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You can study Screen Arts at Unitec

Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts)

Considering a career in film and television? Train to be a screen professional and learn the creative, business and technical skills of pre-production, production and post production. This programme is hands on and enables students to conceptualize and produce their own video and film projects.

Level
7
Credits
360 (3.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February
Duration
Full-time for three years

Call us now on 0800 10 95 10

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Programme overview

The Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts), is an in depth programme of study in which you will engage in a combination of creative, academic and practice based courses designed to develop skills and qualities vital to the creative screen sector.

In Year One you will learn about the filmmaking process and industry as a whole, the relationship between specialist skills, creative and critical thinking, and storytelling. From Year Two you will start to specialize, gaining depth in a particular area of the industry.

Specialisation Options: 

  • Animation: includes drawing, motion graphics, 3D animation, visual effects, life drawing and illustration
  • Camera and field sound: includes cinematography, location, new technologies, sound recording and colour grading
  • Post production: includes editing and post production sound
  • Production: includes production management, assistant directing, location management and scouting
  • Screenwriting: includes creative writing, writing craft

Highlights

  • Participate in hands on learning through film, television and small screen projects designed to emulate the real world
  • Experience different crew models such as working in small, tight teams, as well as in full industrial crews, as you would on a television or film set
  • The real world of performing and screen arts: work collaboratively with acting, dance, art department and costume students to gain real world, on set experience when working in the studio and on location
  • Small class sizes in specialist areas allow for lecturers to mentor students
  • Students interested in directing can take a mixture of lectures, screenings and workshops
  • Specialist programme designed to develop the necessary skills to succeed in the screen industry
  • Access to our equipment and facilities for 12 months after you graduate so you can continue to develop your projects and career.

Industry Connections

  • New Zealand Film Commission
  • NZ On Air
  • Film Auckland
  • Film New Zealand
  • Documentary NZ Trust
  • Story Edge
  • Transmedia New Zealand
  • Ngā Aho Whakaari
  • PIFT (Pacific Islanders in Film & Television)
  • Asia New Zealand Film Foundation
  • SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association)
  • New Zealand Advertising Producers Guild
  • WIFT (Women in Film and Television)
  • New Zealand Writers Guild
  • Screen Directors Guild
  • Entertainment Technology NZ
  • New Zealand Game Developers Association
  • New Zealand Film and Video Technicians’ Guild
  • New Zealand Cinematographers Society
  • Screen Education Alliance New Zealand
  • Creative Digital Content New Zealand

Interview

To study film and television at Unitec you'll need to interview for a place. 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.

Find out more about upcoming auditions and interviews

Admission requirements

For this programme, you will need the following:

1. 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher including:

  • 14 credits in two different approved subjects; and
  • 14 credits from up to two subjects (approved or non-approved)

2. 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori (4 in reading, 4 in writing)
3. 14 credits in NCEA Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau
4. Interviews, submissions and/or auditions will be required - we'll notify you of what is required
5. Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have one or more of the following:

  • Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
  • Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
  • Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

Don't have NCEA? We also accept:

  • A relevant qualification at Level 3 on the NZQF or above or an equivalent qualification; or
  • Provide sufficient evidence to be eligible for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations:

Programme Regulations

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2020; please check back again soon.

Compulsory courses Elective courses
Level 5 Level 6 Level 7
Level 6 Level 7
Courses Credits Aim
Film & Television 1A (PASA5301) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to gain a practice-based understanding of fundamental theories, concepts and techniques associated with film & television technology and production. The course focuses on collaboration and establishing the habits and methods appropriate to production work in six key production areas. There is also a focus on health and safety in the workplace.
Film & Television 1B (PASA5302) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to acquire a wide range of basic skills, knowledge and practices in the development, production and technologies of screen works. The course focuses on developing professional self-management approaches for production work through practice in a specialist role as well as developing the student?s ability to identify personal areas of their own creative development.
Screen Basics 1A (PASA5311) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to practically employ film and television technologies in the creative process of screen production work. This course focuses on working collaboratively across a range of discipline areas and establishing habits and methodologies appropriate to the profession.
Screen Basics 1B (PASA5312) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to employ fundamental theories, concepts and techniques in practice-based settings to develop their creativity and artistic growth through experiential exploration of film and television technologies and processes. This course continues to work collaboratively across a range of discipline areas and focusses on establishing habits and methodologies appropriate to the profession.
Storytelling, Myth & Ritual (PASA5901) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to develop a broad understanding of the major concepts of storytelling in terms of mythic constructs, rituals and symbols in an interactive multi-disciplinary learning environment. This course provides a foundation for the development of specialist Performing and Screen Arts literacies such as reading media texts and interpreting creative ideas among students from all disciplines of the programme. There is also a focus on the whakapapa of storytelling in Aotearoa placed within a noho marae learning environment.
Professional Development 1 (PASA5902) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To introduce students to the basic professional practices associated with the performing and screen arts industries and their own professional development. This course focuses on building capability for students in self-management, communication and presentation, as well as academic literacies such as text analysis and academic writing.
History of Cinema (PASA5961) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to examine and reflect upon the historical development of cinematic languages and theories in an interactive multi-disciplinary learning environment. This course focuses on placing selected movements and developments of production and performance in the context of the student?s specialist discipline. There is a focus on experiencing festival and world cinema through field trips and site visits.
Courses Credits Aim
New Zealand Cinema (PASA6304) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to locate New Zealand films in their historical, social and political contexts and to explore the role they play in constructing or reflecting national and/or cultural identity.
Camera & Sound (Screen Technologies) 2A (PASA6333) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to increase understanding of specialised theories, concepts, techniques and technologies for camera and screen sound. The course focuses on evolving a personal methodology that will give expression to individual creative development and practice.
Editing & Sound (Post-Production Technologies) 2A (PASA6343) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to increase understanding of specialised theories, concepts, techniques and technologies for editing and post-production sound. This course focuses on evolving a personal methodology that will give expression to individual creative development and practice.
Screen Development & Production 2A (PASA6355) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to increase understanding of specialised theories, concepts and techniques for screen development and production. This course focuses on evolving a personal methodology that will give expression to individual creative development and practice in the two areas of writing and production.
Audience, Context & Interpretation (PASA6901) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to examine the ways in which the creator/performer communicates with their audience in an interactive multi-disciplinary learning environment which includes an artist hui at Te Noho Kotahitanga marae. This course focuses on understanding through the analysis of the modes of address and conventions of representation and interpretation commonly associated with performing and screen arts culture.
Professional Development 2 (PASA6902) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to utilise a range of concepts and skills, including business and professional practices, that will enhance their ability to operate independently in the creative industries.
Courses Credits Aim
Contemporary International Cinema (PASA7301) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to examine local and global perspectives and issues influencing the continuing evolution of media screen production and develop the ability to apply critical judgement to creative decisions. This course employs a noho marae to allow students to evaluate and develop responses to cultural/political perspectives as an emergent creative arts practitioner.
Screen Projects (PASA7304) 45 credits (0.375 EFTS) To provide students with a practical learning experience in which they can employ advanced theories, concepts and techniques in specialised screen creative practice for. This course focuses on enabling students to consolidate their ability to create and realise complex screen work in a variety of contexts. There is also a focus on the ability of students to critically evaluate their own performance.
Professional Development 3 (PASA7902) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to transition into the industry by acquiring advanced professional development skills. This course focuses on setting personal and professional goals for academic and professional achievement as well as the business and management practices associated with the performing and screen arts profession.
Courses Credits Aim
Motion Graphic Design (DACA6321) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to investigate creative and communicative possibilities offered by motion graphics in a time-based media context. Students will investigate and analyse contemporary practices and trends in time-based media in order to create, plan and produce a well-developed narrative sequence using digital workflows.
Skills in Screen Directing 2A (PASA6253) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To introduce students to specialised theories, concepts and techniques for directing. This course focuses on enabling students to practically engage with skills in directing for screen media.
Skills in Screen Directing 2B (PASA6254) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for screen directing needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions.
Camera & Sound 2B (PASA6334) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for specialised camera and sound technologies needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions. The course focuses on the further development of specialist skills and the application of individual creative development and practice.
Editing & Sound Post-Production 2B (PASA6344) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for specialised editing and post-production sound technologies needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions. The course focuses on the further development of specialist skills and the application of individual creative development and practice.
Scriptwriting 2B (PASA6356) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to develop works for the screen and to achieve creative and technical standards that demonstrate professionalism. This course is designed to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for writing needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions.
Screen Production 2B (PASA6376) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for production needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions. This course is designed to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for production needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions.
Courses Credits Aim
Writing the Short Film (PASA7257) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To acquire the theoretical, creative and technical skills required to develop short scripts for the screen (or associated medium).
Camera and Sound 3 (PASA7331) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to establish a critical understanding of advanced skills, knowledge, technologies and practices for camera and sound. This course focuses on students employing professionalism in creative and collaborative practice while developing the ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others.
Editing & Sound (Post-Production) 3 (PASA7341) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to establish a critical understanding of advanced skills, knowledge, technologies and practices for editing and sound design. This course focuses on students employing professionalism in creative and collaborative practice while developing the ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others.
Screen Production 3 (PASA7371) 30 credits (0.25 EFTS) To enable students to establish a critical understanding of advanced skills, knowledge and practices for screen production. This course focuses on students employing professionalism in creative and collaborative practice while developing the ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others.

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Page last edited: 24 Jun 2019

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