The Diploma in Film Production program at UBC is available for students with a post-secondary degree interested in filmmaking, screenwriting and producing.
Program Overview
The Diploma in Film Production program consists of two years of concentrated study with the completion of 60 required credits. An option to do an additional year is available. Interested applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in either arts, science or commerce.
In lieu of the Diploma in Film Production applicants with a prior bachelor’s degree may also be interested in UBC’s Second Degree Program. More information is available here.
Curriculum
Students will learn theory and techniques of motion picture production with options to study more deeply in areas of documentary filmmaking, alternative cinema, screenwriting and producing. Additionally, students are expected to work collaboratively and create their own short films in their final year.
The Department will have production equipment and post-production platforms available for our students however, accepted students should have their own consumer-level camera and computer with an editing platform.
Due to the immersive and hands-on design of the program, students must be prepared to cover the costs of their productions required in certain classes. Specific costs for each production are dependent on the complexity of each students’ project. However, students must contribute a minimum of $2500 to their FIPR_V 333 project and $3500 for FIPR_V 433.
Diploma Program Format
Total Credits: 21
Required Courses:
- FIPR_V 230: Introduction to Motion Picture Directing (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 230: Introduction to Video Production (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 230: Production Planning and Professional Practices (3 credits)
- CRWR_V 206: Introduction to Screenplay (3 credits)
- CRWR_V 216: Short Screenplay Workshop (3 credits)
- 6 credits of 200 level CINE courses
Recommended Courses:
- FIPR_V 235: Image Concepts for Filmmakers (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 299: Directed Studies: On-campus Research (3 credits)
Total Credits: 21
Required Courses:
- FIPR_V 330: Intermediate Motion Picture Directing (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 333: Motion Picture Production I (6 credits)
- FIPR_V 337: Cinematography and Lighting I (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 338: Sound Recording for Film and Video (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 339: Post Production Techniques I (3 credits)
- 3 credits of CINE courses
Recommended courses:
- FIPR_V 399: Directed Studies: Off-Campus research (3 credits)
- THTR_V 308: Sound Design for Theatre (3 credits)
Total credits: 18
Required Courses:
- FIPR_V 433: Motion Picture Production II (6 credits)
- 9 credits from the following options:
- FIPR_V 434: Producing for Film and Television (6 credits)
- FIPR_V 435: Alternative Cinema Production (6 credits)
- FIPR_V 436: Documentary Development and Production (6 credits)
- FIPR_V 437: Cinematography and Lighting II (3 credits)
- FIPR_V 439: Post Production Techniques II (3 credits)
- 3 credits of CINE courses
Admissions
Deadline
Students wishing to apply to the Diploma in Film Production must complete the online UBC application by January 15 as well as submit the required supplemental material by 11:59pm PST February 1, 2023.
You must have a UBC student number and a post-secondary undergraduate degree in order to apply. If you do not have a UBC student number and have not completed the UBC admissions application information your application will be rejected.
If you are already enrolled in the Faculty of Arts at UBC, you do not need to complete the online UBC application but must submit the supplemental application material by 11:59pm PST February 1. Students from UBC Vancouver who are enrolled in another faculty or enrolled at UBC Okanagan must apply to transfer to the UBC Faculty of Arts by January 15, prior to completing the Film Production supplemental application.
Students should also note that if you are applying for another program, you must complete a separate supplemental application for each program.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production will not accept admission deferrals, unless there are extenuating circumstances that restrict a students’ ability to start the program at the offered time.
Diploma in Film Production Submission Process:
1. SELF-PORTRAIT VIDEO (1-2 min max)
Provide a 1-2 minute creative self-portrait where you show and tell us about yourself and what's important to you.
We encourage you to share information that we cannot get from other aspects of your portfolio submission. Your video should be in your own voice, in your own format, and not a reiteration of why you want to be admitted to UBC’s film program. Be creative and have fun! What you choose to say and how you say it is up to you.
We will not be judging the production value of this film. We encourage applicants to use what is readily available to them (i.e. cellphones or computers). We are not looking for polished/edited videos. This short video allows you to show and tell us something more about you than we would learn from the rest of your application.
FORMAT: Submit a link to the video via URL on Vimeo, YouTube or other platforms. Please note these should be easily accessible to us, so provide any login details and/or passwords.
2. SHORT FILM or VIDEO (3 min max)
Please include a link to your film or video, ideally a complete work. This should be a film/video in which you were a key creative (i.e. the director, writer, editor, or cinematographer), and which you believe best represents you creatively. We will accept a scene from a longer film, but these should not be cut into a trailer or a reel, but shown as they are presented as they were in the film itself. Maximum length is 3 minutes.
Please note:
- Scenes should not be cut into a trailer or reel, but shown as they are presented in the film itself.
- Longer films, clips or projects will not be reviewed.
- No music videos.
- No travel vlogs or travel videos unless there is a storyline.
- We strongly discourage you from submitting co-directed or co-written projects, however, if you choose to submit a co-created work, you must clearly state your specific contribution to the project.
FORMAT: Please provide an online link. These should be easily accessible to us, so make sure the video does not need to be downloaded, and please provide any login details and/or passwords with your link. Be sure to test your video prior to submission.
3. BACKGROUND STATEMENT ON VIDEOS (250 words max)
Please provide pertinent information, including the credits for the film, and anything else you would feel would be interesting to share with us. This might be things such as where you made the film, or why you made it. You can also include here elements you think worked well, and features you would like to improve.
FORMAT: Half page max (250 words), double spaced, 12-point font
Save as a PDF and name the file: LastName_FirstName_Statement
4. ONE-PAGE RESUME
We want to get to know more about your background and how you’ve spent your time. You can include:
- Social and/or community work
- Creative and filmmaking projects
- Extracurricular activities
- Outside employment, whether it’s paid, voluntary, or family responsibilities
- Anything else you spend a significant amount of free time on
Must also include:
- your full name
- home address
- date of birth
FORMAT: One page. Save as a PDF and name the file:: LastName_FirstName_Resume
PLEASE NOTE: For all Creative Submissions, the exact credits must be specified. Please send the requested items only; no substitutions, variations, or extra materials. Failure to comply with these guidelines will be grounds for automatic disqualification.