Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2018-2019 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Filmmaking - M.F.A.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Mariana Johnson

The Department of Film Studies offers an immersive three-year program in narrative, documentary, and experimental filmmaking, leading to a Master of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking. The comprehensive curriculum includes multi-modal workshop-style courses in cinematography, screenwriting, editing, sound design, producing, directing, interactive media, and animation, as well as courses in cinema history, analysis, and aesthetics. The M.F.A. in Filmmaking is a terminal degree that prepares students to be complete filmmakers, equipped to use moving images in a wide variety of artistic, expressive and commercial applications. Each student develops technical expertise and a creative voice by directing three short films, collaborating on projects directed by his or her peers, and completing dedicated filmmaking projects in classes. Each student gains additional practical experience through an internship or other applied-learning project devoted to a select aspect of motion picture production, exhibition, education, or distribution.

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Fine Arts Program in Filmmaking are required to submit the following items to the Graduate School before the application can be processed.

  1. A Statement of Purpose that articulates the goals the candidate would like to pursue in the M.F.A. program.
  2. A sample of creative film or video work. Work in other media (i.e. still photographs, audio projects or a written script) may be submitted, but at least one example of filmmaking work is required.
  3. An example of academic writing.
  4. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
  5. Three letters of recommendation.
  6. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  7. An application for graduate admission.

An applicant must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (B.S., B.A. or B.F.A.), with at least a “B” average in the major field of study. Acceptable fulfillment of all the materials above constitutes the minimum requirements for, but does not guarantee admission to, the M.F.A. program.

Applications must be received by the published deadline. All interested applicants will be considered for graduate assistantships, which will be awarded on a competitive basis as they become available.

Degree Requirements (61 total credit hours)


The program consists of 61 hours, distributed as follows. No course may satisfy more than one requirement or elective within the degree program.

Two Pre-Thesis Film Projects (6 hours)


An M.F.A. candidate must complete two short motion picture projects (FST 558  and FST 559 ) prior to entering the third year of study.

Thesis Film (9 hours)


An M.F.A. candidate must complete a substantial broadcast/distribution-quality motion picture acceptable to the thesis committee (FST 594  and FST 599 ).

Minimum GPA


A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained in all graduate course work; a “B” average is required for graduation.

Time Limit


The M.F.A. in Filmmaking program is designed to be completed in three calendar years. All requirements must be completed within five calendar years.

Transfer Credits


A maximum of six credit hours of graduate course credit may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution in partial fulfillment of the M.F.A. UNCW regulations will be applied in determining the transferability of course credits, and requests for transfer credit must be approved by the M.F.A. coordinator, the chair of the Department of Film Studies, and the Graduate School.

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