From your dreams to the screen
With major film production companies like Warner Bros., Miramax, and Disney flocking to Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) for their major motion picture filming, your dreams of movie making can become reality right here at home. The province’s wildly successful television shows, such as Hudson & Rex and Son of a Critch, have opened the doors for more home-grown productions.
There will be a call for many more trained professionals in the field. This new program is for emerging directors, writers, actors, and producers to learn their trade alongside experts in the field as instructors and mentors. Known as the “above the line” roles in television and film production, these are the visionaries who bring a story to life.
Touching on each of these diverse and connected roles, you’ll have a chance to explore where your talents lie, while getting to know the ins and outs of pre-production, production, and post-production, both behind and in front of the camera.
You’ll be immersed in the collaborative environment with the “below the line” crew, working together to make a production successful. You’ll acquire the necessary skills for effective screenwriting and development, telling a story cinematically, and applying the aspects of production to television and film projects.
All the world’s a stage… and you’re on!
Program Highlights
- Professional mentorship opportunities in all program areas
- Team meetings, workshops, and seminars with Producers, Directors, Writers, and Actors
- Contact with professional Directors and Artistic Directors
- Experiential work scenarios and opportunities in all areas of the program
- Use of various methodologies for program delivery
- Capstone project to encompass holistic assessment including year one and two of the program
Did You Know?
- Canada is known as Hollywood North and is home to many large studio films and TV productions.
- In 2021, a cast and crew of approximately 150, including many local film workers, technicians, and artists, worked on the Walt Disney live-action adventure-fantasy, Peter Pan & Wendy, which was filmed on the Bonavista Peninsula.
- The filming of television show Frontier in NL (from 2016-2018) starring Jason Momoa, generated an economic output of more than $63 million, and created 539 full-time equivalent positions in NL. It also later led to Momoa’s major motion picture, Aquaman, being partially filmed in NL.
- Canadian content (television and film) production volume reached an all-time high in 2019-2020 of $9.3 billion and demand for content continues to rise.
- The industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is growing rapidly, as national and international production companies are seeking out exotic locations that add to production value.
- Canadian television and film productions account for $5 billion in revenue, and employ more than 244,500 people on a full-time basis.
- The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation was created in 1997 with a mandate to grow and develop the provincial film and television industry, and has since generated over $570 million in total production activity and more than 8,000 full time equivalent jobs.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate effectively as part of a production crew
- Work cooperatively with other professionals, such as technical production crews, designers, directors, and stage management
- Write scripts and stories for production
- Break down a script for development, production, and post-production
- Apply acting skills such as voice, speech, and movement to television and film productions
- Clearly express, through a director’s notebook, narratives and visual ideas to key crew members including the writers, actors, designers, and cinematographers
- Referencing production documentation, confirm production requirements for scenes
- Communicate approved changes to cast and crew according to production requirements
- Maintain a recording system for all information relating to production schedule
CERTIFICATIONS
In addition to the formal courses listed in the program of studies, students will acquire the following industry certifications throughout the program:
- WHMIS
- Mental Health First Aid
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
- Standard First Aid & CPR
*Students should be aware that additional fees may apply to external certifications.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
This program focuses upon nurturing creative voices and visions. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have a portfolio of work which will be an essential tool in the advancement of their career. Graduates will be prepared for employment in the television and film industry in a variety of roles, including, but not limited to:
- Background performer
- Stand In
- Actor
- Casting Assistant
- Casting Associate
- Background Performer Casting Associate
- Background Performer Casting Assistant
- Script Supervisor
- Assistant Script Coordinator
- Script Coordinator
- Assistant Story Editor
- Production Assistant
- Director’s Assistant
- Producer’s Assistant
- Content Creator
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to the Television and Film Creation program requires the applicant to meet one of the following academic criteria:
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Diploma with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore, international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
Applicant Portfolio Requirements
All applicants to the Television and Film Technical Production Certificate Program, the Television and Film Production Management Certificate Program, the Television and Film Post Production Certificate Program, and the Film and Television Creation Diploma Program must submit a
visual portfolio and a
written statement as part of the admission requirements.
A
visual portfolio is a personal selection of the applicant’s work that shows the potential to build on demonstrated skills and aptitudes when in the program.
A
written statement is an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves and communicate their interest, aptitude, relevant experience, and understanding of the program to which they are applying.
You will be notified how to submit your visual portfolio and written statement from the Register’s Office upon processing of your application.
The Visual Portfolio
The visual portfolio should consist of:
A sample of relevant work that relates to the stream to which you are applying in the College’s Film and TV programs.
The work sample may be one selection chosen from the following four options:
- a short film
- an excerpt of a short film
- a selection of excerpts comprising a reel
- a selection of 24 photographs
In the case of the first three options, your work sample should not exceed three (3) minutes’ maximum and not be less than sixty (60) seconds minimum. It should be submitted in one of the following file formats:
- MP4
- MOV
- MKV
- QuickTime
- Mpeg
- PDF
In the case of the fourth option, please use:
You will include a signed and witnessed declaration that you are the author of your submitted work. In the case where there are collaborators, you will state your role and likewise include a signed and witnessed declaration that the credit you are claiming is yours.
How to submit your Visual Portfolio
Video
Link
The preferred methodology is to provide our Admissions team with a video link to your portfolio. This can be achieved at vimeo.com, youtube.com, google docs, or any video sharing platform of your choice.
This link should be included at the end of your Written Statement.
If you are unable to provide a link, please contact Admissions and we will provide you with further direction.
Photos
Link
The preferred methodology is to provide our Admissions team with a photo link to your portfolio. This can be achieved at google docs, one drive, or any video sharing platform of your choice.
This link should be included at the end of your Written Statement.
If you are unable to provide a link, please contact Admissions and we will provide you with further direction.
The Written Statement
It is not necessary to have prior experience in film and TV to be suitable candidate for this program. With that in mind, please write a statement between 250 and 500 words in your own voice giving us a brief introduction to yourself and your interests.
Outline your current goals within the film and tv industry. This is an opportunity for you to present your unique life experience and personality as well as your value to the program. It is not a business letter. The document must be submitted as a PDF.
View the Application Portfolio Rubric for this program