Program Overview

M.F.A. in Motion Pictures

The Department of Cinematic Arts prepares a new generation of innovators, storytellers, and leaders to succeed in the film, television, and digital emergent technologies. The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures guides students to advance their technical proficiency and critical studies while learning innovative narrative skills. Students concentrate in production, screenwriting, or producing.

Overview

The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures offers a comprehensive curriculum in the creative uses of technology, narrative, and documentary, positioning students with the business practices needed to bring their work to the expanding marketplace. Students are required to complete a minimum of 66 credit hours. At least 24 of these credit hours must be at or above the 700-level. At least 12 credit hours must be earned at the 800-level for thesis work. Students in the Motion Picture program are strongly encouraged to explore not only a primary but also a secondary area of specialization and develop a minimum of 2 creative projects in consultation with their faculty advisory committee. The 3-year program culminates in a thesis portfolio.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Official transcripts of all college work, both undergraduate and graduate
• Three letters of recommendation
• 500-word typed statement of academic and professional goals
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international applicants)
• Copy of current passport (for international applicants)
• Portfolio

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum includes the following courses:

• CCA 601: Principles of Aesthetics and Analysis (3 credits)
• CCA 610: Foundation of Screenwriting (3 credits)
• CCA 611: Writing the Short Film (3 credits)
• CCA 620: Cinematography (3 credits)
• CCA 621: Narrative Production (3 credits)
• CCA 630: Introduction to Editing (3 credits)
• CCA 660: Directing the Actor (3 credits)
• CCA 670: The Independent Producer (3 credits)
• CCA 680: Inside the Entertainment Industry (3 credits)
• CCA 750: From Script to Screen (3 credits)
• CCA 815: MFA Thesis (12 credits)
• Motion Pictures Studies Course (600 Level or Above) (3 credits)
• CCA Elective Courses (21 credits)

List of Approved Electives

Students can enroll in other approved CCA courses or courses outside of the department with approval from their advisor. The list of approved electives includes:

• CCA 602: Global Issues and Filmmaking (3 credits)
• CCA 609: Legal Aspects of Motion Pictures (3 credits)
• CCA 612: Write for TV (3 credits)
• CCA 626: Adaptation (3 credits)
• CCA 658: Documentary Production (3 credits)
• CCA 666: Character and Dialogue (3 credits)
• CCA 686: Online Writing the Genre Script (3 credits)
• CCA 694: Motion Picture Marketing and Distribution (3 credits)
• CCA 707: Pedagogy and Film (3 credits)
• CCA 710: Writing the Feature-Length Screenplay (3 credits)
• CCA 730: Advanced Editing (3 credits)
• CCA 740: Sound Design (3 credits)
• CCA 752: Advanced Cinematography (3 credits)
• CCA 761: Directing the Camera (3 credits)
• CCA 794: Motion Picture Internship 1 (1-3 credits)
• CCA 795: Special Topics in Motion Pictures (3 credits)

Suggested Plan of Study

The suggested plan of study is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall: CCA 601, CCA 611, CCA 620, CCA 660 (12 credits)
  • Spring: CCA 610, CCA 630, CCA 621, CCA 670 (12 credits)
• Second Year:
  • Fall: CCA 680, Motion Pictures Studies Course, Elective 1, Elective 2 (12 credits)
  • Spring: CCA 750, Elective 1, Elective 2, Elective 3 (12 credits)
• Third Year:
  • Fall: CCA 815 (6 credits), Elective 1 (3 credits)
  • Spring: CCA 815 (6 credits), Elective 1 (3 credits)

Mission

The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures focuses on media creation with an emphasis on combining advanced technical proficiency and innovative narrative skills. Students gain practical and theoretical mastery of their particular professional concentration in screenwriting, production, and producing.

Goals

The Program’s objective is to nurture individual creative voices and encourage independent thinking, as well as to support the unique creative collaborative process of media creation. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as professional moving image artists, enter the teaching profession, provide service to the community and beyond, and enter moving image related professional fields.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate advanced production skills in their area of concentration (producing, directing, cinematography, or editing) in both analog and digital technologies.
• Students will demonstrate film literacy with a clear fluency regarding important classic and contemporary international cinema and its cultural and social contexts.
• Screenwriting students will demonstrate advanced skills in screenwriting and television writing, with attention to professional screenwriting standards.