FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ'S
Following are the frequently asked questions for students, producers and teachers.
FAQ's for STUDENTS
The Screen Skills Training Programme has been developed by Industry Experts and Educational specialists to fast-track talented, hardworking, innovative participants through a short course that targets key roles in screen production, providing a gateway to building a successful career in film and tv production.
There are two components: Classroom Learning and Workplace Learning.
On successful completion of the course, participants will be awarded a New Zealand Certificate in Screen Skills.
Classroom Learning is the first component of the Certificate in Screen Skills ranging from levels 3 to 6. Participants will be assessed by Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu for both in class learning and workplace learning outcomes. The production will employ successful participants for work placement. Other participants will have the opportunity to complete the work place learning on future productions as they are identified throughout New Zealand.
It is compulsory for Level 3 & 4 to complete the ‘Introduction to Screen Industry’ microcredential, which is an online course that you can do from home.
Level 3 & 4 will have an 11-day classroom course.
Level 5 will have a 15-day classroom course.
Level 6 will have a 17-day classroom course.
Please note; all participants will need to attend the classroom courses in-person.
Workplace Learning is the second component of the New Zealand Certificate in Screen Skills.
The selected participants for the Workplace Learning will gain hands-on, real-world training and experience on a film or television production , during prep, shoot and wrap. The programme will immerse participants in the fast-paced environment of a live set.
There are limited spaces available for the Workplace Learning component.
The Workplace Learning participants will be selected by the Course Tutors from the Classroom Learning participants. If you are not selected to do the Workplace Learning, you can apply for other productions in your region.
This is determined by where the production will be filmed. The KTA Team will be working with NZ producers to identify productions in your region and work with you throughout this process.
The course tutors are senior crew members from the New Zealand Screen Industry who have had years of experience on and off set. They are hand-picked by KAHURANGI TOI ATEA.
Apply:
Go to Register Your Interest and apply online. Applications will open in the near future
Interviews:
Successful applicants will be notified of their interview. Interviews will take place, via zoom. Successful applicants will be notified of their selection for the Classroom Learning.
Classroom Learning
On completion of the Classroom Learning, the Course Experts will select who will proceed onto the film or television production to complete their New Zealand Certificate in Screen Skills.
Workplace Learning
There are limited places available for trainees to work on a production as a crew member. If you are selected, you will be contracted by the production to work set days/weeks during prep, shoot and wrap. You will be paid for the work that you do on the production.
You pay the course fees before you begin each component of the course. If you are not selected for the Workplace Learning, you do not pay a fee until you go onto a production.
Level 3 Classroom Learning – $600
Level 3 Workplace Learning – $600
Level 4 Classroom Learning – $700
Level 4 Workplace Learning – $700
Level 5 Classroom Learning – $800
Level 5 Workplace Learning – $800
Level 6 Classroom Learning – $1,000
Level 6 Workplace Learning – $1,000
Participants who are selected to be part of the Workplace Learning will receive a weekly wage, as per the crew contract they will receive prior to the commencement of work.
The selected participants will be contracted by the production.
Internships will receive a stipend $500 per week.
Level 3 participants will receive $1,200 per week.
Level 4 participants will receive $1,300 per week.
Level 5 participants will receive $1,500 per week.
Level 6 participants will receive $1,200 per week when shadowing and $2,200 when flying solo.
Please note; Productions work a minimum of a 50 hour per week over 5 days, excluding lunch.
For those that wish to access Study link the programme is fully NZQA approved and TEC will enable you to apply for support.
As the courses have been designed by Screen Industry professionals, the Programme is specific to the roles that are needed on a production. Therefore, graduates from the Programme will be recognised as having specialised industry training, which makes their skills valuable, relevant and desirable to employers of screen projects.
The industry is hierarchical in its structure and the programme levels for each course, within each strand, indicate the employment opportunity pathway for the various departments.
FAQ's for PRODUCERS
There will be no more than six Trainees on any one Production.
It won’t impact your budget. There will be no additional cost to having Trainees – it is the same (or less) than if you were to employ experienced crew members. All Classroom Training component, assessment and mentoring costs are covered by KTA.
The Trainees who are selected for the Workplace Training Component will be paid from the Production budget, although Trainee rates will be commensurate with each Trainee’s experience. All Trainees must be paid at least the hourly minimum wage. These rates will be discussed with KTA before the Production commences the Programme.
The Trainees are treated the same as any other crew member, so their contracts are entered into directly between the Trainees and the Production.
KTA will meet with the Producers before the Programme begins to discuss the areas in which the Production requires additional crew support.
KTA provides all pastoral care for the Trainees. However, it is the Production’s responsibility to contract and treat the Trainee like any other crew member on the Production.
KTA manages the assessment process. However, the Mentors for the Trainees will have assessment requirements throughout the Production. This assessment is not onerous or invasive.
It is important that the KTA team and the Producers meet prior to crewing the Production so that, when crewing commences, the Producer/Line Producer is able to outline the KTA Programme to each crew member.
For the Programme to be successful, the HoDs who will have Trainees in their departments must be willing to support a Trainee. Either the HoD or another experienced crew member within the department will be required to act as a Mentor.
Yes. Mentors are paid by KTA. Please see the Mentor FAQs for more information.
KTA will work with the Producer, HoD and Trainee to resolve any issues as efficiently as possible. If a resolution cannot be reached, KTA will manage the process.
No. The KTA team runs the courses but will keep Producers abreast of progress and programme activity.
No. KTA will source and contract all Teachers.
No. KTA will source the Trainees, organise the marketing materials to attract potential participants, and run all introductory sessions for the Programme.
There will be a number of Trainees undertaking the Classroom Training Component, and only one or two will progress to the Workplace Training Component. If the HoD is not also the KTA Teacher, the HoD and KTA Teacher will discuss which Trainee(s) they would recommend progressing to the Workplace Training Component.
FAQ's for TEACHERS
If you have been working in the industry for 10 years or more and consider yourself a person with significant knowledge in your field, please contact KTA via the website to be considered for a teaching role.
No. The key skills and knowledge we are looking for come from people who are experts in their field and have an enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and experience.
We have lesson plans for each course but welcome input from KTA Teachers regarding what they would like to teach and what they feel is relevant, provided it meets the NZQA-approved Skills Standards for each course.
Before commencing the Classroom Training Component, KTA will work with all Teachers to ensure these Skills Standards are met and that lesson plans are well prepared.
Teachers receive a daily fee, paid by KTA.
All courses are between five and seven days in duration, depending on the level. In addition, there will be one to two days of preparation and one day allocated for assessment.
The overall assessment process is overseen by KTA. However, homework will be assigned to each student and will require assessment by the KTA Teacher. This assessment is not onerous or time-consuming. Formal NZQA assessment is undertaken by qualified assessors and managed by KTA.
KTA will provide wrap-around support throughout preparation, delivery and course completion.
Yes. You can be a KTA Teacher even if you are not working on the Production. We welcome a wide range of experience and perspectives. However, KTA will liaise with the HoD on the Production to ensure any specific skills required are covered within the course content, provided they align with the approved NZQA Skills Standards.
Yes. KTA courses benefit from reference to real-time Productions, so if you are working on the Production, this is an ideal opportunity to teach the course with reference to the Production and prepare your KTA Trainee using examples from the script, schedule and any specific skills required.