ObjectivesThe two-term Motion Picture Production Diploma Program builds upon the foundations established in the Motion Picture Production Certificate Program. This second year program delves more deeply into "above the line" areas of expertise, such as screenwriting, producing and directing, as well as exploring further such post-production concerns as editing and sound design. Even more than in the previous year, a challenging schedule of student productions is a key element of the curriculum. Several film scripts, written and developed during the Fall term, will be produced in the Spring term. Following industry standards as closely as possible, these films are for the most part shot on location, often making use of professional actors.
FILM Motion Picture Production Certificate Program 33.00
Credits 33.00
First Term Course Credits
Required: 19.50
FILM 201 Directing the Camera and Actor 3.00
FILM 202 Producing 3.00
FILM 204 Screenwriting 3.00
FILM 216 Picture and Sound Editing 3.00
FILM 219 Basics of Production Design 1.50
FILM 230 Motion Picture Technical Arts 6.00
Credits 19.50
Second Term Course Credits
Required: 16.50
ENGL 100 Academic Writing Strategies 3.00
FILM 212 History of Canadian Film 3.00
FILM 213 Motion Picture Project #4 and #5 6.00
FILM 218 Sound Design for Film and Video 1.50
FILM 322 Entrepreneurship for Film and Television 3.00
Credits 16.50
Total Program Credits 69.00
FILM 201 Directing the Camera and Actor
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course is designed to explore the director's role in film and television production.
FILM 202 Producing
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course explores the producer's role in professional film production.
FILM 204 Screenwriting
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course explores the creative and technical aspects of writing the screenplay.
FILM 210 Set Administration
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: FILM 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114
This course familiarizes students with film set administrative procedures.
FILM 212 History of Canadian Film
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 19.50 200-level Film credits
This course is designed to explore the historical significance of the Canadian film industry and its relevance to contemporary film production and the global film community.
FILM 213 Motion Picture Project #4 and #5
6.00 credits (8,2,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 19.50 200-level Film credits
An intensive hands-on production course involving both studio and location filming. Students' scripts are taken from development stage all the way through production. A minimum of four 15 to 20 minute dramatic films are produced over the term.
FILM 216 Picture and Sound Editing
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course builds upon and reinforces the foundation of editing skills and knowledge acquired in the Motion Picture Production Program.
FILM 218 Sound Design for Film and Video
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course focuses on a study of the principles of sound creation and aesthetics and their application to a sound edit in film and video.
FILM 219 Basics of Production Design
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
This course familiarizes students with the processes involved in the planning and execution of a Production Design for a dramatic motion picture production.
FILM 230 Motion Picture Technical Arts
6.00 credits (8,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 33.00 100-level Film credits
Theoretical and practical aspects of cinematography, sound and production are explored and applied in this team taught interdisciplinary course. Students are evaluated on individual professionalism, technical competency, and their ability to deliver the final project.
FILM 300 Advanced Screenwriting
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course explores in depth the critical dramatic elements in the three-act structure, examining the importance of back-story in the development of storyline and character, and examining the process of creating Production Revisions.
FILM 303 Production Budgeting and Accounting
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 18.00 300-level Film credits
This course explores the methodology employed in creating a detailed, multi-level production budget and looks at the accounting basics required for recording and monitoring budget expenses.
FILM 305 Advanced Directing for Film and Television
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course teaches the filmmaker's role in the world of professional film and television production. Special emphasis is placed on acquiring the practical skills and knowledge required by the professional filmmaker.
FILM 307 History of World Cinema
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course is designed to follow FILM 212, History of Canadian Film. It explores the history of cinema in a wide assortment of countries and investigates the relative international impact of those countries' filmmakers.
FILM 309 Special and Visual Effects
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course provides an overview of the principles and practices of modern visual effects and special effects as used in film and television production. Special emphasis is given to developing the skills with which a filmmaker conceptualizes and communicates effects concepts to the production team, rather than teaching hands-on effects creation.
FILM 311 Advanced Producing
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course is designed to expand upon the skills and knowledge gained in FILM 203, further exploring the role of the Producer in dramatic film production. Special emphasis is placed on project development and low-budget independent production.
FILM 313 Production Financing
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the various development and production funding models. This course addresses both governmental and non-governmental sources of financing, with an emphasis on low-budget indigenous production.
FILM 315 Visual Aesthetics
1.50 credits (4,0,0) hrs 08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course provides advanced management skills in the field of visual aesthetics. Specifically, it focuses on the components of visual imagery as it relates to film and television production and the conceptual, communication and management skills needed by the modern filmmaker to achieve visual aesthetic excellence within a professional team environment.
FILM 320 Motion Picture Project #6
6.00 credits (8,2.27,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 18.00 300-level Film credits
This course explores the art and practice of filmed dramatic entertainment. It is designed to provide mentored hands-on experience in the artistic disciplines as well as the industrial practices of entry-level dramatic film and video production.
FILM 322 Entrepreneurship for Film and Television
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course provides students with an insight into the subject of entrepreneurship - owning and operating their own business associated with the motion picture and television industries. It provides an overview of small business in Canada (concentrating on motion pictures and television) and the process of a new business start-up. It also provides an understanding of the tasks required to develop a business plan, including market research, financing, accounting, marketing and human resource management. Students are required to formulate this plan and present it to their peers and faculty.
FILM 325 Creative Direction in Post Production
3.00 credits (4,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 18.00 300-level Film credits
This course explores the principles and practices of creative management of the post-production process in professional film and television. Special emphasis is placed on directing and managing the personnel and processes currently employed in the field.
FILM 330 Aesthetics of Filmmaking
9.00 credits (12,0,0) hrs 15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 63.00 Film credits
This course is designed to provide practical opportunities for students to explore and develop fluency, aesthetic judgment and cinematic voice. Students are expected to integrate content with an articulate visual language. Each student will write and direct three of their own films, and take on many key creative and technical roles on all other films made by their group.