Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) – MFA (CP)

Find out what the MFA(CP) offers you in your fine arts discipline. Choose from the following subjects:

• Design (Visual Narrative)
• Film
• Music/Sound (film scoring, audio post-production, orchestral studies)
• Theatre

Design (Visual Narrative)

Master the art of visual storytelling and explore the expressive possibilities of narrative through design. This is the only Master’s degree in New Zealand designed for those passionate about creating visual stories in all their forms, including comics, animation, graphic design, hybrid literature, games, illustration, concept art, production design, and live-action or tabletop roleplaying.

Craft powerful stories using images to convey emotions and complex ideas. Conjure new worlds through concept art, storyboarding, world-building, and production design.

You’ll gain skills in narrative techniques writing and drawing through to experimenting with cutting-edge technologies such as VR and AI. Carve your path through courses in creativity and arts management, preparing you for a dynamic practice as a visual storyteller.

Internships build experience and networks

Gain hands-on experience as an intern with one of our partners. The internship project will provide you with real-world insights into the creation and business of visual storytelling, funding opportunities, and commercial production.

You’ll have the chance to build valuable industry contacts and gain practical experience. Work with publishers, producers, studios, and galleries to produce exciting work across a range of creative fields.

Learn from the best

You’ll learn from award-winning staff from the School of Design Innovation, as well as guest teaching and workshop sessions from inspiring creators and experienced professionals. Our faculty have extensive international networks and industry connections, ensuring you receive top-tier guidance and opportunities.

Become a member of our Visual Narrative Lab research community, a gathering of practitioners and scholars in the narrative arts.

Creative project

Create a polished final work that aligns with your passions and career goals. You could team up on a project with other MFA(CP) students from Film, Music, or Theatre. Your project could involve creating a graphic novel, design, animation, short film, performance, or other creative work, depending on where your story takes you.

Courses like Visual Development and Narrative Design will hone your skills in creating compelling work. Collaborate with other creative practitioners in the MFA or the MDT programme in Animation and Visual Effects.

Sharpen your skills and learn new technologies in our world-class facilities at the Miramar Creative Center, and our Te Aro campuses, where we offer an array of facilities and tools to bring your visions to life.

Tell your story with compelling visuals, engaging interactions, and innovative designs, and join the vibrant and growing field of narrative arts. The MFA Creative Practice in Design is your portal to envisioning the stories of tomorrow.

Film

Get the skills you need to work in film, by studying a programme specifically tailored to the needs of the New Zealand film industry.

If you are passionate about working in the film industry or being a filmmaker and if you want to move into this exciting and dynamic industry, this degree is for you. Build expertise in film production and post-production, and learn the skills you need to manage yourself as a creative practitioner and independent contractor. You’ll get training on a wide range of professional-level digital cinema equipment and the opportunity to specialise in the production or post-production role that most interests you.

Internships build experience and networks

Get hands-on experience as an intern in the Wellington film industry. This is a chance to get real-world insights into film-making, the business of film, funding agencies, and commercial film production-and a chance to build valuable industry contacts.

Learn from the best

You’ll learn from award-winning film-making staff from the School of English, Film, Theatre, Media and Communication, and Art History through regular guest teaching and workshop sessions from industry experts and highly experienced professionals.

Creative project

Pick the creative project that works for you. Develop and produce a film project collaboratively with other MFA(CP) students who could be from Film, Music, or Theatre disciplines. Your creative project might involve producing and directing a show reel work, or doing cinematography, sound design or art department work on several films, depending on what you want to get out of your studies.

Music/Sound (film scoring, audio post-production, orchestral studies)

Build expertise in film scoring, audio post-production, or orchestral studies with New Zealand’s first Master’s degree to specialise in these collaborative and creative areas.

Work with our partners in Wellington’s world-leading film industries, for the Orchestral Studies stream, with the players of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Develop your skills in areas such as composing scores for film, recording foley, ADR, and instrumental ensembles, or performing with one of the world’s leading national orchestras.

Learn from the best

Learn from lecturers who are the leading exponents of their craft in the country and who have broad international experience.

You’ll be primarily taught by the expert staff at the New Zealand School of Music and by artist-teachers from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. You’ll learn professional skills and techniques from New Zealand’s leading performers, film composers, and recording engineers.

Creative project

For your major creative project, you could compose a soundtrack, put on a substantial public concert, or engineer the audio post-production for a short film. There are many opportunities to collaborate with your fellow MFA(CP) students in Film and Theatre on this project you could work with your contacts in the Wellington creative industries.

Music graduates make their mark

The MFA(CP) gives you the chance to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand School of Music graduates who are now working as renowned practitioners in the areas of film scoring and sound design.

These include film and TV composers such as William Philipson (composer for Shortland Street), Grayson Gilmour (winner of the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film award), and Tom McLeod (winner of the APRA Best Original Music in a Series award), sound designers such as Matt Lambourn of POW Studios (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit), and music technologists such as Jason Wright (Muscle Mouth visual dance theatre company).

Theatre

Take your skills to an expert level in your theatrical craft and learn about working in the professional world of the theatre. You’ll graduate with the skills and confidence to get a job in the industry or to create your own company.

Internships

Take advantage of opportunities to build valuable contacts. As an MFA(CP) student, you’ll get hands-on experience as an intern in the Wellington performing arts industry. Your internship might take you to a job as an assistant director or on a behind-the-scenes journey through creating a musical.

Learn from the best

Taught by the School of English, Film, Theatre, Media Studies, and Art History, you’ll learn from experienced teachers who work both locally and internationally as directors, designers, and playwrights. Many staff have won awards, including Wellington Theatre Awards (formerly Chapman Tripp), Playmarket awards, and New Zealand Fringe Festival awards.

Creative project

Demonstrate mastery in the field by conceiving and developing a major creative project. Working in consultation with a faculty adviser, you will create a project that culminates in a public performance or exhibition.

Direct a play. Devise a new performance with your classmates. Design the set and lights for a major production. Create a solo multi-media performance piece.

You’ll have access to our fully equipped theatre, Studio 77, and your project can take whatever form helps you get where you want to be.