Description
The University of Central Florida and the School of Film and Digital Media offer a Master of Fine Arts with a track in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema and a Master of Arts with a track in Visual Language and Interactive Media. These programs are designed to educate the next generation of filmmakers and media entrepreneurs and produce artists, entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, and scientists who will use digital technologies to create content in many venues (film, interactive entertainment, and a host of others), and who will develop and use digital technologies in new ways.
The Master of Fine Arts in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema designed for individuals who intend to work directly on the creation of new films and other media products and prepares graduates to teach in colleges and universities. This highly selective, rigorous, three-year professional program is for visual artists and practitioners who demonstrate exceptional artistic and intellectual prowess and evidence of significant professional promise. The M.F.A. degree will produce graduates with mastery of storytelling while allowing for individualized specialization. Upon completion, each student will have produced a microbudget Digital Feature Film and prepared a marketing strategy for its distribution.
Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema trains graduates for careers in independent digital cinema and convergent technologies. The M.F.A degree emphasizes performance, and is designed to develop graduates who can compete in the national filmmaking and digital media industries.
In conjunction with the College of Business Administration, the program requires students to take GEB 6115, Entrepreneurship, and they may take other electives from this college. This collaboration gives students access to courses that will enhance the skills needed to finance and market their future projects.
The Master of Arts program offers a Visual Language and Interactive Media track, a specialized program designed to train degree candidates to learn and implement the conceptual, design, and technical skills needed to create and communicate 21st century stories and messages. The principal emphasis of the program is on the creation of compelling content for new media for which production tools and process are currently being invented. These students typically pursue a variety of goals that address media convergence: increasing film, digital, and dynamic media skills, extending these skills into new areas, or in the case of educators and media professionals, expanding their expertise and credentials for use in their professions. Students may be admitted on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Newly Approved Tracks
The following tracks have been approved but are not offered at this time: MFA tracks in Documentary and Cultural Memory, Visual Language and Interactive Media, and Writing for Film and New Media; an MA track in Cinema and Media Cultural Studies. The UCF School of Film and Digital Media is in the process of establishing these tracks and will announce their availability at a later date.
Degrees OfferedMaster of Arts in Film and Digital Media- Visual Language and Interactive Media Track
Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media- Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track
Admission
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).
The Graduate Record Examination is required of all graduate students. Minimum requirements for admission are a 3.00 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours earned toward the baccalaureate or a minimum GRE score of 1000.
For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.
Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media
Students desiring admission to the M.F.A. program must have successfully completed a B.F.A. or B.A. in film or a related area or if a degree from this area was not obtained, they should have completed a significant, creative work. Those without a film degree may be accepted on a restricted basis pending completion of coursework to be specified with the admission offer.
The ideal M.F.A. student is an imaginative, visual storyteller and inventive problem-solver who is interested in exploring digital cinema and the intersection of art and commerce utilizing real world applications. They are independent thinkers willing to inspire others and nurture a project from vision to distribution.
Applicants to the Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema track are required to present an exemplary portfolio demonstrating significant creative professional accomplishment. The portfolio items are due by December 31 as a part of the application, which also requires the submission of the following items:
- Original transcripts of previous academic work
- Three letters of recommendation
- 500-word essay that demonstrates the candidate’s breadth of knowledge, insight, curiosity, vision, voice and ability to think critically. The candidate should respond to ONE of the following:
- Discuss the relationship between emerging technologies and artistic expression
- Discuss the continuing conflict between art and commerce and how its energy might be made to serve the creative process
- Discuss the social, political and cultural role and responsibilities of the artist
- 250-word biography detailing your creative and entrepreneurial accomplishments—preferably in filmmaking—as they relate to a professional and/or educational setting
- A filmmaking reel that is no longer than 15 minutes, including complete shorts or excerpts from long format work. Each selection should be clearly marked with 1) the title, 2) your creative role, 3) length of the excerpt (if applicable), and 4) the date completed. If the selection is an excerpt from a longer work, the context of the longer work should be provided. (Please send reel directly to the program.)
- 250-word narrative, visual, and business critique of the above submitted reel selections.
Applicants may be asked to attend an admissions interview. The School of Film and Digital Media Film Division faculty will determine final eligibility of applicants.
In case of restricted admission with deficiencies, the graduate committee will decide upon the appropriate courses to be taken to compensate for the deficiencies. The letter of admission will specify the requirements that must be completed for regular admission.
Fur further information, applicants should consult the University of Central Florida Graduate Catalog regarding admissions requirements.
Master of Arts in Film and Digital Media
Students desiring admission to the M.A. program should have an undergraduate degree in a media-related creative or technical field such as art, film, animation, theater, music, digital media, computer science, English or education in the arts. Students will be admitted on the basis of a portfolio review or compelling plan of action for the creation of new knowledge in a profession or field of study by the addition of Digital Media. Desirable background skills for this degree include computer and software literacy. Examples include mastery of Macintosh and PC workstations that are configured with a diverse range of hardware and software for production and editing of images and sound for stories and messages.
The following items are required as part of the Visual Language and Interactive media application:
- A written statement describing the student’s personal goals and objectives in seeking a Master of Arts degree.
- A creative portfolio or a professional record detailing the potential use for Digital Media as an integral part of enhancing that profession. (Please send portfolio directly to the program.)
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors or employers who can address applicant’s ability to undertake graduate-level courses.
Application Due Dates
All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.
U.S. Applicants
| Master of Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Visual Language and Interactive Media Track |
Jan 15 |
Mar 15 |
|
|
| Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track |
Nov 15 |
Nov 15 |
|
|
International Applicants
| Master of Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Visual Language and Interactive Media Track |
Jan 15 |
Jan 15 |
|
|
| Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track |
Nov 15 |
Nov 15 |
|
|
International Transfer Applicants
| Master of Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Visual Language and Interactive Media Track |
Jan 15 |
Mar 1 |
|
|
| Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media |
|
|
|
|
| Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track |
Nov 15 |
Nov 15 |
|
|
Master of Fine Arts in Film and Digital Media
Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track
The Master of Fine Arts Track in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema is intended for exceptional cinematic storytellers and thinkers who have either academic or professional experience in a significant creative filmmaking role. Upon completion, each student will have produced a microbudget Digital Feature Film and prepared a marketing strategy for its distribution. The program is ideal for students who are committed to the entrepreneurial and artistic demands of independent filmmaking. The degree seeks to develop entrepreneurial, cinematographic storytellers of the highest quality by providing a select number of graduate students with the education and experience of creating strong visual narratives worthy of critical attention, professional recognition and exhibition.
The Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track is a creative program in which students develop their own unique artistic voices and visions, which are the hallmarks of the personal film. We encourage a spirit of inquiry, creative exploration and artistic leadership in the application of cinematic languages to new technologies. The Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track requires 72 credit hours including the thesis project. Students must maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. Before undertaking the thesis project, a candidate must be accepted by a faculty advisor/mentor and meet with the thesis project advisory committee. A thesis project proposal must be presented and approved by the committee. The proposal should include a statement containing evidence of research, script, budget, production planning and scheduling, as well as a marketing and distribution plan.
The thesis requires intensive applied learning to be completed as a feature length project. Additionally, the thesis project has a strong research component both in the initial development phase and in the creation of the distribution and marketing plan for the project. This final stage of the curriculum serves as a bridge to the professional world and supports the entrepreneurial philosophy of the program. The thesis project must be reviewed by the faculty advisor/mentor throughout the production process and meet agreed upon criteria within a stated time frame. Once the thesis project is completed, candidates must have a public screening or exhibition of the work and meet with the thesis advisory committee for final approval.
Minimum Requirements for M.F.A., Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track—72 Credit Hours Minimum
Core Requirements—18 Credit Hours
- FIL 5XXX Modes of Inquiry and Research (3 credit hours)
- DIG 5XXX Ways of Seeing: Cultural and Technological Perspectives (3 credit hours)
- FIL 5XXX History of Cinematic Forms (3 credit hours)
- FIL 5XXX Visual Storytelling (3 hours)
- FIL 5XXX Transmedia Story Creation (3 credit hours)
- FIL 5XXX Global Media Business Models (3 credit hours)
Required Courses—12 Credit Hours
Select a minimum of 9 hours from the following or from relevant courses from other units with prior approval of the students adviser:
- GEB 6115 Entrepreneurship (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Low-Budget Production Management (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Guerilla Marketing (3 credit hours)
- DIG 6XXX Pre-visualization/Concept Development (3 credit hours)
Restricted Electives—9 Credit Hours
Select a minimum of 9 hours from the following or from relevant courses from other units with prior approval of the student’s adviser:
- FIL 6XXX Low Budget Production Design (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Directing Performances (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Feature Screenwriting (3 credit hours)
- DIG 6XXX New Media Authoring (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Post-Production Process (3 hours)
- DIG 5XXX Principles of Visual Language (3 credit hours)
Program Electives—15 Credit Hours
A minimum of 15 hours of course work from either the School of Film and Digital Media or relevant courses from other units are selected with approval of the student’s adviser.
Thesis Project—18 Credit Hours
- FIL 6971 Thesis (18 credit hours)
Before undertaking the thesis project, candidates must meet with the thesis advisory committee to submit and discuss the proposed project and obtain the committee’s approval. The thesis project will consist of a feature length project, including evidence of research, a completed production, and a marketing/distribution plan. The thesis must be reviewed by a faculty or professional advisor throughout the production process and meet agreed upon criteria. Once the thesis is completed, candidates must meet with the thesis advisory committee for final approval and oral defense.
Master of Arts in Film and Digital Media
Visual Language and Interactive Media Track
The Master of Arts Track in Visual Language and Interactive Media is based on an apprenticeship model. Students will explore new media under the guidance of a faculty member and collaborate with this faculty member in creative and research projects that foster a unique contribution characterized as innovative in approach. This degree program builds on undergraduate knowledge to build a mature set of conceptual, design, and technical skills needed to communicate stories and messages in a single discipline or in an interdisciplinary environment. A six hour thesis project is required. A typical thesis might involve designing content that is imparted through integrating traditional media with computer-based and computer-enhanced formats where the content is enriched by the use of novel interactive modalities and techniques. Work in the thesis will extend the capabilities of interfaces and measure the effectiveness of new ways of telling stories and conveying messages.
This M.A. track is embedded in a rich environment of film and digital media work at UCF and in the surrounding community. The following are active areas of work at UCF:
- Digital media in instructional applications
- Experience design
- Interactive performance
- Sound and music design
The School of Film and Digital Media faculty have extensive professional and academic experience in areas spanning film, video, multimedia, interactive and web design, human centered interactive design, exhibition and theme park design, simulation and training, game development, broadcast design and motion graphics, animation, visual language, immersive design environments, database design, e-commerce, and educational technology and community development.
During the first academic year, the student will take core courses and electives suggested by the student’s designated mentor/professor. The student will also take intensive short (possibly non-credit) courses in software and technical skills, to complement the skills with which they enter the program.
During the second year, the student will concentrate on the coursework in his or her chosen field, as well as thesis research. Students must be accepted by a faculty member for supervision in order to carry out the required thesis report. Students are encouraged to begin this process immediately upon entering the program by meeting faculty who work in areas of interest to the students.
Requirements for M.A., Visual Language and Interactive Media Track—36 Credit Hours Minimum
Core Requirements—12 Credit Hours
- DIG 5XXX Media Science and Technology (3 credit hours)
- DIG 6XXX Ways of Seeing: Cultural and Technological Perspectives (3 credit hours)
- FIL 5XXX Visual Storytelling (3 credit hours)
- FIL 5XXX Transmedia Story Creation (3 credit hours)
Required Courses—9 Credit Hours
Choose three from the following:
- DIG 5XXX Principles of Interaction (3 credit hours)
- DIG 5XXX Information Architecture (3 credit hours)
- DIG 6XXX Principles of Visual Language (3 credit hours)
- FIL 6XXX Post Production Process (3 credit hours)
Program Electives—9 Credit Hours
All graduate level Film or Digital Media courses can be used as electives, based on an advisor approved program of study. In addition other graduate courses may be used in place of those listed above, with permission of the advisor. These courses must be selected so as to ensure that at least one-half of the courses in the students program of study are taken at the 6000 level.
Thesis—6 Credit Hours
- DIG 6971 Thesis (6 credit hours)
Each candidate for the Master of Arts will submit a thesis prospectus and preliminary bibliography, on a topic selected in consultation with the advisor. The formal thesis is initiated by the preparation of a proposal that will meet both departmental and university requirements for the thesis. Prior to enrollment into thesis, the advisor, in consultation with the student, will designate a Thesis Committee to be further approved by the College Graduate Dean. This committee is chaired by the adviser and includes two or more additional faculty members from the School of Film and Digital Media.
The members of the student’s thesis committee will judge the proposal as the preliminary step to beginning the thesis. This committee must approve the Thesis Proposal before academic credit can accrue.
The thesis is a formal written document. The introduction cites similar, related and antecedent work, the body explains the purposes of the project, the method of its production, and any evaluation that was performed, and it concludes with plans for future work. The thesis will also include an archival copy of the resulting creative product. Both the thesis and the creative product must be delivered in a digital form, acceptable by the UCF library according to its standards for digital dissertations and theses.
Thesis Defense
In addition to a written thesis, the final step in completing the thesis requirement is an oral defense before the thesis committee. Candidates must present their creative or research work and explain its creation in an oral defense. These presentations are made to the student’s committee, in a public meeting that other faculty and students may attend.
Financial Support
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Key points about financial support:
- If you're interested in financial assistance, you're strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
- You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
- If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
- UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
- Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
- For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program coordinator of your major.
Contact Info
Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema Track
Clint Bowers, Ph.D. , Associate Dean
Phone Number: 407-823-2845
gradfilm@mail.ucf.edu Visual Language and Interactive Media Track
Clint Bowers, Ph.D. , Associate Dean
Phone Number: 407-823-6100
gradcoordinator@dm.ucf.edu
|
Graduate Catalog
