Documentary & Non-Fiction Media Production (DNM)

About the Program

In this one-year graduate certificate program, you will learn from a team of award-winning filmmakers and industry professionals and be immersed in rigorous, intensive, hands-on training in the art and craft of documentary filmmaking. Built on three pillars — creative, technical, industry — you will learn every aspect of documentary production, from story idea to pitching, shooting and editing, and market and distribution.

As a graduate of this program, you will be engaged in pre-production (research and development,) production (principal photography,) and post-production (editing) as you wear multiple hats as a director, producer, cinematographer and editor to make your first documentary film.

Credential Awarded

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

2 Semesters (8 Months)

Starts

January

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in person. Students are required to come on campus to attend classes.

Skills

This program will equip you with industry-focused skills that are rapidly growing in demand, and the tools and resources essential to be versatile and agile in an industry that thrives on great story ideas.

Your Career

Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:

Independent filmmaker
Content provider
Impact producer

This program will teach and train you to work in the documentary industry and beyond. You can establish your own production company or team up with like-minded people in the industry. Your career can include making your next film, working with established producers or joining a plethora of NGO, non-profit, or private organizations seeking documentary storytellers.

Program of Study

Course List
Course Code	Course Name	Weekly Hours
Semester 1
DNM700	Documentary Form	3
DNM710	Cinematography	6
DNM720	Editing For Non-Fiction	3
DNM740	Directing for Documentary	3
DNM770	Story Producing	3
DNM780	Sound Recording	3
DNM820	Transmedia	6
Semester 2
DNM760	Production Management	3
DNM800	Documentary Form	3
DNM840	Production Lab	4
DNM850	Editing II	3

Program Learning Outcomes

This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:

Describe the historical, theoretical, political context for non-fiction media production as it pertains to Canada, including media literacy and digital media.
Illustrate the difference between fiction and non-fiction forms of content production.
Analyze the Canadian media industry landscape, and business conditions, including those within the public and private sectors.
Construct a proposal that includes financial, legal, marketing, and distribution aspects of a nonfiction media project.
Explain the role of each member of a documentary and/or non-fiction media production creative team.
Plan a “pitch” for a nonfiction media production concept to a producer, broadcaster, or distributor.
Develop and produce a short documentary film – whether as a stand-alone or a demo – demonstrating production and post-production, including writing, directing, producing, shooting, interviewing, editing, and mastering output to different formats.
Create interactive support components for a non-fiction media project, for display on the web and mobile devices.
Apply organizational, time-management, team building and conflict management skills to efficiently and effectively manage documentary and non-fiction media production projects.

Admission Requirements

Postsecondary diploma or degree or equivalent
English proficiency for graduate certificates

Canadian citizens or permanent residents educated outside of Canada must provide a World Education Services (WES) or ICAS Canada credential evaluation.

Notes

Although not required for admission, experience in one or more of the following is recommended for your success in the program: visual arts, visual media, film, video, photography, storytelling, journalism or interactivity.

International Student Information

International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).