Program Overview

Introduction to Cinematic Arts

The University of Canterbury offers a comprehensive program in Cinematic Arts, focusing on the modern film production process from script to screen, post-production to distribution. This program explores exciting new tools for storytelling, such as virtual production, which utilizes the same technology used to produce video games.

What Will My Study Involve?

• Learn to create cinematic projects using industry-standard filming technologies.
• Choose from practical hands-on courses in cinematography, editing, or sound design.
• Graduate with a portfolio of your own cinema projects produced from your second year.
• Practical learning at editing labs and sound recording studios.

Courses

Cinematic Arts Major

For the major in the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours, complete the following courses:

• 200-level:
  • DISC210 Film Project 1
  • DISC211 Lights, Lens, and Mics
  • DISC212 Screenwriting: Research and Story Development
  • DISC213 Editing and Postproduction
  • TITO202 Kiriata: Māori Film and Media
  • One 200-level CINE course
• 300-level:
  • DISC312 Advanced Film Production

At 400-level, your compulsory courses in the degree will focus on Cinematic Arts projects.

Cinematic Arts Minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours, complete the following courses:

• 75 points of courses chosen from these options, with 45 points above 100-level. A maximum 15 points can be chosen from these approved courses or any other 100 to 200-level CINE courses.

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

• DISC102 Principles of Screen Production for Film
• 60 points of courses chosen from these options, with 45 points above 100-level. A maximum 15 points can be chosen from these approved courses or any other 100 to 200-level CINE courses.

Career Opportunities

Knowing the full creative and technical process of creating cinema, from concept to release, will make you a great asset to have on film sets, advertising agencies, streaming services, and other project collaborations, or even in launching your own works. Career pathways could include:

• Film and television directing and producing
• Post-production
• Videography and cinematography
• Technician.

Qualifications

The Cinematic Arts program is offered as part of the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

Related Subjects

Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC's range of study options can let you study what you want to:

• Indigenous Narrative: Represent indigenous stories, history, and people through the digital media industry.
• Cinema Studies: Examine film-making tools and techniques, and view films critically through various lenses.