Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Screenwriting and Film Producing (Microprogram)
Taught in English on campus or online in French.
Credits
9 credits
Start term
Winter
Modality
In-person (in English)
Online (in French)
Online (in French)
Schedule
12 weeks
Classes on weeknights and Saturdays
Classes on weeknights and Saturdays
Program overview
Learn the art of screenwriting from industry professionals and develop a short film script to bring your ideas to life.
This program welcomes candidates from diverse educational backgrounds and does not require prior experience or prerequisites to enroll.
The English version of this microprogram is delivered in person only.
Program highlights
- 12 weeks, 9 credits: Earn undergraduate credits and benefit from in-person courses including workshops and guest speakers.
- Small class sizes: Average cohorts of 15 students allow for a tight-knit collaborative atmosphere and instructor feedback.
- Convenient schedule: Classes on weeknights and Saturdays are ideal for professionals to develop a project in a structured environment.
- Access to facilities: As a registered Concordia student, you'll have access to the Centre for Digital Arts equipment and facilities for a small membership fee.
Admission requirements
This microprogram welcomes candidates from diverse educational backgrounds who are interested in becoming a screenwriter, story editor, script evaluator or other kinds of producing roles.
- 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 12 weeks, you will learn how to approach story material to develop a version of a short film script and discover the ins and outs of film producing like how to:
- choose a film project
- ensure its development from script to production
- work with agents, financiers and public financing agencies (Telefilm Canada, SODEC, CALQ and NFB) including legal and rights experts, distributors and exhibitors
9 credits of coursework
Please note that no prerequisites are required for students enrolled in the microprogram.
Description: An introduction to writing for film. Students explore the written word as a means to convey and clarify visual ideas and cinematic stories. Synopses, treatments and scenarios for various genres are explored. Students are required to submit their own writing for discussion and analysis.
Component(s): Studio
Description: Additional topics to FMPR 341 include adaptations of existing work for the screen and developing longer film projects. Three-act structures as well as new narrative formats and documentary approaches are explored. Students are required to submit their own writing for discussion and analysis.
Component(s): Studio
Description: This comprehensive course introduces students to the creative and administrative challenges of producing. This includes strategies for fundraising, pre-production, budgeting and scheduling techniques, legal financial and insurance concerns, post-production, distribution and exhibition. A broad range of genres and platforms are covered including Telefilm, SODEC, NFB, CALQ and other Arts Councils.
Component(s): Lecture
Course schedule
| Course | Duration | Class schedule |
|---|---|---|
| FMPR 341 Writing for Film I |
May 11 - June 22 | Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. |
| FMPR 441 Writing for Film II |
July 6 - August 12 | Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. |
| FMPR 336 Introduction to Film Producing | May 16 - August 8 | Saturdays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. |
After the microprogram
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 for entry level roles in the film industry
What students are saying
The best investment in myself! The teachers were incredible, and learning the craft was amazing. I did both the Screenwriting and the Digital Filmmaking programs, and the access to equipment and editing suites was a game changer. Plus, the film I made went on to play at festivals.
It has given me the tools to materialize the stories I imagined and has given me a network of people to potentially work with. The teacher’s feedback and the knowledge they shared with us was extremely valuable.
I learned a lot and I really enjoyed having actual producers and people in this field talking to us because it gave us a really good idea of what we should be ready for.
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);
- Proof of your status in Canada or your Quebec permanent code if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident that has previously studied in Quebec.
- 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.
Tuition and fees
The cost of the microprogram is a combination of university tuition and compulsory fees.
The cost of tuition per credit depends whether you reside in Quebec or the rest of Canada. This is a 9‑credit microprogram.
| Residency | Tuition | Compulsory fees | Estimated program total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec resident | $935.28 | $566.63 | $1,501.91 |
| Non-Quebec Canadian | $3,895.65 | $566.63 | $4,462.28 |
Note: 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)
Keep in mind that the English and French micoprorgrams and separate cohorts and that the English microprogram is delivered in-person only. The screenwriting and film producing microprogram offered in French is delivered online only.
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
