Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts: Conservatory of Motion Pictures

Stephen Galloway, M.A., Dean

Michael Kowalski, M.A., Senior Associate Dean

Pavel Jech, M.F.A., Associate Dean and Chief Academic Officer
Dan Leonard, M.F.A., Associate Dean and Chief Technology Officer

Professors: Badham, Bettman, Blaustein, Cheney, Chichester, Fredrick, Gulino, Jech, Jensen, Kowalski, Leonard, Seydor, Slowensky, Ward;
Artistic Professors: Rowe, Swimmer;

Professor of Practice of Entertainment Law: Funk;
Associate Professors: Arundale, Carman, Fuery, Gardner, Kost, Lane, Lee, Lysak, Nathan, Rubin, Schwartz, Wolansky;
Artistic Associate Professors: Aguero, Boast, Halpern, Hamed, Knox, Kuhn, Miranda-Ramirez, Rosenberg, Thibault, Warren;
Assistant Professors: Aldridge, Fugate;
Artistic Assistant Professors: Condon, Daly, De la Torre Dubreuil, Dutcher, Finn, Frost, Grady, Green, Greenwald, Holland, Isaacs, Lavelle, Li, Oh, Pavelin, Perez, Rosenthal, Trela;
Instructor: Walther.

The graduate programs are housed in the Conservatory of Motion Pictures within the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

The Master of Arts in Film and Media Studies program provides students with an in-depth knowledge of film history, film theory and film analysis and an intense academic and creative research experience.

The Master of Fine Arts in Film Production program provides students with a specialized course of study that prepares them for production-oriented careers in the film and television arts as directors, editors, cinematographers or sound designers.

The Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Producing program provides students with a course of study that prepares them for careers as producers or business and creative executives in the film and television arts.

The Master of Fine Arts in Production Design program provides students with a course of study that prepares them for careers as production designers, art directors and set designers in the film and television arts.

The Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting program provides students with a course of study that prepares them for careers as writers in the film and television arts.

The Master of Fine Arts in The Showrunner Program provides students with direct experience in both writing and producing, preparing them not only to create the vision of a show as a writer but also to realize that vision as a producer managing the processes of production.

The Master of Business Administration/Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Producing offered in collaboration with the Argyros College of Business and Economics provides unique training to students who want to develop their skills in business administration with a focus on business practices and careers in the film and television industry in management or executive level positions at production companies, talent agencies, studios or television networks.

The Juris Doctor/Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Producing offered in collaboration with the Fowler School of Law provides unique training to students who want to practice law in the entertainment industry, either as in-house counsel to production companies, talent agencies, film studios or television networks, in law firms that specialize in entertainment law or who want to be film and television producers or film and television executives in studios or independent production companies.

Admission and Prerequisites

The Conservatory of Motion Pictures welcomes applications for graduate study from students with baccalaureate degrees in any discipline. Admission to the program is based on the following requirements, as outlined in the graduate supplemental application for the Conservatory of Motion Pictures:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts should be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admission.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic, professional or personal qualities.
Creative or scholarly portfolio list: A listing of activities that demonstrates the student’s creative or scholarly potential.
Personal statement/letter of intent: A statement of intent describing why the applicant wants to attend film school.
Creative or scholarly writing assignments: As outlined in the graduate supplemental application for the Conservatory of Motion Pictures.
Interview.

Transfer or Substitution of Coursework

Students who have taken graduate courses in film and television at other accredited universities may petition to transfer up to six credits of coursework upon approval of a petition by the chair of the graduate programs. (See the Academic Policies and Procedures section for more information.)

Students who have undergraduate degrees in film or significant, documented prior experience in the film and television arts may petition to replace certain basic requirements with other graduate level film and television courses.

MFA in Film Production applicants who demonstrate advanced professional experience and/or who have completed a degree in a film major may, in exceptional cases, apply directly to the second year of the program (the beginning of conservatory program).

The Master’s Thesis/Project

The intent of the coursework in all programs is to prepare the student for a final thesis project. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 “B” to meet the minimum eligibility requirements to begin work on the thesis project and enroll in thesis credits. Students writing a thesis or producing a thesis project as part of their master’s degree will work closely with a faculty thesis supervisor. Guidelines for successful completion of the thesis process are available from the chair of the graduate programs. Students should observe the printed deadlines for submitting an application for degree conferral graduate form when the thesis project is near completion. (See the Academic Policies and Procedures section for additional guidelines.)

Master’s Degree Time Limit

For the Master of Fine Arts in Film Production, all coursework and thesis requirements are designed to be completed within three years of the date of the student’s catalog year entry into the program. For the for the Master of Arts in Film and Media Studies, Master of Fine Arts in Film and Television Producing, the Master of Fine Arts in Production Design and the Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting, all coursework and thesis requirements are designed to be completed within two years of the date of the student’s catalog year entry into the program. Students may not deviate from their assigned program curriculum (see requirements for the degree) in any semester without the consent of the chair of the graduate programs. An official leave of absence form (available from the Office of the University Registrar) must be approved in the event a student is unable to take required classes during any semester while in residence. A detailed explanation of the reasons for needing a leave of absence and a proposed timeline for completion of degree requirements will be required for approval. A leave of absence may not exceed two years.

Persons failing to notify the Dodge College of a leave of absence will be subject to:

Reapplication to the degree program and any new admission guidelines in effect at that time.
Completion of any new or additional coursework and thesis requirements in place at the time the student wishes to resume study and/or complete the thesis.

Under no circumstances will a leave of absence be granted or a student be readmitted after seven years from the date of initial enrollment.

All degree requirements, including the thesis project, must be completed within seven years.

Student Code of Conduct

The collaborative nature of the MFA conservatory programs requires cooperation and participation by every student. Students are expected to collaborate and work collegially with their faculty and peers.

Degrees

Master of Arts

Master of Fine Arts

Joint Degree Program

Courses

Film Production

Film Studies

Production Design

Screenwriting

Television Writing and Production

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