Cinematic Arts and Production

This hands-on studio course invites students into the collaborative world of audio and visual production, where their stories take shape through technology. Students will capture compelling visuals, design clean and dynamic soundscapes, and experience the full production process from concept to final cut. Along the way, they will learn how to shape mood, build atmosphere, and enhance narrative through sight and sound. Emphasis is placed on creative problem-solving, experimentation, and developing workflows that mirror industry practice. By the end of the course, students will have gained the skills and confidence to transform their own ideas into polished, screen-ready content.

Success in digital media depends not only on creative talent but also on the ability to collaborate, adapt, and grow through challenge. This course helps students build the personal and professional skills that drive success in high-performance creative environments. Through reflection, teamwork, and real-world scenarios, students will practice effective communication, constructive critique, and problem-solving under pressure. Emphasis is placed on work ethic, adaptability, being coachable, and openness to feedback, preparing students to contribute with confidence and seize opportunities across cinematic, live, and digital media production.

Students learn the fundamentals of image formation and exposure, safe operation of film and video cameras and lenses, and the setup of location lighting and sound. The course introduces electrical safety for lighting equipment, including power distribution, load planning, and safe rigging practices. In studio sessions and on location, learners plan, shoot, and record short narrative pieces that integrate camera control, lighting design, microphone selection, and clean audio capture. Teams practice visual and sonic storytelling from pre-production through delivery, reflect on results, and refine techniques. By the end of the course, each team delivers portfolio ready short projects that demonstrate technical competence and creative intent.

Students learn the creative and technical foundations of picture and sound editing. They build fluency with non linear editing concepts, core terminology, and media management workflows, then practice timeline assembly, trimming strategies, continuity, and pacing. Learners apply basic image adjustments, titling, and compositing to support story, and explore the audio signal chain including level, equalization, dynamics, and sync. Through guided labs they integrate dialogue, music, and effects, manage formats and codecs, and export deliverables to specification. By the end, students cut a short piece that demonstrates coherent narrative, clean sync, balanced mix, captions as appropriate, and well organized project files.

Step into the director’s chair and discover the power of performance. This dynamic, hands-on course introduces you to the essential skills of directing and performance, with a creative focus on spoken word, storytelling, pitching, and presentation. Whether you’re guiding on-camera talent or collaborating behind the scenes, you’ll build confidence in how to communicate ideas clearly, authentically, and persuasively. Through interactive workshops and team-based projects, you’ll explore how performance can drive compelling narratives and bring ideas to life. You’ll also get a practical introduction to coverage techniques and the visual language of directing, perfect for anyone curious about how stories move from concept to screen. Whether you dream of directing, performing, or producing, this course is your first step into the world of media and storytelling.

Building on foundational skills, this intermediate course deepens students’ understanding of directing and performance within collaborative media environments. Emphasis is placed on expanding visual storytelling, working with actors and crew, and navigating more complex production scenarios. Students will explore casting, script analysis, and set management while refining their ability to shape tone, pacing, and performance through visual language and direction. With a continued focus on clarity, adaptability, and communication, this course prepares students to take greater creative and leadership ownership in both scripted and unscripted production contexts.

Designed for emerging digital media professionals, this course introduces the essential business skills needed to build a sustainable creative career. With a focus on entrepreneurial practices, students will learn how to navigate the business side of production, from invoicing, timesheets, and taxes to budgeting for both personal and project needs. The course also explores key elements of marketing strategy, client relations, and pitch development, empowering students to present their work confidently and manage creative projects with professionalism and clarity.

This intermediate course builds on students’ writing foundations and challenges them to refine their craft by exploring the interplay between storytelling and strategy. Through a range of creative and commercial writing exercises, students will practice shaping narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, whether the aim is to inspire, inform, or persuade. The course emphasizes adapting tone, purpose, and style across digital platforms, encouraging students to experiment with both authentic storytelling (“writing to tell”) and persuasive messaging (“writing to sell”). By the end of the course, students will be equipped to create content that carries both emotional impact and strategic intent, preparing them to write with confidence and versatility in the digital space.

Pre-requisites:

• WRIT 230

Marketing Essentials is an introductory course offering you a solid foundation in marketing principles. Working individually and in teams, you will research and discover how marketing decisions are made and identify the components of sustainable marketing programs. Your research, content application and teamwork skills will be developed and reinforced as you progress through the course.

Equivalents:

• MKTG 1060

Learn to write clear, purposeful content for digital media. This introductory course builds practical skill in structure, storytelling, and concise style across scripts, social posts, web features, and promotional copy. Students adapt tone and voice to fit specific audiences and platforms, plan narrative arcs that hold attention, and craft openings, transitions, and calls to action that earn results. Through short writing sprints and iterative feedback, learners refine ideas, strengthen edits, and align content with project goals and brand standards. By the end, each student assembles a small portfolio that may include a scene script, a social series, a web feature, and a promo one sheet ready for critique.

This course prepares you for a future in the Creative Economy. You’ll create a portfolio, hone your networking skills and plot your career path. In the process, you’ll gain an understanding of emerging challenges and trends, connect with industry professionals, and reflect on where your strengths, skills and interests intersect with industry opportunities.

This advanced course immerses students in the art and technology of cinematic imagery, elevating their ability to craft visually compelling stories through expert use of cutting-edge camera equipment and sophisticated lighting techniques. Students will explore the creative possibilities unlocked by a variety of lenses and mastering intricate camera movements, while honing their eye for composition, mood, and atmosphere within each frame. Through hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and innovative grip equipment, learners will develop the skills to shape light and movement with precision, creating dynamic visuals that captivate and convey narrative depth. Designed to challenge and inspire, this course prepares emerging cinematographers to push the boundaries of their craft and bring their unique vision to life on screen.

In this dynamic and immersive course, students step into the vital role of the producer, mastering the art of bringing cinematic visions to life from concept to screen. Building on foundational skills, learners will engage with the complexities of managing creative projects, balancing artistic ambition with practical realities such as budgeting, securing funding, and navigating the evolving landscape of film and media distribution. Through hands-on experience, students will develop the leadership and logistical expertise needed to oversee diverse productions, whether crafting compelling short films, marketing materials, or cinematic commercials, while cultivating an understanding of ethical considerations and inclusive practices in the industry. This course equips future producers with the critical tools to confidently lead productions, manage teams, and deliver compelling content within Canada’s vibrant film sector and beyond.

This course invites students to deepen their creative leadership by exploring the nuanced role of the director as both visionary and collaborator. Through immersive, hands-on learning, students will refine their ability to interpret and bring stories to life with subtlety and impact, guiding performances and visual storytelling with confidence and clarity. Emphasizing strong communication and teamwork, learners will navigate the complexities of directing across diverse formats while developing essential skills in planning, staging, and visualizing scenes to engage audiences powerfully. Ethical leadership and a collaborative spirit are central as students prepare to lead creative teams with integrity and purpose, shaping authentic and compelling narratives that resonate on screen.

This immersive course offers students a dedicated environment to bring their cinematic vision to life through the creation of original projects that span a range of contemporary media formats. By applying advanced production techniques and storytelling principles, learners will engage in hands-on collaboration, problem-solving, and creative experimentation, crafting compelling narratives that resonate across commercial, corporate, and branded content. Emphasizing both artistic expression and professional standards, the course challenges students to navigate real-world production dynamics, sharpen their technical and leadership skills, and refine their unique voice within a supportive, studio-based setting.

In this culminating studio course, students will harness their full range of cinematic skills to conceive, produce, and deliver polished projects that reflect their creative vision and professional growth. Blending creative freedom with real-world experience, learners will collaborate on meaningful assignments, some developed in partnership with industry clients, allowing them to navigate the challenges and rewards of client-driven production. This immersive environment encourages innovative problem-solving, strategic planning, and effective communication, preparing students to confidently lead projects from initial concept through to distribution, while building valuable industry connections as they transition into their careers.

This comprehensive course offers students an in-depth exploration of the complex business landscape that underpins successful cinematic production. Focusing on strategic leadership and creative collaboration, learners will develop the skills to navigate the financial, legal, and logistical challenges of producing projects at scale. Emphasizing industry best practices, students will engage with innovative approaches to funding, marketing, and multi-platform distribution, while refining their abilities in negotiation, communication, and project development. By blending practical tools with insights into emerging trends and technologies, this course prepares future producers to confidently lead productions that are both artistically compelling and commercially viable in today’s evolving media environment.

Voice Acting is an advanced course for performers ready to bring stories to life through the power of voice. With a strong emphasis on narrative depth and emotional authenticity, this course challenges students to dive beneath the surface of scripts, uncovering the motivations, arcs, and subtle nuances that make characters truly resonate. Through immersive performance work and critical storytelling analysis, learners will strengthen their ability to interpret text with intention, adapt to diverse genres and tones, and deliver performances that are both technically sound and creatively compelling. This course is ideal for those looking to elevate their voice work and craft performances that leave a lasting impact.

The Art of the Edit invites advanced learners to step beyond the basics and into the craft of cinematic post-production, where every cut, colour choice, and sound cue shapes the emotional rhythm of a story. Designed for students ready to refine their technical precision and creative instincts, this course explores the editor’s role as both technician and storyteller. Through hands-on projects and industry workflows, students will deepen their ability to sculpt narrative, enhance visual impact, and create polished, professional-grade content. Whether you’re aiming for the edit suite of a feature film or the fast-paced world of digital media, this course equips you with the skills and confidence to elevate your post-production work to an art form.

Pre-requisites:

• FVDO 202

This course further advances your screenwriting and pitching skillset. Original creative works will be developed into outlines, treatments, first drafts, and production ready drafts. You will develop scripts from adapted sources and story edit previously existing work.

Pre-requisites:

• FVDO 254

In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, social media has become an indispensable tool for journalists to disseminate news, engage with audiences, and cultivate a digital presence. This comprehensive course on Social Media Management in Journalism is designed to equip aspiring and practicing journalists with the essential skills and strategies needed to navigate the dynamic intersection of journalism and social media.

Home Studio - Enhance the Stream is an advanced course designed for creators ready to elevate their at-home production setup into a professional, audience-ready operation. Whether you’re streaming, podcasting, filming, or building a multi-platform presence, this course guides you through the creative, technical, and strategic elements that drive success in today’s digital media landscape. Students will gain hands-on experience in designing and managing high-quality home studios while developing the performance, branding, and business skills essential for sustainable content creation. With a focus on adaptability, audience connection, and long-term growth, this course empowers creators to turn passion into polished, purpose-driven media.

Short Form Content Creation is an advanced course for storytellers, creators, and visual communicators looking to master the art of saying more with less. Focused on crafting impactful, purpose-driven content across a range of short to medium formats, this course challenges students to think critically about story, audience, and visual economy. From emotionally resonant micro-videos to tightly structured narrative shorts, learners will explore how to distill big ideas into concise, compelling pieces that resonate across platforms. With a strong emphasis on creative intention, production efficiency, and audience engagement, this course prepares students to create content that is not only shareable-but unforgettable.

This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting, as well as gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional.