Generally the more experience a student has the more they will get out of our course, but both the 6wk and 16wk courses are designed for individuals across the entire spectrum of experience. What we are definitely looking for at the application stage is proof of your passion and ability to succeed in this industry.
Tutorials are completely centered around the successful production of your short film projects. We will never ask you to write essays, complete exams (with the exception of a short film law test), or analyze old films. That is for the university courses!
You will shoot your films using both the Sony HVR-Z1p High Definition Video Cameras, one of the world’s most popular medium range broadcast camera models, and for the final two projects, the Canon 7D with DSLR Grip Kit, prime lenses, and SmallHD monitoring, in Full HD resolution.
Students are first taught to edit on Avid Media Composer – the industry standard for large film and television edit systems. For the final two projects of the 16wk course, students are taught using Final Cut Studio, the emerging market leader within low budget and independent film and television productions.
Students are the owners of all the films they make during the course. NZFA management acts as executive producer on each project, and reserves the right to use at its discretion any footage created by students while on the course, for NZFA publicity and promotional purposes only. But you are free to enter your films into as many festivals or competitions as you like!
Subject to a successful interview in person or via phone, there is a rolling admissions policy for all courses. Successfl applicants are accepted throughout the year until each course is filled. Early application is recommended to ensure the intake you prefer.
New Zealand citizens (and permanent residents of longer than 2 years) have their learning partially subsidised by the Tertiary Education Commission, a department of the New Zealand Govornment. This applies only to the 16wk Certificate course, not to the 6wk course, or any international students.
While there is no age restriction, the NZFA’s courses are intensive, and demand maturity, commitment and dedication. These are elements we identify at the interview stage, and the average age of our students is early to mid 20’s.
Unfortunately we cannot offer any kind of scholarship or discount at this time. We are a small school with a capped number of students and scarce funding, so our pricing structure reflects the actual cost of delivery. Any subsidisation or scholarship would have to be paid for by fellow students in the form of higher fees, and we have decided that this would be an unfair policy at this time. However we are able to negotiate fee payment plans with successfull applicants where neccessary.
Students who successfully complete the 16 week course will be awarded an NZQA Level 4 Certificate in Applied Film Making and Television Production, complete with a breakdown of their marks, and feedback on the films they were a part of making. For the 6 week course, a New Zealand Film Academy Certificate of Completion is granted.
We enjoy hosting international students, and only ask that applicants have a proven desire to work in the film industry, and are able to communicate effectively using the English language – sometimes we will ask for proof of this, such as IELTS test results. Approximately half our students are from overseas, creating a rich melting pot of experience and inspiration, which translates directly into interesting short film projects.
Students should expect to be busy at least 5 full days a week. Tutorial and class days are usually from 9.30am to 4.00pm, however production days are usually longer and weekends are often included. Additional time will be spent during some evenings for editing and additional lectures, as the course progresses.
