Introduction
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Overview
In the MFA program in film and animation, students create live-action production, scripts, 2D, 3D, or stop motion animation that is unique. The School of Film and Animation houses state-of-the-art facilities, including full production facilities. The program is also supported by highly specialized faculty from RIT's photography, imaging science, computer science, information technology, and design programs.
Goals
The program provides students with the opportunity to use animation, filmmaking, and other imaging arts as a means to:
pursue a career and earn a livelihood.
enrich their personal lives and society as a whole.
encourage a sense of community, creativity, scholarship, and purpose.
Plan of study
The MFA in film and animation offers four options:
2D animation concentrates on traditional forms drawn by hand, a mixture of both traditional and digital, or all digital origination. Students may concentrate their studies on stop motion puppet animation.
3D animation courses focus on advanced 3D modeling, lighting, texturing, and animating in a 3D space.
Production allows students to develop and refine their creative approach to fictional narrative, documentary, and experimental live-action filmmaking.
Screenwriting is an opportunity for students to complete short films with a concentration in creating feature, short, and series length screenplays.
All four options require two years of course work and a thesis project. A complete film is required of all first-year students, a complete film or script is required in the second year, and a more ambitious thesis film or feature-length script is required in the third year. In the third and final year, students are enrolled part-time and their work is focused only on their thesis project.
Electives
Elective courses are available in animation, film, video, multimedia, screenwriting, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, museum studies, crafts, bookmaking, typography, color photography, new media, studio photography, advertising photography, perception, gaming, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. There are also opportunities for independent studies, internships, and concentrations.
Thesis
Specific instructions pertaining to the thesis are available in the “MFA Guide for Students and Faculty: Policy Regarding Student Work.” The School of Film and Animation reserves the right to retain copies of student-produced films to be used for educational purposes, to show to prospective students, and as examples of student productions.
Industries
Movies, TV, and Music
Animation
Advertising, PR, and Marketing
Higher Education
Writing and Editing
Curriculum
Film and animation (2D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
SOFA-605 Basic Sound Recording
SOFA-610 Graduate Seminar
SOFA-611 History and Aesthetics of Animation
Choose one of the following:
SOFA-615 3D Animation Fundamentals
SOFA-617 Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
SOFA-603 2D Animation I: Fundamentals
SOFA-622 30-Second Film
SOFA-625 Animated Acting Principles
SOFA-627 Pre-production for Animators
Choose one of the following:
SOFA-748 Concept and Character Design
SOFA-623 Stop Motion Master Class
SOFA-628 Animation Writing and Visual Storytelling
SOFA-630 Animation Film Language
Second Year
SOFA-717 Animation Workshop
SOFA-618 Business Careers and Animation
SOFA-780 Thesis Preparation Seminar
SOFA-604 2D Animation II: Mechanics
SOFA-676 After Effects for Animators
Free Electives
SOFA Electives
Third Year
SOFA-790 Research and Thesis I
SOFA-890 Research and Thesis II
Film and animation (3D animation option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
SOFA-605 Basic Sound Recording
SOFA-610 Graduate Seminar
SOFA-611 History and Aesthetics of Animation
Choose one of the following:
SOFA-603 2D Animation I: Fundamentals
SOFA-617 Stop Motion Puppet Fundamentals
SOFA-615 3D Animation Fundamentals
SOFA-622 30-Second Film
SOFA-625 Animated Acting Principles
SOFA-627 Pre-production for Animators
SOFA-628 Animation Writing and Visual Storytelling
SOFA-630 Animation Film Language
SOFA-695 Advanced 3D Animation
Second Year
SOFA-675 3D Lighting and Texturing
SOFA-717 Animation Workshop
SOFA-618 Business Careers and Animation
SOFA-676 After Effects for Animators
SOFA-780 Thesis Preparation Seminar
SOFA Electives
Free Electives
Third Year
SOFA-790 Research and Thesis I
SOFA-890 Research and Thesis II
Film and animation (production option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
SOFA-678 Cinematography and Lighting
SOFA-602 Production Processes
SOFA-605 Basic Sound Recording
SOFA-606 Graduate Directing
SOFA-610 Graduate Seminar
SOFA-613 Graduate Screenwriting I
SOFA-621 Spring Film
SOFA-626 Writing the Short Film
History and Aesthetics Elective
Second Year
SOFA-721 Fall Film
SOFA-733 Hybrid Forms: Theory and Practice
SOFA-614 Business and Careers in Film
SOFA-780 Thesis Preparation Seminar
History and Aesthetics Elective
SOFA Electives
Free Electives
Third Year
SOFA-790 Research and Thesis I
SOFA-890 Research and Thesis II
Film and animation (screenwriting option), MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
SOFA-602 Production Processes
SOFA-605 Basic Sound Recording
SOFA-606 Graduate Directing
SOFA-610 Graduate Seminar
SOFA-613 Graduate Screenwriting I
SOFA-621 Spring Film
SOFA-626 Writing the Short Film
SOFA Elective
History and Aesthetics Elective
Second Year
SOFA-663 Writing the Feature
SOFA-664 Writing the Series
SOFA-721 Fall Film
SOFA-614 Business and Careers in Film
SOFA-780 Thesis Preparation Seminar
SOFA-733Hybrid Forms: Theory and Practice
History and Aesthetics Electives
Free Electives
Third Year
SOFA-790 Research and Thesis I
SOFA-890 Research and Thesis II
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MFA in film and animation, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
Complete a graduate application.
Hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
Submit an online portfolio of work that demonstrates the candidate’s skills, visual sophistication, and aesthetic awareness. (Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.)
Submit a two-to-three minute online self-portrait video.
Submit a personal statement of educational objectives
Submit two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. A minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required. The English language test score requirement is waived for native speakers of English or for those submitting transcripts from degrees earned at American institutions.
Students who are evaluated to have MFA potential but need additional study in preparation for graduate courses will be advised to take such courses either prior to entrance or during their first year of study.
All correspondence concerning application materials as well as all submissions deadlines should be addressed to the Office of Graduate and Part-time Enrollment.
Portfolio
The review committee is looking for work that is original in concept and content. It does not need to necessarily be motion media but should be visual or aural. Examples include films/videos, photos, drawings, paintings, sculpture, stop motion puppets, scripts, storyboards, and original music.
Applicants must present what they consider to be the best of their work, not all of their work. Films or videos should be a total of 12 minutes or less. A short, complete piece of work is preferable to a demo reel. If there are no short works then a 12-minute excerpt of a longer piece is acceptable.
Applicants must place their portfolios on a web or FTP site, such as Vimeo or YouTube, that can be easily accessed by RIT faculty for review. Applications should include a URL/web or FTP address to the online portfolio. If the portfolio is placed on a shared web or FTP site that contains other files, be sure the file name contains your full name (which must match the name used on your application materials). When applicable, please include any usernames and/or passwords necessary for access to your portfolio. Please provide an inventory sheet or table of contents with your portfolio, and if it is not obvious, clearly indicate what your combination was to group and collaborative pieces. This can be a separate description or can be included in the portfolio presentation.
Applicants are also required to produce a two-to-three minute self-portrait video to accompany the online portfolio. This should include information about you, such as why you want to attend the School of Film and Animation, the program concentration you wish to pursue, and why. Please include information about one significant accomplishment you have made. Sound and picture quality should be clear. The online portfolio and self-portrait must be mounted on Slideroom.com once a Slideroom account is established.
