Bachelor of Fine Arts (Set Construction Technologies)

The only set construction course of its kind in Australia, a BFA (Set Construction Technologies) sets you up to create the environments in which performances take place. Working in small cohorts, students follow a practice-based, immersive teaching and learning method designed to equip you with the creative, conceptual, practical and technical skills essential for constructing performance environments in the performing arts and entertainment industries.

As you progress, you'll learn to offer staging approaches from multiple standpoints, creatively interpret briefs from fabrication, mechanical and automation perspectives and train in timber and steel fabrication, rigging, structural, mechanical and electronic concepts leading to the automation of scenic elements. As well as the chance to cut your teeth on NIDA student productions, you will collaborate with external artists creating installations and performances, broadening employment opportunities.

Your industry-focused workshop skills are complemented and expanded upon by topics such as project management, work, health and safety, risk analysis, technical writing and presentation skills so you're all set from the outset.

To complete the degree, students can utilise their skills through a placement with a leading production company, either in Australia or internationally. Employment opportunities span theatre, film, events, automation, rigging and special effects for film, as well as construction coordination and management.

Learning outcomes

• Interpret and manipulate the materiality and engineered systems of performance environments to meet a design brief with dexterity and acuity.
• Rigorously investigate and respond creatively to a diverse range of technical design problems and develop creative innovative solutions.
• Demonstrate creative leadership through positive collaboration and the utilisation of honest, open, inclusive, and articulate communication in all stages of the design and production process.
• Demonstrate an awareness and commitment to innovative, ethical and sustainable practices in the choice of the materials, methods and techniques required for contemporary staging practice.
• Develop an autonomous, creative, professional scenic practice based on engagement with diverse fields of experience, knowledge, and culture.
• Apply entrepreneurial and management knowledge and practices to diverse collaborative and self-directed projects.