School of Motion Pictures & Television

MFA Program Learning Outcomes

The Master of Fine Arts degree program offers candidates the opportunity to expand on their individual vision as filmmakers. Students further their craft, expand their knowledge of film as an art form and learn the commercial aspects of the industry including the business of marketing and film promotion. The program culminates in a thesis project designed to launch students' careers in their chosen field: cinematography, editing, directing, producing, production design or screenwriting.

Graduates enter the field equipped with demo reels and are encouraged to enter their final thesis projects in film festivals.

MFA graduates of the School of Motion Pictures & Television will meet the following student performance criteria:

• MFA Thesis Project

  • Complete an approved body of work which represents an advanced level of achievement in their area of focus (cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design, or screenwriting)
  • Propose a thesis worthy of the MFA degree
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of the thesis

• Storytelling

  • Apply their specialty skills to communicate stories and ideas effectively in films

• Research

  • Conduct necessary research for film projects.

• Communication Skills

  • Explain their projects and thesis proposal clearly and specifically to a review committee, using professional terminology.
  • Produce comprehensive Midpoint and Final Review Books that include all required elements for their focus area.

• Collaboration Skills

  • Demonstrate evidence of working in creative teams on multiple projects.

• Professional Readiness

  • Create a compelling demo reel or portfolio to market themselves for industry opportunities (as appropriate to their professional goals).
  • Develop marketing plans for their careers.

• Specialty Skills: Cinematography

  • Work effectively with various film and digital cameras, lenses and accessories.
  • Design and execute creative lighting schemes and choices that serve the story.
  • Apply principles of composition and camera movement to enhance the story (working with the director).

• Specialty Skills: Directing

  • Guide a crew in preproduction, production, and postproduction to execute effective choices that serve the story.
  • Elicit engaging and believable performances from actors.

• Specialty Skills: Editing

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the technical skills involved in editing.
  • Creatively problem-solve to assemble scenes and sequences that generate interest and emotional impact.
  • Organize the proper workflow and demonstrate basic trouble shooting skills and professional responsibility.
  • Apply high level analytical skills to make creative decisions about such areas as editing for performance of an actor, genre cutting and stylistic elements.

• Specialty Skills: Producing

  • Acquire or originate and develop material on two approved projects, acting as creative producer; OR
  • Assemble the creative team and produce 6 television spec commercials for multiple professional clients in close collaboration with the School of Advertising; OR
  • Assemble the creative team and produce 3 spec music videos for professional recoding companies and their contract performers.
  • Supervise complex film projects from development through exhibition, ensuring delivery requirements have been met.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with negotiating film contracts (for actors, crew, locations, equipment, lodging, transportation, and catering).
  • Demonstrate understanding of the legal aspects of film production, including copyrights, trademarks, music licensing, working with minors, unions, finance and distribution.
  • Demonstrate understanding of film marketing including market research, target audience, promotional tie ins and product placement, press kits, and social marketing. Supervise appropriate publicity campaign.

• Specialty Skills: Production Design

  • Design the look of a film to satisfy the director's vision, including: creating sets, choosing locations, approving props, working with other departments to approve wardrobe, hair and makeup, and designing concept for visual effects (if needed).
  • Competently communicate design concepts through basic drawing skills.
  • Assemble an art department and supervise art department and personnel budget.

• Specialty Skills: Screenwriting

  • Write shorts and features that demonstrate compelling story and character development.
  • Pitch their stories effectively.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

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