Advanced Filmmaking-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| FILM-6001 | Documentary Film History & Theory | 2 | ||
| This course will introduce students to documentary history and critical methodology by looking at a range documentary films that have contested and expanded the documentary canon along with the conceptual debates and challenges to documentary filmmaking they have incited. The main focus will be on the Western canon; however, students will be given a short list of documentary films which they will be expected to view in the college library. | ||||
| BUSI-6004 | The Business of Media | 2 | ||
| This course introduces students to the business side of the film, TV and media industries. Topics, including; budgeting, contracts, copyright, funding, licensing, Canadian content, tax credits and union agreements are all covered during this class. | ||||
| COMM-6047 | Writing for Media | 4 | ||
| This course will introduce each student to the concept development process in the Film and Television industry. Students will learn how to use screenwriting software throughout the writing and production planning process. During the first part of this course students will complete a variety of exercises such as researching, brainstorming and story development. Each student will pitch a documentary film concept to the class. In the second half of the course, students will be introduced to writing for narrative films, focusing on screenplay formatting, character development and story structure. Students will learn how to use screenwriting software to complete several script-writing exercises as well as write a short format screenplay that may be produced in the winter semester. | ||||
| FILM-6019 | The People & the Process | 2 | ||
| This course will explore the process and challenges involved in managing creative productions. Tasks such casting, sourcing crews, hiring talent, scheduling, arranging permits, site surveys and many others will be taught and discussed. A series of exercises and projects will be completed to improve the student's confidence in these areas. | ||||
| FILM-6016 | Cinematography 1 | 2 | ||
| This course is designed to teach the student about the fundamentals of the craft of cinematography. Through lectures, hands-on class work and in the field experience, the student will learn how to operate professional High Definition cameras, peripheral camera equipment and accessories and location lighting equipment. Aesthetic and technical aspects of the craft will be learnt, with an emphasis on how all of this applies to the creation of documentary films. | ||||
| FILM-6023 | Editing 1 | 2.5 | ||
| This project-based course will provide an opportunity for the students to learn the art and craft of editing using Avid Media Composer software as it relates to documentary and reality-based productions. Creativity, organization, a comprehension of the technical aspects of digital video, editing terminology and theory are the foundations of this course. Students can choose to work towards becoming Avid Certified Users. | ||||
| FILM-6020 | Production 1 | 5.5 | ||
| This project-based course will provide an opportunity for the students to perform production tasks in studio and location environments. During the second half of this course the students will complete a documentary production and crew on a number of other studio and field related exercises. | ||||
| FILM-6021 | Production Sound | 2 | ||
| This course will introduce students to basic sound theory, and guide them towards developing listening skills and recording techniques to allow for the effective capture and use of sound in film and television productions. Students will also learn about the technical and creative aspects of integrating sound with picture during the post-production process. Professional sound recording techniques will be demonstrated and applied, providing students with the skills and knowledge to capture high quality sound in a wide variety of situations and environments. Students will practice production sound recording on digital recorders and cameras, and edit sound on a non-linear video editing workstation. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| FILM-6015 | Canadian Narrative Cinema | 2 | ||
| This course is designed to develop a critical approach to Canadian cinema (English, French and multicultural) and to examine films (features and shorts) by important Canadian filmmakers. Emphasis will be on the historical development of Canadian cinema and the theoretical response to it. Students will learn to identify technical and thematic aspects dominant in Canadian cinema. | ||||
| DEVL-6013 | Career Planning | 2 | ||
| This course covers all the essential elements of preparing students to secure employment in the film and TV industry. The course will identify the broad spectrum of positions in the industry in all phases and sectors well beyond key crew. The course covers interview techniques, resume and cover letter writing and strategic career planning in preparation for internships and future employment. The subject of self-promotion will include business cards, demo reels and websites. Industry field trips, guest speakers and a focus on networking both with the industry and amongst student colleagues will complement the course. | ||||
| MKTG-6014 | Marketing & Distribution | 2 | ||
| Throughout this course students will explore the challenges of marketing and distributing independent films. A variety of marketing and distribution opportunities will be analyzed and critiqued as the students get ready to promote film productions that will be profitable and well received. Students will experience and understand how film festivals function through their participation in organizing and running the Advanced Filmmaking Programs Annual Film Festival. | ||||
| FILM-6008 | Production Logistics | 2 | ||
| This course will explore real world situations and problems that must be solved to complete a production. These are often referred to as the hurdles that must be overcome to have a successful production. A series of guest lecturers will share their experiences within the industry. Group exercises will explore the ramifications of many production issues and solutions that come up during all parts if the production process. Issues related to funding, revisions, test audiences, budget, weather, talent, equipment, crew, and deadlines will be discussed and examined. | ||||
| FILM-6017 | Cinematography 2 | 2 | ||
| This hands-on course is a continuation of Cinematography 1, and is designed to further the students understanding of art of cinematography through the operation of the High Definition video camera, camera accessories, grip gear and field lighting equipment. Theoretical and practical exercises will be completed throughout the semester to improve operational skills. Artificial and natural lighting sources will be utilized as the student experiments with lighting narrative scenes. Throughout the semester students will light and shoot a series of exercises and assignments in a variety of situations. Shot composition, optics and camera movements will be explored as well. The single camera (film style) approach to shooting scenes will be the focus of this course. | ||||
| FILM-6010 | Editing 2 | 1.5 | ||
| This project-based course will provide an opportunity for the students to perform non-linear editing using Avid Media Composer software while developing a skill set for editing narrative film projects. Creativity, organization, a comprehension of digital video technical issues, editing terminology and theory are the foundations of this course. Projects will utilize a combination of material shot by the students and provided by the instructor. Students will learn and gain practice of the editing process from the initial transfer and logging to the final output for various distribution outlets. | ||||
| FILM-6011 | Directing | 1 | ||
| This course will explore people management, time management and production management skills as they relate to the directors role in a narrative film production. A series of team and written exercises will expose the students to a variety of production tasks, such as storyboarding, shot listing, shot blocking, casting, rehearsing, crew management and working to a deadline. Single-camera productions will help the student gain confidence in the directing position while 'calling the shots.' | ||||
| FILM-6022 | Production 2 | 5.5 | ||
| This project-based course will provide an opportunity for the students to perform production tasks in studio and location environments. During this course the students will work in teams to complete a narrative film. | ||||
| DEVL-6023 | Project Development 2 | 2 | ||
| This course is a continuation of Project Development 1. Throughout the semester, guest speakers will share valuable information about the film industry. Furthermore, special workshops will be held to enhance existing program curriculum, and the students will be able to work on various projects along with their major narrative film projects. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| FILM-6014 | Internship/Capstone Independent Study | 8.4 | ||
| Students may obtain a placement with a film or television company, where they will complete duties as determined in a collaboratively-created learning contract with the employer. Alternatively, students may elect to create an independent 'capstone' media project in a team with other students who have selected this option. | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 13 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||