About Graduate Diploma In Screen Arts (film Making) in Southern Institute of Technology

The Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts (Filmmaking) is a programme with a specialist discipline area that promotes and enhances the knowledge base, skills, and professionalism of creative media and film students.

Graduates will use industry standard digital filmmaking software to create a film project. They can apply knowledge of sound, screenwriting and video editing techniques that meet film industry requirements. This programme leads graduates to further study or employment in the screen arts sector.

Career Opportunities

Students are stimulated to develop an inquiring and analytical approach to problems and issues, using independent judgment and creative thinking. Graduates of this programme are dedicated, professional practitioners who are prepared for life-long learning, with the desire to constantly update their knowledge and skills within a changing work environment.

This programme leads graduates to further study or employment in the screen arts sector as camera assistant, lighting assistant, director’s assistant, production coordinator, assistant scriptwriter, sound engineer, transmedia producer.

Satisfactory Completion

To be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts (Digital Filmmaking) students must have been credited with all required papers as specified in the Programme Schedule. The total credit value of the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts (Digital Filmmaking) is 120 credits.

Applications are open to Bachelor degree graduates who can demonstrate equivalent, relevant, practical professional or educational experience in a related discipline.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admission criteria, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, or has relevant industry experience, which is deemed to meet the required standard for entry, the applicant may be admitted to the programme.

Provisional Part-time Admission
An applicant, who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more papers. Upon successful completion of the paper(s), the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.

Additional Criteria

In addition, the following requirements also apply to applicants in all admission categories:

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Screen Arts (Filmmaking) are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application and may be asked for a written submission. They are required to have a high competence in spoken and written English, 18 credits or more at Level 2 in NCEA literacy or an equivalent or more advanced English qualification.

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their work with their application, as follows:

• Portfolio One: examples of free-hand drawing (x10)
• Portfolio Two: a digital portfolio/showreel showcasing digital storytelling skills. 
• Statement: typed, double spaced statement X two A4 pages (outlining your interests and goals within the programme e.g. why are you choosing animation as a career?). 
• Prior Learning: This course is designed for applicants who have already worked in the industry and need to hone their skills or already have a degree in a related field (fine arts, graphic design, film, 2D animation, gaming etc). 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• References: two specific references/testimonials from previous employers/lecturers who know you well and are able to recommend you for graduate study. Please include contact details. 
• Interview: a time will be arranged for you to meet with the programme manager or appropriate staff member following the assessment of your application. 
• Established Skills, Motivation & Passion: We are looking for a high level of skill, competency and motivation. Applicants must be proficient at self-driven research and analysis. This is a very intensive year suited to those who are committed to excelling in this exciting industry. 
• Links to online portfolios and showreel accepted.

Language Requirements
Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, 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 an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or achieved the required score in one of the following internationally recognised English Proficiency tests within the preceding two years:

• 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 20)
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations – FCE, or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169.  No less than 162 in each skill. OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• NZCEL – Level 4 with the Academic endorsement
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PToE (Academic score of 50)
• City and Guilds IESOL  – B2 Communicator with a score of 66

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

1. Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
3. Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or
4. Have achieved the required score in one of the internationally recognised English Proficiency tests (specified above) within the preceding two years.

Southern Institute of Technology Highlights

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.