How to Apply to Dodge College’s Film Production MFA for 2025 Entry
Dodge College refined the existing Film Production MFA to expand its emphases (cinematography, directing, editing) and offer an even greater selection of hands-on courses to rising filmmakers, now in only two years. Students explore various visual storytelling methods using industry-standard tools and equipment under the instruction of active filmmakers and producers. The new and improved Film Production MFA also includes a four-week interim session during the first year and a summer session between year one and year two.
Take a look at the program breakdown by emphasis:
Throughout the rest of year 1, students take FP 537: Fundamentals of Cinematography I, FP 677 Intermediate Cinematography, FP 678 Advanced Cinematography, and other foundational courses to prepare for the senior thesis in film production. Each course contributes toward helping students tell narrative films using both conventional and unconventional cinematography techniques.
37 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
Students master not only how to direct, but also how to effectively manage a set in courses such as FP 538: Directing I - Fundamentals of Directing Performance and FP 542B - Set Protocol. Industry professionals guide students to enhance their understanding and application of professional-grade equipment, camera mechanics, lighting, pre- and post-production planning, composition, color, and more. FP 530: Thesis Story Preparation prepares students to write and direct their own motion major picture in year 2.
39 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
After having a written project proposal approved by the Graduate Committee, students can enroll in the first semester of the two-part FP - 698 Thesis in Film Production course, where they will create a major motion picture.
15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
37 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
Take a look at the program breakdown by emphasis:
Cinematography Emphasis
Year 1
Students take FTV 501 - Bootcamp Experience, an intensive course for incoming students in each emphasis of the Film Production MFA, along with the Showrunner MFA and other film programs. The foundational course combines rigorous academic study with collaborative mini-film exercises.Throughout the rest of year 1, students take FP 537: Fundamentals of Cinematography I, FP 677 Intermediate Cinematography, FP 678 Advanced Cinematography, and other foundational courses to prepare for the senior thesis in film production. Each course contributes toward helping students tell narrative films using both conventional and unconventional cinematography techniques.
37 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
Year 2
In the final year of the program, students learn how to use advanced cinematography techniques in workshops that explore shooting with a static camera vs. a moving camera, enhancing dialogue, shooting action sequences, and more. Students study the social and cultural roots of cinema in TWP - 546 History of Television before shifting to focus on FP - 631 Production Workshop III and the second and final part of FP - 698 Thesis in Film Production.15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
How to apply
- Prepare your application materials: Follow the steps outlined in “Dodge College’s General Admissions Requirements for Graduates in 2024-2025.”
- Submit the Creative Portfolio: Upload a one (1) to two (2) page list of activities that demonstrate your potential in production, focusing on creative accomplishments. Include in this list specific items that you could submit, if requested, to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Each listing should include a brief description of the work and your role in its creation, like so:
- Title: Roger's Car
- Position: Writer/Director
- 16 minutes, Video 2020. Valley College
- Log line: Unusual circumstances allow a sixteen-year-old to get his first car. I wrote this story for a creative writing class and produced the film with the help of my friends.
- Transformational Moment Essay: Submit a one (1) page essay describing a transformational moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person. Explain how you gained wisdom and greater understanding of the human condition as a result of this experience. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
- Cinematography Reel: Submit either an entire body of work or a compilation of work, totaling no more than 20 minutes. Please include all credits for the work you did on the pieces you submit.
Directing Emphasis
Year 1
Students learn essential techniques and collaborate with other filmmakers in FTV 501 - Bootcamp Experience, a foundational course that requires planning, editing, and shooting mini-films.Students master not only how to direct, but also how to effectively manage a set in courses such as FP 538: Directing I - Fundamentals of Directing Performance and FP 542B - Set Protocol. Industry professionals guide students to enhance their understanding and application of professional-grade equipment, camera mechanics, lighting, pre- and post-production planning, composition, color, and more. FP 530: Thesis Story Preparation prepares students to write and direct their own motion major picture in year 2.
39 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
Year 2
The program culminates in FP 664 - Directing III: Advanced Camera Directing Techniques, where students explore advanced visual design and camera blocking techniques to shoot with both a moving camera and a static camera. Students learn how to write dramatic and compelling dialogue and safely shoot action scenes.After having a written project proposal approved by the Graduate Committee, students can enroll in the first semester of the two-part FP - 698 Thesis in Film Production course, where they will create a major motion picture.
15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
How to apply
- Prepare your application materials: Follow the steps outlined in “Dodge College’s General Admissions Requirements for Graduates in 2024-2025.”
- Submit the Creative Portfolio: Upload a one (1) to two (2) page list of activities that demonstrate your potential in production, focusing on creative accomplishments. Include in this list specific items that you could submit, if requested, to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Each listing should include a brief description of the work and your role in its creation, like so:
- Title: Roger's Car
- Position: Writer/Director
- 16 minutes, Video 2020. Valley College
- Log line: Unusual circumstances allow a sixteen-year-old to get his first car. I wrote this story for a creative writing class and produced the film with the help of my friends.
- Transformational Moment Essay: Submit a one (1) page essay describing a transformational moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person. Explain how you gained wisdom and greater understanding of the human condition as a result of this experience. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
- Thesis Film Essay:The MFA Directing program requires students to direct three short films. In no more than 250 words, tell an original story for a thesis film that would run approximately 15-20 minutes in length. Make certain your story contains a clear three act structure. It should have a beginning with an inciting incident, a middle or a 2nd act with rising stakes, and a climax. Bear in mind your budget and shooting schedule will be limited.
- Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
- Narrative Scene: In no more than three pages write a compelling comic or dramatic scene in any genre based on this scenario: Two people who are close experience a sudden calamity that changes their relationship. This may be written in short story or screenplay format. Show the strength in your storytelling ability; there is no preference in format.
- Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
- Self Introduction Video Essay: Create a self-introductory video essay between two (2) and five (5) minutes in length. Your video should visually highlight something about yourself, your personality, your interests, etc. The only rule is that you may NOT appear in the video in any way (including any photographs of yourself), so be creative. You are allowed to narrate your video using your voice. The Admission Committee is primarily looking for your strengths at conveying a story visually and for evidence of your creativity rather than your technical abilities.
- Narrative Work: Complete one (1) of the following: The Admissions Committee prefers that you submit an original narrative film (option 1), unless you have not directed a narrative film, in which case you should submit a photo narrative (option 2).
- Original Narrative Film: You may submit as many of your complete narrative movies (not short reel clips) as you wish. If you have mentioned narrative work in an essay or on the creative resume, please provide those samples by uploading them or providing a direct link. All narrative films must include a complete end credit title roll, or a complete credit roll at the beginning of the film.
- Photo Narrative: In no more than twenty (20) still photographs, tell a story based on this prompt: A character is wandering in a city and encounters a situation that drastically changes his/her life. The photos should be uploaded in the order you wish to convey your story. The submission should be photographs only, and cannot have any writing or descriptions included. We are looking for your ability to tell a visual story without the use of dialogue or description.
Editing Emphasis
Year 1
In courses such as FP 504: Fundamentals of Visual Design and Production and FP 515: Editing I, students learn how to navigate each stage of the film creation and production cycle and the fundamentals of editing. In the summer, the interim course FP 502: Acting for Non-Actors focuses on script analysis, scene study, and acting exercises that help aspiring film editors learn how to better work with actors during and after filming.37 credits are taken across the fall, summer, and spring.
Year 2
Students mainly focus on undertaking an editing role in FP 698 - Thesis in Film Production, a two-part senior capstone course where students collaborate to create a major motion picture.15 credits are taken across the fall and spring.
For more information, review the emphasis objectives and course offerings.
How to apply
- Prepare your application materials: Follow the steps outlined in “Dodge College’s General Admissions Requirements for Graduates in 2024-2025."
- Submit the Creative Portfolio: Upload a one (1) to two (2) page list of activities that demonstrate your potential in production, focusing on creative accomplishments. Include in this list specific items that you could submit, if requested, to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Each listing should include a brief description of the work and your role in its creation, like so:
- Title: Roger's Car
- Position: Writer/Director
- 16 minutes, Video 2020. Valley College
- Log line: Unusual circumstances allow a sixteen-year-old to get his first car. I wrote this story for a creative writing class and produced the film with the help of my friends.
- Transformational Moment Essay: Submit a one (1) page essay describing a transformational moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person. Explain how you gained wisdom and greater understanding of the human condition as a result of this experience. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
- Visual Media Work:Provide up to three (3) examples of visual media material that you served as the primary editor on. Films, documentaries, commercials and music videos are all acceptable options. Each submission should not exceed ten (10) minutes in length. Please include all credits for the work you did on the pieces you submit. If you don't have any visual work, please submit the following:
- Photo Narrative: In no more than twenty (20) still photographs, tell a story based on this prompt: A character is wandering in a city and encounters a situation that drastically changes his/her life. The photos should be uploaded in the order you wish to convey your story. The submission should be photographs only, and cannot have any writing or descriptions included. We are looking for your ability to tell a visual story without the use of dialogue or description.
