Bachelor of Film
LOOK THROUGH THE LENS TO SEE YOUR FUTURE IN FILMUnits x Costs ($AUD)
4 x $3,807
6 x $2,728
4 x $5,456
2 x $8,184
Indicative Annual Course Fees*
(based on 1.0 EFTSL)
$26,140 AUD Year 1
$21,824 AUD Year 2
$21,824 AUD Year 3
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
Indicative Total Course Fees*
(based on 3.0 EFTSL)
$69,788 AUD
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
* The Indicative Total Course Fee & Indicative Annual Course Fees reflects that students are charged fees on a per unit basis and the fee for a unit may increase.
For more information view the SAE Fee Schedule or visit the Fee & Payment page.
Units x Costs ($AUD)
4 x $4,439
6 x $3,178
4 x $6,356
2 x $9,534
Indicative Annual Course Fees*
(based on 1.0 EFTSL)
$30,468 AUD Year 1
$25,424 AUD Year 2
$25,424 AUD Year 3
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
Indicative Total Course Fees*
(based on 3.0 EFTSL)
$81,316 AUD
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
* The Indicative Total Course Fee & Indicative Annual Course Fees reflects that students are charged fees on a per unit basis and the fee for a unit may increase.
For more information view the SAE Fee Schedule or visit the Fee & Payment page.
Complete your course faster by studying units across 2 years (6 trimesters).
Complete your course faster by studying units across 2 years (6 trimesters).
Complete the study units across 2.5 years. (8 trimesters).
Whilst still classified as a full-time study load, you will complete course units over a 3 year period (9 trimesters).
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.
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BACHELOR OF FILM
SAE’s Bachelor of Film 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, 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 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.
Career Outcomes
What jobs will this course lead to?
- Video Editor
- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Colourist
- Director
- Screenwriter
- Production Designer
- Camera Assistant
What our students say about SAE
Why study a Bachelor of Film at SAE?
YOUR CAREER IN FILM BEGINS NOW
Tools & Software
Film Skills
YOUR CAREER IN FILM BEGINS NOW
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Film is broken up into three distinct stages, each designed to develop different skills.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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sound in the environment is crucial in our daily lives and in the production of nearly all media. When working with sound, we constantly desire to control our acoustic environment in the first instance to obtain uncontaminated recordings and, secondly, to clinically listen to and work with these recordings. The goal of this Unit is to guide you through and expose you to various disciplines of sound and sound recording that exist outside of the controlled environment of the studio—to lead through sonic encounters with the world around us. From Film sound and its associated location recordings, documentary recordings and acoustic ecology to recreating these environments through Foley recording, this Unit aims to expose you to practical and theoretical experience with location sound. Exploring recording devices, microphones and microphone techniques to multi-track digital audio workstations (DAWs)– this course expands through ideas and practices of location sound, exposing these components and exploring their connection to various media.
This unit will introduce you to the mindset and skillset of the creative entrepreneur, and transform your approach to problem-solving. You will analyse historical and contemporary models of leadership and best practice in entrepreneurship, and use tools for project design that include ideation, problem framing, and pitching. The skills in this unit will assist you in developing your creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation methods, allowing you to experiment with project design and content for creative media.
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 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.
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 and utilise LUTS to enhance the look of your footage. Lighting fixtures will be introduced, starting with standard three-point lighting set-ups, and then utilised in studio shooting scenarios including day/night interiors and also green screen sequences. Further focus will be placed on effective shot coverage and framing techniques in both drama and documentary settings.
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.
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.
In this studio you continue to consolidate and advance a broad range of filmmaking skills in the production of sophisticated and authentic screen works for multi-platform delivery. You will engage with advanced producing concepts such as financing, budgeting, marketing, and distribution, and broaden your understanding of a range of production environments, technologies, processes and protocols. Higher-level production management and budgeting skills are introduced, and you must demonstrate your ability to respond creatively and pragmatically to a production brief, engaging in sophisticated feedback processes and collaboration between your production team and clients.
This unit further advances real-world skills, there is an opportunity to introduce the notion of real audiences, real clients, and the development of a professional industry profile. You will be expected to bring high-level creative and technical skills to the production of a range of authentic client-driven productions with a focus on multi-platform content creation.
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 further deepens the skills and knowledge you have gained from study. Throughout your studies you have had to learn on the job (in projects), focus on building strong relationships with people, develop strong communication skills, and use a range of transferable skills. During your work placement you will put this knowledge and skill set into action in a real-world professional workplace. This is a valuable opportunity to gain experience in a professional setting and further develop your job-readiness. The Work Placement requires a minimum of 80 hours at one or more host organisations. Both the student and the host are required to complete an SAE Agreement that formalises the placement. Work placements can only commence after Stage 1 of your Bachelor course has been completed, and only upon successful completion of CIM151/ CIE152 and approval from the local Industry Liaison Coordinator (ILC). If approved by your ILC, you may undertake a work placement before official enrolment in CIU310/CIM310, and ‘bank’ the work placement hours.
The Work Placement Handbook outlines in detail the assessment tasks and obligations of students and hosts. Attendance in this unit also includes a minimum of nine hours of class time for the delivery of unit information and development of documentation. All elements must be successfully completed to the defined standard to receive a Pass.
This is the first unit in a two-part process of developing a collaborative project, designed to meet professional publication standards. In a group, you'll design and execute a full-scale creative project which will be designed to a specific target audience and market of your team's choosing.
Working closely with SAE Project Supervisors, your project will be guided through formal pre-production and production processes to deliver a creative media project. If you are undertaking a specialisation in your course, you will be required to align it with this capstone project as part of the approval process.
This unit is designed to support the pre-production process, long term success of the project and the fair and equitable contribution of group members. You'll present to the panel your forward plan for the project, which demonstrates rigourous pre-production processes to mitigate risk to ensure the project can be delivered on time and to specification.
Once you successfully complete this unit the emphasis of the capstone project development will move away from pre-production into full production mode.
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.
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.
FEE‑HELP* is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books. The total amount of FEE‑HELP a person can use is known as the ‘FEE‑HELP limit’.
Once a person begins using FEE‑HELP, the amount of FEE‑HELP they have left to use is known as their ‘FEE‑HELP balance’.
* Terms and conditions apply. For the latest updates regarding FEE-HELP please refer to sae.edu.au/fees
SAE has three intakes per year: February, June and September. Short courses and certificates courses may have different intake timings. View our academic calendar for trimester start dates or contact your campus for further information.
Equipment is available for on and off campus production work, with some changes to the hire and use of equipment, guided by health and hygiene protocols. We have made some slight adjustments to teaching and assessments to ensure that projects will not be impacted. For more information about hiring equipment and booking studios, please contact Student Services or the Tech Team at your campus.
CREDIT AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for 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.