Doctor of Motion Picture Production

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce filmmakers who will contribute as researchers, professors and senior lecturers to sustain the growth of the South African cinema, film and television industry. The qualification provides the opportunity to contribute original knowledge to a chosen field of specialisation. On completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner will have acquired specialist knowledge in their chosen field and proficiency in critically analysing existing research practices and discourses. The learner will have contributed to the knowledge base of her or his field and be recognised as an expert therein. Qualifying learners will be able to disseminate their research findings in various forms such as through publication, participation in conferences, convening research areas, etc.

Graduates with the qualification must be able to reflect critically on theory and its application. They must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively. They must be able to design and critically appraise research, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Further, they should demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

The qualification, lastly, addresses the imperatives of ethical and professional practice within academia and the creative industry-based knowledge economy. Accordingly, qualifying learners should be able to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in their chosen fields of specialisation and academia.

Rationale

The qualification is offered in to offer learners the opportunity to apply critical, conceptual and problem-solving skills toward contributing original knowledge to the fields of Motion Picture Production. The qualification has furthermore been designed with the needs of academia as it interfaces with the motion picture production sector in mind. South African society requires an expansion of academically trained professionals who can contribute to the knowledge economy within the motion picture production sector and academia.

The qualification will satisfy the need for academic personnel that are research enabled and well-prepared to teach at a higher institution level. The qualification is also aligned with the qualifications of international film schools and institutions. The qualification also allows students to continue on a practical pathway by applying practice-based research and artistic-output research.

It should be noted that not all learners have one goal in mind, and that is, to become professional filmmakers. Such learners may venture into other careers in the film as film lecturers (academics), film critics, film historians, film managers, etc. The qualification provides an opportunity for such learners to achieve/accomplish their intended occupation.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) possible. This qualification may therefore be achieved in part or completely through the RPL process, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. RPL follows the institution's policy and procedures and is implemented accordingly.

Learners will be informed regarding the RPL processes as well as being provided with support and guidance. Care is ensured that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not as onerous as to prevent a learner from taking up the RPL option towards qualifying or as an entrance assessment. If the learner can demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit for this qualification, the appropriate credits will be assigned to the learner.

For the postgraduate level, the institution includes an option for students to apply to upgrade their Masters to a Doctoral status. This is subject to scrutiny and would be engaged by the RPL office and Registrar's environment.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Motion Picture Production, Level 9 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Full Dissertation: Motion Picture Production, 360 Credits.

1. Conceptualise and initiate new research and research projects to generate original knowledge or innovative practice.
2. Apply appropriate and creative methods, processes or technologies and specialist knowledge in critically reflexive ways to complex practical and theoretical problems.
3. Take accountability for knowledge produced and disseminated and for autonomous ethical decisions made.
4. Access, process and manage information to achieve relevant research aims. This entails the ability to analyse and synthesise incomplete and inconsistent information or data to generate original insights.
5. Demonstrate research leadership underpinned by intellectual independence.
6. Analyse contexts and systems to reach an understanding of theoretical underpinnings and systemic dynamics to effect change within an area of expertise, a system, or systems.
7. Produce, communicate and disseminate information to a range of audiences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Engage with knowledge literacy, or meta-critiquing of current research practices, as well as scholarship and academic discourses in a particular field, discipline or practice.
• Formulate a complex research problem/s to contribute original knowledge to a specific area within a chosen field of expertise.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select, combine, or devise relevant, research methods appropriate for addressing the identified research problem/s.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in academia and the creative industries based knowledge economy.
• Faultlessly apply rigorous standards with regards to: plagiarism; the acknowledgement of resources and pre-existing ideas; research ethics; and the responsibilities that devolve from conducting and disseminating original research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse and synthesise incomplete and inconsistent information or data to generate original insights.
• Critique existing information/data and generate and manage original knowledge in a way that demonstrates the ability to systematise or otherwise synthesise incomplete, inconsistent or conflicting information/data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Substantiate the validity of knowledge produced based on expertise and intellectual autonomy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Recognise and understand inconsistencies in existing knowledge in such a way as to enable change within knowledge paradigms or practices within a chosen field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Disseminate information of international standard through participation in conferences, publishing, or establishing research niche areas.
• Communicate through various academic and/or professional means including publishable, peer-reviewed work, which meets international standards.

Integrated Assessment

The Doctor of Motion Picture Production thesis will be evaluated employing a Thesis project evaluated by two external examiners.

Formative Assessment

Regular supervisor/feedback reports provide the candidate with suggestions for further work and development of the research project.

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment of the thesis (and body of practical work, where applicable) determines the final results.