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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Motion Picture Production 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111236  Master of Motion Picture Production 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Film, Television and Video 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to produce filmmakers who will contribute as lecturers, teachers, tutors and mentors to sustain the growth of the South African cinema, film and television industry.

The purpose of this qualification is also to produce qualifying learners and researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the discipline. These qualifying learners will be educated artists who are more than just craftsmen and women, but complete professionals and researchers with intellectual capabilities, who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, are able to think laterally, innovate, research, publish, teach and be leaders and trainers in their communities and in communities of their own professions. In addition, successful learners will have the competent skills, knowledge and attitudes to perform various specialised functions associated with the creation of motion pictures through knowledge and skills.

The qualification contributes to these objectives by focusing on the field of African films, politics and culture.

Rationale:
The qualification will satisfy the need for academic personnel that are research enabled and well-prepared to enrol for the Doctor of Motion Picture Production, Level 10. The qualification follows on from the Postgraduate Diploma in Motion Picture Production, Level 8. The qualification is also aligned with the qualifications offered by international film schools and institutions.

The qualification also allows learners to continue on a practical pathway by applying Practice Based research and Artistic Output research. Graduates may venture into other film professions such as film lecturers (academics), film critics, film historians, film managers. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of prior Learning (RPL):
Professional filmmakers and managers in Television Broadcasting who wish to improve their qualifications can also obtain entrance into the qualification through the institution's process of RPL.

The RPL policy of the institution provides for learners from other institutions as well as learners with practical industry experience related to motion picture production to enter the qualification main stream by undergoing the RPL process.

Learners are informed, supported, and guided through the institutions RPL processes. The mechanisms in place ensure that learners can demonstrate their formal, informal and non-formal learning or work experience for recognition.

The process ensures that learners who can demonstrate their competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit for this qualification will receive the appropriate credits toward the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Motion Picture Production, Level 8.
  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory research project and the writing of a dissertation at Level 9 worth 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Complete a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify a research problem.
  • Create a research proposal.
  • Perform research.
  • Document research in a report.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • The Master of Motion Picture Production will be evaluated by means of a Dissertation project evaluated by two external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    To ensure an international standard, the qualification was benchmarked against qualifications offered in the United States of America (USA), since it dominates the international trade in motion pictures. Supplementary benchmarking was done against qualifications offered in Britain. A similar qualification is currently not offered in any other African country.

    The qualification was benchmarked with regard to: Outcomes for each level; Assessment criteria; the level of difficulty and the notional learning time required to complete each module.

    Comparing this approach with modules offered in countries that have a strong motion picture production industry indicates the following:
    United States of America (USA) - Motion picture production training in the USA varies from short modules of one day, two-year associate Degree, four-year qualifications and Postgraduate qualifications, resulting in a Master's of Fine Arts (MFA).

    The following are some of the institutions against which the qualification was benchmarked:
  • The New York Film Academy offers a range of courses and qualifications including a Bachelor of Fine Arts, which includes specialisations such as Filmmaking, Documentary, Producing, Screenwriting, 3D Animation and Cinematography.
  • The New School in New York offers a graduate certificate in Documentary Media Studies; An undergraduate certificate in Film Production and a Certificate in Screenwriting. The fields of specialisation include Cinematography, Documentary, Sound recording and Screenwriting.
  • United Kingdom: The qualification that is regarded as the best in both the UK and Europe is that of the National Film and Television School. The National Film and Television School's tertiary training entails three diplomas of 12 to 18 months in Production Management for Film; Production Management for Television; and Sound Recording for Film and Television. Its Master of Arts (MA) qualifications are two-year structured offerings and consist of a choice between 11 specialisations namely; Cinematography; Composing for Film and Television; Digital Post Production; Directing Animation; Directing Documentary; Directing Fiction; Editing; Games Design and Development; Producing; Producing and Directing Television Entertainment; Production Design; Screenwriting; SFX/VFX; Games Design and Development.
  • Other European Universities offer Bachelor of Arts qualifications and post graduate qualifications in film studies or film and photography, which do not compare well to the USA or UK offerings.

    This Master's Degree compares well with the above-mentioned qualifications offered in the USA and the UK in terms of module content and practical learning. The duration of the qualifications differs however. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
    Master of Visual Arts in Multimedia, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Doctor of Philosophy in Motion Picture Production, Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.