M.F.A. in Film & Media Production
The M.F.A. in Film & Media Production is a professional training program designed for creative individuals with a demonstrated commitment to filmmaking as a professional, artistic, or academic pursuit.
Students direct at least four films. Each student directs a fiction film and a documentary in the first year of the program. In the second year, students make a documentary or fiction pre-thesis film. Students make their thesis films in the final year of the program.
The program places equal emphasis on fiction and documentary. Many students come here as self-defined documentary filmmakers or with the single goal of directing commercial fiction films. These same students often find that the study of the "other" form, fiction or documentary, as the case may be, inspires and informs their work in their initial arena of interest in unexpected and welcome ways.
Our faculty of working professionals helps our students grow as storytellers and filmmakers by encouraging a variety of approaches and techniques. M.F.A. students produce work in traditional and alternative forms and develop their conceptual, aesthetic and technical abilities in a variety of media. Both creative and critical writing are integral dimensions of this process. Twelve students are admitted each year, making it possible to provide optimum guidance and production opportunities for each student. The program provides extensive studio and technique courses focused on film-based and digital production and cutting-edge post-production technologies. The curriculum is designed to provide a great deal of individualized attention. The faculty conducts first, second, and third-year reviews for each student as well as periodic semester critiques.
Curriculum
In broad terms, the curriculum is structured as follows:
Year 1: Develop creative, conceptual and expressive skills using a range of media production exercises and experiences.
Year 2: Develop and refine technical skills and strengthen aesthetic, theoretical and conceptual abilities through the completion of the qualifying pre-thesis project; take additional non-production courses.
Year 3: Produce the thesis project; acquire additional expertise in theoretical domains.
The M.F.A. Handbook describes the program, curriculum requirements and course offerings in detail. Please click here to view the Handbook:
Admission
Entering students must hold the bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution. Undergraduate preparation, internships and professional experience should demonstrate sufficient preparation in film and video production to predict successful performance at the graduate level. Please click here for information about admissions:
