The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Film, Television and Media Studies and a postgraduate programme in Screen Production. In Film, Television and Media Studies students can engage directly with these media, looking at questions of aesthetics, content, institutional organisation, audiences, social relevance, technology, and production techniques. An informed knowledge and critical understanding of these media will give them invaluable insights into the ways in which we communicate, represent and reflect on ourselves and our world.
There are opportunities to explore film, television and media from both academic and practical perspectives: students can concentrate on historical, critical and theoretical approaches to the discipline or become involved in film-making, television production and script-writing. There has always been a special emphasis on media production in New Zealand and the department has significant links with local film and television industries.
More information on Bachelor of Arts (BA) in FTVMS
More information on Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in FTVMS
More information on Master of Arts in FTVMS
More information on PhD in FTVMS
Screen Production
Screen Production provides an intensive, film school-style experience for future writers, directors and producers of drama and documentary films.
This is the leading graduate-level production programme in New Zealand. Student works have screened at major international film festivals, including Venice, London and New York, and are regularly included in the New Zealand International Film Festival. The students are taught by staff who are practising film-makers and will take courses which are closely informed by trends in the industry. This industry interface is strengthened by guest lecturers and supervisors from the film industry who serve as consultants on students' final projects.
It offers the following programmes:
Undergraduate Study
FTVMS students have the opportunity to write, direct and produce their own films. There are four creative production courses at undergraduate level. These courses give an introduction to various kinds of media production, including television studio production, documentary and drama film production, and scriptwriting.
• TV Studio Production: The Interview
• Film and Video Production
• Film and Broadcast Writing
• Lights! Camera! Action! TV Drama Studio.
Bachelors in Arts (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts)
The BA (Hons) is a stand-alone degree at postgraduate level. It may be taken after a completed BA and is awarded as a separate qualification. The BA(Hons) may also be used as the entry qualification for the one-year MA.
The PGDipArts is an alternative to the BA(Hons). During these one-year programmes students can expect an intensive individual and group learning experience. The programme starts with basic production management, shot composition and editing, and then take students through interviewing documentary subjects to advanced blocking and camera movement. Students will direct actors in front of the class, pitch documentary ideas and cut trailers. They will also learn AVID, EP Scheduling and Final Draft.
The students will finish the year with a production project. Depending on their area of focus, they will complete a 10-minute short film or documentary, and/or write a feature screenplay.
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Master of Arts in Screen Production
The MA in Screen Production includes a large-scale production project. Students can choose to focus on screenwriting, producing or directing (drama or documentary). The project will usually be a feature film (screenwriting), a short film (drama directing) or a half-hour documentary. Students work closely with a supervisor.
The programme is supplemented by guest speakers from the film industry, who will extend their knowledge of skills such as producing, research and art direction, and discuss the realities of progressing within the screen industry.
Students are required to crew on each other’s productions, further developing knowledge of the production process, as well as practical and teamwork skills. Many MA student projects have screened at film festivals in New Zealand and around the world.See staff and student work at www.youtube.com/ScreenProduction
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