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/PTE for students whose primary language is not English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): paper=560, computer=220, internet=83, or English Language Assessment (ELA)=145, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS)=6.5 overall, and no one score less than 6, or Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)=70, or Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)=56 or Capilano University ESLF 080 with a minimum B+ grade.
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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 experience (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
Please see the Fees and Fee Payment section of the Capilano website. Financial aid is available to eligible students for eligible programs. For more information, please see Financial Aid and Awards.
| Intakes: | Campus | Terms | Full/Part Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Vancouver | Fall | Full-Time |
| First Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 18.25 | ||
| Required: | 18.25 | ||
| CMNS 131 | Business Writing for Documentary | 3.00 | |
| DOCS 101 | Documentary Equipment Field Use | 1.50 | |
| DOCS 102 | Documentary Production I | 6.00 | |
| DOCS 103 | Sound Recording for Documentary | 0.75 | |
| DOCS 106 | Documentary Story Part I | 1.50 | |
| DOCS 107 | Documentary Audio and Video Post-Production: Foundation | 1.50 | |
| DOCS 108 | Documentary Studies | 3.00 | |
| DOCS 109 | Directing the Documentary, Part I | 1.00 | |
| Second Term | Course Credits | Required Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits | 14.75 | ||
| Total Program Credits | 33.00 | ||
| Required: | 14.75 | ||
| DOCS 108 | Documentary Studies | Continued | |
| DOCS 122 | Documentary Production II | 6.00 | |
| DOCS 124 | Advanced Lighting and Camera | 1.00 | |
| DOCS 126 | Documentary Story Part II | 1.50 | |
| DOCS 129 | Directing the Documentary, Part II | 1.00 | |
| DOCS 131 | Documentary Producing | 3.00 | |
| DOCS 133 | Sound Design for Documentary | 0.75 | |
| DOCS 147 | Documentary Audio and Video Post-Production: Advanced | 1.50 | |