Why Film, Television and Media Studies?

Film, television and media (including music video, the Internet and other forms of interactive and digital media) play a central role in all aspects of contemporary society, from art, sport and politics to entertainment, education and marketing. An informed knowledge and critical understanding of these media will give you invaluable insights into the ways in which we communicate, represent and reflect on ourselves and our world. It is also highly relevant to a broad range of careers in today’s highly mobile and competitive job market. In Film, Television and Media Studies you can engage directly with these media, looking at questions of aesthetics, content, institutional organisation, audiences, social relevance, technology and production techniques. While the subject’s scope is resolutely international, there is a strong focus on the specific relevance of these media to Aoteoroa/New Zealand. You will also gain the traditional skills of a university education: how to read, write and research expertly, think independently and communicate fluently in ways that are particularly relevant to today’s world.

The University of Auckland was the first tertiary institution in Aotearoa/New Zealand to actively promote the study of film and television, and our department is the largest and most successful of its kind in the country. Our staff are not only excellent teachers but are also recognised as top researchers in their respective areas of expertise.

What can you study?

There are opportunities to explore film, television and media from both academic and practical perspectives: you can concentrate on historical, critical and theoretical approaches to the discipline or become involved in film-making, television production and script-writing. There has always been a a special emphasis on media production here in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the department has significant links with local film and television industries. While you can combine courses from the broad and diverse offerings in the undergraduate programme, the department has identified four specific pathways to guide you in relation to particular broad interests. These pathways include a selection of FTVMS courses and approved courses offered by other departments in the Faculty of Arts. The pathways are:

Film studies/film theory

This pathway introduces and develops key concepts, theories, histories and methodologies in film studies. It gives you the opportunity to study a wide range of national and international cinemas including Hollywood, Bollywood, European, Asian and New Zealand cinemas.

Media, new media and television studies

This pathway introduces and develops key concepts, theories, histories and methodologies in media studies, a broad field that includes television, print media, music video and new interactive media. You also
have the opportunity to examine the uses of media in relation to politics, identity, sport and other aspects of social life.

Television production and media writing

This pathway provides you with an introduction to various kinds of media production from television studio production, documentary and drama to script-writing and other kinds of media writing. NB: many of the courses in this pathway are limited entry.

Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Pacific

This pathway has a strong local dimension in bringing together a number of courses dealing with various critical, theoretical and historical aspects of film, television and other media in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Pacific.

Film, Television and Media Studies in your first year

All students are required to take two Stage One core courses, FTVMS 100 Media Studies and FTVMS 101 Film Studies. Together, these courses explore the range of concepts fundamental to the discipline, and serve as prerequisites for Stage II FTVMS courses.

Film, Television and Media Studies and your career

Our graduates are successfully pursuing careers in a broad range of fields, from film and television production and distribution to advertising, broadcasting, marketing, public relations, curating, archiving, editing, publishing, journalism, reviewing and other forms of media writing, public policy, funding and regulatory bodies, computer and web-based activities and teaching and lecturing. Media courses are also useful preparation for careers in business, politics or the cultural sector.