Diploma in Film and Television (Production) Level 5 | Detailed Information

Course Length: 41 Weeks

Course Highlights

• Gain skills and techniques suitable for Film and Television Industry
• Entitled to work for 20 hours a week
• 12 months open work permit upon successful completion of required qualification as per immigration policy
• New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) approved course
• Course attracts points towards NZ permanent residence
• Hands on experience gained through production exercises throughout course
• On-job training / experience with Super Cassettes (T.Series), India and other international production companies
• Intensive and highly practical (hands-on) course that provides training in all essential film and television production skills
• During production exercises, students take roles and responsibilities as a:
  • Scriptwriter
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Camera (DOP)
  • Light (Gaffer)
  • Audio (Soundie)
  • Post Production (Editor)

Course Curriculum

• Script writing and research skills
• Direction skills
• Production planning, budgeting and management skills
• Camera operating skills and techniques
• Lighting skills and techniques
• Audio recording, monitoring skills and techniques
• Post production editing skills and techniques
• Media culture

Script Writing

Aim: To prepare students in the Film/Video and Television industry for Script Writing positions.

Curriculum includes:

• Scriptwriters role in a production
• An introduction to the Documentary and Dramatic Film/Video techniques, their history and development with reference to Script Writing for the Film/Television industry
• Basic introduction to working knowledge and practical writing experience in using a wide range of dramatic script writing processes/techniques in a variety of Film/Television productions for short news and current affairs, television documentary, drama, corporate video, television commercial, etc
• Introduction to doing background project research, interview research and location research, while establishing script/story structure with beginning, middle and end. Also establishing story and visual/audio style and finalising script during post production and completing it with writing of voice over narration links, etc

Outcome: Students will be able to understand the processes required to professionally develop a synopsis, a treatment and a first draft screenplay

Direction

Aim: To prepare students for Directing skills in the Film/Television industry.

Curriculum includes: 

• Directors role in a production
• Introduction to Film, Video formats and techniques and practical experience at, working with the essential production equipment, facilities, materials and supplies with the aim of obtaining a practical working knowledge of how and when these requirements are used to achieve the creative aims of the Director
• Introduction to responsibilities and duties of each crew member on a production and the way they and their work inter-relates with the work of the Director on a range of productions
• Practical working skills required in pre-production planning:      (a) Project research, (b) Script analysis and development, (c) Script breakdowns, (d) Location scouting, (e) Shooting scripts, shot lists & storyboards, (f) Casting & rehearsals, (g) Working with a Producer & heads of departments on planning, scheduling, (h) Establishing equipment, facilities, supplies material and all other production requirements
• Basic practical experience in the use of: (a) Camera angles, (b) Camera Framing and Compositions, (c) Shooting sequences, (d) Montage, (e) Direction of actors, (f) Continuity, (g) Eye lines, (h) Cutting Lines, (i) Master Shots (j) Mise-on Scene, etc
• Working closely with a Producer to plan production in order to suit the intended target audience, as well as taking on the overall responsibility for realising and completing the project/production

Outcome: Students will be able to: understand the roles and responsibilities of the director during development, pre-production, production and post-production; understand the processes involved in breaking down a script into scenes and compiling a shot list; accurately time a script

Production

Aim: To prepare students for positions in the Production Department of the Film/Television industry.

Curriculum includes:

• Producers role in a production
• Introduction to the Film, Video and Television industry and its production practices
• Production crew duties and responsibilities with practical work experience how a Producer’s work inter-relates with the rest of the crew and for a finished programme
• Introduction to formats and their use in the Television industry and how its used
• Hands-on Production experience in areas of:   (a) Script, (b) Financial budgeting, (c) Scheduling (d) Contracting crew, talent, locations etc, (e) Equipment, (f) Purchasing materials & supplies,  (f) Travel & accommodation arrangements, (g) Financial management, (h) Completion of all essential production planning disciplines
• Introduction to managing and establishing a professional production office and the preparation and submission of production budgets/quotations in order to compete for commercial projects and/or to obtain development/production finance and how to prepare to lodge funding applications to the appropriate film/television broadcasting funding authorities

Outcome: Students will be able to understand: the function and operation of a film and television production office; on-set procedures; and the production process from pre- to post-production. Students will also recognise the roles, responsibilities and procedures carried out in the production office; understand the roles and responsibilities of the location and unit managers, assistant directors and script supervisor. Also understanding the business processes involved in the financing and production; demonstrate an understanding of the process of positioning in the marketplace; demonstrate the ability to write an appropriate proposal for funding; understand the nature and requirements of self-employment.

Camera

Aim: To prepare students for the Camera Assistant positions in the Film/Television Industry.

Curriculum includes:

• Cameraman/operators role in a production
• An introduction to the Film, Video and Television Industry, the work of Directors of Photography, Lighting/Camera Operators and how other departments inter-relate
• Practical working experience in the use of the equipment, facilities, materials & supplies utilised and how and when these inter-relate with other departments
• Introduction to practical working skill / knowledge / techniques required in:      (a) Equipment Set-up,          (b) Camera/Video Cassette Recorder settings, (c) Colour Balancing (d) Camera movements, (e) Zoom and Focus control operations, (f) Shot selection and definitions, (g) Compositions and Framing, (h), Filter Selections, (i) Camera Angles, (j) using Key, Back, Fill, Soft and Special Effects Lighting Techniques, and many other key operations and procedures in Camera department for carrying out duties and responsibilities of a Camera Operator, on film/video productions including commercials, documentaries, drama, etc
• Coordination and knowledge in pre-production planning while Liaising with Producer, Director and others to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply, material requirements, etc
• Introduction to Project Research, Script Breakdowns, Location scouting, Preparation of Shooting Scripts, Shot Lists and Story Boards

Outcome: Students will be able to understand: the function and operation of camera equipment; understand the processes involved in relation to other departments; composition and framing of shots translating into visual language, depth of field, lighting techniques, basic principles of setting up and carrying out responsibilities of camera operator; roles and responsibilities of the camera department

Lighting

Aim: To prepare students for the Lighting positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry.

Curriculum includes:

• Lighting man/gaffers role in a production
• An introduction to the Film, Video and Television Industry and the work of Directors of Photography, Camera/Lighting operators and Gaffers and how other departments inter-relate with the work of other departments and crew
• Basic practical working skill and knowledge in the use of and operating Lighting equipments, facilities, materials, supplies used by Lighting
• Practical experience at, creating dramatic lighting effects using Key, Back, Fill, Soft, Bounce and Special Effects lighting techniques in carrying out all the duties and responsibilities of a Lighting Operator, on a series of film/video productions including commercials, documentaries and drama
• Introduction to hands on skill / knowledge / techniques required in: Project/Script Research, Location scouting, Liaising with Producer, Director, Director of Photography and plan, schedule, establish all equipment, facility, supply, material requirements, etc 

Outcome: Students will be able to: understand the characteristics and logic of lighting design and apply a variety of lighting styles/techniques; identify and understand the function of lighting equipment and accessories; understand the nature of light and its application in relation to the lens and digital tape stock

Audio

Aim: To prepare students for the Audio / Sound recording positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry.

Curriculum includes:

• Soundie/technicians role in a production
• An introduction to Audio Recording and Mixing styles/techniques in the Film, Video and Television Industry and the work of Sound Recordists, how they and their work inter-relates with other departments and crew
• Basic practical working skill / knowledge / techniques required in setting up and operating of Audio equipments
• Theoretical knowledge of, the nature and physical properties of human hearing, sound and acoustics
• Practical working skill and knowledge in the pre-production planning requirements of:   Project, Location scouting, Liaising with Producer, Director, Art Director and other departments to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply, material requirements in carrying out all the duties and responsibilities of a Sound Recordist / Recording assistant, on a series of productions including commercials, documentaries, drama, etc

Outcome: Students will be able to understand: the function and operation of sound recording equipment, microphones and boom pole; basic principles of acoustics; the processes involved in accurately synchronising sound and picture

Post Production/Edit

Aim: To prepare students for the Editing positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry. 

Curriculum includes:

• Editor’s role in a production
• Introduction to the Post Production sector of the Film, Video and Television Industry and the work, responsibilities and duties of the Editor and the way they and their Post production department work inter-relates with other departments and crew members in the industry
• Introduction to basic practical working skill, technical knowledge and procedures in the setting up, operation and maintenance of all equipment, facilities, materials and supplies utilised by the Post Production department on various productions
• Introduction to, and practical experience in, the following Post-Production requirements: (a) VCR set up and operation, (b) Clean cutting of video & audio, (c) EDL operation & management, (d) Time Line editing and operation, (e) Effects editing, (f) Equipment Maintenance, etc
• Introduction to, and practical experience in the pre-production planning requirements: Project Research, Liaising with Producer, Director, and other departments to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply and material requirements, etc
• A basic practical work experience in carrying out all the duties and responsibilities of a post production Editor, on a series of productions, commercials, documentaries and drama programmes

Outcome: Students will be able to: understand the processes involved in assembling shots as they relate to a script; rough cut assembled shots and complete a fine cut; use digital editing systems; compile a master soundtrack, including original music composition; understand the processes that go through from rough edit to final product

Media Culture

Aim: To broaden the student’s knowledge of the culture we live in and prepare them to contextualize the various forms of media in today’s world.

Curriculum includes:

• Introduction to different forms and genres of media and their relevance to media industry. Identifying media with particular reference to audio visual communication.
• In-depth evaluation and contextualization of works of media and assessment of their relevance to contemporary New Zealand culture
• Introduction to theoretical and philosophical issues concerning art forms
• Creating individual visual works within a framework of New Zealand and international artistic movements
• Introduction to copyright regulations, script ownership, use of copyright materials, etc.

Outcome: Students will be able to understand various forms of media in particular the film and television genres of media, its art form with a  firm understanding of the media culture, its coherence with relevance to New Zealand and the World in general.
 

Entry requirements:

Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
 

• Completion of secondary schooling or equivalent
• The applicant needs to have an IELTS proficiency level in Academic English of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.0 OR should have English as one of the first languages if they have provided evidence of one of the following:
  • 1) completion of all primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 7 or years 9 to 13) at schools using English as the language of instruction. Medium of English (MOI) entry will only be granted to students who have scored a minimum of 60% in English Higher Secondary, OR
  • 2) completion of at least 5 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 7 or years 9 to 13) at schools using English as the language of instruction. Medium of English (MOI) entry will only be granted to students who have scored a minimum of 60% in English Higher Secondary, OR
  • 3) completion of a tertiary qualification of at least three years’ duration with English as the language of instruction in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States. OR
  • 4) have completed a NCBT Internal Assessment
• Minimum age of 18 years

Class Timings: Mon - Thurs 9:30 am - 5 pm