Expect the unexpected.
There’s not much behind the scenes that the production team doesn’t manage, and with the whirlwind of activity on a film or television production – whether on set or on location – you can never be quite sure what may come your way. You could be filming on a windy beach, working with an animal wrangler and furry star, or rewriting the day’s schedule after your talent has been delayed.
The television and film production management team is vital to the success of the project. This type of management requires skilled individuals to help ensure all the moving pieces are in the right place at the right time and the production gets made on budget and on schedule.
The script is your guide as you plan pre-production tasks such as developing schedules and budget. The production team keeps everyone connected and serves as the liaison between local authorities, director, and crew. During filming, the production unit generally splits its time between the production office and the set. They ensure all permits are in place for each respective location, that all safety ordinances are being followed, and that transportation, accommodations, and suppliers are in place. They make sure that everything comes together, and they know who to call if it doesn’t.
If you are fascinated by the workings of live production, have exceptional organizational, communication and planning skills, and have a desire for new challenges every day, this program is your training ground. You’ll be introduced to the process of coordinating a film or television series, and use resources innovatively to develop budgets, shooting schedules, locations criteria, and the day-to-day business of a production. You’ll work collaboratively with all departments and have opportunities to explore each role within a production unit team.
That’s your call.
Program Highlights
- The most current program in its field designed and delivered by industry experts using real-world processes, procedures, and resources
- The opportunity to be introduced to a broad range of production office roles and then specialize in one
- Collaboration across programs in television and film projects
- Focuses on the practical application ensuring you have job-ready skills
- Offers opportunities to participate in the production and management side of realistic studio and outside shoots
- Completion of a field placement with industry
Did You Know?
- Canada 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 film Peter Pan & Wendy, located 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 (film and television) 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 TV 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 the program, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate collaboratively in a team
- Design appropriate occupational health and safety checks
- Demonstrate skills required for pre-production, production, and post-production of television and film projects
- Break down a script according to the various needs of key departments
- Create industry-standard documents, such as schedules, budgets, cash flow projections and cost reports that are required for production, funders, and financiers
- Source locations, equipment, and resources
- Implement projects in compliance with applicable laws, statutory obligations, regulations, and industry principles and practices
- Meet financial, technical and organizational targets, and deadlines of projects
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 Training
- Standard First Aid & CPR
- Occupational Health & Safety Committee
*Students should be aware that additional fees may apply to external certifications.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared for employment in television and film in a variety of roles, including, but not limited to:
- 2nd Assistant Director
- 2nd Script Supervisor
- 3rd Assistant Director
- Assistant Locations Manager
- Assistant Production Coordinator (APC)
- Assistant Production Manager (APM)
- Assistant Unit Manager
- Key Office Production Assistant
- Locations Scout
- Office Production Assistant
- Production Assistant
- Production Secretary
- Script Supervisor
- Trainee Assistant director (TAD)
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility for admission to the Television and Film Production Management 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 Requirement
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 Written Statement Rubric for this program