmmaking and television at Unitec and you'll start by exploring the basic skills of camera work, directing, editing, production, sound and scriptwriting. It’s a great overview of the production process and helps you decide what to specialise in.
The department is structured like the real film and TV industry, so that when you work on productions, you work with students and staff from all the other disciplines. Nowhere else can you collaborate with actors, dancers, musicians, set builders and costume designers every day. You’ll work together on set and on location, where you’ll practise your technical skills, as well as learning how to get the most out of the performers.
You'll be guided by industry experts and inspired by visiting filmmakers, writers and directors.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) | 3 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level. | February or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Screen Arts | 4 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study toward a career in the media or performing and screen arts. | February or July |
| Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts) | 7 | Full-time for three years | Cinematographer, Editor, Production manager, Director, Screenwriter, Researcher, Camera assistant/gaffer/grip, Sound recordist, Editor, Post supervisor, Sound designer, Production Co-ordinator, Content developer | February |
| Graduate Diploma in Creative Practice | 7 | Full-time for one year or part-time options available | Art director, Costume designer, Composer for theatre and screen works, Lighting designer, Production manager for theatre, Screen actor, Set designer, Sound/audio-visual designer, Stage manager, Director, Theatre and/or screen scriptwriter | February or July |
| Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Practice | 8 | Six months full-time or one year part-time | Director, Experience designer, Graphic designer, Photographer, Producer, Product designer, Production designer, Performance designer, Sculptor, Service designer, Visual communicator, Visual artist, This programme provides an ongoing qualification for teachers or trainers of adults, who are already working in this field. | February or July |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Practice | 8 | Full-time for one year or part-time for two years | Artist, Creative director, Curator, Digital artist, Director, Graphic designer, Photographer, Producer, Visual artist | February or July |
| Master of Creative Practice | 9 | Full-time for 18 months or part-time for three years | Artist, Art director, Product designer, Graphic designer, Director, Photographer, Experience designer, Producer, Production designer, Sculptor, Visual artist, Performance designer, Service designer, Curator, Actor for theatre, film and television, Choreographer, Filmmaker | February or July |
| Master of Design | 9 | Full-time for two years or four years part-time | Artist, Art director, Art/design educator, Art/photography educator, Curator, Graphic designer, Photographer, Product designer, Production designer, Performance designer, Service designer, Visual artist, Visual communicator | Throughout the year |
Industry connections
Industry accreditation
In 2006, the Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts) was awarded the ScreenMark, the New Zealand Screen Council’s industry accreditation for high quality and relevant tertiary courses in the screen industry.
Industry memberships
- Creative Digital Content New Zealand
- ETNZ – Entertainment Technology New Zealand
- Film Auckland
- New Zealand Cinematographers Society
- New Zealand Film and Video Technicians’ Guild
- New Zealand Writers Guild
- Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand
- Screen Education Alliance New Zealand
- SPADA – Screen Production and Development Association
- WIFT NZ – Women in Film and Television
Industry partnerships
Getting practical experience before you graduate is really important. Study filmmaking and television at Unitec and you'll benefit from our relationship with industry organisations like TVNZ, the New Zealand Film Commission, South Pacific Pictures, Script to Screen, Film Auckland and Documentary NZ Trust.
Internationally, we are affiliated with the Beijing Film Academy and the Communication University of China.
The department also has connections to the Oryza Foundation for Asian Performing Arts and Creative Coalition.
Facilities
Study film and television at Unitec and you’ll you have access to outstanding cameras, lighting and postproduction equipment.
Shoot your projects with our professional grade cameras, including four Panasonic AG-AF102EN's, which capture onto a micro 4/3" sensor. These cameras feature interchangeable prime lenses, which also mount to our ten Panasonic DMC-G10K micro 4/3" DSLR's, (useful for everything from shot storyboarding and location recces to creative stills and motion picture work). We also have eleven Panasonic AG-HVX202AEN cameras (which record in either HD or SD), as well as one AR/RIFLEX 16 BL film camera.
The film studio has a lighting grid with each channel separately dimmable, as well as a range of grip equipment, including three camera dollies and a jib arm. There’s also lighting designed for shooting on location.
You’ll learn editing skills using industry standard AVID software on a variety of non-linear editing stations and in dedicated edit suites. There’s a purpose-built Lab with 25 iMac computers for first year students, and advanced post production sound facilities including two Protools suites for second and third year students.
Our location sound kits are based around Sennheiser or AKG shotgun mics and radio systems. Two ProTools sound post-production suites let you to record, edit and mix sounds.
You can plan shoots in the production offices and show your finished short films in the screening room. Each year, the short films made by third year students are shown at the end of year Grad Screening at Event Cinemas in St Lukes.
Auditions
We’re eager to hear from anyone with an interest in the media industries. A portfolio showing any previous experience in screen or performance media will help your application, but it’s not compulsory. Interviews usually take place in Auckland in early October, however telephone and Skype interviews are also possible.
