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Film

Diploma of Film

MAKE YOUR ESTABLISHING SHOT IN FILM
SAE Melbourne Audio and Film students
Available at
Adelaide, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
Fees
FEE-HELP available
Diploma of Film
Domestic Fees

Units x Costs ($AUD)
4 x $2,999
4 x $3,236

Indicative Annual Course Fee*
(based on 1.0 EFTSL)
$24,940 AUD
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

* The Indicative Annual Course Fee 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 Fees & Payment page.

FEE-HELP Available
Diploma of Film
International Fees

Units x Costs ($AUD)
4 x $3,495
4 x $3,773

Indicative Annual Course Fee*
(based on 1.0 EFTSL)
$29,072 AUD
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)

* The Indicative Annual Course Fee 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 Fees & Payment page.

Duration(s)
2 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)

Complete your course faster by studying the course units over approximately 7 months (2 trimesters).

Diploma of Film
Course Durations
2 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)

Complete your course faster by studying the course units over approximately 7 months (2 trimesters).

3 Trimesters Full Time

Whilst still classified as a full-time study load, you will complete the course units over one year (3 trimesters).

Part-time option available

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)
February 2025
Diploma of Film
Start Dates
Adelaide
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Brisbane
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Byron Bay
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Melbourne
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Perth
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Sydney
  • February 2025

  • May 2025

  • September 2025

Entry Requirements
Diploma of Film
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (QCE, WACE, HSC, SACE, etc.), like your Year 12 certificate or equivalent; OR
Completion of a Certificate III-level qualification, or higher, issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
Experience-based entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria above.
More info
Diploma of Film
International Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements
Minimum age requirements
International students seeking admission to SAE must be 18 years of age OR must be turning 18 during their first trimester of studies at SAE.
Academic requirements
Successful completion of secondary school studies (assessed as an equivalent of Australian Year 12 secondary studies). Minimum overall pass is required.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): An overall score of 6.0 or higher, OR
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 63 overall (internet-based test); OR
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 36 or higher, OR
Completion of Year 12 English in an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of “Satisfactory” or equivalent.
More info
Successful completion of an Academic English program with an SAE-approved Australian-based English partner. Please refer to our SAE International Study Pathways for more information.
More info

Your creative career starts with SAE

Apply Now

DIPLOMA OF FILM

Be cast directly into a world-class creative environment with SAE’S hands-on Diploma of Film. Guided by expert lecturers you will gain an in-depth introduction to film, from scriptwriting and film production, right through to digital post-production.

You will engage in collaborative studio-based learning where you will have access to all the latest equipment and software including DaVinci Resolve colour grading software and Adobe Creative Cloud. Your growth and development will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects, not theoretical-based essays.

You’ll feel like you are already working, with the amount of hands-on experience you’ll gain operating film production equipment for a variety of screen contexts, including cameras, lighting, and sound.

You’ll also learn about digital post-production including audio mixing, tilting colour grading and the authoring processes.

Upon completion, you will be eligible for up to 80 credit points towards the Bachelor of Film.

SAE Film students look through camera

Career Outcomes

What jobs will this course lead to?

  • Entry-Level Videographer
  • Entry-Level Film Crew
  • Camera Assistant
  • Production Assistant
  • Entry-Level Editor
  • Independent Filmmaker
Students Filming in Green Screen Wonder Room. SAE Sydney
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.
Flexible course options Completing one of the three stages of the Bachelor of Film, this course provides an excellent pathway into the degree.
Become job-ready To complement your technical skills, you will develop communication, introductory project management, teamwork and collaboration skills.

YOUR CAREER IN FILM BEGINS NOW

Film Skills

Screen studies fundamentals Principles of storytelling Screenwriting software Operation of film equipment Basic post-production technical processes Exposure to post-production & screen design software

Tools & Software

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Course Structure

The Diploma of Film is stage 1 of the 3 stages of a Bachelor.
Yellow. Infographic explaining Trimesters 1-6 for the Diploma, Associate Degree and Bachelor Film courses at SAE.
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

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

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

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.
Credit points: 10

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.
Credit points: 10

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.
Credit points: 10

You will be introduced to the craft of filmmaking through participation in practical film shoots. Introductory learning of camera exposure, lighting and sound equipment, will be supported by a study of the fundamentals of frame composition and cinematography. The key roles and responsibilities of a working film crew, production processes and protocols are covered, including workplace health and safety. Familiarity with the using film production equipment and its safe assembly is as important in this subject as the technical and creative elements of visual storytelling.
Credit points: 10

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.
Credit points: 10

This unit explores the concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation and project design. You will develop approaches to identify promising opportunities and actionable strategies to transform them into tangible successes. Through exposure to developing new ideas, processes and ways of working - both individually and in entrepreneurial teams - you will hone skills to put creative ideas into practice and achieve real-world impact.

As Alan Kay explained, "The best way to predict the future is to create it", so let's get at it!
CRICOS Course Codes
102829F (2 TRIMESTERS) 094746B (3 TRIMESTERS)
Australian Qualifications Framework
AQF LEVEL: 5 FULLY ACCREDITED BY TEQSA
OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS. OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS.
We consult closely with industry professionals so you can expect a course that’s highly relevant and equips you with sought-after skills.

HELP & SUPPORT

Here are some frequently asked questions.

Read more FAQs

We carefully design and deliver all our units to help you develop the knowledge you need to be successful in your chosen field of study. Courses and course units at SAE follow best practice teaching and learning.

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, May 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.

Course structure line graph

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 Diploma of Film you will be awarded the maximum credit points available, providing you with the opportunity to seamlessly transition into the higher-level Associate and Bachelor degree qualifications if you choose to do so.

Film camera

YOUR DREAM CAREER BEGINS NOW

With our industry connections, specialised teachers and personalised education in world-class facilities, you can unleash your creative future with confidence.
Apply now