Program Overview

Film and Animation Master of Fine Arts Degree

Overview

The Film and Animation MFA program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers four options: Animation, 3D Animation, Production, and Screenwriting. The program is designed to provide students with advanced storytelling and production skills, preparing them for careers in top studios like Disney or DreamWorks.

Careers and Experiential Learning

• Character Animator
• Director
• Effects Animator
• Producer
• 3D Modeler
• Editor
• 3D Technical Artist
• Production Manager
• Storyboard Artist
• Screenwriter
• Character Designer
• Sound Mixer or Editor
• Fabricator
• Cinematographer

Cooperative education and internships are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in film and animation.

Featured Work and Profiles

• The Snowman
• Emmy Award-nominated series
• Launching an educational series
• Student films a hit at festivals
• RIT, NTID team up to create pioneering film
• Recognition from Directors Guild of America

Curriculum

Film and Animation (2D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • SOFA-603: 2D Animation I: Fundamentals
  • SOFA-605: Basic Sound Recording
  • SOFA-610: Graduate Seminar
  • SOFA-611: History and Aesthetics of Animation
  • Choose one of the following:
    • SOFA-615: 3D Animation Fundamentals
    • SOFA-617: Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
  • SOFA-622: 30 Second Film
  • SOFA-627: Pre-Production for Animators
  • Choose one of the following:
    • SOFA-623: Stop Motion Master Class
    • SOFA-748: Concept and Character Design
  • SOFA-630: Animation Film Language
  • SOFA-676: After Effects for Animators
  • Professional Elective

Film and Animation (3D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • SOFA-605: Basic Sound Recording
  • SOFA-610: Graduate Seminar
  • SOFA-611: History and Aesthetics of Animation
  • Choose one of the following:
    • SOFA-603: 2D Animation I: Fundamentals
    • SOFA-617: Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
  • SOFA-615: 3D Animation Fundamentals
  • SOFA-622: 30 Second Film
  • SOFA-627: Pre-Production for Animators
  • SOFA-630: Animation Film Language
  • SOFA-676: After Effects for Animators
  • Professional Elective

Film and Animation (production option), MFA degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • SOFA-602: Production Processes
  • SOFA-605: Basic Sound Recording
  • SOFA-606: Graduate Directing
  • SOFA-610: Graduate Seminar
  • SOFA-613: Graduate Screenwriting
  • SOFA-621: Spring Film
  • SOFA-626: Writing the Short
  • History and Aesthetics Elective
  • Professional Elective

Film and Animation (screenwriting option), MFA degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • SOFA-602: Production Processes
  • SOFA-605: Basic Sound Recording
  • SOFA-606: Graduate Directing
  • SOFA-610: Graduate Seminar
  • SOFA-613: Graduate Screenwriting
  • SOFA-621: Spring Film
  • SOFA-626: Writing the Short
  • History and Aesthetics Elective
  • Professional Elective

Professional Electives

• SOFA-603: 2D Animation I: Fundamentals
• SOFA-609: 3D Animation III
• SOFA-613: Graduate Screenwriting
• SOFA-616: Virtual Production I
• SOFA-617: Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
• SOFA-619: 2D Effects Animation
• SOFA-620: 3D Modeling Mastery
• SOFA-629: Experimental Animation
• SOFA-634: Virtual Production II
• SOFA-637: Radical Cinema Workshop
• SOFA-638: Complete 3D Character Creation
• SOFA-652: Alternative Frame by Frame
• SOFA-675: 3D Lighting and Texturing
• SOFA-681: Particle Effects and Dynamics
• SOFA-684: Animation Gesture
• SOFA-748: Concept and Character Design

History and Aesthetics Electives

• ARTH-600+: Any ARTH-600 level course or above
• PHGR-701: Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I
• PHGR-702: Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II
• SOFA-642: History and Aesthetics: Animation Stories
• SOFA-660: Documentary Film History
• SOFA-661: New Documentary Issues
• SOFA-662: Film History
• SOFA-691: Film Sound Theory Music
• SOFA-692: Film Sound Theory: Effects
• SOFA-693: Film Sound Theory:Voice

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Application deadline: February 1 priority deadline, rolling thereafter
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• English language test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic
• Tuition fees: Vary by degree, number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method

Faculty

• Kevin Bauer
• Mari Jaye Blanchard
• Munjal Yagnik

Facilities

• Editing Suites
• Stop Motion Studio A
• Audio Control Room

Events

• Film+FotoFest@RIT'25

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