Film & Television Course Curriculum - Production Skills
Overall Aim:
To prepare students for:
(a) Trainee positions in the Production Department of the Film and Television Industry
(b) Co-ordinating the production of film, video or television programmes.
To achieve this the production curriculum includes:
1-01. An introduction to:
(a) the Film, Video and Television Industry and its production practices with particular reference to New Zealand and its production practices;
(b) the duties and responsibilities of each member of the production personnel/crew employed on a wide range of productions, ranging from short television programme items, documentaries, dramas and commercials to full length documentaries and feature films.
1-02. A practical work experience in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Production Assistant on a series of film/video productions graduated from short television news items to 10 - 15 minute duration television documentaries and drama programmes, in order to obtain practical experience on the way a Producer’s work inter-relates with the rest of the crew and creatively contributes to the finished programme.
1-03. An introduction to film and video formats, their history and development, their use in the film and TV industries and an appreciation of how, when and why each format is used.
1-04. An introduction to, and basic practical experience in, each of the following essential production planning requirements:
(a) Script breakdowns
(b) Production budgeting
(c) Planning and scheduling
(d) Contracting crew, talent, locations, etc
(e) Equipment and facility bookings
(f) Purchasing materials and supplies
(f) Travel and accommodation arrangements
(g) Operation of financial management systems
(h) Completion of call sheets, schedules, requisitions, orders, reports and all other essential production planning disciplines.
1-05. An introduction to:
(a) Establishing a professional production office;
(b) Maintaining an up to date knowledge of the production companies and people who make up the NZ film, video and television industry and the projects that these companies and people are working on;
(c) The creative and commercial demands of the industry and how these aspects influence the commissioning and production of programmes or films.
1-06. An introduction to and working knowledge in:
(a) the preparation of production budgets/quotations in order to compete for commercial projects and
(b) the preparation of submission material and funding applications to the appropriate television broadcasting or film funding authorities in order to obtain development/production finance.
1-07. A practical experience in completing all aspects of production planning and management including financial budgeting for the production of a 10 - 15 minute duration television documentary or drama programme in term 3.
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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.
