Screen Production Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies
Fascinated by film, moving image and storytelling? A career in screen production can offer great opportunities. Develop practical skills and work on projects in our industry-standard studio facilities.
Today's consumers have many viewing choices and screen production professionals have to be versatile, adaptable, creative and technically competent to succeed.
You develop the practical skills to produce programmes for large, medium or small screens. Our students are well-known for their skills in pre-production, production and post-production within film and screen production.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Communication Studies.
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As a screen production student, you work on practical screen production projects, using AUT’s industry standard studio facilities. There's a strong focus on developing practical skills throughout your studies so you'll be well-prepared for your future career in film and screen production.
Year 1
This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories.
Semester 1 courses
- COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
- COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
- COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
- COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
- COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
- COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
Year 2
You take four courses related to screen production, focusing on screen theory, studio production, short films and documentaries. You develop the creative and professional skills to assist on productions and sets, manage schedules and understand the varied roles in this thriving industry.
Semester 1 courses
- TVSP601 Creative Documentary Production (15 points)
- TVSP603 Screen Theory in Action (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Semester 2 courses
- TVSP602 Studio Production (15 points)
- TVSP604 Short Film Production (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Year 3
You become more familiar with professional practices using camera, sound and editing equipment, lighting and post-production. You also develop your screenwriting skills, developing an original idea from concept to final script.
Semester 1 courses
- TVSP709 Story Lab (15 points)
- TVSP710 Creative Screen Practice (15 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Semester 2 courses
- TVSP701 Creative Screen Project (30 points)
- Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses
Year 1
This year you take the first of your core courses to give you an overview of the media world and communication theories, and start to take the first screen production courses.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
- COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
- COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
- DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
- TVSP601 Creative Documentary Production (15 points)
- TVSP603 Screen Theory in Action (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Year 2
You continue to take courses related to communications and the media, and further develop the knowledge for a career in screen production.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
- TVSP602 Studio Production (15 points)
- TVSP604 Short Film Production (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
- TVSP709 Story Lab (15 points)
- TVSP710 Creative Screen Practice (15 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Year 3
At the heart of this year is the Creative Screen Project course, which helps you develop professional screen production skills from script to completion.
Semester 1 courses (starting in July)
- COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
- TVSP701 Creative Screen Project (30 points)
- Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
Semester 2 courses (starting in February)
- Four courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*
*Because of timetabling and the prerequisites required for higher-level courses, you may not be able to take a second major if you start in July and want to complete your degree in three years. If you do a second major, you may need to do an additional semester.
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Other majors in the Bachelor of Communication Studies
- AUT alumni are leaders in film and screen production
- One of the best studio facilities in New Zealand
- Access to the latest digital field equipment
- Includes a major practical project
- Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
- A thought starter
- Creative
- Well organised
- A self-starter
- Logical
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.