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> Programs > Department of Film, Television and Digital Media > Graduate Degrees > Production/Directing Program

Production/Directing

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The Master of Fine Arts degree in Production with an emphasis in Directing is a three-year program designed to develop artists in film, television and digital media. For more than half a century we have trained students in the art and technique of media production while expanding their understanding of the critical, theoretical and historical components of these art forms. Our goal is to infuse the highest standards of craftsmanship, coupled with imaginative freedom and a sense of social responsibility.

Alumni include Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather trilogy),Alexander Payne (Nebraska, The Descendants),Alex Gibney (Going Clear, Taxi to the Dark Side),Alison Anders (Mi Vida Loca, Gas, Food, Lodging),Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust),Charles Burnett (To Sleep With Anger, Killer of Sheep),Justin Lin (Fast and Furious franchise, Star Trek Beyond),Gina Prince Bythewood (Love and Basketball, Beyond the Lights, Shots Fired, The Old Guard),Laura Gabbert (City of Gold),Garrett Bradley (Academy Awar nominated feature documentary Time),Dagmar Weaver-Madsen (cinematographer, 10,000 km, Unexpected),Joe Russo (Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Endgame) Quyen Tran (cinematographer, Palm Springs, Unbelievable),Wanuri Kahui (filmmaker, Rafiki, Pumzi, From a Whisper),Kate Hackett (editor, Emmy and ACE Award winning Cheer) Alex O’Flinn (editor, Underground Railroad, Wander Darkly, The Rider) Geeta Malick (filmmaker, India Sweets and Spices),Amy Adrion (filmmaker, Half the Picture),Carlos Marques Marcet (filmmaker, Anchor and Hope, 10,000 Km),Silas Howard (Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, Transparent, A Kid Like Jake).

THE ART OF COLLABORATION
 The first year of the program introduces students to foundational skills and collaborative processes for all aspects of filmmaking. The curriculum includes screenwriting, directing, documentary, cinematography, editing, postproduction and production planning, as well as exposure to critical and historical contexts for media making and study.

FACULTY MENTORSHIP
 In the second year of the program, students work closely with faculty mentors to deepen their understanding of production techniques and impactful storytelling strategies. Each student will have the opportunity to write, direct, edit and realize their own vision with creative projects in fictional narrative, documentary, digital media or experimental film, while also taking courses in cinema and media studies and advanced filmmaking techniques.

THESIS PRODUCTION
 In the third year, students focus on their thesis production, which may be in documentary or narrative form. Although the majority of the third year is devoted to writing, planning, shooting and editing the thesis film, students also have the option of taking elective classes to deepen their skills and broaden their exposure to adjacent areas of study (screenwriting, producing, animation, digital media, etc.).