Cinema Studies

300-level

CINE302
Documentary: From the Margins to the Mainstream
Description
This course examines the artistic, ethical and political principles that govern the representation of reality in contemporary documentary film.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from CINE or CULT, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
CULT322

Digital Screen

100-level

DISC102
Principles of Screen Production for Film
Description
This course provides an introduction to film making. It aims to demystify the key concepts, technologies and methodologies used by practitioners in the field and to introduce students to the range of roles, skills and tasks required during preproduction and production. The course begins with ‘the big idea’ (where do we start and what is involved in getting an idea to the screen?) and ends with ‘the big day’ (the premiere). Along the way, the course explores the key steps in preproduction, production, postproduction and distribution, including the different roles involved (e.g. producer, director, art director, editor, grip, gaffer, runners), and the ethics and etiquette of being on a film set. Students receive hands on experience of the processes and technologies involved in the film industry and intersecting digital screen sectors.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points

200-level

DISC210
Film project 1
Description
This class is a film making workshop focused on conceptualising, designing, shooting, and editing a very short film.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
DISC102 and DISC211
DISC211
Lights, lens, mics
Description
This course introduces students to the basic principles of light and sound as they are employed in film production. Students will acquire the necessary skills and gain practical experience with operating lights, camera and sound equipment through a series of exercises and the production of a short project. They will also learn about the development of the technology of film, ranging from the camera obscura and the invention of synchronous sound to digital cameras, smartphone, gimbals, and GoPros and drones. Topics covered include focus and filters, lens length, lighting set up, moving the camera, types and functions of microphones, sound recording technology and location mixing.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
DISC102
DISC212
Screenwriting: research and story development
Description
Students focus on the work of screening that takes place before the actual drafting of a script, including: initial concept or story idea, research, character exploration, dialogue, scene structure and plot development. Written work includes character profiles, plot outlines, a treatment and initial draft. An important feature of the course is feedback, whereby student’s critique and support each other’s projects. Finally, students will learn the essential elements of the screenplay format.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
DISC102
DISC213
Editing and postproduction
Description
Editing is a conceptual and creative process as much as it is a technical skill. What happens when two film images are brought together on the editing bench? How are they cut to advance the story, to establish or undermine point of view, to bring different spatial and temporal locations into relation or opposition, to enhance or frustrate the spectators’ expectations? This course teaches conceptual and practical aspects of editing. Students acquire hands-on experience of the techniques and aesthetics of film editing and related post-production processes. Additional emphasis is placed on workflow, file management and the latest software tools. Students will study scenes and sequences from exemplary models (Hitchcock, Renoir, Buñuel, etc) and complete a series of exercises and workshops that culminate in the production of their own short project using extant footage.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
DISC102

Indigenous Narrative

200-level

TITO202
Kiriata: Maori film and media
Description
This course is about Maori and Indigenous film, media and other creative works. It examines the political, historical, social, cultural and ideological influences that have shaped dominant mainstream constructions and counter-hegemonic representations of Maori and Indigenous peoples in film, media and creative works. It also highlights the roles of artist, director and industry to produce Maori stories and aesthetics. A number of films will be screened throughout the course.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from CINE, MAOR, TITO, TREO, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA or BDigiScreenHons.
Restrictions
MAOR268, CINE213

Not Offered Courses in 2024

Digital Screen

300-level

DISC311
Preproduction and production for documentary
Description
Exploration of a variety of non-fiction filmmaking practices with an emphasis on integrity, transparency and objectivity. Students will learn and apply a variety of documentary production and post-production techniques, from interviewing to the use of archival footage and animation. Students will make a short, single-subject documentary using a two-camera set-up. The emphasis will be placed on ethical and community-based filmmaking.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see DISC311 course details
Points
15 points