ATAR Notes: Forum
Uni Stuff => General University Discussion and Queries => Topic started by: elysepopplewell on November 26, 2017, 12:37:34 pm
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HELLO!
I'm Elyse and I've finished two years of my Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney. I studied one semester abroad in Venice, Italy - organised through uni! I've interned and worked at Bauer Media across the DOLLY and Cosmopolitan titles. I now intern at a global think tank specialising in peace and terror studies - I do communications strategy there. I do freelance writing for online publications toooooo.
Susie will also be on this thread - she was accepted into AFTRS and then decided to take the offer to study a Bachelor of Communications (Media and Arts Production) at UTS, beginning at the start of 2017. She's one year into her degree! She also studies from the Creative Writing stream at UTS. Susie has worked on several film projects, and has interned at Disney and ABC Soul Mates.
SO, ask us about our degrees, the courses, why we chose this, what our advice is...ANYTHING! We are here to answer it all!
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Hey Elyse! :D
I have a few questions:
1. What made you choose your course?
2. Do you have to follow a specific structure for articles when you write them, or do you just sort of go by what seems right? I've always wondered when I'm reading a newspaper or something how articles are actually written.
3. What was the best thing about exchange?
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hi
I was wondering if you could please explain to me what are these 'main round' 'second-round' offers? I'm super confused and don't know the difference and tbh I'm so confused on what they are and how I should approach them.
thank you :)
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Is there an abundance of jobs available upon finishing the media and communications degree?
Also, was it affordable to do your exchange?
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Hi there, I was just wondering what the process of you getting into the magazine industry was like?
Also, in what ways did this course assist you in doing so?
Thank you :)
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Hey Elyse! :D
I have a few questions:
1. What made you choose your course?
2. Do you have to follow a specific structure for articles when you write them, or do you just sort of go by what seems right? I've always wondered when I'm reading a newspaper or something how articles are actually written.
3. What was the best thing about exchange?
Hey K888!
I was initially drawn to the course at UTS because I wanted to do the Bachelor of International Studies - it seemed really unique and called my name. I knew the Communications course was really practical and quite hands on, so it really seemed like the right course for me.
For the structure question...with print there's definitely a specific structure and it will depend on the type of article, where it is in the publication, and what title/brand it's under. A few things that come into consideration are the hook, for example: How early on do we give the piece of information that's going to grab someone in? For short news stories, it's usually the second sentence. But there is much more freedom with editorial pieces :)
As for exchange...the best thingggggg....ahhhhhh. The best thing was a new sense of liberty, yet a new sense of direction.
:)
Is there an abundance of jobs available upon finishing the media and communications degree?
Also, was it affordable to do your exchange?
Hello! there are more and more jobs opening all the time. If you're stuck on doing print, then you might find that while jobs are still available, they aren't becoming more common. But if you're ready to launch into the digital world, then there's new jobs all the time. Communications is under no threat - the need to communicate exists, and always has existed - but it's packaging changes :)
As for exchange affordability: I was lucky enough to continue my paid work abroad, but I also used my savings. There is a OS HELP Loan the government can offer, that is just over $6000 in value, and it is given to you to use overseas and it adds to your HECS debt :) Most students on exchange at my university use this, I believe! And then depending on your university, or host university, there's also options for scholarships as well :)
hi
I was wondering if you could please explain to me what are these 'main round' 'second-round' offers? I'm super confused and don't know the difference and tbh I'm so confused on what they are and how I should approach them.
thank you :)
Hello :) There are different rounds for different things. There's a December round 1 and December round 2, for example. The offers coming out now are typically early offers or from specific institutions. I waited until the first main round offer in January for mine, even though it's the "main round" it seemed like allllll of my friends had been given offers already and I hadn't!! But UTS didn't offer early entry so I had to wait. More info that might be helpful can be found here. :)
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Hi I wanna do communications majoring in journalism but I’m worried there aren’t a lot of jobs in that sector. I’ve thought about majoring in public communication/relations but I don’t know much about that and it dosent interest me as much also how hard/easy was it to get an internship. Thanks😀
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Hey Elyse and Susie!
Just wondering how the process of internship works. Does the uni give you your own internships or do you have to find some in your spare time?
How did you work at the said companies whilst studying at uni? Also do you have any connections with the people in the industry you wish to work in? If so, how? How does one make connections? :3
These questions are for Elyse: How is your course structured each day? Which lectures do you have to attend? How exactly is your degree taught? (I have your degree as my third preference)
These questions are specifically for Susie: where did you work on your film projects? Did people contact you, was it offered at UTS (for work experience or something similar) or did you look up these film projects on your own? How easy is it to get connections in the film industry and how easy is it to get into the industry? How likely am I really going to get a job in the industry in the future? How is your course at UTS structured each day? What do you do in each lecture and what assignments do they give out?
Now back to Elyse and Susie:
I'm waiting for offers to come out for AFTRS. But in case I don't get in, would it better for me to do a one year diploma (at this other film school I got accepted into) and attend AFTRS the next year (with a completed diploma) or should I go to UTS for a year (same course as Susie) and attend AFTRS (despite not completing the bachelor degree). My parents really don't want me to do the diploma course but wouldn't it be better to have a diploma instead of completing one year of a bachelor degree?
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Hi there, I was just wondering what the process of you getting into the magazine industry was like?
Also, in what ways did this course assist you in doing so?
Thank you :)
Hi! So about internships: you can get them if you're keen. I had the idea in my head that internships were very exclusive, difficult to obtain, and especially in the magazine industry. Being keen and willing to put yourself out there is MAJOR KEY, especially in the magazine industry.
In my very first week of uni I got an email asking if anyone was keen to do three days of digital work for the relaunch of the new DOLLY website. I emailed back faster than you can imagine (lol) and said I'd love to do it. They liked the way I performed in those three days and offered me a one-day-per-week position interning at Cosmo, which is where I stayed for nearly a year, and picked up a role for two weeks as Editorial Coordinator as well. So, my experience was essentially just being quick and on the ball in order to snowball into the next opportunity.
So about my course...initially it didn't really "set me up" because I had only JUST begun. But as the internship went on, and even more into my new internship that isn't with magazines, there's various little skills that carry across. Sometimes it's in writing style, sometimes in facts about the way different digital audiences receive things, sometimes in general professionalism, and so on. In terms of the Journalism content I learnt and carried into the internship: there's not much. I didn't do much written Journalism at the internship.
If you are keen at interning in magazines, you need to write a resume and then put yourself out there. Call the Editorial Coordinator or whichever number is available in the masthead of the magazine, and ask where and how you can apply. :)
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Hi I wanna do communications majoring in journalism but I’m worried there aren’t a lot of jobs in that sector. I’ve thought about majoring in public communication/relations but I don’t know much about that and it dosent interest me as much also how hard/easy was it to get an internship. Thanks😀
Hey there! Thanks for your question :)
There are plenty of jobs in the sector. I also was told a lot that there's not a lot of jobs, but it's not something that's ever been addressed as an issue in our course either. I'm actually always surprised at the DIVERSITY of jobs - so that might be reassuring :)
At UTS you can study a double major, so you could major in Journalism AND Public Communications if you fancied :)
I receive emails almost every week from UTS with new internships available and how to apply. Some of them are specific to third years (people about to graduate) but for the most part there's an abundance. If you have tunnel vision for big brands and names then you will struggle to find what you're after, but if you're willing to do 100 hours here, and maybe 100 hours there, and move between big and small, or between digital and print...then you will find yourself REALLLY making the most of your internships and that's just awesome.
In saying this, in about August this year I started applying for new internships 'cold' - which means I didn't go off advertisements, I just emailed a bunch of places, or called them, if I was interested in their company and product and wanted to learn from them. I heard back from maybe, 2 of 12? and they said nothing was available at this time of year. No panic, though! I started looking at the UTS Careers Hub online postings and I found one that looked interesting and unlike anything I'd tried, so I sent through my resume and they gave me a call to say I should come in, we'll chat about the role, and if it seems like a good fit then I'll do it. And it's been a great fit :)
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Hi Elyse and Susie! Communications at UTS isn't my top preference but it's one of them, and I visited the university on the Open Day and also read through a bunch of booklets they provided. My question is how the student life at UTS is for Communications students, in terms of societies, classes, opportunities for students, and career opportunities as well. I'm quite interested in the course if I don't make it to my top preference but Communications is the only course at UTS I'm interested in, so I'd like to know more about it! Thank you (:
P.S. It's super amazing that you guys are doing these University AMA's! I love it and was wondering if you guys would be doing a Commerce/Business one too?
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Hey Elyse and Susie!
Just wondering how the process of internship works. Does the uni give you your own internships or do you have to find some in your spare time?
How did you work at the said companies whilst studying at uni? Also do you have any connections with the people in the industry you wish to work in? If so, how? How does one make connections? :3
Hey! My internships (the one with Disney Junior making christmas themed cinemographs and the design dept. of ABC Soul Mates) were completed during high school, rather that at UTS, so with that in mind take what I say with a grain of salt aha, as I'm not 100% as familiar with the process as Elyse is specifically in regards to uni internships, however I know that at UTS there are tonnes of different avenues you can take for finding an internship. You can look around yourself and do your own research (as I was doing initially for the Summer, before I realised I would be away for a chunk of it aha). Alternatively, most UTS faculties have various facebook groups where you can connect with other people within your course - internships are often posted there as well! These groups are great, because they not only facilitate "official" internships (ie. working for a specific company), but also if other students, mainly from the year above have major projects that they are working from and need some help, they'll often post crew calls there as well! One of my friends is currently editing some stuff for a post grad student whose crew call she responded to via the "UTS Media Arts and Production group", which is great work experience :)
In terms of industry connection, what is great about UTS is not only is their communications degree quite well-respected (it's known for being a very hands on course in comparison to others, eg. what we do in 1st year isn't done until 3rd year at most other unis, which employers value so already got a bit of a leg up there!), but you are also surrounded by lots of other people with likeminded goals - it's not uncommon for groups to form and go on to create things together professionally. I have other connections that I have made through my internships, and being lucky enough to know some pretty neat contacts in my personal life as well! In terms of how to make connections, its definitely about getting involved imo. Helping out some of the older students with their projects is one of the best ways to go about it, as is going to the various events held by UTS geared towards making connections (kinda like speed dating but for industry professionals aha).
Finally on the topic of internships, can't say much about it, but next year one of my selected courses is "professional internship", so you can also literally get an internship as a subject, and that counts towards your final grade!
These questions are specifically for Susie: where did you work on your film projects? Did people contact you, was it offered at UTS (for work experience or something similar) or did you look up these film projects on your own? How easy is it to get connections in the film industry and how easy is it to get into the industry? How likely am I really going to get a job in the industry in the future? How is your course at UTS structured each day? What do you do in each lecture and what assignments do they give out?
The film projects that I worked on were through either assessment tasks (productions are the main form of assessment within the MAPS degree, as we don't do exams. These are always group projects), and through internships (eg. when I worked on ABC Soul Mates). I also made quite a lot of short films for both school and competitions during high school! :) All of these were locally based - the furthest I ever had to travel for shoot was Watson's Bay (for the Disney Junior cinemographs, but that wasn't really a film shoot). On the MAPS facebook group, as I mentioned earlier, their are always tonnes of projects that you can volunteer on. In terms of connections, I have been quite lucky knowing some personally before I even started at UTS, however a big part of it is just putting yourself out there. They're not "easy" to get, but I wouldn't say they are particularly hard either - depends on your definition of connection. Is it easy to make connections with the heads of production companies - No. Is it easy to make connections with "lower level" employees or other students that you can create amazing works with? Absolutely :)
Getting a job in the industry really depends on three things (as far as I am aware):
1. Connections + Work Experience
2. What aspect of production you want to work in (ie. director - very difficult, editor - not too bad, scriptwriter - eeeekkkk :P )
3. Flexibility (both in terms of time as even internships can take up an insane amount of time, and also location - Australia's not the best place really to work in film production. Being an editor isn't too bad, however the stuff that you'd be editing isn't exactly highbrow cinema, more likely Reality TV or panel shows. Willingness to relocate, perhaps internationally, would open up more opportunities. For example, Bollywood often hires Westerners to help them break into the mainstream western market.)
That's just if you want to get into "mainstream" video production though. It's important to recognise that this industry is rapidly changing, and online video content is really taking over (even the "mainstream" industry is trying to adapt to this, eg. streaming services like Netflix). This doesn't just mean making YouTube videos, though that is an option (eg. Buzzfeed and WatchCut are proper production companies that offer internships! Hoping to apply for one with WatchCut, though its in the USA cos #yolo).
In terms of how my day is structured - firstly there aren't many days ahaha. Comms degrees have pretty limited contact hours - I only had 8 this semester (2 days a week). For media arts alone, that accounted for one hour lecture and one hour tutorial a week, which later was combined into one 3 hour seminar (which was essentially just a really long tute). In lectures, theres a LOT of watching things, rather than just straight content. I didn't take many notes in the lectures, more just absorbed the info (especially as their is not exam at the end, so you're not going to get tested on anything). Assignments for Media Arts are often a "tester assessment" worth very little that just gives you some practice with the software you are using (eg. a 1 minute audio soundscape, or a 2 minute video essay). Then you'll often have a marked proposal, outlining your plans for a major project, and then the major group project :)
Now back to Elyse and Susie:
I'm waiting for offers to come out for AFTRS. But in case I don't get in, would it better for me to do a one year diploma (at this other film school I got accepted into) and attend AFTRS the next year (with a completed diploma) or should I go to UTS for a year (same course as Susie) and attend AFTRS (despite not completing the bachelor degree). My parents really don't want me to do the diploma course but wouldn't it be better to have a diploma instead of completing one year of a bachelor degree?
Hmmmm. I get why your parents are hesitant about a diploma. TBH, I don't know how well-regarded they are in the industry, and when I say that I mean I really don't know aha, they could be worth a lot, I have no idea. Having a degree is good because its more versatile, and overall, looks better on a CV, however if your plan wasn't even to complete the entire degree then I'd say a diploma then AFTRS would be best? However, if you're really keen for AFTRS and you don't get in, rather than dropping out of UTS after a year, it may be more worthwhile to complete the course, then do post-grad/speciallisation at AFTRS? That is what they are actually known for, and where their high employability rate comes from, whereas their Bachelors course is very new.
Hope this helps!
Susie
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Hey Elyse and Susie!
Just wondering how the process of internship works. Does the uni give you your own internships or do you have to find some in your spare time?
How did you work at the said companies whilst studying at uni? Also do you have any connections with the people in the industry you wish to work in? If so, how? How does one make connections? :3
These questions are for Elyse: How is your course structured each day? Which lectures do you have to attend? How exactly is your degree taught? (I have your degree as my third preference)
These questions are specifically for Susie: where did you work on your film projects? Did people contact you, was it offered at UTS (for work experience or something similar) or did you look up these film projects on your own? How easy is it to get connections in the film industry and how easy is it to get into the industry? How likely am I really going to get a job in the industry in the future? How is your course at UTS structured each day? What do you do in each lecture and what assignments do they give out?
Now back to Elyse and Susie:
I'm waiting for offers to come out for AFTRS. But in case I don't get in, would it better for me to do a one year diploma (at this other film school I got accepted into) and attend AFTRS the next year (with a completed diploma) or should I go to UTS for a year (same course as Susie) and attend AFTRS (despite not completing the bachelor degree). My parents really don't want me to do the diploma course but wouldn't it be better to have a diploma instead of completing one year of a bachelor degree?
Hello Bea!!!!
The uni lists and emails about internships, but you need to action them or apply for them yourself. There is one university subject called Professional Internship, and I don't know if the university allocates you to an internship or if you get it yourself... But outside of that subject, the expectation is that you will use the universities resources, or your own research, to find an internship if you want one :) I do one day a week while I'm at uni, because I go into uni three days a week and intern one, and then I work in retail over the weekend. So having one week day without obligations is important because I usually use that for catching up on uni work. How does one make connections - try remember people's names! and I am HOPELESS with this! But then I find them on Instagram later and give them a stalk (professional) so I can remember face to name! Then I jump on linkedin and connect. But always remember to tell people your interests. I went to a book signing and started a conversation with the lady next to me, turns out she edited the book I was at the signing for. I have her email now. So it begins to come organically, when I say what I study and what I'm interested in, people will usually say "Oh I know someone who does that..." Or, "I actually work at..." and that's great. But it wasn't a first-year priority for me, admittedly, it came in the second year.
My course is structured in a way that I study three subjects per semester, there's one non-compulsory (but I ALWAYS attend) lecture for each subject, and one two hour tutorial for each. So, six hours of compulsory each week, nine hours in total. I study one subject core communications, one journalism subject, and one elective or subject from another communications field. The Journalism subjects are very practical - every single assignment is producing a piece of journalism. The other subjects are probably more typical of what you'd expect of university - essays, producing presentations, that kind of assessment style :)
For that last joint question - I'll let Susie answer that... :)
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Hi Elyse and Susie! Communications at UTS isn't my top preference but it's one of them, and I visited the university on the Open Day and also read through a bunch of booklets they provided. My question is how the student life at UTS is for Communications students, in terms of societies, classes, opportunities for students, and career opportunities as well. I'm quite interested in the course if I don't make it to my top preference but Communications is the only course at UTS I'm interested in, so I'd like to know more about it! Thank you (:
P.S. It's super amazing that you guys are doing these University AMA's! I love it and was wondering if you guys would be doing a Commerce/Business one too?
Hey! For the most part, I enjoy UTS. I have yet to have a bad tutor, in fact all of them have been fantastic, and despite not having a proper campus as such, the facilities are excellent, and there is a lot on offer at UTS that can help you to further develop and foster a career. I would say that UTS is a more "career focused" uni, than a social one. The club/societies life at UTS is there, but definitely not in the capacity that it exists at other universities eg. UNSW or USYD. Many of the clubs in fact are industry/course focused, eg. UTSoC (UTS Society of Communications). But yeah, the social aspect of UTS is a bit lacking if I was being 100% honest. I have a small group of good friends (that I made through working together on a group project), though it is definitely the kind of uni where you "go to class, then go home" unless you have group projects to work on - at least that has been my/my friends experience, I'm sure there are others who think otherwise.
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Hey!
Just wondering if either of you lived at the uni itself? If I were to get in I’d have to move there. Any ideas on what campus life is like?
Also, for journalism what things do you generally do or learn? Is it very practical or group orientated?
I know you mentioned that it wasn’t very social but how did you find it transitioning from high school and making friends and that. I’m quite worried because I’d have to move very far without knowing anyone 😅
Any other tips or advice for aspiring journalists/UTS students would be greatly appreciated :)
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Hey!
Just wondering if either of you lived at the uni itself? If I were to get in I’d have to move there. Any ideas on what campus life is like?
Also, for journalism what things do you generally do or learn? Is it very practical or group orientated?
I know you mentioned that it wasn’t very social but how did you find it transitioning from high school and making friends and that. I’m quite worried because I’d have to move very far without knowing anyone 😅
Any other tips or advice for aspiring journalists/UTS students would be greatly appreciated :)
Hi! Neither of us live on campus. But, the MAIN reason I'm not involved in much of the social side is because I don't live near to uni. In Journalism especially, I find that people are very outgoing and keen to mingle and make friends, and I have made lots of friends, although I only consider three to be people I'd like, invite to my 21st or something to that effect ;) You will DEFINITELY make friends, ESPECIALLY if you live on campus.
In terms of tips - try everything, give it all a go, put yourself out there! There's a milllion opportunities at UTS, especially for Comms/Journalism. So make sure you take them up on what they offer! :)
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Hi so I just finished my HSC and I'm really just tossing up between law, communications and media at the moment of what to go into. I had a few questions for you guys if you could answer, and BTW really appreciate you both doing this question thread!!
Sorry if I have a lot of questions!!!
1. What exactly is "media" and "communications". Are they both separate parts of a whole?
2. Would you recommend doing a double degree with media and communications?
3. What kind of major options are there in a media and communications degree?
4. What kind of assignments and exams do you get as part of this degree?
5. What is the daily worklife like for someone who works as a journalist, or for a magazine etc. What kind of projects or deadlines would they have to complete?
6. What made you choose this degree out of all the others? What are you aiming to achieve?
6. What do you LOVE the most and HATE the most about your degree?
thanks so much!! :)
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Hi so I just finished my HSC and I'm really just tossing up between law, communications and media at the moment of what to go into. I had a few questions for you guys if you could answer, and BTW really appreciate you both doing this question thread!!
Sorry if I have a lot of questions!!!
1. What exactly is "media" and "communications". Are they both separate parts of a whole?
When you say "separate parts of a whole", do you mean are they two separate subjects within the same degree? If so - kind of! Though all of the majors (in the context of UTS) are "communications" based, in first year (broadens out a bit in second when you can take on a second major and/or electives) you have to take three subjects.
Subject 1: You Major (at UTS Comms, that could be Media Arts and Production (what I study!), Journalism (what Elyse studied), Creative Writing (my second major), Public Communication (stream 1: Advertising, stream 2: Public Relations), Sound and Music Design, Social and Political Science or Digital and Social Media)
Subject 2: Communications Core. No matter what your major, if you are a UTS Comms student, you have to study this. These units are often more theory based than your prac-heavy majors, and deal with various issues such as active citizenship, politics, literacies (especially within a digital context), and just the general world around us, and how communication mediums impact/are impacted by such factors.
Subject 3: Second Major. You can pick any of the subjects I mentioned under Subject 1 (except for Media Arts and Production - this cannot be a second major), which you will study alongside your major :) You can then choose to continue this on in 2nd and 3rd year (assuming you get the required GPA), or drop it after first year and take on electives. For me, this is Creative Writing :)
So yes, in a way they are different things - however, all the majors are still related to Communications :)
2. Would you recommend doing a double degree with media and communications?
I'm not too knowledgable on this to make a definitive judgement, however UTS fosters this by encouraging a second major (still within the communications field). At UTS, I know that Communications is also one of the most common double majors with Law. Though Comms can get intense, as the projects are quite full on, a benefit of combining Comms with something else is that you don't do exams for Comms, which will allow you a lighter workload when exam periods come round :)
3. What kind of major options are there in a media and communications degree?
See my first answer :)
4. What kind of assignments and exams do you get as part of this degree?
No exams! In terms of assignments, here is a brief overview of what I received during my degree (though it varies from subject to subject)
Media Arts and Production
1st Semester (Exploring Media Arts) --> 1 min soundscape (using adobe audition), 3 min group audio-visual montage (using adobe premiere pro)
2nd Semester (Composing the Real) --> 2 min video essay, 1000 word documentary proposal, 5 min group documentary
Creative Writing
1st Semester (Fictional Forms - Writing for Performance Stream) --> 500 word proposal, 10 minute script
2nd Semester (Imagining the Real) --> 500 word proposal, 2500 word creative non-fiction work
Communications
1st Semester (Citizenship and Communication) --> Three 600 word journal entries, an essay, a group project board game.
2nd Semester (Digital Literacies) --> Five 500 word journal entries/blog posts, Visual Image task (hard to describe, but was worth 60%)
6. What made you choose this degree out of all the others? What are you aiming to achieve?
UTS is a very "hands on", practical based university, which is really focused on experience, which for all communications careers is SUPER important, as these are all careers that are based around connections and portfolios. Aiming to achieve a career in film/TV production ;)
6. What do you LOVE the most and HATE the most about your degree?
Love how practical and hands on it is. Not a fan of some of the lecture content - particularly in the first semester. Did feel a bit like they were just trying to fill up space, by chucking in random theory that no one is ever going to remember/need to know to succeed within the industry (eg. really really obscure genres, styles and theories).
Hope this helps!
Susie
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Hey guys!
Do you think the Media Arts and Production course prepares students for work in the entertainment industry after uni?
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Hey guys!
Do you think the Media Arts and Production course prepares students for work in the entertainment industry after uni?
Well it does depend on which university you wish to study at. I can only specifically speak about UTS, but yes, it does :) UTS in particular in fact, because it is so focused on prac, rather than theory. IIRC, what we do in first year isn't even studied until 3rd year at UNSW or MQU. Don't even consider USYD if you want to go into the film industry - there version of it is basically film studies, i.e. english, i.e. no work experience whatsoever. Though a degree will never guarantee a place in the entertainment industry on its own, as UTS is so prac focused, and is really big on industry experience, you'll leave the degree (if you work hard/get involved) with a heap of experience to add to your portfolio (what employers will be looking at), credits to put on your CV, and a heap of contacts :)
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Do you guys know what Media exams are like for non-UTS students (cause I know it is assignments only there). But at a uni like maquarie, what do they examine you on?
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Hey, these courses sound super cool so here are my queries
- are there any units you find boring in your course?
- what is it like to work for the different companies you've had experience with?
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Do you guys know what Media exams are like for non-UTS students (cause I know it is assignments only there). But at a uni like maquarie, what do they examine you on?
Unfortunately I don't know. The closest I've got to an exam was a 10 mark multiple choice quiz of circuits (to make sure that we wouldn't blow up the equipment by accidentally plugging in film lights into a circuit with too much voltage), so I imagine with media arts exams may follow that pattern? Looking at safety, set etiquette, and maybe some film theory? In general, I'd imagine that for all media/comms degrees, if there are exams they're based in media theory, with various case studies. Sorry I couldn't be more specific!
Hey, these courses sound super cool so here are my queries
- are there any units you find boring in your course?
I found first semester fairly boring all round (apart from creative writing) to be quite frank! With media arts, it was really going over editing basics which many of us already knew, and then those super obscure theories (like i'm sorry but when am I ever going to need to know about photogene UTS? Even Google doesn't know about it >:( ). The tutorials for Citizenship and Communication were fine, but I found the lectures painfully dull (which is unfortunately because they actual lecturers for the unit are legends - just the content :( )
- what is it like to work for the different companies you've had experience with?
For me, working with Disney was super surreal. We were making christmas themed cinemographs (basically still photos with one moving element). I was a runner on set, which means for the most part I was just getting coffees, helping set up and watching what happens, but at one point I also got to work as a "test dummy" essentially for this little girl before we started filming. They needed the tiara to be extra twinkly, but they didn't know how to do that, so what ended up happening was I had to sit in the same position for 30 minutes, with a little tiara on my head, as the Disney employed industry professionals worked out what as the best place to stand to shine their iPhone light onto my face without their hands being picked up by the camera ahaha.
ABC Soul Mates was fun. Again I was a runner on set, but also helped design some aspects of the set, along with help construct some of the large shooting areas (including clearing out an abandoned mental hospital... :) ). My best friend was also working as an intern there as well. This one was particularly useful, because I got a letter of recommendation out of it :)
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Hi Susie!
My first preference is the Bachelor of Communications in Media Arts and Production at UTS, so I had a few questions about it :)
1. How much would you say is practical and how much is theoretical?
2. I'm very passionate about film and made little movies as a kid, but do you think this is enough to justify me picking this degree? I've never made a "professional" short film on my own or anything, so I'm concerned that I may not know what I'm getting myself into.
3. Do you know how flexible the ATAR cut-off is for UTS? I think I'm going to get around 83-ish, although last year the cut-off for the degree was 87!!
Thanks so much :D
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Hi Susie!
My first preference is the Bachelor of Communications in Media Arts and Production at UTS, so I had a few questions about it :)
1. How much would you say is practical and how much is theoretical?
Media Arts and Production as a major is way way way more prac than theory, particularly in the 2nd semester (first sem the lectures are pretty theory heavy, HOWEVER you don't actually need to really remember any of it because there are no exams, so if you just take note of a few and intergrate them within your prac work you're sweet) :) Theory only crops up in lectures (and maybe a tiny bit in the tutes when you go through the readings, but again this was only in the first semester). All assessments are prac based. All workshops are prac based, and every tutorial involves some prac component.
2. I'm very passionate about film and made little movies as a kid, but do you think this is enough to justify me picking this degree? I've never made a "professional" short film on my own or anything, so I'm concerned that I may not know what I'm getting myself into.
I know some people in my degree who have never made a film before, and some who have already worked in the industry for a few years and are just coming back for a qualification :) You'll also be making film projects in your first year, so you can test it out then! Remember that you are also never locked in to a degree. If you realise you actually aren't a fan of your course, you can always transfer! That's actually one of the reasons why I chose UTS over AFTRS even though on paper the latter is marginally more prestigious - if I did realise that I wasn't a huge fan of the course, I could transfer into another one quite easily. As UTS also makes you pick another major subject in first year, you may find you like that better and decide to continue that on as your primary major instead!
3. Do you know how flexible the ATAR cut-off is for UTS? I think I'm going to get around 83-ish, although last year the cut-off for the degree was 87!!
Thanks so much :D
Unfortunately I don't know much about it :/ I have some friends that got in through insearch, but unsure about the process. However don't count your chickens before they hatch ;) My friend thought she wouldn't be able to push 80, ended up with a 91!
Hope this helps,
Susie
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Hey, these courses sound super cool so here are my queries
- are there any units you find boring in your course?
- what is it like to work for the different companies you've had experience with?
Just adding my thoughts on top of Susie's...
The companies I've worked with are vastly different from one another. I've not had a significantly negative experience anywhere. My experience at Cosmo was very fun, very fast paced, always something to do, and really 'bustling' - and my experience at my current internship is more slow and solo-based work, but I enjoy that very much as well.
In my course there hasn't been anything I've found to be notably boring. Tutorials can be boring if your teacher isn't making it interesting, but the course content itself is usually really intriguing and I enjoy going through readings at my own pace :)
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Hello Elyse! I am planning to study Communications (Journalism Major) next year and I have as just wondering what I should be writing on a resume/cover letter in order to apply for internships? I have a regular resume but should I start from scratch and only include information on my writing experience?
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Hey. I am pretty stuck on what I want to do. I know I want to work on developing human rights and international law but don't know which course to do. The bachelor of law and bachelor of communication (social and political sciences) looked amazing but then I was also thinking of pairing it with journalism ... And then I loved business so much that I don't want to let go off it. But what do you think, with what I want to do and the options I have? I know it's fine if I don't pick the "right" thing right now but just feel pretty limited with knowledge regarding these courses. I tried researching but the only one I understand was the business one. Thanks!
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Hello again,
I was just wondering what sort of stationary/overall uni essentials would you need to buy/bring in such a prac heavy course like Media Arts and Production?
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Hello again,
I was just wondering what sort of stationary/overall uni essentials would you need to buy/bring in such a prac heavy course like Media Arts and Production?
Not much to be honest, as the equipment you need will all be supplied by the uni (ie. computer labs, camera, microphones, etc.), however I have found that having my own personal laptop with some of the software downloaded has been great, as it means I can practice editing without having to travel into uni. So if possible (as it is expensive) i'd recommend having a MacBook Pro (anything less won't be able to sustain the software - my Pro is already suffering aha) and the Adobe Suite (in particular Premiere Pro, Audition and After Effects!). You can get the Adobe Suite for much cheaper than normal as you're a student :)
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Hey can someone please answer the unanswered questions lol ... I also want to know about the resume thing thankss!!
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Hey Elyse and Susie!! Thank you for taking your time to answer our questions :)
For Elyse:
I plan to do a degree in journalism but in a Melbourne uni. Can you tell me what kind of things did you do? Like what kind of theory you had to learn, homework you had to do ect? Also what did you have to do in your exams?
For Susie:
I won’t be doing a film degree but I really want to take up film internships. What can I do on my own so I could have equal footing to thosr who have film experience?
Thanks!!