Program Overview

Course Overview

The Digital Video Creation course, MDDN 211, is offered by the School of Design Innovation, Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation. This course focuses on conceiving, shooting, editing, and remixing video-based projects. Students will learn video editing techniques, shooting video using DSLR cameras, elementary lighting, codecs, compositing, cinematography, and working with audio alongside building video content.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,083.45 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,235.75 for international students
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Tuesday 2.40pm
  • Thursday 2.40pm
• Campus: Te Aro
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 75 points including 30 points from BDI or BAS schedules
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Course Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Execute effective design strategies in the creation of innovative time-based media.
2. Articulate and analyse video design principles as demonstrated through historical, cultural, and political examples.
3. Implement video-based design solutions using video software and camera hardware.
4. Communicate design concepts orally, visually, and in writing with clarity and insight.

How the Course is Taught

• Lectures, studios, and tutorials require in-person attendance.
• Lecture recordings will be made available for subsequent revision.
• The two 2-hour class sessions per week will include lectures as well as practical tutorials, labs/studios, PBAs, group critiques, and individual mentoring.

Assessment

• PBA Series: 5 in-class exercises and submissions establishing core skills for the course projects. Mark: 20%
• Series: 3 short videos (30 - 60 seconds in duration). Mark: 40%
• Feature: One video (2 minutes to 5 minutes duration). Mark: 40%

Mandatory Requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.

Group Work

Group work details to be advised.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026
• 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026

What You'll Need to Get

Students will need to provide all materials and equipment as necessary for the completion of course work.

About the Course

Students will learn to plan and execute small-scale videos through a set of project assignments that successively introduce editing, cameras, digital film making, open-ended creative exploration, and elements of narrative. The course will cover video theory topics concerning traditional filmmaking methods, techniques, and video history, followed by exercises using current software and hardware. All student assessment will be based on the successful execution of the projects given during the course. MDDN211 is an on-campus only course and is not available for distance study.