Microprogram in Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking
Program overview
Explore the fundamentals of film production from experienced professionals and get a jump start on a career in the film industry!
Students will produce a five-minute film while learning about the creative and practical aspects of filmmaking. Starts the week of May 11 on weekday mornings. See course schedule
Deadline to apply for Summer 2024: extended to March 15
12 weeks,
9 credits
Earn undergraduate credits and benefit from in-person courses including workshops and guest speakers.
Small cohort
Average class sizes of 15 students allow for a tight-knit collaborative atmosphere and instructor feedback.
Hands-on learning
Ideal for getting experience while developing a project in a collaborative and supervised learning environment.
Access to equipment
As a registered Concordia student, you'll have access to state-of-the-art filmmaking equipment and facilities.
Admission requirements
This microprogram welcomes candidates from diverse professional and educational backgrounds who are interested in getting a jump start on a career in the film industry.
- Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.
- Registered undergraduate students at Concordia are not allowed to enrol in this microprogram.
- No previous degree or diploma required for acceptance.
What to expect
Over a 12-week semester, students can expect hands-on learning while producing a five-minute film using digital cinema cameras and sound recorders.
Within a small cohort led by an experienced instructor, you will learn:
- different stages of filmmaking from planning and aesthetics to post-production
- the various roles within a production and how they interact
- the critical skills to evaluate cinema works in both formal and contextual aspects
9 credits of coursework
Description: A comprehensive course introducing students to the art of making motion pictures. This course stresses the individual student’s creative efforts and expression through filmmaking. Students are expected to master basic technique and theory. Students use digital resources for acquisition and post‑production.
Component(s): Studio
Notes:
- Students are required to bear the production costs of all aspects of their course projects and supply their own means of storing media for editing and back‑up.
This course involves the production of a film as a requirement. This course may require mandatory workshops outside of class time.
Description: A comprehensive course on the equipment and technology available to the contemporary filmmaker. Present‑day technology is explored through the foundations of traditional camera and photographic theory toward an in‑depth understanding of digital cinema. Extensive hands‑on studio practice provides training in basic camera technique, lighting, and gripping. The course may require mandatory workshops outside of class time.
Component(s): Studio
Course schedule
| Course | Duration | Class schedule |
|---|---|---|
| FMPR 231 Filmmaking I |
May 13 - August 12 | Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. |
| FMPR 241 Technical Aspects | May 14 - August 6 | Wednesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. |
After the program
Students who successfully complete this microprogram will receive:
- A certification of completion
- 9 undergraduate credits at the university level
- The core competencies and the skills you'll need to get a foothold in the film industry
| Entry level industry roles | Pathways to advanced industry roles |
|---|---|
|
|
How to apply
- You’ll need a Concordia Netname to start an application. Create a Netname account.
- Once you have a Netname, complete an application. Select “Undergraduate Microprogram” from the list to get started.
- Include your supporting documents:
- Curriculum vitae (cv)
- A letter of intent stating your interests and motivations to pursue filmmaking (two pages maximum, single-spaced in English or French)
- Proof of your status in Canada
- Have a valid credit card to pay the application fee of $40 CAD.
Please note that we accept the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club and UATP.
You may upload documents to your application even after submitting it. However, we cannot complete the assessment of your application until we receive all required documents.
Deadline to apply for Summer 2025: March 15th
Tuition and fees
For this 9 credit undergraduate microprogram, please review the total cost estimate based on your residency situation in Canada.
Please note that microprogram students do not qualify for financial assistance, awards, fee waivers, bursaries, or scholarships internally to Concordia or externally at the provincial/federal levels.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Students in the microprogram will only be registered for classes in the microprogram for which they are admitted and cannot audit or register for additional classes.
Admission to the BFA Film Production program remains competitive and does not give preference to students who completed the microprograms. If you're interested in undergraduate and graduate level cinema programs, you should consult the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema website for more information.
Yes! Microprogram students are welcome to enjoy the same resources as students in degree programs such as the Health and Wellness services and Library services.
Contact us
Do you have more questions? Don't hesitate to reach us with questions about this microprogram.
Email: cinema@concordia.ca