Massey University

What you'll study

This honours programme combines advanced practical production with creative research and critical analysis. You will produce a substantial capstone screen project (short film, web series, documentary, interactive work or equivalent) supported by a written research component that situates the project within contemporary screen practice and theory.

• Advanced production practice — directing, producing, cinematography, sound, production design and post‑production workflows for narrative, documentary and experimental forms.
• Screenwriting and story development — long and short-form screenwriting, script editing and adaptation for different platforms.
• Editing and post-production — narrative cutting, colour grading, sound design and finishing for festival and broadcast delivery.
• Screen research methods — research design, ethics, reflective practice and translating practice into a written thesis or exegesis.
• Screen theory and industry contexts — contemporary screen culture, audience studies, distribution models and industry practices in the New Zealand and international screen sectors.
• Professional practice — pitching, producing for different budgets, festival strategy, funding applications and building a professional portfolio.

Teaching is delivered through workshops, studio-based production, seminars and one-to-one supervision. Assessment emphasises a portfolio approach: a major practical project together with a research exegesis and industry-facing documentation (showreel, pitch materials, funding applications).

Structure

The honours year is concentrated around a major supervised project and supporting coursework in research methods and advanced topics. Students typically work in small production teams and draw on university production facilities and technical supervision to complete their projects.

Entry requirements

Admission is for applicants who have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent in screen, media, film, communications, creative arts or a closely related discipline. Typical entry expectations include a strong academic record at undergraduate level and evidence of practice‑based ability.

• Submission of a portfolio or showreel demonstrating recent screen work or related creative practice.
• A project proposal or research outline describing the intended honours project.
• Referees or academic references supporting the applicant’s readiness for honours‑level study.
• Domestic and international applicants should check specific English language requirements and any additional criteria set by the programme.

Selection may be competitive and is based on academic achievement, the quality of the portfolio, and the feasibility and originality of the proposed project.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a professionally oriented portfolio and the research skills to articulate and defend their practice. Career paths commonly followed by alumni include:

• Director, producer or writer for film and television projects.
• Cinematographer, editor or sound designer in post‑production and production teams.
• Content creator for digital platforms, interactive media and branded storytelling.
• Festival programmer, distribution and exhibition roles, or positions within film agencies and funding bodies.
• Further academic study at postgraduate level (master’s or PhD) in screen practice or screen studies.

The practical focus of the programme and industry engagement activities support transition into freelance and employed roles across the creative industries.

Why study at Massey University

Massey offers a practice‑led learning environment with access to professional production facilities, post‑production suites and technical support, enabling students to realise complex screen projects. The university’s screen and creative media staff combine industry experience with research expertise, providing mentorship that bridges creative practice and scholarly inquiry.

• Strong industry connections in New Zealand’s screen sector, including opportunities to engage with festivals, funders and production companies.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across creative technologies, design and media studies for broader creative and technical literacy.
• Support services for developing a professional presence: career guidance, portfolio development and practical advice on funding and distribution.

Overall, the honours year at Massey is designed for practitioners who want to deepen their craft, articulate their creative research, and position themselves for professional practice or advanced study in the screen industries.