TCE Media Production 

TCE Media Production Level 3 or Level 2 (Foundation)

What will I learn?

Media Production is designed for students who wish to develop a working understanding of a selected genre of contemporary media production. Students will explore media through practical experiences, working independently as well as collaboratively in production teams. Through the acquisition of technical and analytical skills students develop critically analysis skills while learning to manage and appreciate the operational functions and social implications of their medium of specialisation.

The course offers academic, artistic and technically minded students the opportunity to experience powerful professional software used in today’s screen and marketing industries.

The level 3 course involves media theory studies that prepare you for a 2 hour exam. 

Media Production is offered with two possible specialisations – Print or Video.

& can be taken at Level 3 or Level 2

Production for screen: 

These courses will develop your skills to to produce content for the screen.  As a director, producer and your own marketing manager, you'll develop technical competencies using a range of digital equipment and software. As producer and often a collaborator, you'll also be in a position to work with and direct a: writer, camera operator, sound operator,  and editor. As long as these people are not working in the industry and are students this is acceptable.

You'll also develop project management skills producing a commercials, news story or  documentary, and a short film.

Camera equipment

You'll have access to a range of cameras: Canon C100, 5D mkIII and 80D, Sony Alpha 7s : as well as peripherals such as tripods, gimbals, lighting equipment.

Students use a range of software editing and compositing footage filmed on camera (Adobe Premiere Pro or After effects) 

Animation software / equipment

3D Software: Blender, Maya, ZBrush 

2D Software or traditional techniques:  Adobe After Effects,  Blender's Grease Pencil, traditional on paper, stop motion or using your preferred software

Audio software / equipment

There are Rode XLR microphones, ;apel microphones, and Zoom H4n units (digital recording devices). Editing audio you can choose from Ableton live 11,  Logic Pro X or arrange for the install of your preferred app.

Level 3 (150 hours) involves producing: 

Two Minor Productions at the start of the course that have less weighting

-An advertisement for screen 

-A news-story or Profile production for screen.

One Major Production that has more significant weighting of 4:30 minutes minimum for either a documentary, drama, or an animation.

Level 2  (100 hours): 

This course does not require the completion of exams at the end of the year and is a great way to prepare for the Level 3 course. There are 4 Units of production to complete.

A course (50 hours) - One hour per week. 

Students have the option to participate in teamwork and as observers are in a position to learn skills and effective strategies that are used in production.

Print Production Level 3 or Level 2

This course will have you create a folio of work that combines journalistic practice, editorial, Photographic and Graphic Design skills, and will demonstrate initiative, enterprise, planning and project management to prospective employers. It may also be used in interviews for Tertiary courses based on folio entry requirements.

You will gain confidence with interview techniques and gathering and editing. Marketing  and the ethics of journalism is an integral part of this course and prepare you for Communications and Marketing courses at a tertiary level.  Skills in graphics and contemporary digital content creation are also integral using the Adobe Creative Suite: Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Illustrator CC.

This is a hands-on course that takes students outside the classroom to Photograph their own content, interview individuals and gather stories from their community.

At the Pre-Tertiary level, Media Production Level 3, your folio is internally and externally assessed as you progress through the year. Your final folio is presented in hard copy comprising: 

- One major work in digital / print 12-page magazine format

-one minor  advertisement 

-one news story. 

Journalism and desktop publishing for the Focus newspaper counts as service hours: these articles and photographs can be used for your first minor work to be also externally assessed.

Students can also enrol in a 100 hour long course, Media Production –  Level 2 (Foundation) or an A course which involves 50 contact hours.

Why should I consider this course?

The media production courses provide an opportunity to gain real-world experience as a producer of media content, whilst developing production management and team building skills. 

What Skills does this course provide?

You will develop skills using industry standard software that will provide you with a competitive edge in a rapidly growing industry.

What Pathway Options does this course provide?

Following this through tertiary studies students may focus on disciplines such as: Production management, Directing, Animation and VFX Cinematography,  DOP (director of photography), Documentary making, Editor, Filmmaker,  Design, Motion graphics, Screenwriting, Sound, Television production,  Radio and Podcasting, Research and Development, Screen Music, Screen Studies. 

Further Industry experience and development of skills through tertiary study may lead into careers options such as: Journalism,  public relations and advertising, Corporate and public sector communications, internal communications, media relations and social media strategy, digital media production, digital marketing, website content production & management.

Above: Hot Potato Band - Ritual (Official Music Video) Produced by Lucid Cinema Director: The Friends' School Old Scholar Gabriel Morrison (@gmfilm) & Cinematographer: Nicholas Jansz (@nicholasjansz)