Bachelor of Screen Arts - Film Major

Year One

BSA 503 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops

Students will participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to gain an understanding of real-world creative industry practice and communication. Students will be introduced to industry-specific techniques, gaining knowledge and skills required to participate as part of a team. Students will develop research skills to identify and demonstrate historical and theoretical practice. Students will document and analyse the progression of their projects. 

BSA 542 - Studio Digital 1

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of design within the current creative industries. Students will complete projects that meet the requirements of a design brief, implementing various software solutions to develop an understanding of how to read and use imagery. Students will also explore and create digital artworks which apply the fundamentals of design principles. Students will investigate and a diversity of historic and contemporary digital design practices.

BSA 501 - Introduction to Filmmaking

Students will gain practical hands-on skills and develop techniques to be able to effectively use cameras, lighting and audio equipment involved in visual story telling for film. Students will explore a variety of techniques and apply skills to critically assess how to use these tools to greatest effect in various situations and to enhance storytelling.

BSA 504 - Screenwriting 1

Students will develop a basic understanding and an ability to analyse film structures, genre conventions and storytelling techniques. Students will develop writing skills to be able to effectively develop a short film script outline, treatment, and screenplay.? Students will learn skills in creating and developing story-driven techniques within the plot, theme, character, and dialogue of their script.

BSA 550 - Film Editing

Students will explore and develop an understanding of the aesthetics, concepts and practicalities of combining moving images in film. Students will be introduced to fundamental post-production tools, software, and editing techniques that serve narratives.

BSA 531 - Digital Filmmaking 1

Students will develop conceptual, technical, aesthetic, project management and organisational skills vital to producing, directing and crewing a short film project with high production values. Students will develop leadership skills by producing and directing their own short film project while also developing group and relationship management skills by crewing on other class members’ projects. Students will consider and document their project’s journey including the legal and ethical implications of their actions with regard to film production.

BSA 534 - Pre-Production Techniques

Students will learn how to breakdown, schedule, and budget a project, as well as being able to examine the structure and?organisation of departments involved in developing and implementing a project. Students will develop documentation and pre-visualisation artwork as part of a proposal for this project. Students will learn key health and safety procedures and planning strategies relevant to a project.

Year Two

BSA 603 - Cross-Disciplinary Workshops 2

Students will participate and collaborate across disciplines to engage in a series of innovative and contemporary creative industry driven projects. Students will collaborate developing skills in versatility and adaptability within a visually creative environment. Students will research and develop an analytical understanding of emerging disciplines within the creative industries. Students will research and develop communication skills in leadership, decision-making, and group dynamics.

BSA 602 - Audio Techniques 

Students will develop an understanding of producing audio for the creative industries. Students will research and analyse historical and contemporary audio practitioners and their contributions to the evolution of the creative industry. Students will also gain creative and technical skills to effectively capture and manipulate audio for projects.

BSA 604 - Screenwriting 2

Students will advance their understanding of screenwriting techniques and story, with a particular focus on structure, conflict, and character status. Students will refine their short film writing and script editing skills and be introduced to various forms of serial storytelling and longer format screenwriting. 

BSA 631 - Digital Filmmaking 2

Students will produce, direct, and evaluate a short film showcasing and building on their storytelling, conceptual development, art direction, cinematography and 
post-production skills throughout this paper. Students will investigate, understand, instigate and document appropriate protocols to ensure their compliance with the legal and ethical implications of their actions regarding film production.

BSA 634 - Cinematography

Students will research and gain a theoretical understanding and practical experience of the lighting, camera tools and techniques used in digital cinema production to enhance a practical project. Students will develop their understanding and implementation of visual language within storytelling and marketing concepts. Students will develop skills to an industry standard for both location and studio situations.

BSA 627 - Visual Effects Compositing

Students will be introduced to a range of visual effects and compositing tools and techniques. Students will analyse and implement a VFX production pipeline to produce a project that contains composited elements, either individually or as groups. Students will also examine relevant existing and emerging practises, and document project progress through self-reflective commentaries. 

BSA 642 - Studio Digital 2

Students will extend their understanding of project-focused research through creative industries practices. Within their fields, students will develop a body of work that reflects an in-depth investigation relevant to their research focus. Students will gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical implications of proposing, developing, and resolving a creative industries project. Students will engage in historical and contemporary research relevant to their research focus. Students will demonstrate experience evaluating a range of practical and digital materials and processes to engage with target audiences. Students will also utilise documentation as a key research method.

Year Three

BSA701 - Studio Project 1

Students will build knowledge and skills in communications and management strategies to lead a deadline-driven creative project within a team environment. Students will explore and research relevant existing and emerging practices. Students will develop and produce a project utilising and challenging each member’s current technical and aesthetic talent base. Students will explore pipeline/workflow and time management models, while maintaining best health, wellness and safety practices while observing legal and ethical considerations. Students will explore and critically engage in audience research to ensure all concepts and designs are user centric. Students will critically analyse and execute transmedia approaches to release the final project.

BSA702 - Studio Project 2

Students will build knowledge and skills in communications and management strategies to develop or produce a creative project. Students will develop individual or collaborative projects with peers or external partners but must implement individual processes with legal considerations. Students will plan and implement pipelines/workflows that embed researched and evaluated ethics, health, safety, and wellbeing procedures. Students will identify audience to ensure all concepts and designs are user-centric and have clear approaches to brand development and product release. Students will critically analyse and execute transmedia approaches to release their final project.