Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)

Overview

A one year Honours year available after the completion of the Bachelor of Film and Television or equivalent. Students create a major screen production as well as specialising in an area of interest such as cinematography, production management or editing.

Description

Honours students will be required to take a strong self directed approach to their studies and to work with their supervisor to develop concepts for both their major screen production or specialization and their minor research thesis. The program is one year of full-time study.

Objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) a student will have acquired the following qualities and skills:

• the ability to write, direct and edit an innovative, substantive short motion picture program which encourages personal challenge in the realm of ideas and is at a high professional standard, or specialise at an advanced level in one area of film craft such as cinematography, actor direction, sound or production management;
• a developed understanding of the structure of the Australian Film, Television and/or allied industries;
• a capacity to research and problem solve, and
• an ability to participate effectively in a collaborative team on a film/video production.

Prerequisites

Applicants require an undergraduate degree in film and television production. Applicants will normally be required to have achieved a H1 or H2 for Assigned Projects in the Bachelor of Film and Television at the VCA, or an undergraduate degree in film and television with an equivalent level of attainment from another institution. Selection will be based upon academic achievement and interview.

Generic Skills

On completion of the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours), graduates should be able to:

• exhibit strong theoretical and practical knowledge of the film, television and/or allied industries, including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to these industries;
• demonstrate capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation;
• demonstrate advanced skills in respect of critical analysis, problem solving, report writing, team work and oral and written communication;
• demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the national and international challenges for the professional filmmaker in the 21st century;
• work at various levels, both as an individual and as a team member, in a wide variety of environment;
• contribute at a high level as collaborators and leaders;
• demonstrate an open, independent and inquiring attitude towards contemporary cultural developments and new ideas;
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance across communities;
• understand and appreciate how filmmaking connects with the broader society and contributes to its social and economic development, and
• understand their relationship with and responsibility to their cultural environment and society.

Student Commitment

Students are expected to commit to 2 hours per week in formal contact plus 38 hours of private study (a combination of on and off campus study).

Assessment

Before a recommendation can be made to award the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) candidates are required to complete 100 points at fourth year level at the appropriate grade level.

Course Progression Guidelines

The maximum time permitted for completion of the course is two years.
(a) Assigned Projects must be passed at the first attempt.
(b) Subjects other than Assigned Projects may not be attempted more than twice.
The results applicable to subjects in an honours course are in the range 65% to 100%, ie H3 to H1. A result below 65% is considered a ‘non pass’.

Subjects by Year

Year 4

• 759-401 - Honours (Screen Production)
• 759-402 - Honours (Craft Specialisation)
• 759-403 - Minor Research Thesis

Subjects

Year 4

Subject description:

The Honours (Screen Production) builds on knowledge, experience and skills developed in the Bachelor of Film and Television. Each student is required to research, write, direct and edit a short major screen production.

It is expected that all creative and production work is to be undertaken in a spirit of professionalism, carried out to a high standard of excellence and employing current industry practices. Students will also be required to crew on other VCA productions.

Students must also undertake an industry placement and will be required to keep a placement diary and submit it with a placement report on completion of the placement.

Objectives:

On completion of this subject the student should be able to:

• demonstrate strong creative and technical skills;
• effectively plan and organise work and solve problems;
• effectively communicate in oral and written form;
• exhibit strong ability to lead a team as well as participate at a high level as a crew member of a collaborative team, while respecting individual differences;
• apply specific knowledge to a complex practical project;
• exhibit strong knowledge of the film, television and allied industries.

Assessment:

• Major Production (5 to 20 minutes ) (to be assessed by two industry professionals and one academic staff member not the student supervisor) (70%);
• crewing on a minimum of 2 productions (20%);
• industry placement, report and diary (1,000 words) (10%)

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact per week; 38 hours private study

Subject description:

In this subject the student will negotiate a personal course of study (with their supervisor and Head of School) in which they may specialise in one area of film craft such as cinematography, production management or editing.

Students choosing this option will normally be required to undertake an industry placement under a nominated mentor, crew on VCA productions and keep and present a creative diary. Activities may also include the research and presentation of papers or seminars and an exchange to another film school (at an appropriate level).

On conclusion of this subject each student will be expected to be able to function creatively and technically in their designated crew role to a demonstrable high industry standard.

Objectives:

On completion of this subject the student should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced creative and technical skills in a specific area of production;
• apply specific knowledge to a complex practical project;
• effectively plan and organise work and solve problems;
• effectively communicate in oral and written form;
• participate with assurance as a specialist member of a collaborative team while respecting individual differences;
• exhibit a strong knowledge of the film, television and allied industries.

Assessment:

Assessment items will normally include a minimum of one significant professional placement, crewing on two roles in area of specialization, a creative journal, and a self directed research paper. Exact weighting to be negotiated on an individual level with supervisor and Head of School, depending upon the contract of activities suited to the craft which is selected for specialization (100%).

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact per week; 38 hours private study

Generic Skills:

Subject description:

Each student will nominate an area of enquiry pertaining to screen technology, theory, culture, history or practice. In consultation with their supervisor, the student will develop a hypothesis, then research and submit a paper interrogating this hypothesis.

Objectives:

On completion of Minor Research Thesis students should be able to:

• exhibit a specialist area of knowledge in the film, television or allied industries, at a high level;
• exhibit a capacity to design, conduct and present original research; and,
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Assessment:

Minor Research Thesis 4,000 to 5,000 words (to be assessed by two assessors not involved in supervising the student) (100%).

Time Commitment:

2 hours contact per week; 38 hours private study