Advanced Diploma

First Year

In the first year of Advanced Diploma you work as an executive crew member on eight productions, six on video and two on 16mm film. Each production is run by a Production Executive of around five to seven members who are crewed in the major roles. You also work as a crew member on additional productions run by other Production Executives, so generally you will work on around 11 productions during the year and will experience many different crew roles.

You have the use of a Production Office complete with computer network for your production planning and you are required to complete your productions within the required time schedule. All the different stages of the production process are carefully supervised by Academy tutors through to the satisfactory completion of the programme.

To ensure that our students follow industry practices and protocols a tutor is present during first year shoots which take place both at the APA International Film School’s Production Studios and also on location.

This practical work is backed up by proficiency work and theory topics which comprise lectures, presentations, discussion sessions and workshops.

Topics covered in the first year of study are as follows:

• Develop and Apply Industry Knowledge for Film and TV
• OHS at the Academy
• Production Script Development
• Stills Camera Operations
• Production Management
• Optics
• An Introduction to Video TV Systems and Standards, Video Camera and Crew Operations
• An Introduction to Sound
• An Introduction to Direction
• Lighting
• Off Line Editing for Film and Video
• An Introduction to Cinematography
• Film Camera Operations and the Film Camera Crew
• Work Management and Professional Self-Assessment
• OHS Management
• Cinematography 2
• Synch Sound for Film Production
• Direction 2
• Completing and Mastering the Programme
• Sound Design and Post Production Sound
• Video Post - On Line Systems and Techniques
• Film Post Production - Using Sprockets
• Preparing for Employment in the Film and TV Industry
• Establishing the Production Company and the Protection of Artistic and Intellectual Rights

Second Year

In second year you are able to elect the area in which you wish to specialise. You may choose from the following crew positions:

• Producer in Charge of Production/Production Manager
• Director
• Director of Photography
• Camera Operator
• Post Production Editor
• Sound Production: Sound design, Sound recording, Track laying and mixing

At this level, once crews are arranged, you take over responsibility for your productions being directly responsible to the Executive Producer. Relevant tutors at APA International Film School and guest speakers provide additional and more specialised information and offer advice on the development of the productions. Theoretical and practical project work is undertaken to develop skills.

The second year is the year of specialisation and more emphasis is placed on production work. There is a tremendous amount of production during this year with the majority of students working on set in excess of 400 hours. All the main productions are shot on 16mm film unless a student specifically requests either digital tape or 35mm film. By the end of the year you will have a very professional showreel to aid you gain your first professional position.

The main second year productions consist of a series of dramas each one being allocated one week for shooting and three weeks for post. Students may elect to produce a documentary rather than a drama. In addition to these main productions students are required to write and produce a series of entertaining short mini drama or training programmes. In a typical year around 20 of these programmes are produced.

Topics covered in the second year are as follows:

• Cinematography 3
• Technical and Creative Quality Assurance Processes for Film and TV Production
• Resource Management for Film and TV Production
• Drama Direction
• Post Production Coordination
• Product Evaluation for Film and TV Production
• Promotion and Distribution
• Professional Conduct

Assessment

Students' practical skills are assessed on an ongoing basis by reference to their performance in the various productions. Most lecture sessions require short written or oral tests or a written project. To complete proficiency workshops students are required to demonstrate their competence to the tutor.

Timetable

The Advanced Diploma of Screen takes 2 years to complete and students can enrol in February or August. The Academy is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. Students are required to attend 20 hours a week on allocated days. In addition a further day is reserved for additional production work and another for study and project work. Shoots do not follow the normal time table and shoot days range between 7-12 hours. In the second year the major shoots are usually around 44 hours over a four day period with additional travelling time allowed if they take place outside of Sydney.

Each year is divided into 2 semesters with short 1/2 week breaks in April, July and September and a long break in December/January.