School Of Media Arts Given Screenmark Endorsement

April 23 2007

WINTEC School Of Media Arts Awarded Screenmark Endorsement

After an extensive, year-long accreditation process, the Wintec Bachelor of Media Arts, Moving Image, has been awarded the ScreenMark quality assurance endorsement from the screen industry. The inaugural Screenmark awards have been given only to those qualifications which are deemed of the highest standard and which prepare graduates for work within the screen industry. The accreditation is for high quality, relevant, successful, practical tertiary level courses in the screen industry

Just seven courses were awarded the endorsement. In its report, the Screen Council praised Wintec BMA Moving Image for the quality of facilities, dedication of staff, and overall excellence in training.

Employers surveyed stated that the graduates are work ready and able to learn quickly on the job. One employer named the Media Arts as their trainer of choice. They also complimented Media Arts on the strategies employed to overcome the regional location such as providing students with guest lecturers, field trips, etc.

Advertising for BMA Moving Image will carry the ScreenMark logo, and the New Zealand Screen Council will publish lists of ScreenMark accredited qualifications in industry and educational publications.

Other recipients are South Seas Film and Television School, Postgraduate Diploma in Natural History Filmmaking and Communication (University of Otago) Bachelor of Communication Studies (Television) (Auckland University of Technology (AUT)), MA in Film, Television and Media Studies specialising in Screen Production (University of Auckland), Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications (Digital Film and Television Production) (CPIT (New Zealand Broadcasting School)) Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Screen Arts) (Unitec New Zealand)

“ScreenMark has been in development for over two years”, said Tim Thorpe, Executive Director, NZ Screen Council. “It arose initially out of concerns about the number of graduates entering the industry without the requisite skillsets. However, it is also recognition of the high quality of training that is taking place in some institutions.”

The ScreenMark process is rigorous. It involves training institutions submitting an application form and questionnaire and hosting an inspection by an audit team; industry feedback on graduate performance and graduate feedback on the course.

“Students contemplating a career in film and television should look for the ScreenMark logo as ScreenMark courses have the highest success rates in terms of employment”, said Mr Thorpe. “Employers in the sector should do the same as these courses are more aligned with industry needs.”

“We believe that ScreenMark is fully aligned with recent changes in tertiary education with its focus on an industry perspective and outcomes’, added Mr Thorpe. “The level of interest from within training providers in the sector has been strong, with about half the applications receiving ScreenMark”.

The New Zealand Screen Council is the film and television production industry organisation tasked with facilitating economic growth in the New Zealand screen production sector. www.nzscreencouncil.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media