FVEA.MFA - Master of Fine Arts - Experimental Animation

Master of Fine Arts Program in Experimental Animation

Graduates of the MFA Program in Experimental Animation become creative leaders in the field, establishing careers in studio production, teaching, and personal practice, often forming creative partnerships with fellow students. In the program, students are provided with a comprehensive education in the history, styles, techniques, and technology of animation arts. As a culminating project they conceive, design, and produce a thesis that reflects the students personal artistic sensibilities. The Experimental Animation program accepts MFA-level students for a three-year residency.

Learning Goals for MFA Students

Individual voice: Student's style is unique and developed over a body of work. This distinctive voice extends through their creative process, resulting in conceptually complex works that display competency with technical skills. Students develop creative methods that serve their personal styles.

Contextual knowledge: Student can discuss current developments in time-based art as well as past developments in animation and live-action media history.

Student is able to demonstrate their advanced understanding of the historical/cultural/social context of their work convincingly in presentations, discussions, and writing. Interdisciplinary approaches: Student is aware of production practices in other metiers, such as art, theater, dance, and music, and has participated in one or more of these areas while at the Institute. Student draws upon these disciplines as appropriate to expand their own creative approaches.

Technical skills: Student has an advanced knowledge of digital media used animation production, and can apply them with confidence in realizing projects. Student projects reflect the creative use of technology and an experimental attitude.

Collegiality: Student is an active participant within critiques, applying knowledge and experience effectively in their arguments and valuing other peoples opinions. Student works with others on projects. Student understands the value of mentorship and works closely with faculty to achieve personal goals. Student finds opportunity for leadership and collaboration within the program and the larger animation community.

Professionalism: Students personal work is outstanding, fulfilling their potential as an artist. Student gives cogent presentations about their work and is prepared to enter the professional world. Student attends visiting artist workshops, makes contacts through internships or various projects, and participates in portfolio presentations, and they are sought after for professional opportunities. Student is familiar with leading film festivals and has submitted their work to them as appropriate. Student attends professional gatherings and events and/or is a member of related organizations. They contribute to the advancement of animation production, history, and/or theory.

Requirements: MFA

The three-year residency MFA track in Experimental Animation provides time for students to participate in the full range of studies necessary for artistic and professional growth. MFA1 year level courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of production techniques, including both visual and sound elements. In seminar-type settings, students are encouraged to engage in critical discourse as a means of developing and articulating personal aesthetics. The spring semester culminates in completion of a first-year project, which is developed within supporting coursework. Through the study of animation history and continued conceptual investigation, MFA 2s further their understanding of the creative possibilities of animation and are encouraged to take courses from other metiers (Art, Dance, Theater, and Music) to develop in interdisciplinary ways.

During the MFA2 year, students develop a proposal for a thesis project that is completed in the MFA3 year, within courses and in consultation with a mentor and other faculty. This proposal is presented within a preliminary review during the spring semester of the MFA2 year. The student schedules this review with the Film/Video office after meeting with their mentor to assure that all course requirements have been met. During the preliminary review, the student receives feedback and establishes an agreement with their faculty committee on the goals of the project. The creative development of the thesis parallels studies focusing on advanced technical and conceptually oriented courses that support its production. Students entering the MFA program who have not taken a course in animation history are advised to enroll in the Animation History class in their MFA2 year. 

During the MFA3 year, students focus mostly on producing the thesis project under the tutelage of a mentor and other faculty, while continuing to participate in supporting coursework. After checking graduation requirements with their mentor, the student schedules a graduation review with their committee during the spring semester of the MFA3 year. At this meeting, they present the completed thesis project for review by the faculty committee. MFA students are required to complete an approved thesis project in order to graduate

Required courses:

Following is information about courses that are required for the Experimental Animation MFA, but they do not constitute a students entire program. Students must take at least 60 credits at the graduate level to graduate. Consult the official curriculum online for other requirements. Students schedule regular meetings with their mentors throughout each semester to discuss the development of work and progress through required courses. The student will be asked to provide documentation of academic progress when they schedule preliminary and graduation reviews. It is the students responsibility to fulfill all graduation requirements, including at least 6 graduate-level credits of history/theory coursework in residence at CalArts. To fulfill these requirements, students take FAIC570 Seminar in Animation History, FAIC675 History of Experimental Animation, and one other history/theory course approved by mentor. Any changes to the schedule of required courses must be approved by the required course instructor and the students mentor.

MFA1

Fall Semester

FVEA504 Digital Workflow for Animators (1 credit)

FVEA525 First Year Shorts (3 credits) FVEA540 Sound for Experimental Animation I(2 credits)

FAIC 675 History of Experimental Animation (2 credits)

At least one of the following:

FVEA515 Drawn Techniques for the Experimental Animator (3 credits),

FVEA555 Hybrid Imaging (2 credits),

FVEA620 Stop Motion Basics (2 credits),

FVEA538 Introduction to Cinema4D (2 credits),

FVEA610 Interactive Media (3 credits)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA526 First Year Shorts (3 credits)

FVEA541 Sound for Experimental Animation II(2 credits)

Electives (5-8credits recommended)

MFA2

Fall Semester

FVEA520 Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar (3 credits)

FAIC570 Seminar in Animation History (2 credits)

Electives (4 - 13 credits recommended)

RECOMMENDED: Students entering the MFA program who have not taken a course in animation history are advised to enroll in the Animation History class in their MFA2 year. 

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

FVEA521 Experimental Animation Thesis Concept Seminar B (3 credits)

Preliminary Review (before Spring break)

Electives (9-13credits recommended)

MFA3

Fall Semester

FVEA530 Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (3 credits)

Electives (6-15 credits recommended)

Spring Semester

Winter Session (1 credit)

Graduation Review/Submit Thesis Project

FVEA531 Experimental Animation Thesis Production Seminar (3 credits)

Electives (5-6credits recommended) To graduate, a total of 60 or more credits is needed for MFA students in a three-year residency.