The three-year MFA sequence moves from foundation building in the 1st year to growing levels of specialization in the 2nd year and culminating in the thesis work of the 3rd year. Our students may choose to direct his/her own thesis film or commit to a non-directing track after the 2nd year has been instituted. The other track options are screenwriting, cinematography, and post-production, each requiring separate portfolios.
The 1st year of study is viewed as a core curriculum and is required of all MFA students. Essentially, our faculty have created a unified yearlong course of study to serve as the foundation for the developing filmmaker. A logical progression of interlocking courses in production, screenwriting, sound, directing, editing and film studies has been designed. Our faculty understands how they (and their courses) fit in the big picture of developing students who are becoming comfortable with the technical, practical and creative aspects of filmmaking. On a practical level, where possible, assignments in one class pertain to work in another.
The incoming MFA student is asked to create a 1st Year Portfolio of creative work. The 1st Year Portfolio consists of two narrative films, one digital video documentary and directing and editing exercises. Also, each student pays a $200 lab fee per quarter to cover the primary production costs of all projects. Since the creation of this curriculum, students have been able to finish their 1st Year Portfolio on time and with tremendous personal savings compared to making a single longer film their first year. We find that work created in our first years shows continuous growth and indicates that a solid foundation has been laid for future projects. This curiculum allows risks to be taken, but within a model that sets students up for continual successes.
From the structured design of the 1st year, the program moves in the 2nd and 3rd years to a period of greater freedom of choice, personal responsibility and creative achievement. Specialization classes in the various film crafts (cinematography, directing, screenwriting, sound design, advanced editing) are offered. A 2nd Year Portfolio of creative work include s two creative projects of which one must be a film or video. Where the 1st Year Portfolio was created under defined guidelines as part of a core curriculum, the 2nd Year Portfolio and the thesis film assumes that the student now has the training and the craft to move in artistic directions of his/her own choosing. A system where students in the 2nd and 3rd year discuss and consult on their creative work with the faculty is firmly in place.
Core Curriculum
1ST YEAR
Fall Quarter| Filmmaking I | Screenwriting I | Film Studies I | Digital Editing I |
Winter Quarter
| Filmmaking II | Directing | Sound I | 1st Year Practicum |
Spring Quarter
| Filmmaking III | Screenwriting II | Digital Editing II | Film Studies II |
MFA 1st Year Portfolio: 2 narrative films (16mm) and 1 documentary (DV), directing exercise(s), AVID exercise(s)
2ND YEAR
Fall Quarter
2nd Year Productions I
| 2nd Year Productions II | Art Of Editing |
Spring Quarter
2nd Year Productions III
MFA 2nd Year Portfolio: A minimum of two (2) creative projects. One must be a narrative or documentary film/video. All portfolio decisions are subject to prior faculty approval.
ADDITIONAL CORE REQUIREMENTS
Film Practicum (8 credit hours of film crew service)
1 Film History class
1 additional Film History or Theory class
2 Cognates (8 credit hours)
Thesis
In the past, a student has always been required to direct his/her own thesis film. A decision has been made to expand on the possibilities for thesis work. A track system where a student can commit to a non-directing track after the 2nd year has been instituted. The other track options are screenwriting, cinematography and post-production. A portfolio has been established for each track.
M.F.A. SPECIALIZATION TRACKS
As an alternative to the thesis, a student may select one of the following three non-directing tracks and meet the requirements for the M.F.A. degree. The faculty of the School of Film must approve any exception to the listed track requirements.
CINEMATOGRAPHY TRACK
Required classes:
- Cinematography I
- Special Problems in Cinematography (minimum four credits)
- Lighting or Electrics cognate in School of Theater
- Photography cognate in School of Art or School of Visual Communication
- Art History cognate in School of Art (Choice made in consultation with SOF Advisor)
- Portfolio Requirements:
- Director of Photography on four films including one thesis film
- Cinematographer's reel
- Research project/paper
The Thesis Committee should include an outside member with a background in photography or lighting.
SCREENWRITING TRACK
Required classes:
- Screenwriting I
- Screenwriting II
- Screenwriting III
Three of the following are required:
- Theater 573: Dramatic Writing Analysis
- Theater 750: Playwriting Workshop
- T-Com: Television Writing
- English: Non-Fiction Writing
- Portfolio (all of the following):
- One short screenplay directed by another film student or another director
- Two feature length scripts
- One teleplay
POST-PRODUCTION TRACK
- Required classes
- Digital Editing I & II
- Motion Compositing
- Advanced Compositing/Integrating Third Party Graphics
- ProTools
- Final Cut Pro (TCOM 486*: Nonlinear Editing- Roger Good has given permission)
- Sound I
- Advanced Mixing Techniques I-III
- Two of the following recommended Courses are required:
- MUSIC 500: Intro to Music Theory
- THAR 637: Sound Design I
- TCOM 415*: Audio Post Moving Image
- TCOM 486*: DVD Authoring
- TCOM 486*: Media and Web Distribution
- TCOM 586: Digital Video Post Production
*The following can be accepted if a graduate level independent study number can be worked out with the individual professor.
Portfolio Requirements:
Total Post (edit, sound mix, online color correction, output) on 2 MFA Thesis films
OR
Total Post on 3 films, including at least 1 second year film and 1 Thesis film
OR
Total Post on 1 second year film, 1 Thesis film, and sound edit + mix on 2 additional films
OR
Total Post on 1 second year film and 1 Feature Narrative or Feature Documentary project.
