Overview
The Master of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema (MFA-DC) provides graduates with a foundation in film history and theory and in-depth study of digital motion picture production and post-production. The program focuses on developing well-round filmmakers versed in all aspects of film production and screenwriting with the ability to work on low budget, independent and documentary style filmmaking. Students produce a professional digital cinema portfolio tailored to the student's interests, needs and desire for self-development.
The program prepares graduates to work in a variety of production capacities in the following fields: commercial or industrial film and television, digital entertainment media, and communication, educational or instructional media production. The goal of the program is to develop both the critical acumen and technical abilities of students in the area of visual communication and media.
Graduates will develop the ability to generate screenplays, to plan and produce film and video projects, and to critically evaluate film and video projects based on theoretical models in communication, media, information design and film aesthetics.
The MFA-DC program is composed of eight online courses, one hybrid, online/onsite course and two courses offered in an accelerated one-month onsite residency format. In the area of film theory and criticism, students take two online elective courses in film studies or a graduate level course in a related area.
Three additional on-line courses cover cinematography, digital editing and film production from development to release. Two online screenwriting workshops provide students the opportunity to generate a screenplay for a thesis project. Together these courses provide the theoretical and practical foundations for the art of digital filmmaking.
Onsite Residency Classes
In preparation for the thesis production project, students take three courses: one online-onsite hybrid course in directing and production management, and two accelerated production courses, digital cinema production and digital post-production, in an onsite "residency" at a National University learning center.
The residency classes consist of MDC683 (hybrid one month online and one month onsite) and the onsite intensive courses MDC688 (first two weeks) and MDC689 (second two weeks). The hybrid course begins online to prepare students in directing and pre-production for the two-week intensive digital production course.
The directing course continues onsite during both the digital production and the subsequent two-week course in digital post-production. These three courses function as pre-thesis practica, providing students with hands-on production experience in a collaborative environment using professional equipment.
A production equipment fee for digital production equipment is an additional cost of these practica courses. The fee covers rental of professional digital camera, lighting and sound equipment and other production related expenses. The costs for accommodations and transportation related to the residency are not included in the tuition or fees and are the responsibility of each student. For more information, contact the program faculty advisor.
Digital Portfolio
The MFA-DC digital portfolio functions as a digital cinema résumé. Student products from all the courses that are featured in the professional digital portfolio include short samples of editing and cinematography assignments, a production budget and storyboards, a screenplay, artist's self-reflections and other production and post-production documentation.
Thesis
To Receive a Master of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema, candidates must enroll in the online course MDC691, Thesis Production, with the thesis advisor. Students will keep in regular communication with their thesis advisor through the online course interface, Internet and telephone conferencing. The program advisor will assist the student in assembling a three-person committee to evaluate the thesis and digital portfolio collection of previous work. To graduate a student must submit the thesis project and digital portfolio for evaluation by the thesis committee within one year of the start of MDC691.
The thesis project consists of a short subject digital motion picture and a critical evaluative summary included in the digital portfolio. In the evaluative summary, the writer discusses her/his evolution as an artist and evaluates the work to demonstrate the student's ability to communicate coherently, critically, and creatively. The thesis committee evaluates the digital portfolio and short subject motion picture project to determine whether the student has met the requirements for the MFA in Digital Cinema.
Program Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema, students will possess the knowledge and skills needed to produce a professional quality digital motion picture and to participate in the ongoing scholarly and critical discussions of issues in the field of film, film theory and criticism. Specifically, by the end of this program, students will be able to:
- Conduct independent research and apply relevant criticism in sustained analyses and interpretations of specific films.
- Engage in informed critical discussion, both oral and written, of theoretical issues pertaining to the study of film.
- Engage in informed critical discussion, both oral and written, of the works and criticism of a specific film director, period or genre.
- Evaluate films from the theoretical perspective of cinematic techniques.
- Evaluate films from the theoretical perspective of cinema editing techniques.
- Generate a screenplay that is original, significant and complex enough to engage and sustain the interest of a discriminating audience.
- Participate in rigorous critiques of the creative works of others.
- Participate in the planning, production and editing of a short digital motion picture in a graduate level workshop setting.
- Synthesize current theory and practice by integrating professional cinematography and visual and sound editing techniques in the production of digital motion pictures.
- Create an original short motion picture that is significant and complex enough to engage and sustain the interest of a discriminating audience and is suitable for submission to a film festival.
Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the University graduate admission requirements listed in the general information for graduate degrees.
Students are expected to possess or have access to a computer and high-speed Internet connection including an email account outside of National University for course projects and assignments. Given the nature of digital video production and editing the computer should be at least a Pentium IV Pentium IV (3GHz) / Macintosh G4 or G5, with 128 MB video processor, 120 GB HD, 2GB RAM, and a FireWire 400 or 800 (IEEE 1394) port.
In addition students will need to possess or have access to a digital still camera, a digital video camera (with still image capabilities) for MDC651 and 652. Software required for these courses includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer), a variety of standard browser plug-ins (i.e. JavaScript, Flash, Shockwave, QuickTime, etc.), Adobe Photoshop (or equivalent photo image processing program) and AVID Express Pro or a comparable digital video editing software package. (NOTE: the residency post production uses AVID on site.) A digital scanner is also recommended.
Students are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation during the month-long onsite intensive. Production equipment fees for digital film production equipment rental and supplies are in addition to the course tuition. Production equipment fees must be paid in advance for MDC 688 and 689. For more information contact the program advisor.
Degree Requirements
(11 courses; 49.5 quarter units)
To receive a Master of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema, students must complete at least 49.5 quarter units of graduate work, of which a minimum of 40.5 quarter units must be taken in residence at National University. Students can transfer up to 9 quarter units at the graduate level from a regionally accredited institution in the areas of film, communication or media studies, provided the units have not been used to satisfy the requirements of an awarded degree.
Students may apply for transfer of 4.5 elective units in a non-film related area of graduate study. Students wishing to transfer credits into the program should contact the program faculty advisor. Refer to the section in the graduate admission requirements for additional specific information regarding application and matriculation.
Program Prerequisites
It is recommended that students have had undergraduate courses or experience in some of the following areas: communication, film, literature, media studies, graphic design, multimedia arts, history, philosophy, psychology or sociology.
Advancement to Candidacy
After the successful completion with a minimum grade no lower than a "B" in any three production courses (MDC 650, 651, 652, 683, 688, 689), a student may apply for advancement to candidacy for the Master of Fine Arts degree by writing a request to the program faculty advisor. At that time, the student selects or is assigned a thesis advisor.
Core Requirements
(9 courses; 40.5 quarter units)
MDC 650 Digital Film Production
MDC 651 Digital Cinematography
MDC 652 Digital Video Editing
MDC 680 Screenwriting
MCW 680A Advanced Workshop in Screenwriting
(Prerequisite: MDC 680)
MDC 683 Directing and Production Management
(Prerequisite: MDC 652)
MDC 688 Digital Cinema Production
(Prerequisite: MDC 652)
MDC 689 Digital Cinema Post-Production
(Prerequisite: MDC 652)
MDC 691 Thesis Production
(Prerequisite: all other MFA core courses)
Electives
(2 courses, 9 quarter units)
To complete the program, students can select electives from any of the following Film Studies courses or apply for equivalency with a graduate level course in media studies, media production, art or literary criticism, narrative or dramatic writing or theory.
ENG 665 Film Theory
ENG 666 Film History: The Silents
ENG 667 Film History: American Film
ENG 668 Film Genre Studies
ENG 669 World Film
ENG 685 Great Directors: American
ENG 686 Great Directors: International
| Degree Program Locations | |
|---|---|
| This degree is offered online | |
| Los Angeles Campus | |