Master of Fine Arts - Motion Pictures and Television

The School of Motion Pictures & Television’s MFA program offers in-depth, advanced training in the various areas of film and television production. Depending on the area of specialization, the MFA program culminates in a thesis film or professional reel/portfolio. Areas of study include directing, producing, cinematography, editing, production design, and screenwriting. Students are prepared to compete for work in the industry or to teach, as the MFA is a terminal degree.

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Editing

• Demonstrate advanced– level achievement in editing through both thesis films and various other projects
• Demonstrate proficiency in post-production technology and techniques
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel and website
• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

Screenwriting

• Write shorts that are of sufficient quality to be approved for thesis production (Final Review only)
• Deliver a feature script or original TV pilot demonstrating command of story structure, character development, and dialogue and principles
• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

Cinematography

• Demonstrate advanced-level achievement in cinematography through thesis films and various other projects (Final Review only)
• Work effectively with various cameras, lenses and accessories
• Design and execute creative lighting schemes
• Effectively manage a scene for coverage
• Apply principles of composition and camera movements to enhance the story
• Collaborate effectively with grip, camera, and electric teams
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel and website

Directing

• Propose a story that is marketable and/or appealing to a general audience for development into a thesis film (Midpoint Review only)
• Demonstrate advanced-level achievement in directing through completion of an approved thesis project (Final Review only)
• Guide a crew in preproduction, production, and postproduction to execute effective choices that serve the story
• Elicit engaging and believable performances from actors
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel and website
• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

Producing

• Demonstrate advanced-level achievement by producing two or more thesis films (Final Review only)
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel or website
• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

Production Design

• Design the look of at least two thesis films based on the director’s vision, including: choosing locations, creating settings, selecting props, and dressing sets. (Final Review only)
• Communicate design concepts through basic drawing skills and visual presentations
• Effectively showcase work in an industry-standard demo reel and website
• Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams

*Note App Fee Waiver in effect for ApplyBoard to reduce the application fee to $50*