School of Motion Pictures & Television

We Make Art Work

School of Motion Pictures and Television Academy of Art University

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Shoot. Cut. Repeat.

At the School of Motion Pictures & Television, you’ll live filmmaking from day one. Shoot on eight professional soundstages, guided by Oscar- and Emmy-winning mentors. Work with a casting director to bring your stories to life. From writing and directing to producing, cinematography, editing, and design, you’ll create original films, harness AI as a creative partner, and graduate with a reel that proves you’re ready for the industry.

Join us: On campus in San Francisco, online, or virtually via Zoom (select classes)

Companies that Employ Our Students

Students & Alumni

Always Creating. Always Moving Forward.

At the Academy, creativity doesn’t pause at graduation; it accelerates. Our students leave with portfolios that speak louder than résumés, catapulting them into creative careers.

This is where passion meets purpose—on campus, in studios, and on global stages.

Our alumni are out there now winning awards, leading teams, and shaping culture.

See More Success Stories
Rain Zheng

Rain Zheng

“This school gave me a full perspective of every department and a truly nurturing environment. The teachers have real working experience, and I still stay connected with many of them as I grow in my career.”

MFA Motion Picture and Television Production, Production Manager/Line Producer at Paramount Global

Unique Cooper

Unique Cooper

“At the Academy, you have a multitude of resources, people from different majors and cultures, and countless opportunities. They lay it all on the table for you, but it’s up to you to go and grab it. It doesn’t end with the Academy; it starts with the Academy.”

BFA Motion Picture and Television Production, Executive Assistant to Line Producer for Grey’s Anatomy at Walt Disney

Jay Bolusan

Jay Bolusan

“A lot of the professors, especially in the cinematography department, pushed me in ways I could not imagine. From shooting on film to mastering modern digital cameras, they challenged me with lighting, camera movement, and technique, and I feel like I’ve come a long way. The community is great, and the teamwork and support here make it an incredible place to grow as a filmmaker.”

BFA Motion Picture and Television Production student

Sydney Freeland

Sydney Freeland

“It was those first years at the Academy that really helped. I was fortunate to have amazing instructors who defined what the film industry is, the positions within it, and their responsibilities.”

BFA Animation and MFA Motion Picture & Television Alumni, Director of Rez Ball, Reservation Dogs, and Deidra & Laney Rob a Train

Facility Highlights

    MPT - School Home - Facility Highlights- Soundstages

    Soundstages

    You dream it, we build it. We have eight soundstages, fully equipped with lighting grids. Standing sets include: a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, loft apartment, homes with bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

    2 people standing in an empty Black Box Theater

    Black Box Theatre

    Our black box theater, located in the main entertainment schools building South of Market, is used for teaching and incubating one-person shows.

    Student working on cameras in the Camera Room

    Camera Room

    Our camera room offers equipment to students to use on campus or on location. We stock lighting equipment, digital and film cameras, and grip and electric equipment.

    Student with open arms in a room full of costumes and various clothing

    Wardrobe Room

    Our wardrobe room contains hundreds of articles of clothing—everything from contemporary to period fashions. We have an extensive collection of shoes, hats, streetwear, and evening wear. Open to all student filmmakers, the wardrobe room gives you the ability to dress the cast of your film in the style of your dreams.

    Students working on computers in the Editing Bay

    Editing Bays

    We have over 21 Mac editing bays and three private video editing suites available for student use, all equipped with Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, and the full Adobe Suite, including Premiere Pro and After Effects. We also have two private audio editing suites running Pro Tools and the Adobe Suite.

    Prop Room

    Prop Room

    Spaceship. Luxury loft. Detective’s office. Whatever you’re shooting, we’ve got the gear—sofas, sconces, rugs, artwork, hand props, relics. Whatever you need is already here.

    Scene Construction Shop

    Scene Construction Shop

    Flats, doors, windows: all pre-built and ready to shape. Our construction shop is stocked with saws, sanders, tools, and lumber. If we can sketch it, we can build it for you.