University of Miami Department of Cinematic Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures
Miami, USA
Master degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 2,310 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures guides students to advance their technical proficiency and critical thinking while learning innovative narrative skills. Students are encouraged to concentrate on more than one area of specialization: production, producing, and/or screenwriting.
The M.F.A. in Motion Pictures program offers a comprehensive curriculum in the creative uses of technology for narrative and documentary creation, positioning students with the business practices needed to bring their work to the expanding marketplace.
The M.F.A. program in Motion Pictures emphasizes a critical understanding of moving image practice in diverse social and cultural contexts for the creation of work that is relevant and impactful. We encourage feature-length filmmaking for the capstone thesis project. The mission of the Motion Picture Program is to nurture individual creative voices and independent thinking through the creative collaborative motion picture process for careers in both screen arts and the moving image profession. This also is the preferred degree for those who wish to teach at the university level. The Department of Cinematic Arts provides distinctive opportunities for production experiences abroad in Greece, Spain, Japan, and Prague, multi-specialization, professional networking opportunities, national festival exposure, and the LA field experience.
Students may apply for graduate assistantships and scholarships including the Dean R. Drury Screenwriter’s Scholarship. Moreover, the School of Communication also offers Opportunity Awards to support students from historically underserved or underrepresented populations.
The Global Communication Fellowship provides qualified M.F.A. students with a primary focus on global, transnational, cross-cultural or diasporic aspects of communication with release time and funding to support creative work, international conference attendance, or other activities related to their project.
Directing the Actor
The purpose of this course is to teach and practice the craft of directing, including text analysis, characterization, visualization, design, intention, and rehearsal: to train students to articulate their ideas to actors and film crew.
Directing the Camera
An introduction to directing actors in low-budget, independent films utilizing traditional, modern, and evolving directorial techniques used by independent and traditional filmmakers: analyzing and orchestrating scripted material, developing a directorial concept, creating indelible characterizations, building a visual image, auditioning and casting the talent, blocking and directing the untrained amateur or highly skilled professional actor.
Documentary Production
An introduction to the documentary genre including the production of a documentary from start to finish.
Film Directors
This course will address the conditions of authorship in film through an intensive study of the films of two or more directors, whose careers will serve as case studies. These directors will be historically important and their work will represent significant achievements in the art of film.
Media Activism
In this course, students will examine the role of media in shaping social reform to document social issues such as poverty, human rights, social inequities, the environment, and powerless groups. We will review the philosophy and history of media as activism ranging from photography, documentary, cinema, the Internet, social media, and newer forms of media. Emphasis is placed on developing a critical understanding of current media advocacy practices with a conscious goal; awareness, change minds, to affect policy and action. At the end of the semester, students will have a fully developed project concept.
Narrative Production
An introduction to film and digital production techniques on narrative projects. Emphasis on collaboration, group process, and social purpose. Students will be expected to produce a short film abroad as part of this course.
Production Management
A comprehensive examination of the skills and techniques employed by line producers and production managers in the preproduction, production, and post-production of motion pictures.
Sound Design
Sound Design through seminars and workshops provides a practical and theoretical introduction to sound and its function in the narrative moving image process. The course utilizes professional environments to instruct in the basics of sound editing, studio recording, and mixing as it is practiced in the film industry. It will also present the aesthetic use of sound and its integral part in the moving image narrative process.
Special Topics in Motion Picture
This course's subject matter varies according to the announced special topic. See the class schedule for details.
Writing for Series Television
Advanced examination of the techniques and elements of television writing. Focus is placed upon both the situation comedy and the dramatic series.