Documentary Program
DOCUMENTARY DEPARTMENT IS STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2010
Focusing on the expanding market for smaller scale productions from traditional to new media, the Capilano University Documentary Program is designed to meet the needs of emerging documentary filmmakers in a rapidly changing industry. Students acquire the foundational skills needed to produce, direct, write and edit documentary or specialized productions in a mentored environment with award-winning filmmakers. With a strong emphasis on story development, the Documentary Program curriculum is modeled after a professional production cycle. Each term students develop their story ideas in the classroom as they prepare to direct a short documentary project in the second half of the term, collaborating in 2-3 person teams on each others projects and mentored by our faculty.
Further integrating the coursework with its application in the field, students additionally crew on several 1-minute video production exercises as director/editor, camera, and sound, to immerse in the production process throughout the program, from concept and development
to pre-production, production, post-production and distribution and marketing phases.
Students also attend real industry events and markets to learn professional development, networking and market research skills. Every year, our students greatly benefit from the mentorship of many guest speakers from Vancouver's world-renowned documentary film community.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
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.
Graduates have gone on to make award-winning films and work in the film industry in a variety of entry-level capacities, from research to post production to producing community television. They also continue to travel the globe with their cameras, documenting our changing world: from coral research in the Pacific Northwest, to sovereignty patrols in
the Canadian high Arctic and modernization deep in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea, one of the last frontiers on earth.
PROGRAM GOALS
As we begin a new decade of documentary cinema, Capilano University's Documentary Program provides a supportive, stimulating and collaborative environment for students to develop their intellectual, technical and artistic abilities in order to create compelling films for an ever-changing world and industry.
By integrating coursework with applied learning, our goal is that program graduates will:
Knowledge
Apply the aesthetic, philosophical and theoretical concepts of documentary cinema from a breadth of non-fiction sub-genres.
Understand and execute other aspects of documentary production including fundraising, promotion, distribution and film festival competition.
Skills
Conceptualize, research and develop a documentary or specialized non-fiction production considering funding, planning, writing and presenting or pitching.
Demonstrate technical understanding of and work with all necessary video and audio production and post production equipment.
Values
Develop self-awareness, inter-personal skills and confidence to participate as a contributing member of a documentary production team and community, displaying industry-standard professionalism.
ASSESSMENT
Student progress will be assessed through course work, field work, the production of two short films and professional behaviour
Field Work
Students create two short non-fiction films, fulfilling the roles of researcher, writer, interviewer, director, producer and editor on each. Additionally, students crew on several 1-minute video exercises as director, camera and sound.
Demo Reel
At the end of the program, students create a professional portfolio of their written and visual assignments, which include a demo reel, research reports, proposals, scripts, biography, marketing & distribution plan, media kit, and dvd jacket.
Professional Development
Students are expected to complete all work to professional standards including: participate as a responsible crew member on several digital video productions, create an industry-standard resume and cover letter suitable for entry level employment, and network at industry events.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
Building a professional foundation through course work, field work, and professional development, students completing this program will:
Demonstrate competence in producing and directing documentary or specialized non-fiction production through the execution and delivery of a documentary short subject film, considering story structure, funding, planning, writing and presenting or pitching.
Apply technical skills to carry out basic operation of camera, lighting, sound and post production systems
Employ effective research strategies in a variety of subject areas, such as history, politics, culture, and performing arts.
Demonstrate professional standard interpersonal skills to work as a cooperative member of a professional creative and technical team.
Apply professional and technical skills to become entry-level employees for documentary and factual entertainment production companies, and to support the independent film community.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
This certificate program will be delivered over two consecutive terms beginning in September.
Term 1: Classroom study and project work
Term 2: Classroom study and project work
PROGRAM CONTENT
First Term: The Introduction
Documentary Story, Part I
Documentary Development
Equipment Field Use
Documentary Production I
Audio and Video Post Production Foundation
Communications
Documentary Studies
Second Term: The Foundation
Story, Part 2
Development II
Audio and Video Post Production Advanced
Lighting and Camera
Sound
Producing
Production II
Documentary Studies
View the Documentary Certificate Program in the online calendar.
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