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*