Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
What can I do with a degree in Theatre and Film Studies? Theatre and Film Studies. Planning your career Choosing a career involves more than just finding out what is open to you. Knowledge about yourself is central to the process. It’s worth looking at your personal goals, abilities, values, interests, and skills to relate study and career options to you. The suggestions here are only an aid to this decision-making process. Most employers look for generic skills such as leadership, communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer-focus and the ability to work in and contribute to a team. Some of these are developed during your degree, while others have been developed through extra-curricular activity such as sports, community, or cultural groups. As more and more employers are developing jobs that are particular to their own environment, it is more difficult to provide a ARTS definitive list of possible career options. The ones that follow are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Some career opportunities may require graduate or postgraduate study or additional work experience. Some career paths and degrees have recommended pathways from school. To download the ‘Best Preparation for University’ information sheet go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/liaison/best_prep.shtml What is Theatre and Film Studies? Theatre and Film Studies (TAFS) students are encouraged to work both as artists and as scholars at all levels: to read, think and write, but also to create, to act and direct, and to shoot and edit films. Our approach to the study of theatre and film is interactive and interdisciplinary, incorporating literary, historical, aesthetic, philosophical, psychoanalytic and socio-political discourses through the experiences of doing and watching as well as through intellectual inquiry. Ideally, students study both theatre and film as these disciplines have in common various theories of genre, representation and performance, as well as the practices of acting and directing, however students may also choose to focus on either theatre or film to fulfil their majors. All Theatre and Film Studies courses integrate theory and practice, with creative work serving as grounds for scholarly writing and all research having the potential to provoke artistic experimentation. ‘Theatre and Film Studies students are encouraged to work both as artists and as scholars at all levels: to read, think and write, but also to create, to act and direct, and to shoot and edit films.’ What skills have our graduates gained? Through their Theatre and Film Studies degree, graduates develop a valuable set of skills that are transferrable to a range of careers, including: • Understanding all aspects of theatre and film • Performance, theatre and film making skills • Thinking critically and challenging ideas • Creativity and innovation • Interpretive and analytical thinking • Logical and quantitative thinking • Problem solving skills adaptable to differing contexts and diverse challenges • Oral and written communication. Opportunities to apply your learning outside the classroom through work and other experiences also exist and can deepen your skills set and employability. Work and other experiences can also support and inform learning and skill development in the classroom. ARTS Where have our graduates been employed? Theatre and Film Studies graduates can be found throughout New Zealand and overseas, working in theatre and film production companies, in schools and at universities, for community organisations and festivals, in government and in libraries, for tourist attractions and museums, for the newspapers and in radio. Many graduates build remarkable lives for themselves in a wide range of professions related to the performing arts, on stage and in films and television. This includes working as a producer, writer, curator, journalist, publicist, editor, designer, events manager, teacher, or as university lecturer. For more examples of employers who recruit UC students and graduates go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers For more information about UC student and graduate opportunities, go to UC CareerHub: www.careerhub.canterbury.ac.nz What jobs and activities do our graduates do? Critic Graduates with this degree are employed in a range of jobs including production designer, agent and storyboard artist. • Maintains production knowledge to provide informed opinions Some of the jobs listed may require further study at postgraduate level. Postgraduate study can contribute to your employability. It enables you to extend your knowledge and skills, indicates your motivation and ability to persevere at a high level academically and can make you more competitive in the job market. Postgraduate study may be a prerequisite for certain jobs. Scriptwriter • Analyses productions for both their positive and negative aspects • Writes concise and interesting reviews for publication Producer • Raises and manages funding and budgets • Employs key staff, such as the camera crew • Organises the filming schedule Editorial assistant • Proofreads material prior to publication • Develops realistic characters • Assists in the addition of graphic elements to written materials • Creates storylines that appeal to a set audience • Meets with writers to discuss required changes • Markets the storyline or script to producers Entrepreneurship and innovation are increasingly becoming an important part of the world of work and should be considered as a career option. For more information about UC student innovation & entrepreneurship, related internships, scholarships, courses and activities go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers Exhibition coordinator • Creates marketing plans for theatre and film exhibitions • Assists in theatre and film education initiatives • Searches for productions and films to exhibit Art director • Designs and creates production sets • Assists with special effects • Ensures sets are ready in time and on budget Actor • Auditions for roles for stage or screen performances • Gains an in-depth understanding of their character • Performs the characters role and lines for an audience or in front of a camera Drama teacher • Develops students’ acting skills • Observes and evaluates performance in order to provide feedback • Assists in the organisation of performances and productions Stage manager • Manages production rehearsals • Organises sets, props and costumes • Supervises both backstage and on stage ARTS For further information on job titles, please see the latest UC Graduate Destinations Survey (www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers) For additional graduate destination information go to www.graduatecareers.com.au or www.prospects.ac.uk What professional bodies and organisations do our students and graduates link to? As they progress in their studies and into a career, our students and graduates often join professional bodies specific to their area of interest. These organisations offer graduates the opportunity to network and collaborate with others within the same community. Other relevant organisations are also listed. • Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (www.spada.co.nz) • New Zealand Writers Guild (www.nzwg.org.nz) • Canterbury Film Society (www.canterburyfilmsociety.org.nz) • New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild Inc. (www.nztecho.com) • Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand (www.sdgnz.co.nz) Social media networks, such as LinkedIn (including LinkedIn groups), Facebook and Twitter can provide avenues for students and graduates to keep up-to-date with current industry knowledge and ‘best practice’, networking opportunities, industry-related events and job vacancies. What further study can I do after my degree? It is possible to study at postgraduate and graduate level in subjects both directly and indirectly related to your degree. For a list of postgraduate and graduate study options, go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/courses Theatre and Film Studies graduates may continue on to the one-year Bachelor of Arts with Honours programme. Students who have completed an honours degree may proceed to the masters or doctoral programmes (PhD), both of which involve thesis work. The Theatre and Film Studies postgraduate programme is the logical culmination of the undergraduate courses and provides a valuable opportunity for students in Theatre and Film Studies to extend and intensify their explorations of theory and practice. All postgraduate-level courses make it possible for students to choose to combine theatre and film studies, or to specialise in one or the other, and reflect the continuing commitment of the programme to the integration of scholarly inquiry with experimental practice. Postgraduate study can also lead to an academic career pathway in teaching and research. Carefully consider your motivation for study, how it fits in with your long-term career plans and whether it is likely to enhance your employment prospects. Joseph Faletanoai Theatre and Film Studies allowed him to work with people who possess the same creative vision and passion in bringing stories and characters to life. Joe believes that studying at the University of Canterbury is an invaluable experience. He says that UC has a good student community and is an excellent place for Pacific students because of the Pacific Development Team, who helped him tremendously. When asked about what students should do to prepare themselves for both studying at the University of Canterbury and in particular studying Theatre and Film Studies, Joe says to just give it a go. Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies Television actor and writer Joe is of Samoan descent, was raised in Christchurch and attended Shirley Boys’ High School before enrolling at the University of Canterbury to study Theatre and Film Studies. ‘I have never enjoyed capital ‘B’ boring degrees like Law, Commerce, and Science. I have full respect for the people who do that kind of stuff, however I have always enjoyed stories and entertainment and what better way to express your stories than through the medium of film and television, theatre and music.’ Joe says he enjoyed Theatre and Film Studies as it requires a creative mind and a wild imagination. It involves analysing performances of actors, cinematic techniques, script writing and filming, so there is never a dull moment. Much like his Samoan ancestors, Joe thrives when creating and telling stories. Studying ‘Watch heaps and heaps of movies and listen to Michael Jackson’s Stranger in Moscow. The best suggestion, however, would be to get a camera and a group of friends and re-enact scenes from your favourite movies, then add your own trademark to it. You don’t necessarily have to create your own scripts and shoot them, it’s so much easier just to take an existing story and adapt it on film the way you visualise it in your head.’ Having completed his degree, Joe now works part-time in UC’s Pacific Development Team while putting the skills he learned from Theatre and Film Studies into practice as a television script writer and actor. It’s a combination of jobs that works well for him. ‘I love my field of work as I write scripts and see them come to life on screen within a week. I enjoy the buzz of acting in something I created – looking around and seeing the production crew, make-up artists, main cast, directors and extras working on something I envisioned is a humbling experience.’ ‘I love my field of work as I write scripts and see them come to life on screen within a week. I enjoy the buzz of acting in something I created – looking around and seeing the production crew, make-up artists, main cast, directors and extras working on something I envisioned is a humbling experience.’ ‘I really love what I do and I want to encourage anyone interested in a career in film to back yourself.’ ‘I’ve been writing and starring alongside Lawrence Lamsam [a former classmate] in our first TV series as part of the Erin Simpson show. The series is based on two Samoan boys and girls as they go about their high school lives,’ he says. More information College of Arts Careers, Internships & Employment Student Liaison Telephone: +64 3 364 2176 Email: [email protected] www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz Telephone: +64 3 364 3310 Email: [email protected] www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers University of Canterbury, Christchurch Telephone: +64 3 364 2993 Email: [email protected] www.canterbury.ac.nz/liaison Careers, Internships & Employment offers intending and current students and recent graduates a wide range of services, including individual career guidance, seminars, career resources, and student and graduate employment opportunities. www.careerhub.canterbury.ac.nz ARTS Student Liaison provides intending students with information about the university system in general and the courses, qualifications, support and facilities at the University of Canterbury. version 2