Associate Degree of Film
A DEGREE THAT COVERS EVERYTHING FROM CONCEPT TO THE FINAL CUT
Available at
Brisbane,
Byron Bay,
Melbourne,
Perth,
Sydney
Duration(s)
4 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying the 11 units over 15 months. (4 trimesters)
Associate Degree of Film
Course Durations
4 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying the 11 units over 15 months. (4 trimesters)
6 Trimesters Full Time
Whilst still classified as a full time study load, you will complete the 11 units over two years. (6 trimesters)
Part-time
If you want to take a little longer, that’s ok too. We’ll help you work out the best study load to suit your needs.
Note: Part-time is not available for international students.
We understand that things can change, so you'll have the flexibility to change your study load throughout your course if you need to.
Start Date(s)
2022 - Brisbane - Trimester 2
Associate Degree of Film
Start Dates
Brisbane
May 2022
September 2022
February 2022
Byron Bay
February 2022
May 2022
September 2022
Melbourne
February 2022
May 2022
September 2022
Perth
February 2022
May 2022
September 2022
Sydney
February 2022
May 2022
September 2022
Entry Requirements
Associate Degree of Film
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (your Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; OR
Completion of an Australian Diploma level qualification (for example a TAFE Diploma) or higher; OR
Associate Degree of Film
International Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements
Minimum age requirements
International students seeking admission to SAE must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
Academic requirements
Successful completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12) or an equivalent overseas qualification. Minimum overall pass is required.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A band score of 6 or higher for an Associate Degree/Bachelor course and 5.5 or higher for a Diploma course (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 73 or higher for an Associate Degree/Bachelor course or 63 (internet-based test) for a Diploma course, OR
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 46 (or higher) for an Associate Degree/Bachelor, and an Academic score of 36 (or higher) for a vocational education course, OR
YOUR CAREER IN FILM BEGINS NOW
Learn in a collaborative environment with state-of-the-art equipment and studios, under the expert guidance of our industry-leading staff.
Learn the art of filmmaking using industry-relevant software.
SAE has a range of approaches to learning and teaching that can be activated to provide flexibility in the face of changing circumstances as required.
Learn in world class studio environments
4K Red, Sony and Canon cameras, DaVinci Resolve colour grading software, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Practical, immersive training
All work is project-based, with no exams. Graduate with a portfolio to share with an employer or first client.
Cross discipline collaboration
Work across audio, gaming and animation projects at SAE.
Flexible course options
Completing two of the three stages of the Bachelor of Film, this course provides an excellent pathway into the Bachelor.
Film Skills
High-level cinematography
Directing
Production
Post production
Lighting
Sound
Visual effects skills
Tools & Software
Course Structure
The Associate Degree of Film is broken up into two distinct stages, both designed to develop different skills.
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop the essential technical film skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.
Credit Points: 10
In CIM210 you will be working on interdisciplinary projects that relate to some of the most important concepts in contemporary media production. You will learn practical and analytical skills in order to help you develop your creative powers and meet briefs that take you out of your comfort zone. You will need to bring all of the skills you have learned so far: technical skills, research skills, communication skills and a growth mindset, and be prepared to encounter new concepts and new ways of working.
In CIM210 you will be working on interdisciplinary projects that relate to some of the most important concepts in contemporary media production. You will learn practical and analytical skills in order to help you develop your creative powers and meet briefs that take you out of your comfort zone. You will need to bring all of the skills you have learned so far: technical skills, research skills, communication skills and a growth mindset, and be prepared to encounter new concepts and new ways of working.
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.
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
In this unit, you will be introduced to the principles of storytelling for the screen in the production of a short dramatic screenplay. Theoretical approaches to plot, structure, character, theme and genre will be explored, and applied to a range of screenplay development tools such as synopsis, treatment and character breakdowns. Through the analysis of a diverse range of mostly short films and the application of theoretical knowledge, you will develop the skills to create engaging character arcs and a satisfying story structure.
You will learn the techniques required to write effective dialogue and scene descriptions. As you draft your final screenplay, you will need to engage with industry-standard formatting and software programs. Feedback processes are essential in the development of engaging stories, and you are expected to engage with feedback from your lecturer and colleagues throughout the trimester.
In this unit, you will be introduced to the principles of storytelling for the screen in the production of a short dramatic screenplay. Theoretical approaches to plot, structure, character, theme and genre will be explored, and applied to a range of screenplay development tools such as synopsis, treatment and character breakdowns. Through the analysis of a diverse range of mostly short films and the application of theoretical knowledge, you will develop the skills to create engaging character arcs and a satisfying story structure.
You will learn the techniques required to write effective dialogue and scene descriptions. As you draft your final screenplay, you will need to engage with industry-standard formatting and software programs. Feedback processes are essential in the development of engaging stories, and you are expected to engage with feedback from your lecturer and colleagues throughout the trimester.
Credit Points: 10
In this unit, you will be introduced to the craft of filmmaking through participation in practical film shoots. An introduction to camera, lighting and sound equipment will be supported by a study of the fundamentals of frame composition and cinematography. Key roles and responsibilities of a working film crew as well as production processes and protocols are covered, including workplace health and safety. Familiarity with the equipment and its safe assembly and use is as important in this subject as the technical and creative elements.
In this unit, you will be introduced to the craft of filmmaking through participation in practical film shoots. An introduction to camera, lighting and sound equipment will be supported by a study of the fundamentals of frame composition and cinematography. Key roles and responsibilities of a working film crew as well as production processes and protocols are covered, including workplace health and safety. Familiarity with the equipment and its safe assembly and use is as important in this subject as the technical and creative elements.
Credit Points: 10
This unit aims to develop your understanding of the creative media industries by studying the evolution of the industries over time. Change, evolution and disruption within creative media industries occur regularly and change the way the industries operate by displacing an existing market, industry, technology, person or process and creating something new which is more valuable. Change, evolution and disruption are inevitable and both creative and destructive processes.
In order to develop a career within the creative media industries, you will need to prepare for this disruption and evolve your employability skills over time. The key to maintaining this career is developing hard and soft skills, refining current skills sets and anticipating future changes in required skill sets. You will need to understand how the audience informs and influences the production and distribution of creative media products and how this in turn affects the skills required to succeed within the creative media industries.
You will study these topics alongside your colleagues in other disciplines, to develop an understanding of the intersections between various creative media industries.
This unit aims to develop your understanding of the creative media industries by studying the evolution of the industries over time. Change, evolution and disruption within creative media industries occur regularly and change the way the industries operate by displacing an existing market, industry, technology, person or process and creating something new which is more valuable. Change, evolution and disruption are inevitable and both creative and destructive processes.
In order to develop a career within the creative media industries, you will need to prepare for this disruption and evolve your employability skills over time. The key to maintaining this career is developing hard and soft skills, refining current skills sets and anticipating future changes in required skill sets. You will need to understand how the audience informs and influences the production and distribution of creative media products and how this in turn affects the skills required to succeed within the creative media industries.
You will study these topics alongside your colleagues in other disciplines, to develop an understanding of the intersections between various creative media industries.
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.
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 aims to instil a working knowledge of the structures, aesthetics and technologies involved in digital post-production visuals and title design. There is a particular emphasis on compositing and manipulating the visual content within the frame, and the implementation of titles to footage. Influential cinematic, art and graphic styles, movements and techniques are analysed to give you a foundation in post-production visual aesthetics. The unit also deals with workflow, project management and interpersonal skills needed to export footage for a variety of delivery mediums and collaborating with creative clients.
This unit aims to instil a working knowledge of the structures, aesthetics and technologies involved in digital post-production visuals and title design. There is a particular emphasis on compositing and manipulating the visual content within the frame, and the implementation of titles to footage. Influential cinematic, art and graphic styles, movements and techniques are analysed to give you a foundation in post-production visual aesthetics. The unit also deals with workflow, project management and interpersonal skills needed to export footage for a variety of delivery mediums and collaborating with creative clients.
Credit Points: 20
This unit will give you the opportunity to develop a project from early ideation through to an industry-standard screen production. The purpose of this unit is to introduce you to procedures and protocols of screen production as well as further developing your skills in cinematography, lighting and sound. You will also be introduced to the pathway a screen production takes through the post-production stage to final delivery. A key outcome of this unit will be a screen production initiated and developed over the course of the unit.
This unit will give you the opportunity to develop a project from early ideation through to an industry-standard screen production. The purpose of this unit is to introduce you to procedures and protocols of screen production as well as further developing your skills in cinematography, lighting and sound. You will also be introduced to the pathway a screen production takes through the post-production stage to final delivery. A key outcome of this unit will be a screen production initiated and developed over the course of the unit.
Stage 2: Refine & Expand
Broaden your scope to work on complex multidisciplinary projects in accordance with industry standard practices.
Credit Points: 10
Media and culture are not simply entertainment, but something that affects the “real world”, our everyday lives, and our worldviews. As such, we will not ask whether media accurately reflect the real world but instead ask how media shape, reinforce, and challenge power structures that influence our understanding of the world and ourselves. This unit takes a ‘critical theory’ approach to analyze media and culture. In this unit, you will explore media texts, contexts and meaning, society and subjectivity, pop culture aesthetics, and critical cultural discourses that inform creative media practices.
Drawing on a range of creative content and analytical frameworks, you will be encouraged to develop ways of thinking about media and culture that demonstrate a broad awareness of aesthetic principles and stylistic trends; subjectivity, agency, ethics, and relations of power; contexts, disciplines and discursive formations. In support of this exploration, you will produce a range of media artifacts that explore and contextualize the relationship of media to culture through individual analysis, collaborative and interdisciplinary creative practice, and critical reflection.
Media and culture are not simply entertainment, but something that affects the “real world”, our everyday lives, and our worldviews. As such, we will not ask whether media accurately reflect the real world but instead ask how media shape, reinforce, and challenge power structures that influence our understanding of the world and ourselves. This unit takes a ‘critical theory’ approach to analyze media and culture. In this unit, you will explore media texts, contexts and meaning, society and subjectivity, pop culture aesthetics, and critical cultural discourses that inform creative media practices.
Drawing on a range of creative content and analytical frameworks, you will be encouraged to develop ways of thinking about media and culture that demonstrate a broad awareness of aesthetic principles and stylistic trends; subjectivity, agency, ethics, and relations of power; contexts, disciplines and discursive formations. In support of this exploration, you will produce a range of media artifacts that explore and contextualize the relationship of media to culture through individual analysis, collaborative and interdisciplinary creative practice, and critical reflection.
Credit Points: 30
Film Studio 2 acts as an introduction to a "real-world" environment that will allow you to experience the industry-standard production process in an accelerated capacity. This 30 credit point module will allow you to dedicate more time and energy to understanding and developing an individual and collaborative process. Your focus will be directed toward creating a fictionalised, scripted product that may comprise: short films, television commercials, web series, etc., whilst working in a collaborative and inclusive film crew.
In this unit, you will be assigned to a project team, which is led by a facilitator. In collaboration with your peers, you will work towards developing a number of projects within a simulated studio environment. During this process, your facilitator will act as your project manager, producer, mentor and colleague.
Film Studio 2 acts as an introduction to a "real-world" environment that will allow you to experience the industry-standard production process in an accelerated capacity. This 30 credit point module will allow you to dedicate more time and energy to understanding and developing an individual and collaborative process. Your focus will be directed toward creating a fictionalised, scripted product that may comprise: short films, television commercials, web series, etc., whilst working in a collaborative and inclusive film crew.
In this unit, you will be assigned to a project team, which is led by a facilitator. In collaboration with your peers, you will work towards developing a number of projects within a simulated studio environment. During this process, your facilitator will act as your project manager, producer, mentor and colleague.
Film Studio 2 acts as an introduction to a "real-world" environment that will allow you to experience the industry-standard production process in an accelerated capacity. This 30 credit point module will allow you to dedicate more time and energy to understanding and developing an individual and collaborative process. Your focus will be directed toward creating a fictionalised, scripted product that may comprise: short films, television commercials, web series, etc., whilst working in a collaborative and inclusive film crew in a post-production capacity.
In this unit, you will be assigned to a project team that is led by a facilitator. In collaboration with your peers you will work towards developing a number of projects within a simulated studio environment, in a post-production context. During this process your facilitator will act as your project manager, producer, mentor and colleague.
In this unit, you will be assigned to a project team that is led by a facilitator. In collaboration with your peers you will work towards developing a number of projects within a simulated studio environment, in a post-production context. During this process your facilitator will act as your project manager, producer, mentor and colleague.
Credit Points: 30
FLM213 introduces you to the world of documentary filmmaking. This unit has the same delivery structure as Film Studio 2, but the focus shifts from narrative fiction to documentary. You will need to draw on all the storytelling and technical skills you have learned to date, while being introduced to new concepts and practices that are applicable to the documentary genre. During the delivery of this unit, your facilitator will oversee a number of theory sessions and practical workshops that will increase your knowledge and practical skill base. Then, solo or in collaboration with your peers, you will develop and deliver a documentary project.
FLM213 introduces you to the world of documentary filmmaking. This unit has the same delivery structure as Film Studio 2, but the focus shifts from narrative fiction to documentary. You will need to draw on all the storytelling and technical skills you have learned to date, while being introduced to new concepts and practices that are applicable to the documentary genre. During the delivery of this unit, your facilitator will oversee a number of theory sessions and practical workshops that will increase your knowledge and practical skill base. Then, solo or in collaboration with your peers, you will develop and deliver a documentary project.
FLP213 introduces you to the world of documentary editing. This unit has the same delivery structure as Film Studio 2, but the focus shifts from narrative fiction to documentary. You will need to draw on all the storytelling and technical skills you have learned to date while being introduced to new concepts and practices that are applicable to the documentary genre in a post-production context: wrangling documentary and archival data, paper edits, finding the story in post, and colour grading. During the delivery of this unit, your facilitator will oversee a number of theory sessions and practical workshops that will increase your knowledge and practical skill base in your post-production role. In this unit, you will be attached to a major documentary project as an editor.
CRICOS Course Codes
103290F (4 TRIMESTERS)
080181E (6 TRIMESTERS)
Australian Qualifications Framework
AQF LEVEL: 6
FULLY ACCREDITED BY TEQSA
We consult closely with industry professionals so you can expect a course that’s highly relevant and equips you with sought-after skills.
Career Outcomes
What jobs will this course lead to?
- Director
- Assistant Editor
- Broadcast Designer
- Production Designer
- Production Assistant
- Producer
- Camera Assistant
- Screenwriter
- Visual Effects Artist
- Creative/Content Producer
Easy transition into the Bachelor of Film
SAE Diploma, Associate and Bachelor Degrees are structured in an integrated course framework.
This means that when you complete an SAE Associate Degree of Film you will be awarded the maximum credit points available, providing you with the opportunity to seamlessly transition into the higher level Bachelor degree qualification if you choose to do so.
Student Spotlight
Course FAQs
This can vary depending on the campus and course. You may, for example, have a larger lecture group for common units, and a smaller tutorial group of 8-15 students. In most cases tutorial sizes average 15 – 30 students.
All SAE courses have a focus on practical, hands-on delivery. The amount of practical time you experience during your studies does vary, depending on your course. You will also have opportunities to access campus resources and facilities outside of class time, during campus opening hours.
You can apply for SAE courses quickly and easily online. Go to our Apply now page for further information.
CREDIT AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a VET or a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program. For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a VET or a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program. For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.
