Course details

Summary

Develop the skills and knowledge for a career in a specialist theatre and screen discipline. Create inspiring and professionally presented works utilising our studios, drama theatre, wardrobe and production workshops.

Programme overview

Are you passionate about theatre and screen? Creative practice in the arts is socially and culturally important because what results from it is often endowed with attractiveness, utility, power, meaning, authenticity or value. The Graduate Diploma in Creative Practice allows you to focus on a specialist theatre and screen discipline during this year-long programme. You'll gain the in-depth knowledge and specialist skills you need to realize creative possibilities and solutions that are imaginative, appropriate and professionally presented.

Highlights

• Practical production projects: gain in-depth skills about the business of theatre and screen as you realize your own creative projects from initial concept through to development and completion.
• Well-equipped dance and television studios, drama theatre, wardrobe and production workshops. You'll also gain on-set experience when making short films on location.
• Lecturers with years of experience in the entertainment industry.
• Strong industry links: we're active members of SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association), WIFT (Women in Film and Television), Play market, New Zealand Writers Guild, Entertainment Technology NZ and New Zealand Film and Video Technicians' Guild.
• Tailor-made study pathways: we tailor your individual study pathways to help you to become a highly versatile professional with the technical and creative expertise to engage independently in a range of activities.
• Frequent visits from international experts through our partnerships with groups such as Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission.
• A chance to collaborate with design, acting, dance, film and television, directing, writing and production students.
• Highly regarded graduates who now work on Hollywood blockbusters and local independent features, and produce prize-winning short films and documentaries.
• Some courses may also be offered in the evening or weekends.

You may also be interested in further specialist or postgraduate-level study in the performing and screen arts. The Graduate Diploma in Creative Practice is the ideal stepping stone for those with no formal qualification or who need to gain some foundational experience in the field before entering higher study.

Career Options

• Art director
• Costume designer
• Composer for theatre and screen works
• Lighting designer
• Production manager for theatre
• Screen actor
• Set designer
• Sound/audio-visual designer
• Stage manager
• Director
• Theatre and/or screen scriptwriter

Entry criteria

For this programme, you will need the following:

1. A recognised degree, a professional qualification in a relevant discipline or the ability to demonstrate competencies equivalent to the above

2. A minimum of 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 in English (4 in reading, 4 in writing)

3. You’ll be required to attend an interview or audition, submit a portfolio or a combination of all three – we’ll notify you of what is required

English Language Requirements:

• NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
• NZCEL (Academic) (Level 5)
• IELTS score of 6.5 with a min band score of 6 (reading and writing) and 5.5 (speaking and listening)
• TOEFL (pBT) Paper-based test score of 550 (essay 5 TWE)
• TOEFL (iBT) Internet-based test score of 60 (writing 18)
• FCE or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill. OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• Pearson Test of English (PToE) Academic with a score of 58 with score of at least 50 (reading & writing) and 42 (speaking & listening)