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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate: Film, Television and Entertainment Production 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90741  Higher Certificate: Film, Television and Entertainment Production 
ORIGINATOR
South African School of Motion Picture Medium & Live Performance (Pty) Ltd / AFDA (The) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Film, Television and Video 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  132  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 Qualification is designed to equip learners with sufficient vocational skills to enter the Film, Television and Entertainment industries as Technical Assistants in a variety of disciplines.

Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Understand television production and the filmmaking process by doing five theoretical modules that cover the five stages of filmmaking, namely concept development, pre-production, production, post-production, distribution and exhibition.
  • Apply the basic methods, procedures and techniques of filmmaking and understand the various crew roles required to successfully complete the process of producing a film.
  • Operate effectively in a range of vocational assistant positions through completing work-simulated exercises in these capacities.
  • Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently at an appropriate level.

    Rationale:
    Due to the rapid growth in the local Entertainment industry, the constant demand for persons with the necessary support skills and practical experience needed for film, television and entertainment production seems to be on the increase. The Qualification addresses this specific need through its vocational education and training model. It is aimed at equipping learners with the required theoretical, technical, practical, ethical knowledge and skills, and professional attitude well suited for the Film, Television and Entertainment industry. It provides learners without matric exemption with an opportunity to acquire the necessary vocational knowledge and skills needed for employment in various support positions within the industry. The qualification exposes learners to theoretical and practical skills with a strong focus on technology and creativity. In this way it increases the employability of qualifying learners at the exit point. This qualification also forms the foundation from where learners can pursue further studies into related industry fields. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners who register for this qualification have:
  • Competency in the language of instruction which includes the ability to read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature at NQF Level 4.
  • Competency in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Learners who do not meet the entry requirements may gain admission through RPL by demonstrating competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit to the Film, Television and Entertainment industry.
  • Learners may also receive credits towards the qualification where competence in a specific component is established by a qualified assessor.
  • RPL will therefore be applied on a case-by-case basis, using a structured range of assessment tools, procedures and techniques, to assess the leaner's competences against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:
    To gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have one of the following:
  • National Senior Certificate.
  • National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4.
  • Senior Certificate.
  • Any relevant Further Education and Training Certificate. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5:
  • General Introduction to Film Production, 32 Credits.
  • Concept Development of Entertainment Product, 21 Credits.
  • Pre-Production of Entertainment Product, 11 Credits.
  • Film Production, 21 Credits.
  • Film Post Production, 14 Credits.
  • Distribution and Exhibition, 23 Credits.
  • Work-integrated Short Film Project, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate experiential understanding of the motion picture and television production disciplines and practices.
    2. Engage critically with discussions in applied contexts, appropriate to the level of information in the curriculum without having to conceptualise novel content but to demonstrate an understanding of content given to them.
    3. Identify and solve practical problems associated with motion picture production such as the typical vocational problems involving assistants and key crew members.
    4. Take account of the professional and ethical practices of motion picture production, including the conventions of intellectual property and referencing.
    5. Communicate information clearly, accurately and coherently, using the lexicon and register associated with television and motion picture production.
    6. Demonstrate an ability to account by understanding how the different phases in the motion picture and television production process interface and what the impact on the whole process can be if one task has not been completed to the required standard.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • A five-minute film is produced and assessed according to industry protocol for concept development, pre-production, production, post-production, exhibition and distribution.
  • A range of resources is created and used to effectively manage teams, sections, departments or divisions for film, television, stage and live events.
  • Four five-page academic essays, one per term, demonstrating the required academic competence to enter an undergraduate degree programme are produced.
  • Practical preparation for film, television, stage and live events is done with the assistance of members in all departments.
  • Financial transactions for film, television, stage and live events are recorded and reconciled.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: line producer assistants and stage manager assistants.
  • Equipment for a film shoot, television production, stage and live events is obtained, tested and maintained.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: gaffers, grips, lighting technicians for film and stage and sound assistants for film and stage.
  • Equipment, materials and tools for film, television, stage and live events are operated.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: gaffers, grips, lighting technicians and sound assistants.
  • Quality sound is captured with a boom microphone for film and television production.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: boom swinger and sound engineer assistants.
  • Stage and live performances are stage managed.
    > Range: The assist position involved: stage manager assistant.
  • Sound for film production is obtained and transferred.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: sound design assistants and editing assistants.
  • Picture and sound are edited to specification for film and television production.
    > Range: The assist positions involved are: editing assistants for film and television and vision mixers.
  • Markets for film, television, stage and live events are targeted.
    > Range: The assist position involved: production assistant.
  • Hospitality and marketing assistance is provided at film, television, stage and live events.
    > Range: The assist position involved: production assistant.
  • Marketing resources are identified and utilised to meet the objectives for film, television, stage and live events.
    > Range: The assist position involved: production assistant.
  • Academic essays are produced to demonstrate the required academic and occupational competences in presenting information in a reliable and coherent way.
  • A variety of texts about the entertainment industry are analysed to improve academic development and higher order language acquisition.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. Formative assessment is conducted to obtain constructive feedback, which focuses on the extent of competence as measured against outcomes as a mechanism to monitor learning progress, identify weak points or limitations and provide remedial guidance to learners for further learning and professional development.

    Summative assessment:
    A variety of assessment methods and tools may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
  • Written essays.
  • Practical production project resulting in the production of a five-minute film.
  • Assessment of assist/support skills in simulated contexts.

    Assessment will ensure engagement with both theory and practice. Assessment tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others will be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. A broad range of task-oriented and theoretical assessment tools will be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Higher Certificate: Film, Television and Entertainment Production may be compared with the following qualifications even though the naming conventions are different.

    Los Angeles City College in Westwood, California: Certificate in Film and Television Production:
    The qualification provides learners with an in-depth knowledge of filmmaking production and all related technical skills of camera operation, sound recording, lighting and non-linear editing. Learners study the fundamentals of documentary theory and the filmmaking processes with a particular emphasis on production coordination and post-production, editing specific to documentary filmmaking. The Certificate in Film and Television is designed with a strong focus on practical hands-on production that allows learners to develop advanced production skills within a short time frame. The qualification also introduces learners to cross-platform media concepts and equips them with appropriate skills for the rapidly changing media landscape.

    The qualification comprises the following modules:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Introduction to Motion Picture Production.
  • Beginning Motion Picture Workshop.
  • History of Motion Pictures.
  • History of the Documentary Film.
  • Motion Picture Photography.
  • Motion Picture and TV Sound.
  • Editing Fundamentals.

    Elective Modules:
  • Camera, Lighting and Sound for Television and Cinema or Introduction to TV Equipment Procedures.
  • Studio and Remote Production or Television Production.
  • Digital Video Production Workshop or Non-Linear Editing With Final Cut Pro.

    Zee Institute of Media Arts in Mumbai, India: Advanced Certificate in Cinematography:
    The qualification is designed to equip learners with requisite theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to assume assist roles in both film and television productions.

    The qualification consists of the following modules:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • The Principles of Still and Motion Picture Photography.
  • Various types of Light Sources and their Practical Application.
  • Basics of Lighting, Detailed Practicals on Various Types of Lighting Situations.
  • Filters and Composition, study of Temperature, Depth of Field.
  • Study of Movie Cameras and various Types of Film Stock.
  • The Grammar of Single Camera and Multi Camera Placements.
  • Roots and reasons for selecting a camera style.
  • Study of the Video Cameras and Principles of Videography.
  • Principles of Optics as applied to Photography.
  • Assignments and Group Projects for Digital Camera Studies.

    Conclusion:
    Whilst the overall structure of the qualifications varies with regard to the qualification types, the areas of study, duration and credit allocation, the focus remains the same. Another common feature is that all the qualifications comprise a theoretical as well as a practical component. All the qualifications are aimed at ensuring that learners acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques intrinsic to the Film, Television and Entertainment industry. This implies therefore that the Higher Certificate: Film, Television and Entertainment Production compares favourably with the relevant international qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates with the following:
  • Higher Certificate: Design, Film and Television Make-up, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate: Digital Film Production, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates with:
  • Advanced Certificate: Communication Photography, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma: Sound Technology and Production, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Moderation of the academic writing skills, as assessed by means of essays, is carried out internally in keeping with the policy of the Institution and in consultation with the relevant Quality Council.
  • The minimum requirement for the appointment as an internal moderator is a qualification at least one NQF level above the qualification being assessed or moderated. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors will have to successfully complete the institutional internal assessors training module.
    External assessment specialists from peer institutions are also utilised. 

    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.
     
    1. SA School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance - Johannesburg 
    2. South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance t/a AFDA (The) - Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.