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Media Production

Get the hands-on technical skills you need to work in professional media production studios. Whether your passion is for film and television, podcasting, game design or web media, this subject has it all.

This highly practical subject is for students who wish to develop the hands-on technical skills required to work in professional media production studios, such as film, documentary and television, web series, podcasting, game design, sound design, soundscape, music, web media, and more.

Papers cover all stages of the media production process; from pre- to post-production.

Students will be equipped with the know-how to design and implement image-text-motion, sound/music and audio-visual methods of communication.

For example, you can learn how to use Adobe software (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) to design and produce page layouts, illustrations, and edit images for print and web applications.

Or you might prefer to study film production and gain the practical skills to shoot and edit short films, using a camera, sound gear, lighting techniques and digital editing (After Effects).

Students can also learn about the principles of good design, or develop the skills to create original music using digital audio technology.

More advanced papers focus on areas such as interactive media design, podcasting, film production, design thinking, visual communication, and creative music technology.

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Key information

Study Location:Hamilton
Area of Study:

Study Media Production in these qualifications

Study Media Production as a specialisation of

Career opportunities

  • Director
  • Digital media producer
  • Documentary maker
  • Film or television producer
  • Game designer
  • Podcaster
  • Sound designer
  • Web series producer

100 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
DSIGN125Introduction to Communication Design Production15.024A (Hamilton), 24A (Online), 24A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper enables students to perform basic computing operations and to operate software packages for the manipulation of visual images and text for use in print and screen-based applications. Students will be introduced to basic computing concepts and provided with software tutorials and related exercises.
DSIGN141Principles of Form and Design15.024A (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper develops the student's ability to recognise and utilise the basic elements and principles of design both two and three dimensionally. It explores topics related to 'thinking' and creativity with an emphasis on raising a student's creativity consciousness and attitude. The work will primarily be abstract in nature and wil...
MEDIA102Film Production 1: Telling Stories15.024B (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
A hands-on practice paper in which students learn to apply film production theory to communicate ideas and tell stories. Students gain experience capturing, constructing and manipulating both audio and moving image in the process of designing, shooting and editing digital short films.
MUSIC140Audio Tech: Communication and Creativity15.024A (Online)
This paper is an introduction to DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations); the creation of original musical works based on computer technology; basic recording and editing techniques; fundamental music studio knowledge; historical, aesthetic and theoretical elements.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
DSIGN243Visual Language and Information Design15.024B (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper offers students the possibility to explore the area of information design. By using their knowledge of principles of design, visual communication using typography and image, students will design information graphics (infographics): visual representations of information, working in the passage from data to information uti...
DSIGN271Design Thinking15.024A (Hamilton)
The paper presents the iterative process of design, used to understand users, challenge assumptions and redefine problems through empathising with users, defining their needs, ideating innovative solutions, prototyping and testing.
MEDIA202Film Production 2: Experimentation and Creativity15.024A (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
Students are challenged to extend their creative practice beyond the conventions of narrative film making. Working with moving image and sound, students work in teams to experiment with the affordances of the medium and extend their own creative thinking and strategies.
MUSIC240Creative Music Technology 2: Music and Visuals15.024B (Online)
An introduction to music for screen idioms and its compositions through digital sound generation.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
DSIGN341Design Systems15.024A (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
This paper challenges students to design a visual identity system and apply it across multiple deliverables in different media.
MEDIA305Interactive Media Design15.024B (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China)
Create your own interactive projects that expand your creative practice. Students will engage with contemporary arts practices to devise audio-visual installations, evaluate the rise of interactivity in gaming and VR, and create projects that blend different media formats.
MEDIA320Creative Media Project15.024B (Hamilton)
This paper provides an opportunity for students to develop and carry out a small scale creative media project with relative independence. Students will work with a supervisor to develop original creative content as a multi-platform experience.
MEDIA330Podcasting15.024B (Hamilton)
Podcasting has become an increasingly popular way of telling stories, exploring issues and educating. This paper will explore this relatively new format introducing its emerging codes and conventions and developing scripts and production skills for producing podcasts.
MUSIC304Music and the Screen15.024A (Hamilton)
This paper requires the completion of a substantial creative project under supervision with a focus on integrating screen imagery and audio.
MUSIC340Music Technology 3: Creative Project15.024A (Online)
This paper includes a critical study of music and technology, and the development of students' production and composition techniques. The aim is to extend creative musical skills, technical expertise, and artistic understanding.

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

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