Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) was the first ever feature film made in the world, and the Australian film industry continues to make films that find local and global audiences, as well as garner critical acclaim. Consequently, the Pacific region is recognised as an exciting place for producing original and arresting content. This unit utilises research practices and provides students with the opportunity to develop a critical and broad appreciation and knowledge of Australian and New Zealand screen content (feature film, documentary, TV drama series, web series, etc.). Students can then apply this foundational knowledge to create new material and to enhance their abilities to secure future production work by introducing them to filmmakers and T.V. programme makers working within the Pacific.  

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

Understanding and responding to the continually transforming digital landscape is a fundamental qualification for any contemporary media content Producer. The role of a Digital Producer can vary considerably depending on the available technology platforms and whether you are working as a start-up, in-house, in a digital agency, as a freelance or for a SME or larger company.  Either way, the Digital Producer could find themselves producing video blogs, pop-up ads, social campaigns, podcasts, commercials, VR programmes and beyond.  This unit prepares students to be able to embrace all facets of Digital Producing – from understanding the evolving technical jargon and to be able to engage with other technical crew to create content for digital websites, social media, mobile applications, games, and interactive media. Students will learn how to supervise a digital project through conception, pitching, creative and technical development, scheduling, roll-out, media buy, analytics and beta-testing through to completion and delivery. 

Trimester 3

• Camera & Lighting 2 - FTP302
• Camera & Lighting 3: Cinematography - FTP319
• Screenwriting 2 FTP307
• Screenwriting 3: Long Form FTP408
• Post Production 2 FTP303
• Producing 2 FTP401
• Post Production 3 FTP405
• Major Project: Post Production FTP426
• Directing 2 FTP311
• Major Project: Development FTP316
• Music Video FTP310
• Designing for The Screen FTP324
• The Acting Foundation ACT201
• Compositing AGA405 
• Post Production Audio ASP413
• Internship 
• International Study Tour

Trimester 4

• Camera & Lighting 2 - FTP302
• Camera & Lighting 3: Cinematography - FTP319
• Screenwriting 2 FTP307
• Screenwriting 3: Long Form FTP408
• Post Production 2 FTP303
• Producing 2 FTP401
• Post Production 3 FTP405
• Major Project: Post Production FTP426
• Directing 2 FTP311
• Major Project: Development FTP316
• Music Video FTP310
• Designing for The Screen FTP324
• The Acting Foundation ACT201
• Compositing AGA405 
• Post Production Audio ASP413
• Internship 
• International Study Tour

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

An awareness of the history of film and television gives new screen practitioners contextual knowledge to understand current technologies and protocols and anticipate future trends. In this unit students will utilise research practises to survey major technological and cultural developments in the screen industry from the early days to contemporary cinema. Films will be formally analysed in terms of narrative, editing, mise-en-scène, shots, lighting, sound, and stylistically in terms of genre and authorship.  Different theoretical approaches to screen studies including aestheticism, discourse analysis and semiotics will be explored. The overall aim of this unit is to broaden students’ awareness of the artistic, cultural, political and economic contexts within which screen industries have developed and operated. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

This unit examines a range of non-Hollywood national cinemas and indie filmmaking from a global and transnational perspective. Key theoretical approaches to national and international cinemas are examined, along with significant historical, textual, representational, and ideological issues (for example, the key concepts of ‘other and same’). Students will also explore the significant differences between Hollywood mainstream productions and the critical challenges posed by local production, distribution and exhibition models, along with those faced by filmmakers within these different cultures. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

This unit follows on from Major Project:  Development, providing students with the opportunity to collaborate on several major projects. This unit sees the culmination of a creative vision come to fruition following pitches held at the end of the previous trimester. The focus is on pre-production and a range of meetings and productions scheduled across this trimester. All students will crew on each other’s productions – and contribute the appropriate preproduction planning, preparation and paperwork.  Each student will have a different trajectory of roles over the slate of productions – with a minimum of one major and one minor role; or three minor roles.  Production on each project is slated for up to 5 days. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

This unit serves as a bridge into the industry for students in their final study period at JMC Academy. Students will examine their ‘professional identity’ and how this relates to their motivation and career goals. Students will be required to use this time to further establish themselves as emerging professionals, exploring, and articulating their unique value and reproducing that in their portfolio. The goal of the portfolio will be to affirm the student’s place in the screen industry – at this point in time – and therefore must also include a showreel of work finished to industry standard. Depending on their goals, students will develop a strategic plan focussing on generating new and exploiting current opportunities, all the while taking care of their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

The purpose of this unit is to provide students with knowledge of the essential concepts and practical understanding of multi-camera broadcast operations, including the complexities of the digital video signal and emerging broadcast formats.  Students will gain a deeper insight into live production protocols using industry-standard broadcasting equipment. In addition, students will gain experience and understanding of the technical requirements of managing broadcast equipment operation and set-up procedures, including testing and measurement procedures. Students learn and practice live multicamera operation in live studio and live-streamed broadcast scenarios. Students will also gain an insight into the new and emerging digital broadcast production and distribution technologies. 

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

Survivor, Big Brother, My Kitchen Rules, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, The Voice, Bondi Vet, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Married At First Sight, Outback House, Gogglebox Australia… in recent times, there has been some 200 different reality TV series produced in Australia (and at one stage some 20 crime/police series produced in NZ – in the one year!) This research and practical unit seeks to give students a broad appreciation of Australian and New Zealand reality TV production and the role of local and international formats – ensuring students have a foundation from which to create new material or to help secure future production work by equipping them with knowledge of, and networking opportunities from, local productions.

Trimester 5

• Camera & Lighting 2 - FTP302
• Camera & Lighting 3: Cinematography - FTP319
• Screenwriting 2 FTP307
• Screenwriting 3: Long Form FTP408
• Post Production 2 FTP303
• Producing 2 FTP401
• Post Production 3 FTP405
• Major Project: Post Production FTP426
• Directing 2 FTP311
• Major Project: Development FTP316
• Music Video FTP310
• Designing for The Screen FTP324
• The Acting Foundation ACT201
• Compositing AGA405 
• Post Production Audio ASP413
• Internship 
• International Study Tour

Trimester 6

• Camera & Lighting 2 - FTP302
• Camera & Lighting 3: Cinematography - FTP319
• Screenwriting 2 FTP307
• Screenwriting 3: Long Form FTP408
• Post Production 2 FTP303
• Producing 2 FTP401
• Post Production 3 FTP405
• Major Project: Post Production FTP426
• Directing 2 FTP311
• Major Project: Development FTP316
• Music Video FTP310
• Designing for The Screen FTP324
• The Acting Foundation ACT201
• Compositing AGA405 
• Post Production Audio ASP413
• Internship 
• International Study Tour

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP203

In this unit, students move beyond merely lighting a scene, to using lighting as a means to express the meaning of the scene. This will require an investigation into the aesthetics of image design, and a more in-depth technical understanding of, and the relationships between, the camera, lenses, and lighting. This unit will provide students with the opportunity to creatively analyse a script and use the camera and lighting to convey emotion, style, and narrative. This unit will be delivered in a combination of in class tutorials, creative workshops and in the studio or on location.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP203, FTP302

This unit has been designed specifically for those students whose professional goal is to be a cinematographer. Students will be required to investigate the application of ultra-high definition digital camera systems to the creative realisation of a motion sequence to industry standard. Students will be required to experiment with the technical elements of production, integrating knowledge and skills to create a cinematic film experience. Students will need to consider their role as cinematographers and how they can use the affordances of film production tools to visually enhance a story with appropriate expression.  

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP206

This unit expands on the knowledge and skills developed in Screenwriting 1. This unit introduces a more sophisticated range of writing tools and techniques, as well as the challenges of writing in collaboration, for an audience, to a budget. This unit will be delivered as a series of workshops designed to simulate professional screenwriting environments and projects. Key to this unit is the work students will do to develop their understanding of the market for their writing, and how to balance creativity with the cost of production (from locations to cast, art department, wardrobe, stunts and VFX/post production elements).

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP206, FTP307

This units builds on FTP206 Screenwriting 1 and FTP307 Screenwriting 2 by offering students the opportunity to complete an original 45-page script for the screen.  

Screenwriting 3 - Long Form aims to prepare advanced students interested in writing longer scripts for the screen, with the professional skills to develop, write, take-on board professional and peer feedback and complete re-writes of an original screenplay. 

This unit seeks to further enhance students’ writing skills and prepare them for a career in the screen industries by building upon the short film scripts students will have written in FTV206 Screenwriting 1 and FTV307 Screenwriting 2, along with scripts they may have written for FTV208 Production Project 1 (Documentary), FTV422 Digital Producing and FTV316 Major Project Development. 

This unit’s key objectives are: 

1.  Asset-Building.  Successful students will complete this unit having written a first draft longform script which they can further develop after graduation - and to subsequently pitch to professional producers and directors… as well as submit to state funding agencies, studios or other benefactors for further drafts. 

2. Craft Development.  This unit will give students the tools and skills to refine and enhance their writing skills, previously developed in short form, through specialist lecturer advice and feedback, peer review and re-writes.   

Students will develop skills and knowledge in script writing, editing, and receiving and giving constructive feedback as part of the rigorous development process.  

Students are responsible for making sure they understand all material covered in this unit outline. Students can seek clarification on any aspect they are unsure about from the lecturer or Head of Department. 

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP202

This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of key post production practices, including editing, sound production, colour grading and colour correction.  Students continue to engage with a range of software on different projects to explore advanced editing, colour correction and special effects.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP201

It all starts - and finishes - with the Producer. The Producer is the driving force for all screen productions, setting the goals and steering the creative, financial and administrative processes. The role starts well before pre-production begins and continues (often for many years) after the final product is delivered. 

This unit will build on the foundation knowledge gained in FTP201 Producing 1, to provide students with advanced producing techniques to equip them as emerging Producers upon graduation.

These new skills will include experience at applying for both development funding and production funding from state agencies - along with the essential documentation to accompany these applications (e.g., options & rights agreements, scheduling, budgets, finance plans, HOD agreements, distribution agreements and marketing plans)

Producing 2 will also explore the world of official co-productions: the countries with whom Australia has signed treaties or MOU's and examples of subsequent productions... and the "devil in the details" of making a co-production a reality.  

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP202

This unit offers students the opportunity to understand the collaborative nature of creating and producing broadcast and film title designs, station identities, social media advertising elements and graphics for the screen.  During this unit students develop skills and knowledge in the process involved in responding to return briefs & creating projects from pre-visualisation to effective realisation.  Students also gain hands-on experience with colour grading & correction, and develop and finalise motion graphic sequences for inclusion into their own major projects, helping build a professional portfolio and showreel for prospective employers.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP425

This unit follows on from Major Project: Production as the students’ films enter their final phase. A student’s ability to apply conceptual knowledge and creative and technical skills will be tested through the post production processes of a major production project or slate. Processes will include the rough cut edit, fine cut, music composition, sound editing, sound design, colour grade sound mix, incorporation of credits and online delivery. Throughout the trimester, there will be some directed classes, but most weeks, students will attend scheduled post production meetings with their fellow post crew and lecturer. It is expected that this class will appeal primarily to the producer, director, editor and possibly sound designer of a Major Project Production.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP211

This unit is for students who are interested in further exploring the role of the director in screen productions. The principles of mise-en-scène will be explored in depth, theoretically and practically, covering both formal, classic and informal staging techniques. Students will be given the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the director's 'tool box' which includes advanced visual story, shot construction, camera placement and movement, complex blocking, coverage styles in the classic continuity style as well as the use of subjective time, and poetic/lyrical approaches.

Further areas of study include dramatic tone, production design, sound design, narrative and performance editing, pre-visualisation and on-set workflows and methodologies. They can use these elements to develop and present their own developing directorial voice. 

The unit is delivered as a series of seminars, complemented with practical workshops focusing on ideation, and interpersonal communication techniques between directors and their key collaborators, including the craft of performance. 

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP204, FTP208, FTP304

The unit goes hand-in-hand with Major Project Production and Major Project Post Production, providing students with the opportunity to devise and collaborate on several major creative projects. These project units are designed to showcase the students’ unique skills and talents.  Ideally, the production work will become each student’s “calling card” in the industry.  Major projects can include a studio programme, short film, web series, television or feature film pilot or documentaries, but all productions can be no longer than 10 minutes. This unit is specifically aimed at Directors and Producers who will choose and scope out their projects; work to revise and edit numerous drafts of their script; devise a social media strategy for their project and directly specify their target audience; assign all major roles to their student production; and ultimately pitch their developed project to an industry panel.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: - 

In this unit, students will be given an opportunity to develop their skills in the production of a music video to industry standard. Delivered as a series of workshops and studio sessions, this unit emulates real world practice, with the lecturer adopting the role of record company head. 

Students will be guided through the inner-workings of the music video business – the relationships between label, management, and production company, as well learning how to write and interpret creative briefs. Students will work in collaborative teams to develop their pitch for a music video. Once green-lit, students will plan, pre produce, shoot, and post produce music videos. As part of this process, students will work with their peers in other disciplines in the making of the music video.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: -

Design is an essential element of telling stories on the screen. In this unit, students will study the art of screen design – specifically when it comes to Production Design and Costume Design. Production Design is examined through real world examples and practical exercises. Students will evaluate and create designs in categories such as space, interiors, exteriors, light, colour and set decorating for studio sets and locations. In studying Costume Design, students learn about envisaging character, working with colours, fabrics, and other materials, and collaborating with production designers, actors, and the director. Students will also work to a brief and a budget and will look to utilise their knowledge and experiences in their student productions. This unit will be delivered as a series of tutorials, masterclasses, and workshops (including for example: Special Effects Make-Up).

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: -

This unit introduces the student to the foundation principles of acting, which provide the base from which the actor begins to build their process.

This acting foundation describes freedom and availability as core principles of the actor’s process. This approach to the work requires self-awareness to identify personal limitations or habitual behaviours and to then apply preparatory techniques to enable the actor to respond to stimulus moment to moment.

Students will undertake a range of practical preparation activities and exercises to develop these core skills, as well as developing conceptual understanding of these foundation principles and how these form the basis of the actor’s work. These foundation skills will be applied through both theatre and screen performance exercises and activities.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP303

Digital compositing is the process of combining visual elements into cohesive still and moving images and is integral for any post-production facility. Students are introduced to key areas in compositing, moving from separating and combining still images, to working with complex transparency, camera movement and computer-generated images.  These scaffolded weekly projects prepare students for a proposal and project completed in a para-professional studio environment.

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: FTP207

This unit introduces students to the post production principles of sound for screen and moving image. Students will focus on the use of sound as a form of creative expression and narrative structure. The unit will cover the functional aspects of sound for screen including the various delivery formats for online and platform requirements. Students will analyse the use of sound, and its emotive qualities for screen and moving image.

Credit Points: 6

*by application only

COL401 Internship aims to provide students with an internship opportunity that has sound educational value and provides students the chance to initiate and/or develop relationships with professionals in their discipline. COL401 allows students to prepare or consolidate their know-how to work as a professional and increase their technical and creative skills base. It also allows students to explore potential areas of employment. 

In this unit the National Society for Experiential Education’s definition of “internship” is used. This is internship is a carefully monitored volunteering or working experience where an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what they are learning throughout the experience. For this reason, beside the time students spend during their internship, they will also spend self-study time. They will reflect upon their awareness of applying theory to practice during their internship, practicing their ability to evaluate situations, critical thinking, and effective communication of their decision-making. 

Students will also elaborate a professional plan where they explain their aspiring professional development goals and the activities that would assist them to achieve these under the guidance of their Internship Coordinator/Supervisor.  

Credit Points: 6

*by application only

This subject is a special project based on research, experiences and learning undertaken in conjunction with the overseas academic partners and JMC Academy.  Students will be immersed in two weeks of educational experiences prior to JMC Academy trimester start, hosted by the overseas academic partners. They will cover a range of topics, skills and knowledge taught by industry experts and educators in the students’ area of study (Entertainment Business Management, Music, Design, Film and Television, Audio Engineering, Animation and Game Design). 

On completion of the two weeks of study, students will continue with a 12 week special project on campus at JMC Academy in Australia. 

Individual projects are based on a specific project topic of the student’s choice made in consultation with their term supervisor. That is then developed over the length of the subject. Students will be supervised and will work in conjunction with their supervisor to complete their project (Academic or Practical).