Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 330 D100

Filmmaking IV (4)

Class Number: 7432

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA 231 and declared status in the film major or film honours.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The first of two courses which supports students in exploring process-driven filmmaking. Through individual and collaborative film projects, students will push their creative boundaries and begin to refine their unique voices as artists. A laboratory fee is required. Film production may require personal funding in addition to the lab fees. Students with credit for CA 390 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Through viewings, readings, discussion and film projects, this course will encourage students to explore personal film production processes allowing them to delve deeper in their own voice and independent practice. This project-based course will encourage students to deconstruct established notions of film production and to explore the creative possibilities of process-driven filmmaking. Students will work towards developing a personal toolkit to make films with artistic independence. Emphasis will be put in four areas: research, production, presentation, and analysis. Working individually and in various collaborative teams, students will create a series of projects with specific creative parameters, leading to a final screening at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Introduce process-driven methodologies for filmmaking.
  • Create space for students to start developing a personal artistic voice.
  • Emphasize the importance of research for film projects.
  • Exposure to artists working with film, and to how they contextualize their work
  • Expand on the creative possibilities of sound as part of the cinematic experience.
  • Nurture the ongoing dialogue amongst contemporary cinematic practices.
  • Further develop critical skills and confidence to analyse and provide feedback to a wide range of cinematic works.

Grading

  • Project #1 20%
  • Project #2 20%
  • Project #3 25%
  • Reading Reports 15%
  • Engagement 20%

NOTES:

Students will be provided readings on a regular basis and will be asked to discuss in class, as well as through reading reports.

REQUIREMENTS:

Journal and/or notebook that you can bring to class. Some art supplies and other physical materials will be requested. 

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.