Course Descriptions

FIRST TERM

FPT110 Audio 1
This course is an overview of the History and Technology of Audio and Audio Post. An introduction to audio editing techniques applicable to any editing station, students will have an understanding and a capability to work in basic audio systems and understand the ensuing audio courses.

FPT120 Editing 1
To give the students an awareness of editing theory, upon completion of this course, students should understand the history of editing and many principles and theories of editing styles and the platform interface.

FPT130 Cinematography 1
To allow the students to build awareness and understanding of the film camera and working with, and lighting a film set.
Upon completion of this course students should have hands on experience working with an ARRI film camera, and lighting a film set. They will build, shoot, and strike a film set with emphasis placed on the camera use and lighting.

FPT140 Production 1
To ensure students know the basic workings of various digital video cameras, have a basic understanding of how a film and television shooting set is established. They will also learn the many techniques, rules and visual concepts that are part of directing and how to take the written word and translate it to the screen.

FPT141 Camera & Set Procedure
This course is designed to familiarize the students to the workings of the different digital cameras that they will be working with at  the school. Students will prep them for camera tests, which will allow them to take out cameras on their own.  It will also give them hands on experience in the building and work flow of a video village, which is all part of set etiquette.

FPC110 Script 1
To work with students in putting creative ideas to page then moving to storyboard and to teach students the correct format of script writing and to bring the visual to their written work.

SECOND TERM

FPT210 Audio 2
This course is an overview of the History of Music for the Moving Picture Medium and the creative role technology has played and how it has increased the accessibility of alternatives. An introduction to Pro Tools, students will learn the different elements required to Audio Post a film and the importance of preparation. They will understand time code and its role in syncing sound and picture and appreciate that preparing a full music and effects mix, is the key to securing foreign sales.

FPT220 Editing 2
To advance the awareness of editing as an art form, upon completion of students should have a beginner’s knowledge of the editing system and further their knowledge in editing as an art form and valuable tool in cinematic storytelling.

FPT230 Cinematography 2
To give the students advanced lighting and camera knowledge, both in and outdoors. To explore the various problems encountered with shooting outdoors, and to further camera and lighting knowledge. Upon completion of this course students should have further knowledge of camera and lighting, and will have worked on outdoor location shoots.  They will understand the set up and strike, the execution of shots, and the vast amount of planning that goes into each shot.

FPT240 Production 2
Further study of the various uses of camera, with focus on direction students will work together in creating short projects, gain insight into pre-production, production and post-production, and understand the importance of teamwork.

FPT250 After Effects
Generating effects are quickly becoming a mainstay of today’s films. The overall objective of this course is to prepare the students to get a general overview of Adobe After Effects.  What is After Effects? How does it work and where is it used? Students will learn how to use the interface and how to create compositions. Students will learn layer basics and layer transformation properties, as well how to create and view masks and use multiple masks.  Other properties and techniques of After Effects will be explored and a Future Shop assignment will be introduced.

FPC210 Working with Actors
To give students a basic understanding of the art of acting, which will include character preparation, dialogue analysis, and the how and when to utilize improvisation and script study.
It is essential students learn about acting, not to be actors, but to better communicate with actors when making their films. Upon completion of the course students should have an understanding of how the actor works, which will better prepare them to direct actors in their projects and professional works.

FPC220 Film History
Explore the history of the cinema from the humble beginnings in 1895 through to present day. Focusing on North American cinema, with some European study, the student will learn about the masters of cinema, various genres, and techniques, as well as how the social environment directly impacts on film. Upon completion of this course the students should possess an understanding of cinema history, the various genres, and the manner in which the industry works. They will grasp the various aspects of cinematic language and understand the early and modern advances in film history.

THIRD TERM

FPT310 Audio 3
This course is about audio recording.  It covers both studio recordings and location recordings. Students will learn about the different rigs and microphones used for the many different situations that can arise.  Also, signal processing, recording to picture, room tone and voice over assignments.

FPT320 Editing 3
To allow the student to gain first and knowledge of editing work by editing their documentary, shot in the Video Production Class.
Upon completion of this course students should have edited their own work, gained hands on experience in doing so, and further understand the role of the editor in cinema and television.

FPT330 Cinematography 3
To further advance the student’s knowledge and awareness of the importance of lighting and camera awareness during a shoot, upon completion of this course, students should have gained extraordinary insight into lighting and camera and thoroughly understand both.

FPT340 Production 3
To provide the students with an insight into the creation of documentaries, upon completion of students should have created their own short documentary film from the ground up. They will write the work, handle all pre-production, shoot the film, and deal with post-production.

FPC221 Scripts 2
To further the student’s experience in the writing of a script in proper format, but also to begin the process of developing characters and dialogue.
Upon completion of this course, the student should understand how to write strong dialogue and create characters in their work. They will understand the structure of a story, how to build suspense and tension, and create a suitable screenplay for filming.

FPC222 Factual Entertainment
This term has evolved through “Reality” to “Docu- Drama” and now “Factual Entertainment”.  It is by far one of the fastest growing segments of the television broadcast market.  In this course, the students will focus on the developing and pitching of an original Factual Entertainment concept.  Students will be guided through the process of creating a story, episode structure, casting the central personalities, how to budget the production and packaging the overall proposal. The central project will be the production of a short “ sizzler” to present to broadcasters and producers, lab assignments will familiarized students with the production skills needed to create an effective “ sizzler” promo.

FOURTH TERM

FPT410 Audio 4
This course concentrates on the functions of creating, capturing & editing effects using location recorders and SFX libraries with Pro Tools and Final Cut Pro It teaches the student the manner in which post audio is used in film through the system of Pro Tools. This is a hands on course with students posting either their own work, or that of a classmate.

FPT411 Film Production
To allow students the chance to create a short narrative film of their own creation and work on outside projects with their production coordinator. They will further understand the process of film making from early pre-production, to casting, to location selection, to planning shots, to the shoot, to post-production.

FPT420 Editing 4
This course focuses heavily on the philosophies of storytelling and what it means to tell a story, what it means to manipulate people’s emotions and what it means to be an artist/filmmaker from an editing standpoint.

FPT430 Cinematography 4
To further advance the student’s knowledge and awareness of the importance of lighting and camera awareness during a shoot, students will also pitch and shoot a short project using both film and digital formats.

FPT440 Production 4
To allow students the chance to create a short narrative film of their own creation and work on outside projects with their production coordinator. They will further understand the process of film making from early pre-production, to casting, to location selection, to planning shots, to the shoot, to post-production.

FPT223 Production Design
This course will introduce and familiarize the students with the art, craft and science of professional film and television art direction.  How to create the physical look of the story and  its environment It will give the students a basic working  understanding  of the principals of design in the process of  western filmmaking.  This course will serve students the ability to create a cohesive design that will weave through the film and advance the director’s vision in creating a unique look for the film.

FIFTH TERM

FPT540 Production 5
Students will work with their classmates and the production coordinator the students will produce, direct and shoot their projects in this course over a 12 week period. They will be mentored through the whole process the students will then have short film ready for post audio in the 6th term and then festival and distribution ready.  This becomes the student’s visual centerpiece.

FPB410 Distribution/Marketing
This course introduces the filmmaker to the business side of a film, it’s the next step, and enables you to form production and distribution choices about your projects and business partners. It gives an understanding of the TV sales process and an understanding of the global marketplace in which they will be working.  A student will then be able to understand and talk the language of TV sales, create effective “sell” sheets, develop a sales forecast and a marketing and promotional plan. They will also be able to identify accessible and profitable markets, have a greater understanding of the domestic and international film and TV landscape, and understand the emerging markets in mobile, web and video on demand. They will also learn how to pitch ideas and programming succinctly and effectively.

FPB412 Finance for Film & TV
Financing is often one of the most elusive yet, necessary parts of the film making process.  Students will learn the proper language / terms and will become familiar with the different types of funding available, at different levels of the government as well as private institutions.  They will also become familiar with the different stipulations and approaches required by each, in order to access these funds. Students will also explore the different avenues and techniques for raising their own capital as well as the different techniques of financing a project.

FPB413 Film Contract/Copyright
The goal of this course is to understand what a copyright is, what it is needed for, and how one goes about getting one.  We will be looking at the essential provisions of copyright law, focusing on its terms, coverage, exclusive rights, ownership and payments.  Canada has just introduced several changes to our copyright laws as they pertain to writing, music and intelligent properties in general.  We will introduce these changes.  We will also be looking at the different kinds of contracts required in our industry.  What is required, when it is required and what the basic terms and principals of the contracts are.  When you need a lawyer and when you don’t.

SIXTH TERM

FPT610 Post Audio
In this course, we travel the full gamut of the sound post-production process from the collecting of all the elements, to the importing, editing, mixing and the final layback.  We will cover all the details of the required spec sheet.
These would include, spotting sessions, decisions on required ADR, importing of room tone and music, sound effects design, foley design, soundtrack design and final mix. The culmination of these and other elements, will give the students projects the final professional touches that will make the film distribution and festival ready.

FPB414 New Media for Filmmakers
This course is designed to focus on all new forms of media that will be meeting our students when they graduate.  This is very relevant today, as the technology in the film business is changing quickly and drastically.  This will be a discovery course and use professional guest speakers to bring the latest developments to our students.

FPB610 Portfolio/Career Development
Further advancing knowledge of the distribution and marketing business, as well as how to sell themselves in the business. Upon completion of this course, students should understand the proper manner to get a job interview, what to bring to that interview, and how to keep a job once they have it.