Make your dream of a career in the film industry a reality with the Bachelor of Screen Arts - Film major. It will develop your creativity and technical abilities that are well sought after in this rapidly changing industry. You will be encouraged to develop individual projects which have distinctive conceptual, aesthetic and technical outcomes.
Three years full-time,
Part time study is available.
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The Bachelor of Screen Arts is a three-year programme that allows you to express your creativity using the latest digital technology.
It will develop your creativity and technical abilities that are well sought after in this rapidly changing industry. You will be encouraged to develop individual projects which have distinctive conceptual, aesthetic and technical outcomes.
In ten years’ time, the technology we use today will be obsolete, however skills in storytelling, character development, research and critical thinking, are enduring, irrespective of future technology.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Screen Arts:
Bachelor of Screen Arts (Film)
Year One
BSA 503 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops
Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to gain an understanding of real-world screen industry contexts. Students will be introduced to industry specific research and development strategies gaining the knowledge and skills required to execute a project or projects across disciplines. Students will develop basic research skills to identify the significance of historical and theoretical contexts and methodologies and document and analysis their project progression.
BSA 542 - Studio Digital 1
Students will be introduced to the processes, standards and requirements of the contemporary screen arts industries. Students will complete projects to meet the requirements of specifications implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use imagery. Students will also explore and create digital artworks developing the basic technical ability towards the realisation of ideas and gain knowledge of the field through the investigation and analysis of a diversity of historic and contemporary digital art practices.
BSA 501 - Introduction to Filmmaking
Students will gain practical hands-on skills and develop techniques to be able to effectively use cameras, lighting and audio equipment involved in visual story telling for film. Students will explore a variety of techniques and apply skills to critically assess how to use these tools to greatest effect in various situations and to enhance storytelling.
BSA 504 - Screenwriting 1
Students will develop an understanding of conventional film structures, such as the three-act structure, and alternative story telling structures. Students will develop writing skills to be able to effectively develop a short film script outline, treatment and screenplay. An emphasis will be made on assisting students to develop skills to analyse dramatic structure, visualise dramatic elements and develop creative dialogue.
BSA 550 - Film Editing
Students will explore and develop an understanding of the aesthetics, concepts and practicalities of combining moving images. Students will be introduced to fundamental post-production tools, software, and editing techniques that serve narratives.
BSA 531 - Digital Filmmaking 1
Students will develop conceptual, technical, aesthetic, project management and organisational skills vital to producing, directing and crewing a short film project with high production values. Students will develop leadership skills by producing and directing their own short film project while also developing group and relationship management skills by crewing on other class members’ projects. Students will consider and document their project’s journey including the legal and ethical implications of their actions with regard to film production.
BSA 534 - Pre-Production Techniques
Students will learn how to schedule and budget a production or event, as well as being able to examine the structure and organisation of departments involved in developing and implementing a project. Students will develop documentation and pre-visualisation artwork as part of a proposal for this production or event.
Year Two
BSA 603 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops 2
Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to expand their understanding of real- world screen industry contexts. Students will demonstrate their ability to engage in industry specific research and development to execute a practice-based investigation across disciplines. Students will research and identify relevant historical and theoretical contexts and implement appropriate project methodologies including the use of documentation and analysis as a research tool to drive project decision-making.
BSA 602 - Audio Techniques
Students will develop an understanding of producing audio for the screen arts. Students will research and analyse historical and contemporary audio practitioners and their contributions to the evolution of the screen arts industry. Students will also gain creative and technical skills to effectively manipulate audio for screen arts projects.
BSA 604 - Screenwriting 2
Students will advance upon skills gained in BSA504 Screenwriting 1, with a particular focus on structure, conflict and character status. Students will explore feature film screenwriting. Students will refine their short film writing skills and script editing skills, and will be introduced to various forms of serial storytelling such as television or/and web-series drama.
BSA 631 - Digital Filmmaking 2
Students will produce, direct and evaluate a short film showcasing and building on their conceptual development, art direction, cinematography and post production skills throughout this paper. Students will investigate, understand, document and instigate appropriate protocols to ensure their compliance with the legal and ethical implications of their actions with regard to film production.
BSA 634 - Cinematography
Students will gain a theoretical understanding and practical experience of the lighting and camera tools and techniques used in digital cinema production through a practical project. Students will develop skills to an industry standard for both location and studio situations.
BSA 627 - Visual Effects Compositing
Students will critically analyse and evaluate tools and techniques, design processes and production of CGI live action visual effects projects. Students will use knowledge and skills gained to create a seamlessly composited, visually compelling screen arts project.
BSA 642 - Studio Digital 2
Students will extend their understanding of practice-based research through screen art practices. Within these fields, students will develop a body of work that reflects an in-depth focused investigation relevant to their research questioning. Students will gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical implications of proposing, developing and resolving a screen arts project. Students will explore relevant lineages of practice and critically analyse their project’s positioning. Students will gain practical experience utilising a range of materials and processes to practically and theoretically engage with site and notions of viewer/audience engagement. Students will also utilise digital documentation as a key research method. Areas of investigation include: Digital.
Year Three
BSA701 - Studio Project 1
Students will build on knowledge gained in earlier papers strengthening skills and knowledge required to operate within a deadline-driven studio production environment. Developing and implementing effective communication and management strategies, students will work on a collaborative group project. Students will receive a brief and form a company to produce, promote and present a major project applicable to the screen industries (as approved by Tutor/PM). Students will explore industry relevant research and development strategies to inform the conceptual, technical and aesthetic aspects of the project to achieve the most effective, efficient production outcomes. Students will investigate target audience and transmedia approaches to brand development. Students will plan and present project as part of a promoted public event.
BSA702 - Studio Project 2
Students will build on knowledge gained in BSA703 strengthening skills and knowledge required to operate within a deadline-driven studio production environment. Students will apply their communication and management strategies to work on either a collaborative group or an individual research question driven project applicable to the screen industries (as approved by Tutor/PM). Students may choose to form a company to produce, promote and present a major project or work from a brief provided by an external partner (to be approved by Tutor/PM). Students will employ industry relevant research and development strategies to inform the conceptual, technical and aesthetic aspects of the project to achieve the most effective, efficient production outcomes. Students will identify target audience and apply transmedia approaches to brand development. Students will plan and present project as part of a promoted public event.
When you complete the programme you will have the broad range of skills necessary for an industry that increasingly asks for people with a multidisciplinary approach. Depending on the specialisation chosen, you will be able to look for work in areas as diverse as video editing, screenwriting, directing, as well as other film/television production roles.
The real strength of the programme is that graduates will have had some experience in many of these areas, a quality that will become increasingly important as technologies converge.
The third year of the programme features a major project. For film students this may be a short film.
School Leavers
University Entrance - NCEA Level 3 - three subjects at Level 3, made up of:
14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and
Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of five credits in reading and five credits in writing, and
Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or a package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)
Mature Applicants
Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience; or completion of an external or overseas qualification which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty.
Special Admission
Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.
An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more Year One papers, provided he or she meets the requirements above. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.
Additional Criteria - Portfolio Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application as follows:
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English, or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or
Successful completion of a Bachelors' Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment:
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 Language Cert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than distinction in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current.
In order to be awarded the Bachelor of Screen Arts the student will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the schedule of papers (360 credits).
The overall programme of study for every candidate requires 360 credits for successful completion of the degree.
Individual papers may have specific pre-requisites or other knowledge/skill requirements, which must be satisfied by all students.
Classes are held Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm at SIT's Downtown Campus (Don St, Invercargill).