Massey launches new Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours

The degree, which will be offered from Semester 1 2023, is an evolution of the current Bachelor of Creative Media Production delivered at Massey’s College of Creative Arts Toi Rauwhārangi in Wellington.

The four-year practice-focused Honours degree will better equip students to tell stories through digital mediums such as film, broadcast, animation, games, visual effects (VFX), immersive media – virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual production.

“We have been guided by extensive consultation and direction from a wide range of industry professionals about what experience and skills students need to have to thrive in the industry, which is developing and converging at a rapid pace,” Head of School of Music and Creative Media Production Professor Andre Ktori says.

“The BSA (Hons) is designed from the ground up to provide more opportunities for students to make creative work, engage in solo and group projects, and develop material for their creative portfolios which will demonstrate the depth and breadth of their training.”

The degree offers the choice of seven majors, with the introduction of two new majors, factual production and film production, alongside majors in media technology, game development, VFX, animation, and immersive media.

The degree also focuses on other skills that are vital to screen practitioners, including audio production, and how to navigate the professional culture to build a sustainable career.

“We know that screen industries need skilled specialists across the screen sector that are also able to demonstrate a flexible knowledge and understanding of other areas of convergence. The BSA (Hons) is designed to allow students to explore a range of different subjects in addition to their major,” Professor Ktori says.

The Honours year will provide students with the opportunity of having a full year to produce a major body of work, after three years of focussed creative and technical education. This will provide an important professional portfolio piece to submit to industry and screen festivals, equipping them for a successful start to their career.

Massey’s Wellington location provides a gateway to the thriving local screen industry. Tanya Black, Manager of Wellington UNESCO City of Film, who consulted on the development of the BSA (Hons), says the new degree aligns with their strategic goals by contributing to a more sustainable screen sector and providing rangatahi with pathways to a creative life and living.

"Wellington has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a Creative City of Film in part, for our innovation in film education and our tertiary programme’s strong connections into industry. Massey continues to lead the way, establishing the new Bachelor of Screen Arts (Hons) focusing on majors that will serve a constantly evolving screen sector,” Ms Black says.

“The new framework and courses being offered next year are timely in addressing convergence across film, broadcast, game, media tech, VR/AR, animation and VFX, and will certainly increase career opportunities for students in Wellington and beyond.”

Massey offers world-class facilities for students to learn their craft, including a fully equipped virtual production volume and motion capture studio, green screen, VR and augmented reality (AR), animation, VFX, game and media technology labs, and post-production studios and suites. The international faculty includes staff who continue to be active in the wider screen industry, so students can take advantage of the latest research and strong industry networks.

Students currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Media Production (BCMP) will have the choice of graduating with the BCMP or the BSA (Hons). Students who enrol for the BSA will have the option of three exit points – after two years with a Diploma, after three years with a Bachelor’s degree, or after four years with an Honours degree.

Bachelor of Screen Arts (Honours):

• The Bachelor of Screen Arts Honours will be offered from Semester 1 2023.
• It is a full-time, on-campus course run at the College of Creative Arts in Wellington.
• Students who are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Media Production will have the choice of graduating with the BCMP or the BSA (Hons).
• Students who enrol for the BSA will have the option of three exit points – after two years with a Diploma, after three years with a Bachelor’s degree or after four years with an Honours degree.
• There are no course prerequisites for entry into the BSA (Hons).
• There are seven majors on offer: media technology, game development, visual effects, animation, film production, immersive media, and factual production.
• In addition to their subject major courses, each student will undertake courses in professional cultures, and audio production.
• Each student with graduate work-ready with a strong portfolio.

Find more information about the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Hons) here.