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Faculty
Fine & Applied Arts

School
School of Motion Picture Arts

Lights. Camera. Action! Come and learn from industry professionals at CapU’s state-of-the-art Bosa Centre for Film and Animation. Combine practice with theory to create magic.

Films have the power to transport people out of their daily lives with escapist excitement, inspire us with visual effects and flourishes, and spur social change with compelling narratives.

In Capilano University’s Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts program, you’ll learn how to tell stories that evoke emotions and change lives while studying at one of the top film schools in B.C. 

We'll give you all the tools to build your technical knowledge and creative confidence in this 4-year program. You'll be working with up-to-date professional equipment that includes an 8,000 sq. ft. sound stage, 3D camera rigs and a 3D editing lab.

You'll learn the theory and history of cinema and develop your critical thinking skills. At the same time you'll work through and gain skills in the different technical departments, ensuring you'll be ready to work in Canadian film and television after graduation.

For more information about this film studies bachelor degree program, take a look further down the page for what our program offers or contact us at film@capilanou.ca. 

A portrait of Doreen Manuel, the Director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation.

Learn from film industry veterans

Our experienced and well-connected faculty will help you develop the technical knowledge and creative confidence to succeed in film and television production.

Career paths

  • Director
  • Editor
  • Filmmaker
  • Producer
  • Screenwriter

Teamwork to make the dream work

Your collaboration with fellow students on a variety of projects will give you the chance to try out different filmmaking roles — writing, editing, post-production and more — as you decide on your focus.

Become a producer

You also have the option to pursue a concentration in Film Producing, which ensures you'll graduate with specific, career-ready skills to enhance your job search with wide-ranging work experience in producing and film business affairs.

CapU Motion Picture Arts student Spencer McCoach.
Motion Picture Arts student Spencer McCoach took part in CapU's first virtual international students exchange, partnering with film production students at VIA University College in Aarhus, Denmark, to create a film together remotely. Their films were shown at the Global Sustainability Short Film Alliance screening and symposium at the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation in British Columbia in March 2022.

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Intakes

Fall 2023

Location
North Vancouver

Course load
Full-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 4, 2022 – Feb 7, 2023

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 4, 2023

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 21, 2023

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

Admitted Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Admission notes

The letter of intent must not exceed two pages and should outline the applicant's interest in the program and reason for applying. It should be written in Calibri or Helvetica font, 12 point, and applicant name and student number must be at the top of all pages.

The entrance questionnaire will be sent out upon receipt of application.

For selected applicants, an interview will take place with a panel of two faculty members. Admission is competitive and only the most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview.

Continuation Requirements:

  • Advancement to the Degree at third year is highly competitive and continuation is based on the following criteria:
    • Successful completion of the diploma course work, or equivalent;
    • Students with the highest GPA (calculated on grades from all Motion Picture Arts courses in the Diploma) will be offered continuance to the third year;
  • Total numbers of students who are offered continuance will be set annually based on available spaces.
  • Those students who are not offered, or do not accept continuance into the third year will be eligible to apply for the Diploma credential if course requirements are met.

Returning and Transferring Students:

  • Students who wish to complete the degree must meet the Continuation Requirements above and admission will be based on seat availability.

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $15,468 $1,668 $17,136
Year 2 $17,314 $1,691 $19,005
Year 3 $15,019 $1,679 $16,698
Year 4 $13,617 $1,691 $15,308
Total $61,418 $6,729 $68,147
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $30,670 $1,668 $32,338
Year 2 $32,761 $1,691 $34,452
Year 3 $29,976 $1,679 $31,655
Year 4 $28,329 $1,691 $30,020
Total $121,736 $6,729 $128,465

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

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Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

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On this page

Required Courses

First Year

Total credits: 31.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
MOPA 100Technical Directing3.00 credits
MOPA 102Cinematography Foundation3.00 credits
MOPA 103Production Design I1.50 credits
MOPA 104Introduction to Producing3.00 credits
MOPA 106Screenwriting I3.00 credits
MOPA 108Introduction to Post-Production3.00 credits
MOPA 110MOPA Project #12.00 credits
MOPA 115Professional Development I1.50 credits
MOPA 118Production and Post-Production3.00 credits
MOPA 120MOPA Project #22.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits

 

Second Year

Total credits: 31.50

Required:
MOPA 201The Director's Craft3.00 credits
MOPA 206Screenwriting II3.00 credits
MOPA 207Technical Motion Picture Arts5.00 credits
MOPA 209Advanced Digital Editing3.00 credits
MOPA 210MOPA Project #36.00 credits
MOPA 211American Cinema3.00 credits
MOPA 213Production Design II1.00 credits
MOPA 217Sound Design for Film and Video1.50 credits
MOPA 220Line Producing and Production Management3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits of electives:
See below for elective requirements for the degree3.00 credits

 

Third Year

Total credits: 30.50

Required:
MOPA 302World Cinema3.00 credits
MOPA 310MOPA Project #46.00 credits
MOPA 312Canadian Cinema3.00 credits
MOPA 313Production Design III1.00 credits
Choose 14.50 credits from the following list:

Students must choose 14.5 credits from the following list of courses.

Students in the Producing Concentration must choose MOPA 319, MOPA 327, MOPA 332 and MOPA 335, plus 3.0 credits from the following: MOPA 304, MOPA 305, MOPA 306 or 3.00 additional credits of breadth electives.

MOPA 304Screenwriting III3.00 credits
MOPA 305Cinematography3.00 credits
MOPA 306Directing3.00 credits
MOPA 319The Independent Producer3.00 credits
MOPA 325Advanced Work Flow I2.50 credits
MOPA 327The Ethical Producer2.50 credits
MOPA 332Multi-Platform Monetization3.00 credits
MOPA 335Business Affairs3.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits of electives:
See below for elective requirements for the degree3.00 credits

 

Fourth Year

Total credits: 30.00

Required:
MOPA 409Visual Theory and Practice6.00 credits
MOPA 410MOPA Project #56.00 credits
MOPA 416Professional Practice1.00 credits
MOPA 430Practicum2.00 credits
Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:

Students in the Producing Concentration must choose MOPA 428

MOPA 425Advanced Work Flow II1.50 credits
MOPA 426Advanced Work Flow III1.50 credits
MOPA 428Advanced Producing3.00 credits
Choose 12.00 credits of electives:
See below for elective requirements for the degree12.00 credits

 

Elective Requirements

Choose electives:

18 100-level or higher breadth elective credits including 3 Quantitative/Analytical (Q/A) credits and 3 Science credits. 9 of these 18 credits must be upper level (300/400)

Total program credits: 123.00

Additional information

Students starting in their baccalaureate degree on or after Fall 2018 and graduating on or after June 2022 must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

Continuation Requirement: Advancement to the Degree at third year is highly competitive and continuation is based on the following criteria:

1) Successful completion of the diploma course work, or equivalent;

2) Students with the highest GPA (calculated on grades from all Motion Picture Arts courses in the Diploma) will be offered continuance to third year;

Total numbers of students who are offered continuance will be set annually based on available spaces.

Those students who are not offered, or do not accept continuance into third year will be eligible to apply for the Diploma credential if course requirements are met.

Producing Concentration: Students may obtain a concentration in Producing by completing the following 14.50 upper level credits: MOPA 319, MOPA 327, MOPA 332, MOPA 335 and MOPA 428.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and analyze historical, technical, philosophical and theoretical trends in the national and global cinemas that will broaden their understanding and perspective of the cinema and further inform their creative analysis and decision making.
  • Demonstrate levels of practical, critical, analytical and research skills, in terms of both the creative and producing components of filmmaking, that will broaden their range of applications of visual communication in order to expand their potential to realize and create meaningful career opportunities.
  • Ability to match their unique skills and vision to individual career goals and aspirations, combined with the abilities to problem solve and innovate within both the technical and creative components of filmmaking.
  • Exhibit and maintain the highest levels of professionalism throughout the filmmaking process, using a collaborative approach to problem-solving and situation analysis.
  • Achieve the necessary levels of inter-personal skills and confidence through self-analysis, learning, mentorship, responsibility and hands-on experience.
  • In addition to meeting the program-level learning outcomes, students completing the Concentration in Producing will meet the following concentration-specific learning outcomes:
  • Design and execute professional budgets and financing plans for production of media projects.
  • Evaluate the current digital landscape to source sales opportunities and negotiate distribution deals.
  • Apply and assess appropriate methodologies to generate complex administrative paperwork on behalf of producers.
  • Identify and assess the ethical and legal obligations embedded within content creation.
  • Develop and model respectful cross-cultural collaborations.

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar (pdf).

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Motion Picture Arts
604 990 7868
Bosa Centre for Film and Animation
film@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Birch Building, room BR230

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca

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