MFA in Cinema and Media Production

The MFA in Cinema and Media Production is designed as a challenging advanced degree for students already experienced and committed to a career in film, television, and new media production. The program is ideal for those with an undergraduate degree in narrative fiction film and television production.

It is composed of students seeking to advance their skills, with the aim of providing an opportunity to create an exceptional, groundbreaking film of professional quality that will launch their professional careers.

Each participant will specialize in his/her chosen discipline: directing, producing, or cinematography and will work with student writers from the MFA Screenwriting program. Over the course of the 12-month program, students will be immersed in a collaborative environment within which they will produce a capstone production. The program is run on a mentorship model, with each student guided through the program by an advisor.

Upon admission, directors will collaborate with student writers on the conception and development of thesis project concepts. During the first semester, directors will form thesis production teams with student producers, cinematographers, and writers. Coursework will revolve around the development, pre-production, production, editing, and completion of this project. Candidates will be required to present their finished film by September of the year following their admission.

Curriculum

A total of 48 credits must be completed to receive the degree.

First Semester (Fall; 16 credits)

Required:

• FT 812 CMP Core I (6 cr)
• FT 814 Production Lab I (4 cr)
• FT 816 Weekly Review and Critique I (4 cr)

Choose one:

• FT 552 Advanced Cinematography (4 cr) for cinematographers only
• FT 808 Line Producing (4 cr) for producers and directors only

Second Semester (Spring; 16 credits)

Required:

• FT 810 Web Promotion and Development (4 cr)
• FT 813 CMP Core II (6 cr)
• FT 815 Production Lab II (4 cr)
• FT 817 Weekly Critique and Screening (2 cr)

Third Semester (Summer; 16 credits)

• FT 852 Thesis Production (16 cr)

Admission

Candidates for admission to this program must demonstrate proficiency with the basics of contemporary film production. They will have studied basic editing, cinematography, lighting, and producing, and will be familiar with common video formats and cameras. Course records and a work portfolio will be a requirement for admission. In addition, candidates may have completed advanced production classes and will have made a film that demonstrates their aptitude.

In some cases, applicants who have spent considerable time in the industry and can demonstrate competence in film production at the level outlined above, as well as providing work that demonstrates their suitability for the program, will be considered.