Bachelor of Film

What You Will Learn

SAE's Bachelor of Film (Production) puts you in the spotlight from day one, helping you gain the practical experience and technical knowledge needed to launch yourself in the world of motion pictures.

Starting with the fundamentals and rolling through to the finer, more complex aspects of cinematography, you'll acquire a very particular set of skills during your time at SAE. Whether it be directing actors, managing production, designing sets or editing footage, you'll gain a broad skill set backed by rich knowledge of current screen production practices.

Your growth and development as a creative practitioner will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects. This will ultimately help you build up a body of work and portfolio to share with potential employers or your first client.

In preparation for an industry that commands agility and adaptability, you'll cut your creative teeth on projects alongside your peers. As your skills develop and you work on more dynamic projects, you'll apply your experience to cross-discipline projects in audio, games, design, or animation. By the end of your course, you could be collaborating with fellow students across all SAE's disciplines.

With a Bachelor of Film (Production), you'll be ready for cutting-edge industry roles using modern creative business concepts and strategies. Career options include Video Editor, Film Producer, Broadcast Specialist, or Camera Assistant.

Bachelor of Film (Production) students are provided with an opportunity to undertake workplace internships in the final trimester of study.

Making the leap from being a fan of film to becoming a force in the film industry happens at SAE.

The Bachelor of Film (Production) is broken up into three distinct stages, each designed to develop different skills.

Develop the essential technical film skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.

• Credit points: 10 This unit introduces you to the fundamental principles of screen studies, including theory and history, to explore ways in which these principles are connected to screen practice. Emphasis is placed on how these concepts and approaches work within screen production, allowing you to develop analytical, critical reflection and creative thinking skills by applying your understanding of topics in project-based activities. Finally, this unit should assist you in becoming more critically aware of your craft and introduce you to ways of developing your knowledge of screen production.
• Credit points: 10 You will be introduced to the theory and principles of storytelling across a range of contemporary creative media contexts, which will then be applied to the creation of storytelling documents appropriate to your discipline. Theoretical approaches to plot, structure, character, story world, theme and genre will be explored and applied to a range of story development tools to engage your audience. Feedback processes and reflection are essential in the development of engaging stories, and you are expected to document your process and feedback from your facilitator and peers.
• Credit points: 10 You will be introduced to the craft of filmmaking through participation in practical film shoots. Introductory learning of camera exposure, lighting and sound equipment, will be supported by a study of the fundamentals of frame composition and cinematography. The key roles and responsibilities of a working film crew, production processes and protocols are covered, including workplace health and safety. Familiarity with the using film production equipment and its safe assembly is as important in this subject as the technical and creative elements of visual storytelling.
• Credit points: 10 This unit aims to instil a basic working knowledge of the structures, aesthetics and technologies involved in digital post-production. There is a particular emphasis on the editing process, as well as a general introduction to audio mixing, titling, colour grading and authoring processes within an industry-level non-linear editing tool. Editing techniques and approaches vary between different mediums and this unit focuses on both documentary and drama workflows and file management protocols. Effective communication of narrative is the main focus of the unit, and you will learn to edit for narrative clarity, performance, subtext and dramatic effect. Historical and contemporary perspectives on montage theory and continuity editing theory will be explored to broaden your understanding and approach to the art of editing.
• Credit points: 10 This unit explores the concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation and project design. You will develop approaches to identify promising opportunities and actionable strategies to transform them into tangible successes. Through exposure to developing new ideas, processes and ways of working - both individually and in entrepreneurial teams - you will hone skills to put creative ideas into practice and achieve real-world impact. As Alan Kay explained, "The best way to predict the future is to create it", so let's get at it!
• Credit points: 10 In this unit, students will draw upon practical theories of screenwriting and engage in industry standard iterative practices to produce high quality screenplays for short film production. The unit will introduce strategies for concept development, provide students with the opportunity to refine supporting documentation such a synopsis, outline or treatment, and guide students in applying stylistic conventions and narrative theories to their story ideas. The unit focuses on communicating strong characters and story worlds on the page, and crafting effective dialogue and scenes that engage audiences emotionally. Screenwriting is a learned craft that requires discipline, perseverance and an understanding of industry practice. You will engage with professional feedback processes as you develop your story concepts through to script stage, and then a pitch deck and final draft script.
• Credit points: 20 In this unit, you will expand your knowledge in the areas of camera and lighting, which are essential skills required to have a career as a Director of Photography. The skills you learn in this unit can be applied to any form of film/TV production; short films, documentaries, music videos, TV commercials etc. You will learn to use technically advanced cameras, prime lenses and follow-focus units, as well as learn to shoot in LOG format (flatter colour space) and utilise LUTs (Look Up Tables) to enhance the look of your footage in colour grading. Lighting fixtures will be utilised in a variety of studio shooting scenarios, including day/night interiors and also green screen sequences. ND Filters will be explored in more detail, adding another creative tool to your filmmaking arsenal. Further focus will be placed on effective shot coverage and framing techniques in both drama and documentary settings.

Broaden your scope to work on complex multidisciplinary projects in accordance with industry-standard practices.

• Credits points: 10 In this unit, you will collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that blend creativity and technology across fields such as film, audio, music, gaming, design, and computer science. Through project-based learning, you'll explore how different disciplines contribute to innovative outcomes-like immersive installations or interactive experiences. The unit focuses on strengthening communication, problem-solving, and teamwork across creative and technical areas. You'll be challenged to apply your existing skills while embracing new perspectives and ways of working, developing a holistic understanding of contemporary media production and preparing you to deliver complex, boundary-pushing creative solutions.
• Credit points: 20 In this unit, you will step into the dynamic world of filmmaking, mirroring industry processes from conception to distribution. Through hands-on experience, you will navigate the stages of development, pre-production, principal photography, post-production, and distribution. Emphasising a real-world approach, you will collaborate on creating a short film, honing your skills in creative leadership and teamwork as you specialise in a critical production role. FLM216 fosters a holistic understanding of the filmmaking craft and prepares you for the challenges and opportunities in the landscape of the industry.
• Credit points: 10 In this unit, students will strengthen and consolidate their emerging filmmaking skills through the application of industry standard directing and producing techniques. The unit will introduce key principles of scene analysis and directing for students to produce a short showreel scene, and guide students to the best praxical application of directing and producing protocols. The unit focuses on the essential collaboration of directors and producers to work together to deliver high-quality, on-screen outcomes such as complex and realistic actor performances, and a shared creative vision. Understanding the roles of the director and producer and the need to support each other in a collaborative group to realise the best possible on-screen outcomes is an essential part of professional filmmaking, and will establish and hone transferable skills necessary for your work at SAE and beyond.
• Credit points: 10 Creatives have always contributed to real-world problem solving, whether through innovative inventions, creative calls for action, public awareness building, or art and science collaborations. In this unit you will use your interdisciplinary collaboration skills to address a real-world problem. Using different theoretical frameworks within a 'hackathon' style studio environment you will produce a prototype that can be presented within SAE, as well as to external stakeholders.
• Credit Points: 20 In this unit, you will be introduced to the world of non-fiction film production. You will learn the history, theory and practice of documentary filmmaking, which will aid you throughout the production stages of your own short documentary film. You will plan, pitch, organise, shoot and edit your major project in teams, with each individual team member having a head of department role. You will also identify relevant marketing and distribution methods for your finished work, simulating real-world practices in factual filmmaking. During this process your facilitator will act as your project manager, executive producer, and mentor. The unit will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to produce a short documentary film, including demonstrating research of documentary film history and theory, participating in all stages of the production process, and developing marketing and distribution strategies.
• Credit Points: 10 This unit seeks to deepen an understanding and proficiency in advanced techniques. It delves into sophisticated methodologies across color grading, visual effects, sound design, and advanced editing. Through rigorous exploration and practical application, students will gain insight into the complexities of post-production workflows and refine their technical skills. Emphasizing critical analysis and practical exercises, this academic unit provides a platform for participants to engage in scholarly discourse, collaborative learning, and hands-on experimentation. By interrogating theoretical frameworks and industry practices, participants will develop a nuanced understanding of film post-production and enhance their ability to produce compelling cinematic works.

Execute a project of your own design which is of a high quality and externally published, with the knowledge to commercialise if you choose. You'll also apply your skills through industry work placement.

• Credit points: 10 In this unit, you will develop a concept into a significant and impactful project that showcases your skills and knowledge in your chosen field. This unit emphasises the importance of developing projects with real-world significance, aiming to cultivate skills in critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication. By the end of this unit, you will have a well-defined project concept, a viable prototype, and a solid project plan, all setting a strong foundation for your Capstone Project.
• Credit Points: 20 Through a combination of theoretical examination and practical application, this unit provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to excel in client-driven film production environments. Students will explore key concepts such as client communication, project management, budgeting, and delivery expectations within the context of filmmaking. Through case studies and hands-on exercises, participants will develop strategies for meeting client objectives while maintaining artistic integrity and creative vision. Emphasizing collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability, this unit equips participants with the tools and techniques needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of client-based film production successfully.
• Credit points: 10 This unit provides a comprehensive exploration of the essential elements of film preproduction in relation to your developing capstone project, covering key aspects from concept development to production planning. Through a series of workshops, meetings and practical exercises, you will gain foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for the successful planning of your project, as well as your own skills development. By the end of the unit, you will have developed one specialist skill and a secondary skill, as well as contributed to the pre-production of your group's capstone project. Throughout this unit, you will have access to online slack channels for peer discussion, project work and resource sharing. You will constantly be applying deliberate practice to industry-standard practices through documentation, software and tools as required by your crew roles. This unit emphasises hands-on, practical experience under the guidance of knowledgeable facilitators and mentors. Through a combination of national material, localised facilitation, and peer collaboration, you will engage in a self-directed project as well as focus on your professional goals and interests, enabling you to develop highly relevant industry skills. The work undertaken in this unit will also serve to prepare you entering into your CIM330 major project and its co-development in CIM316. It will allow you to refine your skills to the highest level and have you contextualise your individual practice towards the expected outcomes of your major productions and, where possible, serve as pre-production work for said major project.
• Credit points: 20 CIM330 Major Project Production, along with CIM310 Work-Integrated Learning and CIM312 Major Project Development, form the final capstone experience of your undergraduate studies. In CIM330, you will build on the project plan and pre-production work that you have completed in CIM312. You will now complete the production and delivery of your final creative work. This will include the execution of the marketing and distribution plan developed in CIM312. Broadly speaking, this unit is about production and exhibition. You will apply all of the production processes and procedures you have learned over the course of your degree and record these in your Documented Professional Practice as a means of demonstrating your progress and contribution within your team. In this unit, your final project will now move into its production phase. Over the coming weeks, you will work collaboratively to deliver your creative work. You will apply the processes and standards you have learned throughout your learning at SAE. You will keep a record of this production process via Documented Professional Practice and deliver the production documentation appropriate to your project. Your CIM330 project supervisor will be a reference point for this documentation process. Your project supervisor will meet frequently with you and your team during the trimester and will work with you to control and guide the scope of your project. This process ensures that by the end of CIM330 Major Project Production you will have a portfolio piece that represents the sum total of your skills and experience, delivered on time and to specification.
• Credit points: 10 The transition from study to work is an important step for you as an emerging professional in the creative industries. Work Integrated Learning provides you with a professional experience opportunity that both complements and deepens the skills and knowledge you have gained from study. Placement requires a minimum of 80 hours at one or more host organisations.
• Credit points: 10 The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the core business structures, management frameworks and marketing strategies used by contemporary creative professionals. You will discover the key behaviours and practices of successful creative business people and the business principles they implement - strategies you can use in your own professional practice. This knowledge will assist you in effectively exploring your creative business niche, encouraging you to develop and operate as a sustainable professional within your chosen media field. Through an examination of marketing strategies and processes, you will be able to identify and target specific consumers and markets. You will then research and develop a product- or service-based business that meets the demand within these target markets. You will also develop fundamental marketing, promotional, communication, and financial skills essential to running a creative media business as well as exploring start-up methodologies and structures within the creative industries.