Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CA 431 D101

Filmmaking VII (4)

Class Number: 4339

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA 430.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The second of two courses which supports students in all stages of filmmaking, culminating in a self-directed thesis film project and a final year exhibition. A laboratory fee is required. Film production may require personal funding in addition to the lab fees. Students with credit for CA 432 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Welcome to the second half of your capstone project as 4th year SCA Film students. Now is the time to put the pieces together accumulated from the Research, Development, Pre-Production, and Production stages, and move into Post-Production and Exhibition. You will now reflect upon the research explorations, visual/audio/written scripts/treatments, and the newly recorded images and sounds, into a cohesive form. Risk is paramount. What boundaries will be expanded and which elements will be deconstructed and reframed? The montage is where the story is born. Time and space will (e)merge as you bring the image and sound together onto a single timeline and into a cinematic space. Your fully realized, self-directed film project will finally form and your curiousities will be shared with the world. We will then celebrate together at a year-end event along with your friends and family, as well as your new artistic collaborators who have been with you the whole journey. 

CA431 will be the second of a two-term yearlong course (CA430+CA431) and you will be asked to complete the final stage of your 10 minute (maximum) film project(s) with the support of your fellow students. 

Course Structure
There will be a combination of seminars, guest speakers, critiques, and extra-curricular projects throughout the course. A greater focus on individual consultations will be allotted.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Experiment with the process of editing.
• Enact the element of risk into the film project.
• Collaborate with non-Film students in extra-curricular projects.
• Explore and refine skills in the post-production process.
• Gain skills in preparing and strategizing for distribution/presentation.
• Engage with guest speakers within the professional film and arts communities.

Grading

  • 1st Cut 20%
  • Teaser 20%
  • Final Cut 30%
  • Share & Acknowledge 30%

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.