Cinematography MFA
Delve deeply into the realm of cinematography through the complex and evolutionary intersection of art and technology, grounded in a thorough craft training in both digital and analog technologies, and professional practice.
The Production MFA with a specialization in Cinematography offers students, focused on exploring and developing their creative vision, a comprehensive professional training with an experienced and dedicated faculty of cinematography professionals. From understanding the essential nuances of story structure and character development; to learning the process of mastering ever-emerging technologies; to discovering the power of a lens, light, color, and movement working in unison, students are trained to become industry leaders and innovators in the world of visual storytelling.
Cinematography students will have the opportunity to practice their art and craft by photographing numerous student projects and by serving as camera and lighting/grip crew in support of their fellow production students. Collaboration is the key ingredient to success, not only within this program, but within the professional world of filmmaking: learning to work effectively, efficiently, responsibly, cooperatively, and creatively with a wide variety of artistic talent. The cinematography faculty pride themselves on producing revolutionary, versatile, and highly trained professionals in the vastly varied world of professional cinematography.
World-Class Faculty
Fabian Wagmister
Requirements
In addition to completing all general MFA degree requirements, and a specialized, dedicated cinematography curriculum exploring all aspects of the discipline, students in the Cinematography specialization share other parts of their curriculum with Directing students, fostering the development of essential creative collaborations that will last well beyond the program. Among the many projects Cinematography students will photograph during their time in the program include First-Year short Documentary and Fiction course projects, Second-Year Advanced Fiction and Documentary films, and Third-Year Fiction and Documentary Thesis films. Additionally, as part of their MFA Thesis Cinematography students will perform primary research to produce a significant paper exploring a topic of their choice that delves deeply into the world of contemporary cinematography. They also photograph a short visual project in support of the research paper that, together with the paper, make an original contribution to knowledge in the field.
Cinematography Specialization Courses
Available courses may include but are not limited to the following:
- Introduction to Cinematography
- Intermediate Cinematography
- Advanced Cinematography
- Documentary Cinematography
- Lighting for Film and Television
- Motion Picture Lighting
- Collaboration: Producers, Directors, Cinematographers, Production and Costume Designers
- Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Cinematography
- Introduction to Color Grading
- Digital Workflow
Please note that not all courses are offered every quarter. Students should consult the registrar’s schedule for available courses and class times.
FIRST YEAR
The first year of the program is designed to establish foundational skills in all aspects of the art and technique of filmmaking. Cinematography students enroll in classes with MFA Directing students each academic quarter that deeply explore experimental, documentary, and fiction filmmaking: from story structures and narrative strategies, to the blending of technologies, through production logistics, and into realm of the intersectionality of art practice and theory. In the Winter and Spring Quarters, Cinematography students enroll in additional courses dedicated to their advanced training in professional craft and artistic practice.
SECOND YEAR
Cinematography students enroll in varied cinematography courses dedicated to furthering their understanding of, and experience in the art and craft of cinematography: from shooting on 35mm film in a lighting course, to photographing a short digital project and tracking the footage from production through the complete post-production process, among other courses. Students may also take diverse electives of their choosing such as film and television theory-based critical studies, screenwriting, directing actors, advanced coverage, animation etc. Cinematography students also serve as the director of photography, as well camera or lighting/grip crew on Advanced Fiction and Documentary films written and directed by MFA Directing students.
THIRD YEAR
After advancing to candidacy at the end of the Second Year, Cinematography students will dedicate their third year to the completion of their cinematography thesis research project in the form of a significant research paper investigating an aspect of contemporary cinematography of their choice, and a short visual project supporting the research paper that together make an original contribution to knowledge in the field of cinematography. Additionally, in the third year, cinematography students will serve as director of photography on Third-Year Fiction and Documentary Thesis films written and directed by Directing students with whom they have developed close creative and collaborative relationships during their time in the program.