Develop the basic skills needed to get into the film industry with the New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5). This course will teach you foundation skills in filmmaking such as editing, screenwriting, digital media and more.
One year full-time
2023 Semester 1: 13 February to 30 June
2023 Semester 2: 17 July to 17 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme
International Fees can be found here
The aim of the qualification is to provide those wishing to work in the film industry with a foundation of basic skills and knowledge required for entry level employment or/and provide a base for further education.
You will learn:
Learn about: • Screen arts, film editing and digital filmmaking pre-production techniques • Studio digital media, introduction to filmmaking and screenwriting• Digital media and design challenges• The leadership skills required to work within a digital media and design work environment
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.
Block Courses: 14th - 26th February and 7th - 18th November 2022
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.
Block Courses: 2nd - 13th May 2022
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.
Block Courses: 26th September - 7th October 2022
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.
Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge for a junior/entry-level position in various areas within creative industries, including advertising, web design, in-house design studio, and news media.
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 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.
Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant 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.
Portfolio Requirements
Please do not include any original materials, portfolios are not held/stored.
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 Bachelor's 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 5.5 with no band score lower than 5TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skillOET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-testsNZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment)Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASSTrinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit 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
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5) and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
(Please Note: students failing to attend for 80% of timetabled programme hours may forfeit zero fees entitlement)
For those wishing to pursue further study, SIT offers:
TBC