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MASTER OF ARTS IN
FILM & MEDIA PRODUCTION
(OFFERED AT THE L.A. CAMPUS ONLY)
Total Credits Required: 35.5 Units

OVERVIEW
The New York Film Academy Master of Arts
(MA) in Film & Media Production is an
accelerated, two semester conservatory-based,
full-time graduate study program. Designed
to educate talented and committed
prospective filmmakers in a hands-on, total
immersion, professional environment, the
New York Film Academy Master of Arts in
Film & Media Production provides a creative
setting in which to challenge, inspire, and
perfect the talents of its student body.
As film and media production evolve in the
twenty first century, the Masters of Arts in
Film & Media Production, provides creative
visual storytellers with the foundational
education needed to thrive and succeed in
this new arena. An intensive curriculum
and multiple learning and production goals
prepares the students for media productions,
while classes on media and society provides
students with the skills required to make
media in the new and evolving formats
around us today.
In a combination of hands-on classroom
education and intense film shoots, students
acquire a sound understanding and
appreciation of visual media production and
aesthetics, and learn to integrate knowledge
into professional experience.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon graduation from the Masters in Arts in
Film & Media Production Program, students
will:

Demonstrate a unique vision of visual

story telling skills through the creation of
professional level media productions.

Demonstrate a comprehension of new

and evolving media formats and their unique
implications for production.

Demonstrate comprehension of
cinematographic techniques and concepts.

Demonstrate comprehension of postproduction techniques and concepts.

Demonstrate comprehension of
production management techniques and
concepts required to produce film and media
productions.

Demonstrate ability to write narrative

scripts for media productions.

Exhibit effective directing skills

required to realize convincing performances
from actors.

Demonstrate proper use of critical

analysis and leadership skills to determine
the best methods of on set crew management
and the ability to collaborate with others.

SEMESTER ONE
OBJECTIVES
Students begin their immersion in
filmmaking through a series of intense classes

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in
film
production,
screenwriting,
cinematography, and editing. These classes
support a number of short film productions
that allow their skills to be quickly placed
into practice, as well as assist them with
developing proficiency with the overall
production process.
Students will also develop their leadership
and collaborative skills by fulfilling the
essential roles of Director of Photography,
Assistant Camera Operator, and Gaffer
(Lighting Technician) on the films of their
classmates.
Dialogue filmmaking is explored in depth in
the second half of the semester, as classes in
directing, screenwriting and editing continue.
The final project of the semester is the digital
dialogue film, which students will write,
direct and edit.
The combination of these classes will prepare
students for the second semester and
production of the Thesis Films.

Learning Goals:

Art, aesthetics, and technique of visual

storytelling including directing, 16mm
cinematography, and editing.
Fundamentals of high definition video
production and digital editing.
Survey and examination of film studies
from a directors perspective.
Fundamental training in acting and
directing actors.
Immersion in screenwriting craft.
Develop an ability to collaborate and lead
a student film crew.

Production Goals:

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Write, direct and edit four short non-sync

Films.

Crew as cinematographer, gaffer, and/or

assistant camera on approximately twelve
additional films.
Write a short film script with dialogue.
Shoot digital directing exercises on digital
video.
Write, direct and edit a digital dialogue
film.

SEMESTER TWO
OBJECTIVES
In the second semester, students move into
more advanced topics of directing,
cinematography,
screenwriting,
and
producing, all of which are geared toward the
development of their Thesis Film. Students
learn more advanced equipment including
16mm sync cameras, dollies, 35mm and
more advanced lighting gear.
An intensive in the field production class,
the advanced production workshop, provides
instruction in all of these areas through a
series of in the field productions. The
development of professional on-set conduct
and leadership and collaborative skills are
also rigorously developed in this class.

Learning Goals

Advance in proficiency in the fields of

directing, editing, and cinematography.
Advance in proficiency in the field of
collaboration and leadership skills.
Develop a more sophisticated
understanding of story development and
scriptwriting
Discuss the role of the producer and
implement advanced production tasks
Identify point of view and construct
scenes from the perspective of specific
characters

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Develop an ability to give and receive

constructive editorial and creative
feedback on a project.

Production Goals

Production Goals

Direct a short film emphasizing a

characters Point of View
Direct or DP a sync sound production
workshop.
Develop proficiency with the second
semester equipment package.

SEMESTER THREE
OBJECTIVES
The capstone of the program is the Thesis
film, a production of up to fifteen minutes in
length, which is produced in the first part of
Semester Three. This more polished short
film incorporates all of the disciplines
instructed throughout the year. The students
ambitions and capabilities, as evidenced in
the Thesis film, are expected to increase from
the first semester projects. Students will also
expand their knowledge of production, and
collaborative abilities, through acting as crewmembers on five of their classmates
productions.
Intensive classes in post production and
sound design assist the student not only with
completing the final steps of the filmmaking
process, but also with developing an ability to
give and receive editorial and creative
feedback on their project.

Develop an ability to construct a

narrative for a feature film script.

Direct and edit a sync-sound thesis film

of up to fifteen minutes in length (shot
on 16mm film, 35mm film, or High
Definition Video).
Participate as a principle crew- member in
five fellow students films.
Determine a course of study for Year Two

YEAR-END SCREENINGS
The Thesis Project will be presented in a
movie theater for an invited audience.
Students are responsible for inviting all
guests. This public screening is not part of
the formal evaluation process, but serves as a
celebration of the students progress and
achievements thus far.

CURRICULUM
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Semester One
FILM505
FILM515
FILM525
FILM535
FILM545
HATM540
Required

Units

Film Production I
Cinematography I
Editing I
Film Production Studio I
Screenwriting I
Media & Society

3
2
1
3
2
3
14

Learning Goals

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Develop an increased ability to produce

the short film at a higher level.
Advance an understanding of
sophisticated picture and sound editing
techniques

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Semester Two
FILM555
FILM565
FILM575
FILM585
FILM595
FILM605
Required

Units

Film Production II
Cinematography II
Film Production Studio
II
Editing
II
Screenwriting II
Producing

Semester Three
FILM615
FILM625
FILM635
FILM645
Required

2
2
2.5
2
2
1
11.5

Units

Thesis Film Production*

Thesis Film Post
Production
Sound
Design
Emerging Formats

4
3
1
2
10

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Semester One
FILM PRODUCTION I
In this course, students begin to learn the
language and craft of film aesthetics from a
director's perspective. They learn to integrate
several concepts from the arts, the behavioral
sciences, and the humanities to achieve
maximum psychological impact by studying
the director's decisions in camera placement,
blocking, staging, and visual image design.
This course requires that students challenge
themselves not only to become competent
directors but also compelling storytellers by
utilizing the advanced expressive visual tools
to tell their stories. Instructed by directors
practiced in the art of visual storytelling,
students are exposed to the unique ways that
directors stage scenes and choose particular

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camera angles in creating a sophisticated

mise-en-scne.
CINEMATOGRAPHY I
Through intensive in-class exercises, students
shoot 16mm film and learn the complexities
of film exposure, the psychological effect of
focal lengths, and the use of advanced
lighting techniques to evoke a storys mood
and tone. As students incorporate dialogue,
they also learn the technical nuances of
shooting and lighting high definition video
on Canon 5D cameras.
EDITING I
Students are taught multiple aesthetic
approaches to editing film and video. They
learn how to apply concepts such as temporal
continuity and spatial continuity, as well as
less traditional discontinuous editing
techniques to their work. Students study
both the nuanced effects of editing on
storytelling, and then apply them to their
own films. The results allow students to apply
the psychological and emotional effects of
editing to their overall stories.
FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO I
Designed to demystify the craft of
filmmaking, the studio has students working
alongside directing and acting instructors,
and applying the complex techniques from
class as they articulate the objectives of a
given scene. This applies to the use of lenses,
lighting, and editing. Students are also taught
the critical significance of performance
through acting classes, adhering to the
philosophy that in order to direct actors, one
must understand and experience acting as art

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and methodology. Students learn how to
speak the language of acting, identifying a
scenes emotional "beats" and "character
objectives" in order to improve performances.
SCREENWRITING I
This course introduces students to the
nuanced tools and language used in writing a
film project. Students take a story from initial
idea, treatment and outline to a rough draft,
and finally, a shooting script. The
intersection of story structure, theme,
character, tension, and conflict is examined
through detailed scene analysis. Students
intensively workshop their ideas with
classmates and instructors, providing
constructive criticism while accepting
critiques of their own work. Encouraged in
the advanced methods of story design
through visuals and action, the scripts they
write become the basis for all projects in the
first semester.
MEDIA & SOCIETY
In the twenty first century, media is
constantly in transition.
New narrative
formats are emerging almost daily and
content producers must not be left behind in
this dynamic environment. This course
examines these new forms in depth and the
unique requirements that they place upon
narrative storytellers. Creating content for
webisodes, mobile and alternative viewing
platforms, branded entertainment, as well as
commercials and the music videos are
discussed in depth in this class.

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Semester Two
FILM PRODUCTION II
This class further explores the aesthetic
elements of mise-en-scene: shot choice,
composition, setting, point-of-view, action of
the picture plane, and movement of the
camera.
Students
practice
different
approaches to coverage by breaking down
scenes from their own scripts, and applying
sophisticated visual approaches. This class
also takes a comprehensive look at casting
from the actors and directors point of view.
Students are asked to identify the dramatic
beats of their scenes and translate this into
effective casting choices. Students learn to
adjust character objectives through rehearsal
of their own scripts. A strong emphasis is put
on establishing believable performances.
Under the tutelage of their instructors,
students submit detailed proposals for their
Thesis films.
Prerequisite(s): Film Production I
CINEMATOGRAPHY II
This class immerses students in the more
advanced technical and creative demands of
cinematography. Students work with more
advanced 16mm cameras before transitioning
to the Red Scarlet to continue studying HD
cinematography. In addition, students
complete the full range of camera formats in
the 35mm filmmaking component. This
intensive segment of the class is an
opportunity for students to see how the
wider frame and higher resolution of 35mm
affects their shot design, framing,
composition, staging, camera movement, lens
choice, and lighting.
Prerequisite(s): Cinematography I

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FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO II
In a series of production exercises, students
shoot scenes on 16mm film and HD with the
guidance and critique of their instructor.
These practice scenes are fully pre-produced
(storyboarded, cast, scouted, rehearsed and
pre-lighted) and treated as actual productions,
produced in tandem with students in the
corresponding NYFA MFA Acting For Film
Program. Students are more fully trained in
the etiquette of the film set, and the intensive
collaboration required for a professional film
shoot. Filling all of the necessary crew roles,
students spend a full production day
shooting scenes with a more advanced grip
and electric equipment package.
Prerequisite(s): Film Production Studio I

times over while developing sophisticated

visual stories on the page.
Prerequisite(s): Screenwriting I
PRODUCING
Producing leads students through the entire
process of pre-production, including scouting
and securing of locations, permits, and
casting. Students also learn how to make
creative choices from the producers points of
view, identifying target audiences, exploring
audience expectations, and crafting realistic
budgets for their films. Using script
breakdowns, students learn how to plan and
keep to a schedule and budget for their
Thesis Film productions.
Prerequisite(s): Film Production I

EDITING II
Continuing where Editing I left off, students
sync and edit with dialogue, and learn more
advanced techniques in sound mixing and
color correction. Students make creative
discoveries as well when they compare the
very different versions that are edited from
the same material. This necessary training in
cutting and re-cutting properly prepares them
to undertake the challenge of picture and
sound editing their Thesis Film.
Prerequisite(s): Editing I
SCREENWRITING II
This class is an intensive workshop aimed at
developing, writing, and polishing scripts for
the students Thesis Films. Students critique
each others screenplays through table-reads
and engage in lively roundtable discussions of
each work. In the process, students learn that
even the masters rewrite their work many

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Semester Three
THESIS FILM PRODUCTION
Students start the third semester with a
finished script of up to 15 pages, having fully
developed their ideas and prepared the
scripts for production. Working with
instructors to develop a production schedule,
students make final preparations on their
film shoots, resulting in a production period
that is as intense and demanding as a
professional feature film shoot. They
continue to meet with instructors in one-onone advisement sessions to get feedback on
their shooting script, casting, storyboards,
floor plans, schedules and budgets.
Each week during the production period,
students come together with their Directing
and Producing instructors to debrief on the
most recently completed production and

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greenlight the next production. The
greenlight process requires students to
present a production notebook to their
instructors, who will determine that the
student is fully prepared creatively and
logistically.
Prerequisite(s): Film Production II
THESIS FILM POST PRODUCTION
After the production period, students build
their films in the editing room. They screen
rough-cuts of their films for their directing
and editing instructors and receive feedback
from their peers before presenting their
finished films to an invited audience at the
end of the semester.
Prerequisite(s): Thesis Film Production

EMERGING FORMATS
As the tools of production have become
more affordable, and the ubiquity of the
Internet has created more media outlets,
standing apart from the field is more
important now than ever before. This class
examines how to use these tools to create
your own specific brand, and ultimately
how to create a market for your projects, or
intellectual property.
Prerequisite(s): Media & Society

SOUND DESIGN
As students edit their own films, they learn
that good sound improves the overall
production value of their films. Receiving
instruction in sophisticated sound design
topics, students build Sound Effects,
integrate Music and Orchestration, add
Atmosphere, adding a polished sound mix to
their Year One project.

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