M.F.A. in Film Production

Explore all creative aspects of cinematic storytelling

» M.F.A. in Film Production

About the Program

The three-year M.F.A. in Film Production is a mentoring-focused, hands-on program that explores all aspects of film production through the use of storytelling, industry standard tools and best practices. Students must choose an area of specialization at the point of application in either directing, cinematography, editing or sound design.

During your first year, you learn the foundation of filmmaking as you collaborate on projects with colleagues under the close guidance of our faculty. Students start immediately on production projects and gain hands on experience both on set and in the classroom. The second year is when you will start to focus more specifically in your area of specialization while working closely with your faculty mentor as you produce a series of film projects.

Your education culminates in your third year when you form a complete creative team with your colleagues, writers, producers, editors, cinematographers, sound and production designers, all coming together to realize a unified vision —a final thesis project. Dodge College provides each team with $15,000 to put towards their thesis project; in addition to having full use of industry standard equipment and facilities. These projects allow students to leave with a professional sample of work.

Complete 72 credits at the 500 or 600 level.
Successfully complete a thesis film.
Pass an oral defense of the thesis project.

The following sequence of courses is intended to prepare the student for successful completion of the thesis project. Each area of study is comprised of specialized coursework which prepares students as cinematographers, directors, editors or sound designers. The courses must be taken in the following order, during the semesters indicated. Any deviation must be approved by the film division chair.

cinematographer area of study

first year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 504	Fundamentals of Visual Design and Production	3
FP 530	Story	3
FP 531	Production Workshop I	3
FP 537	Fundamentals of Cinematography I	3

spring requirements (15 credits)

FP 506	Overview of Post Production	3
FP 532	Production Workshop II	3
FP 542	Production and Set Protocol	3
SW 555	The Short Film Form	3
FP 578	Fundamentals of Cinematography II	3

second year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 501	Actor–Director Workshop	3
FS 502	Evolution of Narrative Film I	3
FP 577	Production Workshop III	3
FP 677	Intermediate Cinematography	3

spring requirements (9 credits)

FS 503	Evolution of Narrative Film II	3
FP 631	Production Workshop IV	3
FP 678	Advanced Cinematography	3

third year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

total credits

director area of study

first year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 504	Fundamentals of Visual Design and Production	3
FP 531	Production Workshop I	3
SW 527	Fundamentals of Screenwriting	3
FP 538	Fundamentals of Directing I	3

spring requirements (15 credits)

FP 506	Overview of Post Production	3
FP 532	Production Workshop II	3
FP 539	Fundamentals of Directing II	3
FP 542	Production and Set Protocol	3
SW 555	The Short Film Form	3

second year

fall requirements (9 credits)

FS 502	Evolution of Narrative Film I	3
FP 577	Production Workshop III	3
FP 664	Intermediate Directing	3

spring requirements (12 credits)

FS 503	Evolution of Narrative Film II	3
FP 624	Thesis Film Development	3
FP 631	Production Workshop IV	3
FP 665	Advanced Directing	3

third year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

total credits

editor area of study

first year

fall requirements (15 credits)

FP 504	Fundamentals of Visual Design and Production	3
FP 515	Editing I	3
FP 530	Story	3
FP 531	Production Workshop I	3
FP 533	Fundamentals of Audio Design	3

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 506	Overview of Post Production	3
FP 541	Visual Effects for Editors	3
SW 555	The Short Film Form	3
FP 640	Editing II	3

second year

fall requirements (9 credits)

FP 501	Actor–Director Workshop	3
FS 502	Evolution of Narrative Film I	3
FP 660	Editing III	3

spring requirements (12 credits)

FS 503	Evolution of Narrative Film II	3
DOC 578	Documentary Storytelling: Editing	3
FP 641	Advanced Editing	3
	*Elective	3

third year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

total credits

*Electives suggested PD 556 Drawing and Storyboarding Studio, DOC 578 Documentary Storytelling: Editing.

sound design area of study

first year

fall requirements (15 credits)

FP 504	Fundamentals of Visual Design and Production	3
FP 515	Editing I	3
FP 530	Story	3
FP 531	Production Workshop I	3
FP 533	Fundamentals of Audio Design	3

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 506	Overview of Post Production	3
FP 525	Art and Craft of Foley and ADR	3
FP 540	Production Audio	3
SW 555	The Short Film Form	3

second year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FS 502	Evolution of Narrative Film I	3
FP 582	Music Composition for Filmmakers	3
FP 633	Intermediate Audio Design	3
	Elective	3

spring requirements (9 credits)

FS 503	Evolution of Narrative Film II	3
FP 634	Advanced Audio Design	3
	Elective	3

third year

fall requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

spring requirements (12 credits)

FP 698

Thesis in Film Production

total credits

Create original films that demonstrate clear and effective storytelling.
Differentiate the various roles on a film set and perform collaboratively within that structure.
Through closely-mentored projects, demonstrate technical proficiency in a specific filmmaking discipline (Directing, Editing, Cinematography, or Sound Design).
Compose critical essays and writing assignments, applying the knowledge of film aesthetics and the development of film language.

For a complete list of Dodge College faculty, view our faculty directory.

Michael Kowalski, Associate Dean

Each specialization in the M.F.A. Film Production program has specific application instructions. Please choose the specialization below in which you are most interested to view the application requirements: