Film & Television Course Curriculum - Directing Skills
Overall course aim:
To prepare students for:
(a) Trainee positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry.
(b) Directing trainee dramatic or documentary productions.
To achieve this the Directing skills curriculum includes:
2-01. An introduction to Film and Video formats and techniques, their history and development, with particular reference to the development of Directorial skills and their use in the Film, Video and Television Industries as well as an appreciation of how, when and why the most important formats and techniques are used on various productions.
2-02. An introduction to:
(a) The personnel or crew employed on a wide range of productions, ranging from small scale film/video programmes to large scale feature films.
(b) The responsibilities and duties of each crew member on these productions and the way they and their work inter-relates with the work of the Director.
2-03. An introduction to, and practical experience at, working with the essential production equipment, facilities, materials and supplies utilised by the Film, Video and Television Industries with the aim of obtaining a practical working knowledge of how and when these requirements are used to achieve the creative aims of the Director.
2-04. An introduction to, and practical working skill in, each of the following pre-production planning requirements:-
(a) Project Research
(b) Script Analysis and Development
(c) Script Breakdowns
(d) Location Recce’s
(e) Shooting scripts, shot lists and storyboards
(f) Casting & rehearsals
(g) Working with a Producer & heads of departments on planning, scheduling & establishing equipment, facilities, supplies material and all other production requirements.
2-05. An introduction to, and basic practical experience in, the use of the following Cinematic Directing skills:
(a) Camera angles
(b) Camera Framing and Compositions
(c) Shooting sequences
(d) Montage
(e) Direction of actors
(f) Continuity
(g) Eyelines
(h) Cutting Lines
(i) Master Shots
(j) Mise-on Scene
(k) Coverage
(l) Stylistic design.
2-06. A competent practical work experience in:
(a) Carrying out the duties / responsibilities of a Director on a series of productions graduated from short television news items to 5 - 10 minute duration television documentary / drama programmes (for further details refer to production schedule);
(b) Supervising and communicating clearly with on camera talent and crew members so that their work can be creatively and dynamically coordinated with the overall aims and vision of the Director.
2-07. A practical working experience in the use of computer word processing operations for the purpose of writing, developing and revising story outlines, treatments, scripts and shot lists etc.
2-08. An introduction to:
(a) The production companies and people, especially Directors, who make up the N.Z. Film, Video and Television industry and the projects that they are working on.
(b) The creative and commercial demands of the industry and how these aspects influence the Production and Direction of programmes or films.
2-09. Practical experience of working with a Producer to conceive and plan programme and/or film ideas to suit the intended target audience, as well as taking on the overall responsibility for realising and completing the film and/or programme to a professionally recognised standard within the allocated budget and time schedule.
2-10. An introduction to, and basic working experience at, preparing the necessary creative project outlines, and presentations for supporting submissions to the appropriate commercial clients or broadcasting and/or film funding authorities for creative and financial programme/project approvals.
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Registered as a private training establishment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and its subsequent amendments.
