Professional Filmmaking

Learn Filmmaking From Industry Pros

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Course Duration
12-18 months


Program Delivery
On Campus


FAQs
Answering your questions

Earn Your Diploma in Professional Filmmaking

College for Arts and Technology offers two filmmaking programs to kickstart your film career! Dive into the foundational skills with our 12-month Professional Filmmaking Fundamentals program and learn the technical skills required to work on film and TV productions. If you’re looking to explore the film industry in depth, our 18-month Professional Filmmaking covers all the technical aspects and also includes an in-depth understanding of the narrative film process. From Director to camera operator, each role is vital and our digital filmmaking course offers the hands-on, practical experience and industry insight you need to get noticed.

Professional Filmmaking

Our 18-month Professional Filmmaking program builds upon the technical knowledge of the Fundamentals program to create a deep understanding of the narrative film process. In our world-class facilities, you’ll learn all the technical skills and industry insights from seasoned industry experts to launch your career in filmmaking. Our 18-month Diploma in Professional Filmmaking is among the best film production schools in Canada and offers students the opportunity to learn:

  • Screenwriting
  • Cinematography and Production
  • Post Production (Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects and Adobe CC)
  • Visual Storytelling and Writing for Film and Video
  • Location Audio for Film and TV
  • Narrative Film
  • Corporate and Commercial Production
  • Marketing for Film and Video
  • Segment Direction for Television and Internet
  • Business and Entrepreneurialism for Film and Video
  • Factual and Documentary Film Production
  • Portfolio Production

Filmmaking Fundamentals

For those seeking a way to enter into the film industry, our 12-month Professional Filmmaking Fundamentals program is a great place to start! This focused program, taught by seasoned industry experts in our world-class facilities, gives you the opportunity to learn the hands-on techniques required to make your mark in the expanding film industry. This technical program will cover a variety of key skills including:

  • Screenwriting
  • Cinematography and production
  • Post-production (Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects and Adobe CC)
  • Visual storytelling and writing for film and video
  • Location audio for film and TV
  • Corporate and Commercial Production
  • Introduction to Narrative Film

Our Grads Power the

Arts & Tech Economy

CAT’s creative and technical programs are directly connected to a creative sector that makes a $6 Billion contribution to the British Columbia economy every year. Graduates from our 2D and 3D animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering and other programs are among the over 120,000 skilled arts and tech workers employed provincially in this vibrant, constantly growing ‘creative economy’. Just in the past several years alone, CAT graduates were named in the credits for many high grossing films and musical scores, capturing numerous industry awards.

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Earn Your Diploma in

Professional Filmmaking

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01

Industry Connections

Professional Filmmakers as your Instructors and mentors.

02

Let’s Get You Working!

Well-rounded, focused curriculum to get you successfully working as quickly as possible.

03

Degree Pathway Options

Inquire with a Program Advisor for more information.

04

Top Tech

Latest technology, facilities and equipment in a dedicated Professional Filmmaking studio-classroom.

Here’s How You’ll Build Your Filmmaking Skills

Quarter 1
In your first quarter, you will be introduced to nonlinear editing, basic camera operation, gripology, and lighting for video. Each course has been designed to dovetail into the next and offer the student a thorough understanding of the basic operation of the camera. You will be introduced to digital compositing techniques, three and four point editing, computer graphics, file management and format conversion. You will also be immersed into the world of visual storytelling by examining individual components, aspects and concepts concerned with the visual medium. You will be introduced to the role of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey in film, how to format a screenplay, how to structure a screenplay’s plot points, and write visually for film. Specific detail is paid to the relationship between the screenwriter, director, and the audience. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basics of narrative, aesthetics, and the practical application of the techniques behind these theories.
Quarter 2
In your second quarter, you will push forward into intermediate post production techniques and practices using the Adobe suite of software. In Location Audio, you will learn about the equipment, techniques, protocols and procedures used in on-site recording for film and TV, including the usage of shotgun mics, lavalier mics, field mixers and recorders. Your second term will also move into intermediate camera and lighting techniques, including studio and location lighting. You will continue to be immersed into the world of visual interpretation through intermediate camera techniques and advanced lighting scenarios. You will commence your writing education in term two with your second screenwriting class which will breakdown and clarify the requirements of good a script, including dialogue, subtext, and action lines. Each student will complete a short film script by the end of term with a competition to determine which student’s script will be produced in the following term with a mentor director and a small budget in place.
Quarter 3
In your third quarter, you will start to explore some of the specializations in the film industry, including television production, music video, and short form documentary. The role of the Producer will be further examined to take control over the organizational and business requirements of running a set and or an independent production company. One student’s script from the previous term will be chosen to go into production in this term; this will be a mentored shoot with an industry professional guiding the production forward. All positions will be held by students, including director in training. The term will also see you develop skills at camera movement through the use of cranes, motorized heads and sliders, 3 AXIS gimbal rigs, handheld rigs and more. You will explore film history with specific focus on German Expressionism, Soviet Realism, Surrealism, and French New Wave.
Quarter 4
In Cinematography, you explore a wide range of topics that allow the lighting cameraperson to control their medium using a small crew, which includes an overview of the camera department with job descriptions of the director of photography, camera assistants and camera operator. You will produce a short biopic documentary and write the film script for your personal narrative that you will produce in the next term. You will be set up with a live client through a regional technology incubator to complete a commercial corporate production that meets the requirements of your client. You will continue to work compositing and VFX software, taking on more complex tasks and applying colour correction and grading techniques.
Quarter 5 (18 Month Program Only)
In your fifth quarter, you will use all the expertise and knowledge that you’ve gathered in the first half of the program, to complete a major narrative film project. You will continue to dive deeper into visual effects and motion graphics, which are used in creating motion graphics and special effects in film and television. You and your class in a group effort will complete a half hour factual television production which includes the development of the project, the casting of a presenter for the TV show, the production and postproduction of the program.
Quarter 6 (18 Month Program Only)
In your sixth and final quarter of the program, you will explore the history, processes, technologies, theory, and business of film and TV production from multiple perspectives, including aesthetic and critical socio-cultural perspectives, in your Documentary Production course. You will take a course in digital marketing where you will be introduced to branding concepts, SEO, and copywriting, and you will build a personal /business website which will include your demo reel, client pages and a blog in preparation of your job search and or business start-up. You will research, develop and produce a long form factual documentary as a final major project in the program and prepare for your final show and graduation.

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

Here’s How You’ll Build Your Filmmaking Skills

Quarter 1
In your first quarter, you will be introduced to nonlinear editing, basic camera operation, gripology, and lighting for video. Each course has been designed to dovetail into the next and offer the student a thorough understanding of the basic operation of the camera. You will be introduced to digital compositing techniques, three and four point editing, computer graphics, file management and format conversion. You will also be immersed into the world of visual storytelling by examining individual components, aspects and concepts concerned with the visual medium. You will be introduced to the role of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey in film, how to format a screenplay, how to structure a screenplay’s plot points, and write visually for film. Specific detail is paid to the relationship between the screenwriter, director, and the audience. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basics of narrative, aesthetics, and the practical application of the techniques behind these theories.
Quarter 2
In your second quarter, you will push forward into intermediate post production techniques and practices using the Adobe suite of software. In Location Audio, you will learn about the equipment, techniques, protocols and procedures used in on-site recording for film and TV, including the usage of shotgun mics, lavalier mics, field mixers and recorders. Your second term will also move into intermediate camera and lighting techniques, including studio and location lighting. You will continue to be immersed into the world of visual interpretation through intermediate camera techniques and advanced lighting scenarios. You will commence your writing education in term two with your second screenwriting class which will breakdown and clarify the requirements of good a script, including dialogue, subtext, and action lines. Each student will complete a short film script by the end of term with a competition to determine which student’s script will be produced in the following term with a mentor director and a small budget in place.
Quarter 3
In your third quarter, you will start to explore some of the specializations in the film industry, including television production, music video, and short form documentary. The role of the Producer will be further examined to take control over the organizational and business requirements of running a set and or an independent production company. One student’s script from the previous term will be chosen to go into production in this term; this will be a mentored shoot with an industry professional guiding the production forward. All positions will be held by students, including director in training. The term will also see you develop skills at camera movement through the use of cranes, motorized heads and sliders, 3 AXIS gimbal rigs, handheld rigs and more. You will explore film history with specific focus on German Expressionism, Soviet Realism, Surrealism, and French New Wave.
Quarter 4
In Cinematography, you explore a wide range of topics that allow the lighting cameraperson to control their medium using a small crew, which includes an overview of the camera department with job descriptions of the director of photography, camera assistants and camera operator. You will produce a short biopic documentary and write the film script for your personal narrative that you will produce in the next term. You will be set up with a live client through a regional technology incubator to complete a commercial corporate production that meets the requirements of your client. You will continue to work compositing and VFX software, taking on more complex tasks and applying colour correction and grading techniques.
Quarter 5 (18 Month Program Only)
In your fifth quarter, you will use all the expertise and knowledge that you’ve gathered in the first half of the program, to complete a major narrative film project. You will continue to dive deeper into visual effects and motion graphics, which are used in creating motion graphics and special effects in film and television. You and your class in a group effort will complete a half hour factual television production which includes the development of the project, the casting of a presenter for the TV show, the production and postproduction of the program.
Quarter 6 (18 Month Program Only)
In your sixth and final quarter of the program, you will explore the history, processes, technologies, theory, and business of film and TV production from multiple perspectives, including aesthetic and critical socio-cultural perspectives, in your Documentary Production course. You will take a course in digital marketing where you will be introduced to branding concepts, SEO, and copywriting, and you will build a personal /business website which will include your demo reel, client pages and a blog in preparation of your job search and or business start-up. You will research, develop and produce a long form factual documentary as a final major project in the program and prepare for your final show and graduation.

What our grads are saying...

FAQs

Let's Get you answers

Are there a lot of jobs available in the film industry?
Yes! Even on smaller budget productions, there are many roles to fill to see the film to the finish line, and this diversity of roles and opportunities makes the film industry an exciting and viable career option. Additionally, British Columbia has positioned itself as a world leader in content creation and film production. The film industry is experiencing exponential growth to meet increasing demands for video content across an evolving mix of platforms. The popularity of mobile, increased streaming, and ever-advancing technologies continue to transform the film industry and offer new possibilities for new content creators and filmmakers. Our Professional Filmmaking Program Advisors welcome the opportunity to tell you more about this expanding industry. Book an appointment to get started.
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Do I need to own my own camera to apply to CAT’s Professional Filmmaking program?
The short answer? No. The long answer? Still no, but it’s worth mentioning that investing in your tools of the trade is never a bad thing. Also, the gear you choose to purchase may be decided by your future career goals. If you intend to produce and shoot your own films after graduation, you’ll need your own gear or be prepared to rent. Rest assured though, our Professional Filmmaking Program will provide you with all the gear you need to successfully complete the program. Our Equipment Cage is decked out with a variety of professional-grade camera bodies and lenses for students to learn with and our campus has a professional film studio. After graduation, you’ll have the hands-on experience under your belt to be able to jump into a variety of technical or artistic roles with confidence. If you are interested in purchasing your own film camera, our Program Advisors can be of assistance. Book an appointment to get started!
When should I apply to the Professional Filmmaking program?
You can apply at any time throughout the year for our Professional Filmmaking Program for our annual October intake. If you are still in high school, you can apply while completing your grade 12 year and upon graduation from high school, will be required to submit your high school transcript, to complete your application package. If you have questions on when to apply, or what the complete application package entails, book an appointment with one of our Professional Filmmaking Program Advisors. Our Admissions team is here to support you on your education journey.
Is this a technical or artistic program?
Filmmaking is an exciting and dynamic industry, with a blend of artistic and technical skills needed to succeed. Our program covers both aspects in depth, giving you the opportunity to develop both your creative eye and technical prowess. With this blend of skills, you will not only become highly skilled in the technical side of things, lighting, camera operation, and post-production, but will hone in on your conceptual and creative style, setting you apart from the competition. Additionally, all of our programs, including Professional Filmmaking, include Professional Development courses, delivered by our Student Services Department. Career counseling, job search skills, and self-development are all included in these valuable courses and workshops, giving you the leg up you need to create lasting success as a filmmaker. For complete details on our Professional Filmmaking Program, including curriculum, book an appointment to tour the film studios on campus, meet current filmmaking students and our filmmaking faculty.
Do I need film experience prior to applying to this program?
Experience is never a bad thing! We love to see when program applicants have a demonstrable passion for their industry, but no formal experience in film is required for entrance to this program. Are you in the Kelowna area and interested in sitting in on a class to see what we’re all about? Book an appointment with one of our Professional FIlmmaking Program Advisors to visit a film class on campus!
What gear does the school provide that I will have access to as a filmmaking student?
College for Arts and Technology is a modern, state-of-the-art campus complete with two photo and film studios and an equipment cage with bodies, lenses and other gear available for students. Our studios feature a seamless white backdrop, adjustable natural lighting, professional-grade studio lighting, ceiling-mounted lighting grid and lighting modifiers. The equipment cage has a variety of high-end camera bodies and lenses for student use. We invite you to visit us for a tour, book an appointment now to see what our campus has to offer!
Can I become a film Director after graduation from this program?
Great question and we love it when students have career goals! The film industry, like many other industries, requires that you spend some time working your way up the ladder. So, even though directing may not be your first job directly after graduation, this program will give you the skills and experience to pursue directing as your career goal in the film industry. Also, we’ve set up this program in a way that will expose you to all the different jobs in the industry. While attending the program, you may just discover another industry role that suits you and excites you more than directing! Want to hear about some graduates of the program and how they tackled their career goals? Our Professional Filmmaking Program Advisors would love the opportunity to chat with you about career opportunities, book an appointment to get started!
Why choose College for Arts and Technology’s Professional Filmmaking program over one offered in the Vancouver area?
It is no secret that the film industry in the Lower Mainland is active and growing every year, however the Okanagan has become a prominent filming location for major films and local crews in Kelowna and surrounding areas are kept busy! Also, Vancouver is only a short trip away from Kelowna, offering you the opportunity to work in the busy Vancouver area while keeping a great quality of life living in the Okanagan. And if you’re interested in a film program with small class sizes, that provides personal support and recognition of your unique goals, we might just be the best fit for you.
What does a day in the life of a Professional Filmmaking student at CAT look like?

A day in the life of a Professional Filmmaking student at CAT is varied and as a student you may find yourself in a few different classrooms around campus. Schedules vary from Quarter to Quarter, so this is just an example of what you could expect.

If you drive, you'll park your car in our student-designated parking lot and make your way across the Landmark Plaza to our campus! If you've opted to walk, bike or take the bus, you'll find lots of great scenery on the short walk from the bike lock-up or transit stop to campus. You have a production class for your first block, Cinematography and Production, and you're shooting on location with your classmates at Knox Mountain, a prominent fixture of the local landscape. You know you're going to need some gear and you've arranged to meet your Instructor and classmates at the Equipment Cage first thing to sign out what you'll need for the morning. After signing out the necessary gear, your Instructor preps the class by reviewing the shooting plan as well as safety considerations. You head off to the mountain and spend the morning watching the city come to life through your lens. Is this really school?

After getting the shots your group needs, you head back to campus, return your gear to the Equipment Cage and then it's lunchtime! You hit up one of the many great eateries in the Landmark Plaza area. Mmmmm….sushi is on the menu today.

After fuelling up, you head back to the main campus building for a Professional Development class. Today you're going to be diving into Personality Dimensions and starting on a self-portrait assignment. You'll also be discussing how to find the balance between being a creative individual and securing success for yourself professionally, a topic we take great pride in at CAT. #nostarvingartistshere.

Your last class of the day is Post Production, so you head to the computer lab to greet your classmates. Today in class, you're going to start learning some more advanced post production techniques in After Effects. You can't wait to put some of this new knowledge to work on your Knox Mountain footage.

After class, you decide to meet up with some classmates to review your footage from the morning and then as a group you head downtown to enjoy the evening. Let's do this again tomorrow, shall we? New day, new classes, new opportunities.

If you're interested in touring our campus and seeing our Professional Filmmaking classrooms, you can do so by completing an online inquiry form. Once submitted, a Program Advisor will follow up with you, so make sure to mention you'd like a tour!

Experience the CAT Difference

Why the Best Choose Us

We understand that choosing a post-secondary school is a big decision that usually involves input from some of the most important people in your life. Tuition considerations, support after graduation and key industry connections – these are all part of choosing the best acting school for you. Here are a few reasons why you’ll be happy you chose College for Arts and Technology:

Finance Options

Hands-on, employment-focused education.

Employment-focused programs delivering the soft skills you need for lasting career success and hands-on experience with the latest, industry-standard techniques. Your acting career starts here!

More one-on-one time with your Instructors and mentors.

Small class sizes mean you get more facetime and critical feedback from your education team, to achieve real growth and success.

Personalized support from start to finish.

Financial guidance? We’ve got you covered. Career advice after graduation? We wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re more than a student number to us. We create a personalized experience that you won’t get anywhere else.

Quality you can fact-check.

College for Arts and Technology holds a full designation through Education Quality Assurance and the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit. You’ll only get the best at College for Arts and Technology.

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