Bachelor of Film

In this practical subject students will gain a basic overview of the stages involved in film production and engage in filmmaking practice at an introductory level. Students will write and produce a short film, edit the film and present it for review. They will be introduced to industry terminology and practice in camera operation, audio, lighting, green screen shooting, video editing and production planning processes. This subject will develop students’ abilities in production management, creativity, adaptability and presentation skills.

In this subject, students will be introduced to film and digital language through an exploration of the fundamental themes, concepts and principles that apply to film and animation. During the subject, students focus on film history, genre, style, mood and context, and will also learn about foundational animation techniques, like stop motion and illustration with movement. Additionally, reflection and research skills will be developed, as well as the impact of technology on the moving image.

In this subject students will apply visual storytelling design and composition methods such as script writing, drawing, storyboard, animatic and camera composition conventions to visualise and prepare stories for production. Scene structures and character development will be introduced and application of planning principles to several forms of media such as animation and film will be considered. This subject will assist students to develop organisational and creative skills while utilising presentation techniques and responding to feedback.

Image Design will provide students with a solid foundation in the technical tools and design skills needed to create and manipulate digital images. Students will be introduced to image editing software and then move on to develop moving image editing techniques, exploring and applying theories of film editing. This will include layering and transparencies, title design, timing and rhythm in editing, colour correction, and applying masks and filters to images. Both photographic and filmic skills will be applied to the development of a portfolio which will require responding to a brief, creative thinking, problem solving skills, and presenting and exhibiting work. Image copyright law will also be considered and applied to student work.

Camera operation, lighting and focus form the nucleus of this subject. Students will learn how to set up and shoot scenes to achieve optimal visual results. Image composition, camera mounting, movement, lighting, lens usage and depth of field will be explored through the practical implementation of a range of advanced cinematic techniques. The importance of creating specific styles and genres in response to a director’s brief will be emphasised as students develop the ability to enhance narrative and emotional content through visual media. Production process, teamwork skills, and response to feedback will be
included in this engaging encounter with cinematography.

This subject provides an introduction to script and screenwriting for film and animation. During the subject, students will explore the theories and principles of narrative construction and expand their ability to produce sequential art, develop characters, subtext, scenes and screenplays. There will be a focus on plot development, creative writing and visual illustration, as well as how to apply film language in the creation of mood, tension, pacing and drama. Additionally, students will learn how to seek feedback, reflect and adapt during the screenwriting process.

This subject will lead students through a full film production cycle in which they apply the filmmaking skills they have acquired in earlier subjects. Students will research and analyse a topic or cause and represent that area of interest through a documentary film. A variety of causes for documentary subject matter will be explored as students engage with society and participate in cultural debate. Documentary theories and styles will be discussed and students will adopt a mode of documentary, in a specific style, to present their case. Interview techniques will be explored, and camera operation, audio and editing skills will be refined. Production management, time management and planning will be central to the process. Communication skills and conflict resolution when dealing with the public will be developed. As with all film production, documentary requires the ability to accept feedback and respond appropriately, engaging with peers and external stakeholders to refine and improve the final product. The outcome of this subject is a substantial portfolio piece that will enhance student showreels and demonstrate their versatility and professionalism.

In this subject students will be introduced to the creative and technical aspects of sound in digital media. Students will record sound, process sounds, and implement a variety of sounds in a range of contexts. Students will learn to apply sound design principles which enhance and compliment communication, meaning and emotion in their works. The skills developed in this subject can be applied to film, animation or games and will enable students to create dynamic and engaging soundtracks in a variety of genres. Content will include sound editing tools, techniques, selection of appropriate musical scores, location recording procedures, sound processing and noise reduction, compression and reverberation, and sound production workflow. Students will be required to reflect on their work and make improvements in response to feedback. Teamwork and time management, copyright and legal considerations and critical listening skills will be included.

Motion graphics is an ever increasing presence in online communication, and this subject will provide students with the tools and techniques to design and construct effective motion graphic communications. Students will deconstruct logos, build 2D objects and characters, and animate them using industry standard software. Graphic design principles and typography design concepts will be explored and applied to text motion, motion tracking and frame composition. Students will experience the design of title sequences and their place in the production process. They will also follow briefs, and develop skills such as creative thinking and problem solving, professional communication and digital asset management.

In this subject students will learn the basic skills required to create their own uniquely designed 3D assets. The areas covered will include props and background development, using industry-standard 3D software, 3D interface navigation, fundamental 3D theory, basic modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering. These skills will provide a firm foundation for creating 3D objects and backgrounds for integration into live action films. Students will also be introduced to essential skills required for professional practice, including reflection, acting on feedback, presenting, naming conventions and file management.

In this subject students cover the foundational skills required to create visual effects using industry standard software. Students will respond to a brief in order to composite multiple images and add visual effects to live action shots. They will acquire skills including multipass CGI compositing, colour grading/correction, rotoscoping, tracking, keying, and compositing operations to create a complete shot from multiple source elements. Scholarly evidence and research findings are drawn upon to support students’ knowledge of the discipline. The range of skills will also include planning, research, reflection, editing, creative thinking and reinforcement of the production cycle.

Film production is a creative process subject with an emphasis on a collaborative production cycle of filmmaking and the oversight of the entire process. This includes pre-production, production, directing, cinematography, crew procedures, sound and lighting, and post-production. Industry-standard production management procedures will be developed, leadership and teamwork skills will be cultivated. Techniques of conflict resolution, time management and problem-solving will be applied to the production of a short film, reflecting the best-practice methods currently employed in the film industry. Simultaneously, skills in the various crew roles will be enhanced as students engage in a complete production cycle, culminating in a finished film.

The interface between creative arts and culture will be examined in this subject, as theories of genre, communication, cultural reference and semiotics are applied to a selection of prominent examples taken from historical and contemporary sources. Students will encounter the theoretical underpinning of creative arts practice and will critique works by evaluating their contents through the lens of a range of theoretical perspectives. Social, political and ideological considerations will be discussed and applied to case studies of creative arts in a variety of forms including film, animation, games and social media. Students will research and analyse audience behaviours and demographics, explore examples of significant directors, designers and artists, providing critique of their work and drawing comparisons to other artists and movements. Academic writing skills will be developed as students engage in meaningful discussion of contemporary art and media as it applies to culture and creativity, and conversely, the effects of culture on creative media. They will research matters that are of importance to their ethical perspective and artistic preferences. They will use critical thinking skills to present, debate and argue positions regarding social analysis and ideology.

This subject challenges students to conceptualise an idea for promoting a product that would appeal to its target audience and to the client’s liking. Students will work in teams to produce a digital video that will showcase and publicise a product. The video will be produced in response to a client brief, and external clients from the music industry, small business, or other commercial or non-commercial organisations are encouraged. Advertising and marketing techniques for film will be implemented to create persuasive and attractive digital media. The subject will also cover areas such as monetisation, legislation and compliance, market analysis, communicating and justifying ideas through research-based evidence, networking and industry analysis.