Full-time Diploma of Technology 610cdiplt

BCIT Broadcast Television Diploma



The BCIT Broadcast Television diploma program prepares students for a career in the television, film, live event, and video production industries

You will work on projects ranging from documentaries and dramatic productions, to news, sports, live event production, commercials, and client projects. Television alumni work around the world producing a wide variety of professional media, broadcast, and online content.

BCIT Television students develop skills to:
  • Develop and shoot news, documentaries, sports and live events
  • Write, direct, shoot and edit a wide variety of programming
  • Utilize industry-standard broadcast & HD equipment and workflows
  • Produce weekly content in creative, high-energy teams
BCIT BROADCAST TELEVISION DIPLOMA
BCIT Credential: BCIT Diploma of Technology
Program Length: 2 years, Full-time
Program Start: September
Number of Courses: 26 courses, 145.5 credits
Total Tuition/Cost: Learn about Tuition & Fees
Internship/Practicum: 4 weeks, 5 days a week
Job Rotations: Shooting & Editing (Short Form)
 (3 weeks)
Major Project Production (Long Form)
 (6 weeks)
Production - BCIT Magazine & Live Event
 (3 weeks)
Industry Internships & Practicums
 (2 weeks)
1st Year Entry: View Requirements

BCIT TV Broadcast

Television students prepare and deliver programing which is broadcast weekly on Shaw TV, streamed online, and delivered through online video services.  Students rotate through various roles including writing scripts, shooting and editing, directing, lighting and audio mixing.

Video Production Internship

Television students participate in internships with TV stations, film studios, or production companies to learn on the job and develop connections throughout the media industry. Students find internships in communities throughout the province, across the country, and around the world!

Video Production Jobs & Careers

Graduates of the BCIT Broadcast Television diploma program have extensive experience writing for TV and online audiences. Students gain many valuable skills that can lead to a wide variety of video and media job opportunities.

Entry-Level Positions:
  • Camera Operator
  • Video Editor
  • Independent Film Maker
Mid-Level Positions:
  • Writer
  • Production Coordinator
  • Post Production Supervisor

Program Entry

Application Process:

Admissions for September 2013 will close on Friday, May 31st. Your application and documents must be received by BCIT no later than this date to be eligible for entry into the program.

  1. Applications for the Television & Video Production program are accepted beginning on November 15th.  By applying early, you increase your chances at being selected for the program.
  2. We recommend applying for the program online so your file can be started immediately.  You may also mail-in, or drop-off an application form [pdf].
  3. Submit your supporting documents (see below). Please ensure your BCIT student number is printed on all submissions.
  4. Register online for our broadcast entrance examination.

The final broadcast entrance exam for 2013 will be on Wednesday, May 29th.  All applicants must write the exam by this date to be eligible for acceptance.

When we have received your application, your supporting documents, and your entrance examination, we will call you to arrange an interview with our faculty.

Out of town applicants may request a phone interview, or online via Skype videoconferencing.

Admissions contact

David Griffiths
Television Admissions Coordinator
E-mail: david_griffiths@bcit.ca

Curriculum Development

The Television Program is currently undergoing a periodic curriculum development process.  Course outcomes, learning objectives, and implementation strategies are being revised and updated in consultation with the Program Advisory Committee, BCIT Faculty, and the BCIT Learning and Teaching centre.

Entrance requirements

Prospective applicants are expected to have high proficiency in oral and written English. Previous post-secondary academic studies in political science, history, psychology, business, law, computer science and other humanities, as well as an up-to-date awareness of current events, will prove valuable.

*Applications must include a short essay (approximately 500–1000 words) detailing personal history, career goals and reasons for choosing Television and Video Production as a career. Applicants are encouraged to provide links to online videos they have been involved in producing (i.e. videos on YouTube, Vimeo, etc) when writing their essay.

Proficiency in applied computer skills is essential for program success. Applicants should apply early and ensure their application is complete with all required documentation in order to be considered.

Applications may be enhanced through BCIT part-time studies broadcast and media courses, varied field experience, and post-secondary education.

Applicants are encouraged to attend our monthly Broadcast and New Media information session. Check the online schedule for upcoming dates and times.

Entrance Examination

All applicants for any Broadcast and Media Communications program must successfully complete an entrance examination that evaluates English literacy, current events awareness, general knowledge, and broadcast industry awareness. Applicants must successfully complete the exam prior to being considered for selection.

Students must register online to participate in the entrance exam invigilated at the BCIT Burnaby Campus. Out of town applicants must contact the Television & Video Production admissions faculty to make special arrangements for taking the entrance exam.

When we have received your application, your supporting documents, and your entrance examination, we will call you to arrange an interview with our faculty. Out of town applicants may request a phone interview, or online via Skype videoconferencing.

Re-admission Requirements

Please refer to the Broadcast and Media Communications Readmission information sheet [PDF] for details.

BC provincial exams

Provincial exam marks are required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12. BCIT does not require provincial exams for Grade 12 Math and Science courses.

Apply to program

Candidates who wish to apply to this program must declare their option/specialization at the time of application.

Indicate your 'first choice program' as Broadcast and Media Communications and Television as the option.

Submit an application: online or by mail [PDF].

You can check the status of your application online at any time using the Student Information System.

Scheduled intakes

September each year.

Application processing

November 15* of the previous year until the program fills.

Applications are considered for a specific intake.

*Or next business day

myCommunication

Within 2 to 3 weeks of applying to a program, you will be sent a letter in the mail confirming receipt of your application. The letter will identify your student number, BCIT e-mail address and instructions on how to login to your myBCIT account.

All official BCIT correspondence will be sent to your myBCIT account. Check myCommunication often during the application process and throughout your studies at BCIT.

You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within 2 to 8 weeks.

Costs & Supplies

Scholarship Available:

Additional supplies and costs

In addition to regular textbooks and supplies, Television & Video Production students must supply the following additional resources to ensure they can participate in classes, and deliver assignments to meet learning outcomes.

  • cell phone with voice mail (must have silent mode)
  • access to a computer
  • my.bcit e-mail address (may forward email to an email provider of your choice)
  • USB memory stick – minimum 2 GB for assignments
  • 250GB (minimum) portable USB-powered hard drive - for non linear media storage
  • One PDV-64N DVcam videotape
  • Headphones (over-ear, or in-ear variety) with 1/8" connector
  • access to a still camera – digital or film
  • blank DVD-R media for archive & submission purposes

Recommended

To participate in classroom and lab projects effectively, Broadcast faculty members recommend that students may consider purchasing a portable computer to utilize in addition to BCIT computer labs.

Students considering a computer purchase may wish to consider an Apple Macintosh system to give them the most flexibility with regard to the software used in their courses (both Mac and PC programs are utilized within the course curriculum).

Access to a consumer quality video camera is also valuable for training purposes.  While most of assignments require the use of our broadcast-quality professional equipment for production and post-production, small, inexpensive digital video cameras can be valuable for use as planning tools.

Vehicles

Television & Video Production students are not required to own a vehicle, however students must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle in Levels 1 through 4 in order to transport production equipment necessary for individual and group projects.

Tuition fees

Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.

Books and supplies

Student spending above and beyond tuition depends largely on individual preferences and practices. The following estimates provide a range of spending:

Television
Level 1: $2,550; Level 2: $50; Level 3: $2,250; Level 4: $55

(General estimated cost, and subject to change)

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.

Courses

Program matrix

Level 1 (15 weeks) Credits
  BCST 1101 Technical Introduction 3.0
  BCST 1120 Video Basics 10.0
  BCST 1124 Writing for Television 3.0
  BCST 1223 Television Production Planning 3.0
  BCST 2207 Advanced Computers for Television 3.0
  BUSA 1620 Computer Applications for Broadcasting 3.0
  COMM 1112 Communication for Broadcasters 1 3.0
  ORGB 2510 Interpersonal Relationships 2.0
 
Level 2 (16 weeks plus four-week practicum) Credits
  BCST 2209 Practicum 1 7.0
  BCST 2218 Essentials of Post Production and Online Media 2.5
  BCST 2220 Video Production 15.0
  BCST 2222 Theory of Colour Television Systems 3.0
  BCST 2224 Dramatic Writing for Television 3.0
  BCST 3317 Non-linear Audio Editing 3.0
  BCST 3318 Non-linear Video Editing 3.0
  COMM 2212 Communication for Broadcasters 2 3.0
 
Level 3 (15 weeks) Credits
  BCST 3320 Video Production 18.0
  BCST 3322 Television News 4.0
  BCST 3325 News Shooting and Editing 1 4.0
  BLAW 3300 Broadcast Law 3.0
  COMM 3312 Corporate Writing for Television 3.0
 
Level 4 (16 weeks plus four-week practicum) Credits
  BCST 4409 Practicum 2 7.0
  BCST 4420 Video Production 2 18.0
  BCST 4425 News Shooting and Editing 2 4.0
  BUSA 1201 Television Management 3.0
  COMM 4412 Project Writing for Television 3.0
 
Total Credits: 145.5

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

The Television & Video Production Program has a course structure designed to start students with the basics necessary to quickly adapt to a professional production environment, then allow the freedom to work on larger team projects.

Term 1 - year one, September

In addition to the core "Video Basics" course, students take courses in non-linear video editing, writing for television, technical concepts, production planning and more.  Students are introduced to technology and skills at a pace that allows both enthusiasts and newcomers the opportunity to build their competencies together.

Term 1 is our most heavily academic term, and requires students to have strong time management skills in addition to a focus on academic achievement.

Term 2 - year one, January

"Video Production" picks up where "Video Basics" leaves off, and gives students the opportunity to refine and expand their skills through small productions designed as team projects.  Individual components in term 2 are designed to continue to expand and test their camera, editing, and lighting skills.

Classes introduce more advanced concepts such as "Essentials of Post Production and Online Media", which familiarizes students with compositing, animation, and special effects.  Technical courses in video and audio post-production, as well as writing and communication courses expand core skills from Term 1.

Practicum - year one, April

Upon completing Term 2, students enter in a four-week "in-house" practicum, where they work with the Broadcast & Online Journalism students to create our weekly "BCIT Magazine" news program.

For the television students, this provides a real-world chance to enhance their single-camera shooting and editing skills, while producing a live-to-tape broadcast in a realistic newsroom environment.

Term 3 - year two, September


Term 3 begins in September of the second year of the program.  Students form themselves into production companies which are tasked with planning, shooting, and editing a major production.  Student production companies choose their own projects which meet both course guidelines and their own areas of interest, such as documentaries, dramas, reality and lifestyle programming.

In addition, single-camera shooting and editing techniques are maintained through a news rotation working with Broadcast & Online Journalism students.

Students are required to spend time "in industry", where they can gain valuable experience and industry contacts as they work for local production companies, post-production facilities, film and independent productions and television stations.

Term 4 - year two, January



Continuing from Term 3, student production companies work on a second major project while continuing to building their single camera shooting and editing experience through live-to-tape training and live, location production of sports and special events.

Students have the opportunity to participate in four-week industry practicums where they can build experience and relationships with employers in the field of their choice.

The final term in the program offers a unique benefit to students who are able to find paying work in the industry; students may elect to "co-op out", and work full-time for a paying employer.  This option allows students to finish their academic term by correspondence, so they may work and gain valuable expertise while still earning their academic credential.


Additional Information

As BCIT strives to prepare students for successful careers, we regularly update and adapt our course offerings and hours to meet changing industry conditions and demands. Some classes and practicums may take place outside of normal class hours, including evenings and weekends to offer additional training opportunities for students.

Program length

Two years, full-time

The program runs from September to May each year.

Program location

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Graduating & Jobs


Job Opportunities

Graduates are employed throughout B.C. and the world over, wherever television, cable facilities and audio and video production operations exist.

The Television & Video Production course is not a film training program, however we utilize similar production methodologies to traditional film making in our training process.  Our alumni work in both film and television & video production environments and indicate that our production techniques have prepared them well for their roles.

As a program that aims to give students the widest possible opportunity for finding their passion within the production community,

Many of our alumni have found employment in both independent and feature film productions, as video editors for features and independent productions, as news or production camera operators, producers and production assistants, film and video staff, scriptwriters and media relations positions.


Graduate employment outcomes

The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2010-2012 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2009-2011 Graduates.
Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

Robert Nason, Instructor

Rob has been employed in Television Production since 1962 as a Television Operations Technician in Camera, Audio & Lighting, Technical Director, Director, Technical Producer and Manager, Broadcast Operations for: CHSJ-TV, Saint John, CBC Halifax, CBC Toronto, CKVU-TV, Vancouver, NOWTV, Vancouver, CBS, New York & EUROSTEP, London, U.K. The range of program formats extend through: Educational Programs, News & Information Programs, Music & Variety to Live Sports Broadcasting.

B. A. (UBC 1969), M. P. S. (N.Y.U. 1982)

John Mills, Instructor

John began in Television at Cable Atlantic in St. John’s Newfoundland in 1992. Like all cable volunteers, John did his share of camera for City Council meetings but he quickly advanced to become a fixture on sporting events – such as the former St. John’s Maple Leafs – where he found his love of mobile production.
John moved to BC in 1996 and continued to volunteer with Rogers. Eventually, he decided to professionalize and expand on his experience and so attended BCIT’s Television and Video Production Program. John used his knowledge of videotape to gain employment in post-production. When he graduated BCIT in 2001 he was awarded a National Apprenticeship from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. He used this opportunity to gain valuable film production experience.
In 2003, John began teaching part time in the BCIT Television and Video Production Program. In 2006, John was selected to teach full time. Since then, John has returned to his television roots and now freelances in live sports production for Shaw, The Vancouver Canucks, and CBC Hockey Night in Canada.

David Griffiths, Instructor & Admissions Coordinator

David Griffiths began working in video production in 1988 as a volunteer for Shaw Cable in Prince George, British Columbia. Working in a volunteer cable television facility gave David a firm grasp of the broadcast technology, and enabled him to start as a full-time employee of CKPG Television in 1990. In 1992 David moved to Burnaby BC, and enrolled in the Television & Video Production course at BCIT to expand his skill set.

After graduating from BCIT's Television and Video Production course in 1992, David began working in live sports broadcasting as a Chyron operator and programmer, then moved into Directing and Technical Directing for seven years. While continuing to work in live sports broadcasting, David worked for Studio Post and Imaging in Vancouver, B.C., and rapidly developed skills in Video Compression, DVD Authoring, Graphics and Animation, as well as Editing and Post Production.

David has been a faculty member in the Television & Video Production program at BCIT since 1999, and continues to work as a freelance editor in feature films, technology consultant for local post-production companies, and continues to work as an editor and online editor for episodic television programs.

Ashif Jivraj, Program Head

Coming Soon!


Michael Moss, Instructor

Michael Moss began his working life in pro audio sales, he also volunteered as a DJ at the campus radio station at Langara College, was a roadie in the local music scene and was a partner in a mobile disco business. Looking for a career in media he applied at CBC Television and spent the next 30 years working at their Vancouver studio. Mike began in Telecine (Film Transfer), and over the years moved on to Master Control, Videotape recording, video switching, ENG editing, EFP (Field) Audio, studio camera, audio operator and finally landed a job as Supervising Technician for the CBC Vancouver Newsroom. Here Mike supervised the crew who worked on live remotes, Election coverage and daily live news production.
Later advancing to the position of Manager of TV Post Production at CBC Vancouver, Mike supervised the Production Editing, Graphic Design, Audio Post Production and Server Ingest/VTR area. Mike worked with producers on numerous TV shows and documentaries.
Mike now works as an independent media technical consultant, technical producer and editor.
Mike is a recipient of the CBC 25 year service award, is a past member of the National Press Photographers Association and the Western Association of Broadcaster Engineers. Mike was most recently Chair of the BCIT Television Program Advisory Council and continues to advise faculty on industry trends.

Dan Moscrip, Instructor

Dan Moscrip comes to BCIT with a wealth of television production experience. His career began in 1978 at Victoria Cable 10. For 25 years he worked at Knowledge Network, where he was a Senior Producer/Director. Dan has more than 1000 broadcast programs to his credit including documentaries, drama, promotions, short vignettes, instructional telecourses, and informational series. He has extensive experience with single camera electronic field production; multi-camera location webcasts; remote mobile-based productions; and hundreds of hours of multi-camera studio directing – both recorded and live. He also owned Looking Glass Productions Ltd., an award winning video production company based in North Vancouver.

His work has been recognized by the International Health & Medical Film Festival, the New York Festivals, the Columbus Film & Video Festival, the AMTEC (Association for Media & Technology in Education in Canada) Festival and others. Dan is also a member of the Canadian Association of Broadcaster's Quarter Century Club in recognition of 25 years of honourable and distinguished service to the broadcasting industry of Canada.

Dan studied television production at the British Columbia Institute of Technology earning a Diploma of Technology in Broadcast Communications and has completed the BC Instructors Diploma Program through Vancouver Community College. As a practitioner of life-long-learning he has furthered his education with courses in writing, acting, directing, financing, pitching, and project management.

David Berenbaum, Instructor

Dave began his career in television volunteering for Rogers Community Cable before attending and graduating from BCIT’s Full Time Television program in 1992. After graduation, he worked at a local station in Master Control and freelanced on a variety of sets as a camera and lighting assist.

Turning his focus to post-production, Dave found a home cutting commercials and corporate videos eventually ending up at The Eyes where he propelled to the position of Vice-President. While at The Eyes, Dave produced and directed many award winning television series for Canadian and US networks as well as supervised all aspects of post-production.

Dave is now back in the edit suite cutting docu-reality and docu-drama programming while simultaneously on the faculty teaching editing.

Glenn Graham, Instructor

Glenn Graham worked as a management consultant prior to joining BCIT’s School of Business. He has 17 years of experience not only leading client service delivery teams but also delivering various types of business-to-business and business-to-consumer research, analysis, and strategy development assignments. These assignments have focussed primarily on the development of market entry strategies, business plans, and strategic plans. Other types of assignments have included market/industry studies, competitor analysis studies, consumer behaviour research studies, product development/product pricing studies, demand analysis studies, feasibility studies, and business process improvement/program effectiveness reviews. He holds two Bachelor degrees and a Master’s degree from Simon Fraser University.

He has taught in both the part time studies program and the full-time day programme. At the present time, he is teaching ORGB 1105, Organizational Behaviour, BUSA 2005, Principles of Management, ORGB 2325, Organizational Behaviour, and ORGB 2510, Interpersonal Relationships. In the past, he has taught BUSA 2005, Principles of Management, BUSA 2100, Introduction to Management, HRMG 3105, Human Resource Management Fundamentals, and ORGB 1105, Organizational Behaviour. In addition, he has acted as faculty advisor to students engaged in delivering the end-of-credential consulting project in BMGT 4900 and HRMG 4900.

John Foster, Instructor

John began instructing at BCIT in April 2000. He is lead instructor in Electronic Commerce in the School of Business. From 2011 he has been instructing in the full-time program. From 2007 to 2011 John had the opportunity to live in Tokyo where he taught at Temple University’s Japan campus.

Along with instructing business, computer and IT courses for many years he has worked as a stockbroker, has planned and launched a small business, written and consulted on numerous business plans, planned and implemented an array of web sites and engaged in IT project management including work with Microsoft on Windows Mobile and Windows Vista.

John Foster has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia, a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University (Australia), and an honours Certificate in Electronic Commerce from the British Columbia Institute of Technology


Advisory committee

  • Ashif Jivraj, Assistant Instructor, Program Head, Television, BCIT
  • Brenda Clotildes, CKPG
  • David Griffiths, Instructor, Television, BCIT
  • David Seemann, Business Manager, News/Studio, CTV
  • Deepak Sahasrabudhe, Soma Television Ltd.
  • Gary Milne, Broadcast Manager
  • Gerry Belec, Global TV
  • Glenn Elliott, Technical Director, Global TV
  • Heather Hawthorn-Doyle, Executive, OMNI Film Productions
  • Jim Reis, Senior Producer, Shaw TV/Cable
  • John Mills, Instructor, Television, BCIT
  • John Ritchie, Executive Producer, Force Four Entertainment
  • Kim Kuhn, Instructor, Television, BCIT
  • Mike Clotildes, CKPG
  • Murray Wooding, CBC
  • Oliver Eichel, Knowledge Network
  • Randy Singer, Associate Dean, Broadcast & New Media, BCIT
  • Robert Nason, Instructor, Television, BCIT
  • Robin Hemmingsen, Dean, School of Business, BCIT
  • Todd Giroux, Robot Post
  • Tim Lewis, President, Proshow

Contact Us

Admissions Coordinator

David Griffiths
email: david_griffiths@bcit.ca
Information on admissions requirements, or application processing.

Special Projects Coordinator

David Griffiths
email: david_griffiths@bcit.ca

Student job postings, equipment and facilities rental requests, or to contact BCIT Television & Video Production about possible production projects (commercials, live event production, training videos, etc.).
BCIT Broadcast generally doesn't accept client projects without access to basic production budgets - to cover blank media, craft services, and travel expenses for our crew and equipment.

Film & Production Liaison - BCIT Burnaby Campus

Robert Nason
phone: 604-432-8403
email: robert_nason@bcit.ca

Information on Film and Television Production at the BCIT Burnaby Campus, Locations & Rates.

Questions or comments?

Please ensure you have reviewed the detailed information on this site, using the navigation to the right, before submitting the form below.

As well, if you meet any of the following criteria, please follow the links for more information, instead of sending the form:

I have read the information above and still have a question I need answered.

Request More Information

Complete the following form and we’ll send you information to help you learn more about BCIT and your program(s) of interest. You’ll get information on student services, your area of study, and events where you can connect with faculty, students, and alumni to have your questions answered.

We won't share your personal information and you can unsubscribe at any time.

This form is for mailing addresses within Canada and the USA only. If you are not inquiring from Canada or the USA, please contact the International Student Centre directly.
.
To avoid duplication of records,
the following information is required
Gender required

Apply Now

Request More Info

Contact Us

Information Sessions

Attend an upcoming information session for this program:

Payment Changes At BCIT

We've changed the way we accept payments.

Find out more

Search Programs

Testimonial

"It's been a completely amazing two years, and I cannot thank you all enough … Pushing me is the biggest thing I need to thank you for.

I never, in a million years would think I'd be working before I graduated … I am following a dream I only came to realize with your help, and working for places that I thought were a distant goal."

Leah K., TV Grad 2012

Testimonial

"My life has done a complete 180 since starting @bcittv. So proud of how far we've all come!!!"
Amanda S., TV Grad 2012

Testimonial

"BCIT has served as an invaluable resource in my professional development by providing great opportunities to meet and work with industry professionals and help get my foot in the door.

This program has opened many doors for me that otherwise may have remained closed."

Justin L., TV Grad 2010