Master of Fine Arts Digital Cinema
Lead Faculty:
Mr. Edward Alyn Warren, III
30 minutes in length, that presents a coherent storyline and sustains the interest of a discriminating audience. Specific parameters of the project are developed in consultation with the thesis advisor. A thesis advisor is arranged by the program lead faculty from among qualified Digital Cinema faculty based on the thesis project and schedule.
In addition to the digital short motion picture, the MFA Candidate must complete a written thesis that demonstrates the candidates ability to communicate coherently, critically, and creatively. I will include the complete production documentationa treatment or synopsis, a project funding, budget, schedule and distribution plan and a shooting scriptas well as a critical analysis of the project, relevant genre influences, and a self-assessment of the candidates evolution as a filmmaker during the thesis period.
The thesis sequence consists of four-courses and may last from 12-18 months. The courses are: MDC692 Thesis Proposal, MDC693 Thesis Production, MDC694 Thesis Post-Production and MDC 695 Thesis Qualification Review. During the Thesis Proposal course, a candidate works with a thesis advisor to develop a thesis proposal. Upon qualification of the proposal, the candidate is eligible for the Thesis Production course. During this time the candidate develops a script, conducts pre-production planning and completes the production phase of the project. Upon satisfactory completion of the production phase, the candidate is eligible for post-production, during which s/he edits and submits a rough cut for review by the thesis advisor.
A candidate is eligible for Thesis Qualification Review upon satisfactory completion of post-production and submission of a directors cut for review by a thesis committee selected from among the program teaching faculty. At the end of this course a candidate submits the short subject and written thesis for evaluation by a thesis committee. The
Program Learning Outcomes
- Critique the creative works of others using
relevant critical models and professional vocabulary
- Evaluate professional and theoretical issues and processes pertaining to movies and aspects of digital
filmmaking based on recognized industry models and standards
- Incorporate research from primary and secondary sources into sustained analyses and interpretations of screenplays, films and television programs
- Generate an original narrative screenplay that incorporates standard industry format and narrative structural elements
- Create an original screenplay or a documentary production treatment with a coherent structure and compelling storyline that engages and sustains the interest of a discriminating audience
- Generate the standard industry documentation required to effectively communicate and collaborate with a production team during the development, production, editing and distribution of a professional motion picture
- Generate original digital motion picture sequences using current cinematic theory and techniques to support the thematic concepts and story objectives of a script
- Construct digital motion picture sequences using current visual and sound editing techniques and theory that engage and sustain the interest of a discriminating audience
- Implement post-production workflow processes to capture, edit, finish and export digital video assets to appropriate distribution media
- Create an original short motion picture based on an original concept with a coherent storyline that is significant and complex enough to engage and sustain the interest of a discriminating audience and is suitable for distribution or submission to a film festival
Requirements
(22 courses; 81 quarter units)To receive a Master of Fine Arts, students in the Digital Cinema program must complete at least 81 quarter units of graduate work, of which a minimum of 63 quarter units must be taken at National University. Students can transfer up to 13.5 quarter units at the graduate level from a regionally accredited institution in the areas of communication, film, media studies, or production, provided the units have not been used to satisfy the requirements of an awarded degree. Program applicants wishing to transfer credits into the program should contact the program lead faculty advisor and arrange for an evaluation in advance. Refer to the section in the graduate admission requirements for additional specific information regarding application and matriculation.
Core Requirements
(4 courses; 18 quarter units)
Core Requisite(s):
Workshops and Studio Practica
(3 courses; 13.5 quarter units; 3 studio Practica, 6.75 quarter units)
Production Sequence
(4 courses; 18 quarter units; 1 studio practicum, 2.25 quarter units)
Specialized Study
(1 course; 4.5 quarter units and 1 studio practicum, 2.25 quarter units)
Thesis Sequence
(4 courses; 10.75 quarter units)
Electives
(1 course, 4.5 quarter units)
