The Motion Picture Arts Diploma Program was designed for creative individuals who want to tell stories through film. This 10-month program is built to give students the technical skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to begin working in the film and media industry.
The Motion Picture Arts Diploma Program takes students beyond the classroom, with a strong focus on hands-on experience and portfolio development. Students work together on a variety of class projects that reflect real film production environments.
RAIS offers a focused and intensive curriculum that allows students to create their own projects while building a strong professional portfolio. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 15 students to allow for meaningful one-on-one time with equipment and instructors who are active in the industry. The Motion Picture Arts program is built around developing practical skills, techniques, and technical knowledge so students can create, promote, and share their work.
The Rais Difference
- Quality education without the excessive tuition costs or multi-year commitments common at out-of-province schools
- Extensive access to production facilities and camera equipment for student projects
- Less note taking, more writing, directing, shooting, editing, and creating effects
- Small class sizes taught by instructors actively working in the industry
- Continued access to faculty and facilities as resources after graduation
Short Non-Fiction / Documentary Project
Students choose a topic and interview subjects to produce a short documentary.
Music Video Project
Students collaborate with a band or singer/songwriter to plan and create a music video.
Corporate Video Project
Students pitch and produce a promotional video for a local non-profit organization.
Scene Recreation Project
Students move through pre-production, production, and post production while recreating a scene from an iconic film.
Final Film Project
In addition to class projects, each student produces an original short film. Students have full creative control and access to RAIS equipment and facilities throughout production. Film students are paired with Audio Engineering students to complete sound design and a 5.1 surround mix. The finished films premiere at a local theatre at the end of the term.
Term Start Date: September 2026
Class Time: 9am – 1pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9am – 4pm (Friday)
Total Instructional Hours: 816 hrs
Total Weeks: 41
Course Outline
1. Introduction to Filmmaking
2. Film History
3. Story and Screenwriting
4. Cinematography 1
5. Digital Editing (Adobe Premiere Pro)
6. Sound
7. Visual Effects (Adobe After Effects)
8. Short Non-Fiction/Documentary Project
9. Colour Grading
10. Music Video Project
11. Cinematography 2
12. Corporate Video Project
13. Scene Breakdown Project
14. Final Film Project
15. Individual Demo Reel Project
16. Professional Development
Program Outcomes
• Practical experience writing, directing, shooting, and editing a variety of film projects
• A working knowledge of production workflows from pre-production through post production
• Strong proficiency in industry standard software, including Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects
• Experience across multiple types of productions, including documentary, music video, corporate, and narrative film
• Portfolio-ready video projects demonstrating technical and creative ability
Extracurricular Studio/Gear Time:
Students have extensive access to film equipment after class hours for use in the production studio or on location while working on school or personal projects.
Optional Computer Lab Time:
The computer lab is open from 1pm – 9pm, Monday – Friday for students to work on school or personal projects.
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