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Television Writing and Producing

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Program Code: TW511
Credential: Ontario Graduate Certificate
Start Dates: September
Program Length: 2 semesters

Program Overview

Humber’s Television Writing and Producing graduate certificate program prepares you to work in the writers’ rooms of major television programs and in television production offices as a creative producer. 

You will learn how to write, as well as create and produce all genres of television shows from half-hour situation comedies, animation, childrens’ programming, one-hour episodic, reality and lifestyle to late night comedies, short films and screenplays. You will work under the direction of award-winning writers and producers and meet many successful directors, producers, agents, and development and network executives from the industry to learn the creative business of television and film. Learn and meet well-known guests and celebrities from the world of television and film to help you create, write, develop, pitch and sell your ideas that may one day lead to successful employment in writers’ rooms and with television networks and production companies.

Courses Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:

  1. Outline the requirements for various scripts including Movies of the Week, Variety Television, Children’s Programming and Dramatic Series.

  2. Create “spec” scripts of types including Movies of the Week, Variety Television, Children’s Programming and Dramatic Series.

  3. Calculate profit and sales figures for given productions.

  4. Summarize trends in television sales, production and markets.

  5. Prepare strategies for pitching and packaging new products.

  6. Provide a critical summary of all the technical requirements associated with television production and give examples of the problems and challenges encountered in production areas such as sound, lighting, space, sets, animation needs, camera operation, make up, costume design and music.

  7. Perform the duties of a director or a director’s assistant.

  8. Demonstrate the skills of a story analyst, reader production assistant and writer’s assistant.

  9. Demonstrate the responsibilities and functions of a theatrical agent.

  10. Outline the entrepreneurial skills needed by script writers.

  11. Network with well-known television writers and producers.

  12. Exhibit team building and communication skills and profit from exercises that encourage self-understanding, peer respect and professional behaviours.


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The Humber Advantage

Unlike students from other programs, Television Writing and Producing graduates enter the industry armed with their own spec or original script(s) in the any of the following genres: situation comedy, children's half-hour, animation, one-hour episodic, short film, screenplay, reality, and late night comedy. These scripts are invaluable writing samples that open doors for many grads.

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Aaron Bala, a 2013 Television Writing and Producing graduate, is a screenwriter and network executive with TVOkids where he brings shows to life and develops new content for local markets.

Aaron Bala

Watch the video to hear Aaron's story.

Expert Faculty

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Anne Fenn

Anne Fenn is an experienced TV writer and former development executive with over 25 years' experience writing for film, TV, radio, print and stage. Anne loves to teach and has been teaching Sitcom Writing in the Comedy program since 2010 and also teaches in the TV Writing & Producing post-graduate program. She has been nominated for numerous awards for her writing, some of which she won! Anne recently earned her MFA in Creative Nonfiction (King’s/Dalhousie), holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto, and is a graduate of Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre. For more information about Anne, please go to annefenn.com.

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Rob Salem

Rob Salem was an entertainment columnist and editor at the Toronto Star for almost 40 years. He has also been an actor, author, TV and radio host and pop-culture pundit.

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Raymond Storey

Raymond Storey is an award-winning television writer and producer whose series credits include: Bomb Girls (Shaw/Reelz), King (Shaw/Reelz), The Guard (Global/ION), Train 48 (Global), Made In Canada (CBC), Wind At My Back (CBC), Traders (Global), Deepwater Black (Sci-Fi Channel/YTV), and Road to Avonlea (CBC/Disney). Television movies and mini-series include Iron Road (CBC), Open Heart (CBC), Happy Christmas, Miss King (CBC), Sleeping Dogs Lie (CBC), Einstein: Light to the Power of Two (HBO), Da Vinci: Dream of Flight (HBO), Marie Curie: More Than Meets the Eye (HBO), Bach’s Fight (HBO), and Butterbox Babies (CBC, BBC, A&E). His producing credits include creator/executive producer, The Guard; creative producer, King; co-executive producer, Bomb Girls; creative consultant, Train 48; and supervising producer, Wind At My Back.

Ray was a multiple Gemini Award-nominee for Best Writing in a Television Movie or Mini-Series and won Best Writing in a Children or Youth Program in 1998. Most recently, Ray was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award as a writer-producer on Searching for Vimy’s Lost Soldiers.

With a background in theatre, Ray’s stageplays include The Last Bus, Saints and Apostles, The Glorious 12th, and South of China, as well as his musical collaborations with John Roby: Country Chorale, Girls in the Gang, The Dreamland, and the young audience musical Lulie the Iceberg, based on the children’s book by Japan’s Imperial Princess Takamodo. Ray is a three-time Dora Award winner, a three-time Sterling Award winner, a Governor General’s Award finalist, and Chalmer’s Award finalist, amongst others.

Your Career

In 2021, three graduates garnered Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards nominations for their work on Schitt’s Creek, Lockdown, and Ollie’s Pack. Some of the graduates of this program are presently working as writers and producers at major television networks and major independent production companies. Some are working on popular television shows on CTV, CBC, NBC and Netflix such as Big Brother, Bitten and New Girl. There are also graduates currently running top animation TV series and working as literary agents at major agencies in Toronto.

 

Program Availability

Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Open
Start dates between Sept 2023 - Aug 2024
START DATE LOCATION STATUS
September 2023 Lakeshore Open

Television Writing and Producing

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Watch the video to see how this program prepares you to work as a television writer and producer, and to work in the production offices and on sets of current major television shows.


Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)

The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.

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Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Lorne Frohman, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 3543
lorne.frohman@humber.ca

Campus Information

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How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all the requirements below in order to meet minimum program eligibility. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Admission decisions will be available via MyHumber, or by email and mail. Admission decisions will not be released by phone.

Admission selection is based on the following four requirements:

  • Academic

    To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:

    • A bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma or diploma

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

  • Resume and Letter of Intent

  • Applicants must submit a detailed resume and letter of intent (400 words). 

    We'd like to hear why you want to work in this industry and please tell us why you're interested in our program, and about any experience you may have (although not required to apply). 

    Submission Instructions

  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

  • International Credit Evaluation

    Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.

International Academic Equivalency

Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please enter your location or choose detect my location to see the requirements for your country below.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

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Equipment & Device Requirements

Fees & Financial Aid

The 2022-2023 fee for two semesters was:

  • domestic: $10,254.46
  • international: $17,618.00

Fees are subject to change.

Fees by Semester

Domestic Fees International Fees

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
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