FFDP.MFA - Master of Fine Arts - Film Directing

Film Directing Program Course Requirements

The Film Directing Programs three year course of study is structured into 7 metier categories the faculty considers intrinsic to the exploration of narrative cinema. The MFA-1 and MFA-2 years include specific foundational course requirements. Students fulfill the remainder of requirements by selecting from courses in each metier category which are designed to deepen and expand the definition of narrative form. With their mentor, the student designs a pathway through these courses that best suits their development and practice.

STAGING AND PERFORMANCE - Minimum requirement 3 courses

• FFDP504 Acting 1: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP512 Scene Study

• FFDP535 Visual Design

• FFDP513 Advanced Scene Study

• FFDP604 Advanced Acting

• FFDP616 One Act to Cinematic Event

• FFDP632 Advanced Staging

STRUCTURE AND FORM - Minimum requirement 3 courses

• FFDP520 Narrative Fundamentals: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP521 Narrative Structure and Form

• FFDP524 Cinematic Storytelling

• FFDP523 Screenwriting: Long Forms

• FFDP625 Advanced Scripting

IMAGE AND SOUND - Minimum requirement 4 courses

• FPFV528 Cinema Production Workshop: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP529 Post Production Cinema Workshop: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP580 Production Sound: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP680 Post Production Sound: Required MFA 1 year

• FFDP530 Cinematography for Directors or equivalent per mentor permission

PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY - Minimum requirement 2 courses

• FFDP682 Project Development

• FFDP672 Fictions of Completion

• FFDP675 Thesis Workshop

• FFDP677 Narrative Editing

HISTORY AND CONTEXT - Minimum requirement 4 courses

• FAIC620/621 Film History 1 and 2: Required MFA 1 year

• Special Topics: FDP Courses or equivalent per mentor permission

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Minimum requirement 3 courses

• FFDP540 Guest Artist Workshop: 2 Semesters Required

• FFDP690 Film School to Film World

• Credited Internships

CROSS DISCIPLINARY WORK - Minimum requirement 2 courses

• Electives chosen from outside the School of Film/Video

WINTER SESSION – 3 units (1 unit each Winter Session)