Screen Editing
Short showreel of one or more filmed narrative sequences you have edited (fictional or documentary).
Bachelor of Screen Production
Excelsia University College is a proud member of Australian Screen Production Education & Research Association (ASPERA)
Bachelor of Screen Production
Duration: 3 years full-time
Credit Points: 144
Delivery: On Campus at Pennant Hills
CRICOS Code: 104943K
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP available)/International
IELTS: 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
AQF: Level 7
Tuition Fee: International Students: $11,216 semester/$67,300 total tuition fee
Enquiry form
Course overview
The Bachelor of Screen Production is a unique model of training that is value-driven, heavily practical, industry-informed, professionally sustainable and socially directed. Over the entirety of the course students experience a variety of roles in numerous productions which enables a diverse skill set when entering the industry. Students are organised into working film crews to practise on-set exercises and develop the necessary creative and organisational documentation to launch into filming. Screen productions can include short films, web-series pilots, documentaries, and experimental projects. The course teaches unique theory and philosophy for contemporary filmmakers, offering rich terrain for cinematic exploration. The course aims to inspire filmmakers and creatives using centuries of compelling storytelling narrative and self-reflection integrated with modern concepts and industry practice.
Experiences and opportunities
Students will experience:
- state-of-the-art studio facilities
- unrivalled production opportunities – our students make around 100 short films each year (subject to numbers and loading)
- their own production budgets included in the course fee
- an opportunity to build up to 12 to 16 screen credits over two years
- access to a pool of acting students through Excelsia College’s Dramatic Art program and Sydney Actors School
- an environment that replicates the real-world industry practice
The course has been designed for future
- writers
- sound recordists and sound editors or designers
- directors
- screen editors
- cinematographers
- production managers and coordinators
- production designers
Film and television industry ready
Over the entirety of the course students experience a variety of roles in productions, enabling a diverse skillset when entering the industry. Students will learn skills ranging from pre-production all through to postproduction. An advantage of this course is the opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience and mentoring leading to specialising in:
- Cinematography
- Directing
- Editing
- Design (set, props, etc)
- Screenwriting
- Production coordination
- Sound Production
Students are organised into working short film crews to practice on set exercises and develop the necessary creative and organisational documentation to launch into filming. Screen productions can include short films, web-series pilots etc. and major roles include directing, production management, cinematography, production design, and post.
To develop excellence in the art, craft and technology of production, we believe students crucially need critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate current industry practices and strategically explore new modes of storytelling. Though the degree specialises students for work in the film industry, upon graduation students will have acquired entrepreneurial skills and abilities to transfer knowledge to other platforms e.g. online media content etc.
Practical on-set exercises and film industry analysis develop students’ understanding of:
- On-set protocol and logistics
- Film terminology and on-set jargon
- Theoretical studies into the pre-production and production chain of command
- Personnel and processes
- International industry trends and expectations
Why study Screen Production with us?
International award-winning lecturers
Students are taught and mentored by top industry professionals giving development to confidently stand out in a competitive industry.
The Creative Triad
The only higher education provider in Sydney, Australia that offers a creative hub of specialist students who can write, create, act, perform and produce all elements of filmmaking in-house.
Rich and meaningful filmmaking
Often film degrees can teach you the skills but not the storytelling. The Bachelor of Screen Production will transform your abilities to craft a narrative like no other.
What do our students say?
‘Throughout my time at Excelsia, I honed crucial soft skills, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving became second nature through the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Filmmaking is all about working with other people, adapting to different work ethics, and collaboration to create the best possible outcome. Managing stress and maintaining a positive, professional set environment are skills I have developed extensively as a director and first assistant director.’
Sasha Byk Giroux
Bachelor of Screen Production Graduate
Course program
Semester 1
Core units
Production I
Production Design
Cinematography
Directing
Foundations of Screen Storytelling
Semester 2
Core units
Production II
Sound Post-Production
Screen Editing
Philosophy for the Contemporary Filmmakers
Semester 3
Core units
Foundations of Screen Storytelling
Production III
Specialty Workshop I
Screen Histories
Semester 4
Core units
Production IV
Specialty Workshop II
Screen Genres
The Filmmaker’s Life in Focus
Semester 5
Core units
Production V
Production Support Role A
International Industry Analysis
Elective
Semester 6
Core units
Production VI
Production Support Role B
Designing My Creative Career
Elective
Elective units
Advanced Screenwriting
Advanced Directing
Advanced Production Design
Advanced Cinematography
Advanced Screen Editing
Advanced Sound Post-production
Advanced Production Management
For detailed descriptions of course units, please download the Bachelor of Screen Production Brochure.
Academic staff for screen production
Philosophy for Contemporary Filmmaker & Film Industry Lecturer
Elizabeth Blackwood
Summary of Assessment Strategies
Assessment practices/expectations
- Case studies
- Video presentations
- Essays
- Critical reflections
- Group posters
- Multimedia projects
- Viva voce
- Role play
- Discussion boards
- Screen production analysis, theoretical music analysis, dramaturgical analysis
- Short film projects
- Critical literature critiques
- Mock grant applications
- Business plans
- Online business portfolios
- Multi-form class presentations
- Self-tapes
- Contrasting scene presentations
- Technical exams
- Prompt copy completion
- Production folder
- Reflective paper
- Practical execution of production tasks
- Post production sequence
- Sound design project
- Production pitch
- Journal
- Postproduction pathway plan
- Research blog
- Practical execution of Performance tasks
- Exams
- Professional development Viva Voce
- Arrangement
- Performance
- Listening and Reading Journal
- Literature Review
- Research Presentation
- Composition Journal
- Composition (scores and/or recordings)
- Sight reading and Sight singing
- Ensemble performance
- WIL Industry Placement
- Technical Demonstration
- Teaching Folio
- Recitals
- Operations Manual
- Portfolios (Songwriting, Production Design)
- Exegesis
- Mission & Vision Statement
- Presentations
- Debate
- Creative Works
- Homework Exercises
- Case Study
- Project Performance Marks
- Documentation (Production, development etc)
- Screenplays
- Funding & Distribution Mapping
Entry requirements
Educational prerequisties
- Applicants for admission into the Bachelor of Screen Production will be required to provide evidence of completion of the NSW Higher School Certificate or its interstate or overseas equivalent, or attainment of tertiary qualification, or satisfactory completion of at least one year’s full-time load in a tertiary course.
Application Requirements: Artistic & Academic Skill Assessment
In addition to your online application you are required to submit a Portfolio and, if successful, attend an interview.
Portfolio:
Applicants are required to present two short examples with a written rationale that demonstrate the applicant’s creative work. See portfolio details below.
Interview:
Applicants will discuss their special areas of interest in film or video, any related experience they may have, and why they wish to do the course.
For a portfolio submission please include one of the following, together with a one page rationale and an indication of what role you have contributed to the work you submit. We are looking for evidence of creative initiative, effective planning, and coherent storytelling through image and/or sound.
If you are unsure of your area or have multiple interests, choose one. Each video submission is to be a short 1-3-minute showreel with the instruction below:
Cinematography
Short showreel of camerawork you have done.
or
A narrative PowerPoint sequence of still images that you have shot (up to 15 images, ppt. file) (fictional or documentary).
Directing
Short showreel of one or more filmed narrative sequences you have directed.
(fictional or documentary)
Design
Short showreel of one or more filmed narrative sequences you have contributed design – set, props, costume, etc.
or
a storyboard PowerPoint sequence (fictional or documentary) that would be of 1-3 minutes duration onscreen
Sound Postproduction
Short showreel of one or more filmed narrative sequences you have created sound design for.
or
Submit a short soundscape recording (1-3 minutes, mp3 file) that demonstrates some form of narrative. (fictional or documentary)
Production Co-ordination
Short showreel of one or more productions you’ve managed (fictional or documentary).
Writing
Short showreel of productions of one or more narrative sequences you have written
or
Submit a sample script, formatted for film or TV (1-3 minutes onscreen duration, PDF format)
International Students
Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.
English Language Proficiency
Candidates whose qualifying studies were completed in a language other than English will normally be required to demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to the overall minimum score of 6.0 (no band less than 6) in the IELTS academic test.
For test score equivalencies for alternative tests visit the International Students page.
For more information visit visit the International Students page.
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants who do not have a NSW Higher School Certificate (or equivalent) or completed their secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaking or completed vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then can apply for admission using work and life experience.
“Experience” could include a combination of factors which demonstrate readiness for higher education. Includes mature age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience.
For more information please visit the Future Students information page.
Step 1. Complete your application online
If you are studying at an Australian high school, completing the HSC, you are eligible to apply.
Step 2. Showcase your talents
You’ll be given an opportunity to showcase your talents by attending an audition (Music or Drama) or Interview (Screen Production), so get your application in early!
Step 3. If shortlisted, attend online session
You’ll receive an invitation within two weeks if you succeed in your submission. We are looking forward to seeing you at our online session.
Step 4. Have peace of mind and focus on your exams
We will contact students once receiving their application offering suggestions on how they can audition by uploading performances and/or portfolios online. This may look different for each student and our Student Advisors will do their best to help facilitate alternatives that best suit each student’s unique situation.
Awards TO our students and alumni
Highlight for our Second Year Bachelor student, Leo!
Leo’s documentary ‘On Ice’, completed as part of his training at Excelsia University College, has received an Honourable Mention at the 2024 Catchlight Film Festival!
The Experience
| Applicant background | Number of students | Student Percentages |
|---|---|---|
|
A higher education award course (Australian or overseas equivalent; complete or incomplete) |
2 |
13.33 |
|
Recent secondary education was undertaken (whether undertaken at school, VET or another Australian or overseas provider) – only other criteria, ATAR not considered |
13 |
86.67 |
|
All students |
15 |
100 |
|
Based on commencements for the 2024 calendar year |
ABN 50 360 319 774 | TEQSA PRV12064 ‘University College’ | CRICOS Provider Code: 02664K