Bachelor of Fine Arts (Scenic Construction and Technologies)
National Institute of Dramatic art
Courses included
This course has been cancelled
About
This is the only scenic construction course of its kind in Australia, and one of only a few available worldwide. The unique practical and immersive teaching and learning methods equip you with the skills to construct performance environments in opera, theatre, film and live events.
Working in small groups in the NIDA scenic construction workshop, you will learn how to create the worlds of performance alongside designers and industry professionals. You will learn stage engineering, stage rigging and automation, risk and project management. You will also develop theoretical knowledge about theatre, arts and culture.
During your first year, you will study timber and metal fabrication, rigging, mechanics, drafting, computer-aided design and stage machinery. In your second year, you will design and realise your own projects for specific staging challenges, including automation such as revolving stages.
During your final and third year, you will work as a construction manager or technical manager on two shows in the Seasons of Student Productions, when all NIDA students produce and present fully staged shows working with guest artists at the top of their game.
To complete your degree, you’ll take your skills on a placement with some of the leading production companies either in Australia or internationally. You will leave NIDA with a robust skillset, valuable industry connections and confidence about your future in live events, theatre and film.
Areas of study
Automation and control, computer-aided design and stage machinery, drafting, mechanics, rigging, timber and metal fabrication.
Career opportunities
Staging technician, set builder, mechanist, technical manager, technical designer, art installer, special effects designer, systems integrator, automation technician.
Practical experience
In the third year, industry placements with a leading production company give students hands-on experience, a broader understanding of the live performance industry, and a chance to create contacts and networks for further professional development.
Fees and charges
Refer to NIDA current fee information.
Admission criteria
Interview: All applicants must participate in an interview and are required to produce a course-specific response to a text and/or a brief demonstrating specific attributes relevant to the course.
Applicants are encouraged to show a portfolio of their existing work during the interview.
Applicants for some courses must complete a course questionnaire in advance of the interview. The questionnaire and detailed project information is available on the NIDA website.
We select students who:
- demonstrate commitment, motivation and passion in relation to the arts, entertainment and related industries, to their chosen discipline, and to the course of study
- provide evidence of their capacity to work creatively and imaginatively
- demonstrate an aptitude to collaborate with peers as part of a creative process
- demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills, technical abilities and/or problem-solving techniques relevant to their discipline
- demonstrate cultural and contextual awareness
- articulate and communicate ideas clearly.
Further information
ATAR profile
ATAR-based offers only (semester 1, 2021)
Use all ATAR profile data as a guide only; it provides a broad overview of the ATARs and selection ranks of previous Year 12 students admitted into that course. ATARs and selection ranks required for entry in 2020 may be different. If you are unsure about including a course among your preferences, contact the relevant institution.
- This ATAR profile table is in line with Commonwealth Government transparency requirements. It is based on offers to recent school leavers (ie completed Year 12 in the last 2 years) who were selected solely or partly on their ATAR. Note that some institutions further differentiate this information on their websites.
- The ATAR values exclude any adjustment factors.
- The selection ranks include the ATAR and any adjustment factors.
Abbreviations
– = data is not available.<5 = less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
N/A = no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
NC = new course
NP = Not provided by institution
NR = No reportable profile
NS = No Semester 1 offers
NN = Unavailable (other)
NO = Entry on other criteria