Documentary Certificate Program
Focusing on the growing market for smaller scale productions, this
certificate program provides students with skills needed to produce, write
and edit documentary or specialized productions. The program covers the
development, pre-production, production, post-production and packaging
stages. It also covers a thorough understanding of the genre, focusing on
writing, camera techniques, picture and sound editing and business
management.
Graduates will have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills
necessary to pursue a career in independent filmmaking. The students will
have a demonstrable understanding of both "above the line" job functions
(writing, producing, directing, financing) and "below the line" job
functions (art direction, cinematography, picture editing, special effects
and budgeting). Further, their creative efforts will be informed by a
thorough understanding of the history of world cinema and its effects on
current film trends.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
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Demonstrate a commitment to non-fiction stories and their
expression in a visual form.
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Perform the fundamentals of producing, directing and writing
for documentary and specialty production.
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Apply the aesthetic, intellectual and philosophical dimensions
of specific documentary genres, paying particular attention to the
principals of documentary writing and production.
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Employ effective research strategies into a variety of subject
areas for different documentary sub-genres such as history,
politics, culture, and performing arts.
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Conceptualize and develop a documentary or specialized
production considering funding, planning, writing and presenting or
pitching.
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Demonstrate technical understanding of and work with all
necessary video and audio production equipment.
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Perform audio and video editing in postproduction - story
structure and a comprehensive understanding of aesthetic and
technical elements of post production.
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Understand and execute other aspects of production including
fundraising, promotion, distribution and film festival
competition.
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Employ the breadth of aesthetic understanding through
knowledge of the history of documentary production and analysis of
the documentary as a persuasive means of communication to achieve
social goals through the point-of-view documentary.
The production opportunities available to emerging filmmakers have
proliferated in recent years from the multi-channel universe of
specialty broadcast cable and satellite programming to new production
and distribution platforms such as the internet and cell phones.
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BC Secondary School Graduation (Grade 12) or equivalent OR Mature Student status with successful completion of testing and/or upgrading in English or Math skills.
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English Language Requirement, TOEFL / ELA / IELTS / CAEL for students whose primary language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based requirement = 560, computer-based requirement = 220, internet-based requirement = 83, or English Language Assessment (ELA) requirement = 145, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirement = 6.5 overall, and no one score less than 6, or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment requirement (CAEL) = 70.
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Interview
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Applicants will provide a two or three page essay/letter indicating their interest in the documentary and factual entertainment field and any previous related expereince (if applicable).
Apply for Admission/Readmission online or by downloading and completing an application form. Completed applications must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee, official transcripts and other pertinent documents, and should be submitted to:
Registrar's Office Capilano University, Birch building, room 230
2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5
Phone: 604.984.4900
Fax: 604.984.1798