Design for Theater and Entertainment Media MFA
The Design for Theater and Entertainment Media MFA is a three year program offering advanced professional training in four artistic areas: Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design and Sound Design.
The faculty include internationally recognized theater artists with many years of design experience in theater, opera, and other dramatic forms. The diverse professional backgrounds, aesthetics, and teaching approaches of the faculty allow for a wide-ranging, flexible program that can be customized to address the talents, needs, and interests of each student. The program is highly selective and admits small numbers of students each year, permitting small classes and individualized attention not available in other professional training programs. While the development of specific design skills is important, the design faculty believe that a good overall design sense, heightened dramatic sensibilities, and critical thinking are the essential qualities a designer must cultivate in order to be prepared for any kind of future creative challenge. The program's goal is to produce artists who know how to think creatively, how to conceptualize, and how to find new ways of designing for the theater. Students frequently work as assistants to faculty members on their professional projects. There is a strong emphasis on helping the student build a professional portfolio that reflects the designer's unique individual style and approach as an artist in the theater.
The School offers designers outstanding production facilities which include four professionally equipped theaters, a professional design studio with superior computer-assisted design facilities, a professional model shop, a lighting laboratory, and professional shops for scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound. All major theater productions in the School are designed by students and there are classes and design opportunities in film and television as well.
The Master of Fine Arts degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses and critical evaluation of student work. The Department expects consistent progress as well as attainment of professional skills. These and other factors will also influence the Department’s allocation of production resources including the number, scale, and scheduling of projects and productions.
The Design for Theater and Entertainment Media MFA offers advanced professional training in four artistic areas: Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design and Sound Design
The M.F.A. DegreeThe degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses, 104 quarter units of course work, of which 86 units must be at the graduate level; additionally a critical evaluation of design projects must culminate in a manner to show professional competence in the field. Courses are scheduled so that the required courses and projects can be completed within three years.
Design Thesis ProjectThe training program culminates in the Design Thesis Project that is a series of group design projects that serve as the comprehensive examination for the M.F.A. degree. The Design Thesis Project is reviewed and evaluated by the Design faculty. On completion of this project or last quarter of residency, whichever is last, students must file for advancement to candidacy. If the student fails the Design Thesis Project, the student may be reexamined. The number of reviews will be determined by the committee with final approval of the Chair of the Department.
Degree RequirementsStudents will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion of the program within a three-year period. In addition to the successful completion of a minimum of 104 units or 26 courses, candidates for the degree must pass a comprehensive examination that is a critical evaluation of design projects demonstrating professional competence in the field.
By petition, the 104 unit or 26 course requirements may be fulfilled with approved alternative courses. A minimum of 94 units or 23.5 courses must be at the graduate level, a maximum of 10 undergraduate units and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the degree.
Time to DegreeThe MFA Program in Design for Theater and Entertainment involves students in its specialized area of study for a continuous period until all required courses are completed, typically nine quarters. The maximum residency allowable is twelve quarters.
I. Costume Design MFA in TheaterRequired Courses
Course # Title Units
Core Courses
- 442A Costume Design 8
- 442B Costume Design 8
- 442C Costume Design 4
- 449 Design Thesis Project 4
- Designing Virtual Worlds 4
- C446A Art and Process of Entertainment Design 4
- 448A Costume Design for Film and Television 4
- 448B Costume Design for Film and Television 4
Design Process Courses
- 242 Introduction to Design in Production 4
Design Skills Courses
- C455A Perspective Drawing 2
- C455B Watercolor Rendering 2
- C455C Marker Rendering Techniques 2
- C455E Life Drawing 4
- C455F Costume Rendering 2
- C457A Costume Construction 4
- C457B Costume Construction 4
- C457C Costume Construction 4
Design Practice & Collaboration
- 472 Production Assignment 4
- 474 Advanced Projects in Design for Theater, Film and Television 8
- 498 Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television or additional design projects 4
Background Courses
- 246A History of Costume 4
- 246B History of Costume 4
- 246C History of Costume 4
- C451A Scenic Design 4
- C452A Lighting Design 4
Total Required Units: 104
II. Lighting Design MFA in Theater
Required Courses
Course # Title Units
Core Courses
- 441A Lighting Design 8
- 441B Lighting Design 8
- 441C Lighting Design 4
- 441D Scenic Projection & Media Techniques 4
- 449 Design Thesis Project 4
- Lighting Design for Television/Cinematography 4
- C446A Art and Process of Entertainment Design 4
- Designing Virtual Worlds 4
Design Process Courses
- 242 Introduction to Design in Production 4
- Design Skills Courses
- C447A Drafting 2
- C455A Perspective Drawing 2
- C455B Watercolor Rendering 2
- C455D Model Making 2
- C456A Intro to Computer Assisted Drafting AutoCAD 4
- C456B Advanced Computer Assisted Drafting AutoCAD 4
- C456D Intro to Computer Assisted Drafting Vector works 4
- C456E Adv. Computer Assisted Drafting Vector works 4
- C458B Lighting Design Technology 4
Design Practice & Collaboration
- 472 Production Practice in Theater, Film, Television 4
- 474 Advanced Projects in Design For Theater, Film and Television 8
- 498 Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television or additional design projects 4
Background Courses
- History of Theater, Art, and Architecture 4
- C451A Scenic Design 4
- C453A Costume Design 4
- C454A Sound Design 4
Total Required Units: 104
III. Scenic Design MFA in Theater
Required Courses
Course # Title Units
Core Courses
- 243A Scenic Design 8
- 243B Scenic Design 8
- 243C Scenic Design 4
- 449 Design Thesis Project 4
- C451C Production Design for Film and Television 4
- 445A Production Design 4
- 445B Production Design 4
- Design Virtual Worlds 4
- C446A Art & Process of Entertainment Design 4
Design Process Courses
- 242 Introduction to Design in Production 4
Design Skills Courses
- C447A Drafting 2
- C455A Perspective Drawing 2
- C455B Watercolor Rendering 2
- C455C Marker Rendering 2
- C455D Model Making 2
- C455E Life Drawing 2
- C456A/D Introduction to Computer Assisted Drafting 4
- C456B/E Advanced Computer Assisted Drafting 4
- C456C/F Computer Assisted Renderin 4
- C458A Scenic Design Technology 4
Design Practice & Collaboration
- 472 Production Practice in Theater, Film, Television 4
- 474 Advanced Projects in Design for Theater, Film and Television 8
- 498 Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television or additional design projects. 4
Background Courses
- History of Theater, Art and Architecture 4
- C452A Lighting Design 4
- C453A Costume Design 4
Total Required Units: 104
IV. Sound Design MFA in Theater
Required Courses
Course # Title Units
Core Courses
- C454A Sound Design 4
- C454B Sound Design 4
- C454C Sound for Film and Television 4
- 444A Sound Design 8
- 444B Sound Design 8
- 444C Sound Design 4
- 449 Design Thesis Project 4
- C446A Imagineering 4
- Production and Post Production Sound for Film & Video 8
- Designing Virtual Worlds 4
Design Process
- 242 Introduction to Design in Production 4
Design Skills Courses
- C440A Introduction to Programming for Entertainment Design 4
- C440B Advanced Programming for Entertainment Design 4
- 456A/D Introduction to Computer Assisted Drafting 4
- C456B/E Introduction to Computer Assisted Design 4
- C458C Sound Design Technology 4
Design Practice & Collaboration
- 472 Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video & Digital Media 4
- 474 Projects in Theater, Film, Video, and New Media 8
- 498 Professional Internship 4
Background Courses
- History of Theater, Film, Video, Music, Opera, or Musicology 8
- C452A Lighting Design 4
Total Required Units: 104
All Theater, Film and Television degree programs are full-time, day-time programs. The Theater graduate programs have day-time classes and evening production activities. The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television only accepts applicants for admittance for the Fall. The admissions information below is for Fall 2013.
The Design for Theater and Entertainment Media MFA is a three year program offering advanced professional training in three artistic areas: Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Scenic Design.
APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2012
NEW APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: February 1, 2013
Please complete all of the following steps:
Step 1: Online
- Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
- Indicate MFA as the degree, THEATER as the major, and DESIGN as the area.
- Submit the Application and Pay the Application Fee by February 1, 2013.
- Upload UNOFFICAL copies of all TRANSCRIPTS to the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
- Include all Undergraduate and Graduate institutions attended.
- NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
- Submit Three LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
- Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders into the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
- NOTE: If needed, letters can be submitted by mail.
Step 2: Upload & Mail
- Complete the UCLA Graduate Theater Departmental Online Application.
- PRINT and MAIL the generated confirmation page from this application along with any mailed supplemental materials.
- Upload and Mail the STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
- Compose a 1-3 page document giving the faculty a sense of who you are. Please address the following: Why are you interested in the program? What life experiences have contributed to you applying to TFT? What do you hope to achieve by participating in the program? What are your professional goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
- Upload and Mail a RESUME of training and experience in Theater or other related work.
- Upload and Mail a PORTFOLIO.
- All MFA Design applicants must submit a portfolio. This should provide evidence of the applicant’s ability appropriate to the area of emphasis as demonstrated by sketches, renderings, photographs, production books, plots, technical papers, reviews, or other exhibits appropriate to the field of study.
- NOTE: Applicants are advised that all portfolios mailed to UCLA in support of an application, including creative work (original or otherwise), will not be returned nor is the department responsible for such material.
Step 3: Mail
- Mail an OFFICIAL copy of TRANSCRIPTS from all undergraduate institutions attended.
- NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
- Please have transcripts sent to the address below or include them in sealed envelopes with the supplemental application packet.
- If you take the GRE - request that all TEST SCORES be sent directly to UCLA. The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Theater Code is 2403.
- Only test scores taken by December 10, 2012 will be accepted.
- NOTE: THE GRE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MFA APPLICANTS.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Please SEND all applicable materials to:
Graduate Theater Admissions
UCLA Department of Theater
103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: February 1, 2013
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
English Proficiency: Any international applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Theater Code is 2403. Only test scores taken by December 10, 2012 will be accepted. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ENGREQ.HTM.
Academic Records: Although the UCLA Graduate Division Application enables applicants to upload an unofficial copy of their academic records, all applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ACADRECS.HTM Proof of Funding for Visa: U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their studies at UCLA. This must be proved before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/VISAPROC.HTM.
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents interested in receiving financial aid, note that the Fellowship Application and Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) deadline for UCLA is March 2, 2013. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by this date if they want to be eligible for all awards, work-study, and fellowships that UCLA offers.
Please visit the FAQ page for additional questions, call 310-206-844, or e-mail theatergrad@tft.ucla.edu.
For Prospective Students:
- E-mail: theatergrad@tft.ucla.edu
- Phone: 310-206-8441
- Office: 103 East Melnitz Hall
For Current Students:
Theater Counselors: Barrett Korerat & Catherine Hernandez-Shibata