Program Overview

Your degree in Film Production

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Film Production, you’ll learn the theory and techniques of motion picture production. You’ll develop important skills through class lectures, technical seminars, and working on collaborative digital film projects completed to professional standards.

These skills may include:

• Techniques, practices, and theory of filmmaking, inspiring creative independent films
• Creative and innovative approaches to story-telling through visual media
• Collaborating and working effectively with teammates on projects related to documentary filmmaking, narrative filmmaking, screenwriting, and producing
• Preproduction, production, and post-production, writing and analyzing screenplays, developing storyboards, creating shot lists, and preparing budgets and schedules
• Shooting, directing, blocking, and lighting scenes, as well as capturing audio
• Assembling, cutting, and manipulating footage
• Effective planning, time management, problem solving, and leadership skills applied to digital film projects

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary across a range of fields including short and feature filmmaking, episodic television, commercial production, curating, policymaking, programming and distribution, preservation, writing, arts administration, teaching, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Some career options may require further education or training.

• Advertising specialist
• Art director
• Audiovisual technician
• Camera operator
• Casting agent
• Cinematographer
• Communications manager
• Copywriter
• Documentary filmmaker
• Editor
• Event planner
• Extra wrangler
• Festival organizer
• Film critic
• Film director
• Film editor
• Film location manager
• Film producer
• First Assistant Director
• Filmmaker
• Fundraiser
• Journalist
• Lighting designer
• Make-up or costume supervisor
• Market research analyst
• Marketing specialist
• Media relations manager
• Motion picture musical director
• News analyst
• Production assistant
• Production coordinator
• Project manager
• Public opinion interviewer
• Public relations specialist
• Screenwriter
• Sound designer
• Sound editor
• Storyboard artist
• Talent agent
• Teacher or Professor
• Trade show organizer
• Unit production manager
• Video archivist
• Video game producer
• Videographer
• Visual effects producer

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities, develop your skillset, and help you clarify your values and interests.

• UBC Film Society
  Meet other UBC students through events and programs.
• Departmental events
  Network with Film Production students and faculty members at a variety of events.
• DOXA
  Attend or volunteer at Western Canada’s largest documentary film festival.
• Cinephile, UBC’s Film Journal
  Submit research papers, book reviews, and reports that engage and debate issues within film, media, and cultural studies.
• Theatre and Film alumni
  Reach out to UBC graduates for informational interviews to learn about their experiences and seek out advice.
• National mentorship program
  Find mentorship programs for aspiring media producers with the Canadian Media Producers Association.
• Film festivals
  Check out volunteer and submission opportunities at film festivals across Canada.
• Vancouver International Film Festival
  Join other cinema enthusiasts by volunteering at the main festival or for various year-round events.
• Vancouver Queer Film Festival
  Volunteer to support marketing, fundraising, event services, or other opportunities.
• Arts funding opportunities
  Apply for grants from professional associations, corporations, non-profits, and government organizations.
• Resources and funding
  Learn about different film industry organizations and opportunities to apply for funding.
• BC Alliance for Arts and Culture job board
  Search for job opportunities in BC across a variety of fields in the arts.
• Visual Resources Centre
  Explore the collection of films, books, periodicals and videomatica.
• Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
  Develop new skills and gain practical knowledge in a heritage field over the summer.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

• Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television
• Actsafe Safety Association
• Arts BC
• Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople, Local 2020
• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
• BC Alliance for Arts and Culture
• British Columbia Arts Council
• Business/Arts
• Canada Council for the Arts
• Canada Media Fund
• Canadian Film Centre
• Canadian Film Institute
• Canadian Heritage Information Network
• Canadian Media Producers Association
• Cineworks
• Community Arts Council of Vancouver
• Creative BC
• Critics Choice Association
• Culture Works Canada
• Digi BC
• Directors Guild of Canada
• Film Studies Association of Canada
• First Peoples’ Cultural Council
• GEMS Vancouver
• Institute of Canadian Agencies
• International Association of Women in Radio and Television
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 891
• International Cinematographers Guild, Local 669
• International Film Music Critics Association
• Motion Picture Association, Canada
• Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC
• National Film Board of Canada
• National Screen Institute
• Professional Association of Canadian Theatres
• REEL Canada
• Telefilm Canada
• Vancouver Post Alliance
• WorkInCulture
• Writers Guild of Canada

Connect with alumni

Learn about possible career paths by browsing alumni stories or viewing the profiles of UBC Film Production graduates.

As you read, take note of interesting job titles, organizations, and experiences you may want to explore. If a particular story or profile aligns with your goals, consider reaching out for an informational interview.