Program Overview

Cinematic Arts MFA Program

The Cinematic Arts MFA program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is designed for serious and talented students who are preparing for careers as artists. The program focuses on the intensive and rigorous production of creative time-based art, with a non-commercial spirit that encourages works demonstrating a personal commitment to the cinematic arts.

Program Details

• The program is a Master's degree offered on campus.
• Students receive support from a major thesis advisor assigned upon entry to the program.
• A graduate review committee, comprised of graduate faculty members, is assigned during the second semester to provide feedback and guidance.
• End-of-semester critiques allow students to share their work and receive engaged criticism, dialogue, and feedback.
• The culmination of the program is a thesis work presentation, typically as part of a MFA Thesis Screening on campus.

Facilities and Resources

• Studio space at Kenilworth Square East, including a complete production studio, photography and imaging labs, and space for installation and performance projects.
• Professional-level technology, including labs and individual editing suites with Adobe Creative Suite, audio recording equipment, lighting and grip gear, and production space.
• A dedicated green screen lab and support for 16mm film through coursework and technology, including an in-house processing facility for black-and-white reversal 16mm film.

Scholarships and Aid

• The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Peck School of the Arts offer various cost-saving opportunities, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and residency-based tuition rates.
• Graduate assistantships are available, which include full tuition remission, an annual stipend, and affordable state health coverage.

Career Opportunities

• The program prepares students for careers in the film industry, including but not limited to:
  • 3D Modeler
  • ADR Editor
  • Advertising Producer
  • Aerial Cinematographer
  • Animator / Stop-motion Animator
  • Art Director
  • Artist
  • Assistant Director
  • Best Boy
  • Boom Operator
  • Camera Operator
  • Casting Director
  • Character Rigger
  • Cinematographer
  • Colorist
  • Compositing Artist
  • Copywriter / Content Developer
  • Creature Designer
  • Curator / Programmer
  • Development Executive
  • Digital Imaging Technician
  • Digital Media Product Developer
  • Director
  • Distributor
  • Dolly Grip
  • Drone Operator
  • Dubbing Mixer
  • Editor
  • Educational Video Director / Producer
  • Educator / University Administrator
  • Electrician
  • Electronics & Sensor Designer
  • Entertainment / Studio Executive
  • Festival Director / Programmer
  • Film Archivist / Processor / Writer
  • Filmmaker
  • Fixer
  • Foley Specialist
  • Forensic Animator
  • Gaffer
  • Image Librarian / Archivist
  • Interaction Designer
  • Jimmy Jib Operator
  • Key Grip
  • Lighting Designer / Technician
  • Line Producer
  • Location Manager / Scout
  • Marketing Executive
  • Medical Animator
  • Motion Capture Engineer
  • Motion Graphics Designer / Producer
  • Multimedia Artist / Journalist / Producer
  • Photo Asset Manager / Instructor / Editor
  • Photographic Labs / Image Producer
  • Photojournalist
  • Post-Production Supervisor
  • Press Agent
  • Producer (Film, TV, Web)
  • Production Designer / Manager
  • Prop Maker / Producer
  • Public Relations / Publicist / Publisher
  • Puppet Fabricator
  • Recording & Mastering Engineer
  • Researcher
  • Rights & Clearances Manager
  • Rotoscope Artist
  • Screenwriter
  • Script Editor / Supervisor / Writer
  • Set Constructor / Designer / Director
  • Sound Designer / Editor / Mixer
  • Steadicam Operator
  • Still Photographer
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Talent Producer
  • Visual Effects Specialist / Supervisor
  • Wardrobe Supervisor

Faculty

The faculty for the Cinematic Arts MFA program includes:

• Ben Balcom, Professor and Graduate Program Representative
• Portia Cobb, Professor and Director of the Community Media Project
• Mike Gibisser, Associate Professor
• Laura Harrison, Assistant Professor
• Kelly Kirshtner, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
• Marquise Mays, Assistant Professor
• Jesse McLean, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
• Steve Wetzel, Associate Dean and Head of the Peck School of the Arts

Accreditation

The Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design since 2017.