The Graduate School Bulletin
Department of Media Studies
321 McIver Building
(336) 334-5360
http://www.uncg.edu/mst/
Graduate Program:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Drama, Film and Video Production concentration, 48 hours
Graduate Faculty
Overview
MST - Media Studies Courses
Graduate Faculty
Professors
David A. Cook, PhD, Film history and industrial practice; Soviet, post-Soviet, and Eastern European cinema (Head of Department).
Emily D. Edwards, PhD, Video production, media writing, gender and media culture.
Anthony N. Fragola, Master of Professional Writing, Scriptwriting, the auteur director, literature and film, film production, development of cinema.
Associate Professors
Matthew Barr, MFA, Screenwriting, documentary production, aesthetics.
Geoffrey Baym, PhD, Broadcast journalism, news discourse, critical media studies.
Michael Frierson, PhD, Animation history and methods, film history and theory, film and video production (Director of Graduate Study).
Brett R. Ingram, MFA, Documentary filmmaking, cinematography, film and video production, editing.
Kimberlianne Podlas, JD, Constitutional and media law, pop-culture representations of law.
Assistant Professor
Seung-Hyun Lee, PhD, Theory of and research on Digital media, Mobile multimedia, the Internet, online journalism, and community, and Webpage creation.
Overview
The Department of Media Studies in cooperation with the Department of Theatre offers an MFA in Drama with a concentration in film and video production. We aim to develop informed, enlightened artists whose media production skills are matched by their understanding of media history and theory. The Department offers a wide-ranging curriculum that combines three principal areas: 1) the intellectual study of media history and theory, 2) the practical development of media screenwriting and production, 3) the enrichment of the student’s interdiciplinary interests.
The program does not impose a formal agenda on a student’s interest. We encourage students to explore a range of media forms: narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation. We guide our graduate students to formulate their own creative and research plan, and when necessary, to seek coursework outside the department that will support this plan.
The Department’s faculty is composed of talented artists and scholars with excellent reputations as teachers. A co-curricular program that includes opportunities to participate in external film and video productions, internships, and the Carolina Film and Video Festival matches the curricular offerings. The festival is a competitive showcase for both student and professional, national and international independent films and videos. The Department is housed in the McIver Building and in the Carmichael Radio and Television Center. The Carmichael Center, originally constructed as a television and radio facility for WUNC-TV, is a building unique within the city, region, and the University of North Carolina system.
In addition to the information contained in The Graduate School Bulletin, students are also required to be familiar with the policies and procedures contained in the Departmental graduate handbook, which is available from the Director of Graduate Study.
VISIONS students are restricted from taking any 500-level course without the permission of the Department Head and course instructor. Only officially admitted MFA students can register for 600-level courses.
MFA - Master of Fine Arts in Drama, Film and Video Production concentration
The MFA in Drama (film and video production concentration) is a 48-hour degree. The program requires four regular semesters (excluding summer sessions) to complete (two years).
The program is designed to develop individual artistry in media informed by a rich understanding of media history, theory, and aesthetics. Over the course of study, students will explore this intellectual understanding of media hand in hand with their practical skills in media screenwriting and production.
Application and Admission
Admission to the MFA is competitive. In addition to the application materials required by The Graduate School, applicants must submit a portfolio consisting of a personal statement, a resume, and samples of their creative work. The faculty interviews candidates selected from the applicant pool before admission. Students without previous course work and/or experience in film and video production may be expected to complete additional course work as prerequisites in addition to the normal degree requirements, extending the amount of time it would take to complete the degree.
Degree Requirements
Major Studies (36 hours)
MST 515 Film Theory (3)
MST 528 Topics in Media (3)
MST 610 Introduction to Graduate Study (3)
MST 611 Image and Sound Acquisition for Media (3)
MST 612 Advanced Media Editing (3)
MST 618 Writing Short Scripts (3)
MST 619 Production Law and Responsibility (3)
MST 620 Seminar in Media Analysis (3)
MST 625 Seminar in Media (3)
MST 698 Graduate Practicum in Media (6)
MST 699a Master Production in Media I (3)
MST 699b Master Production in Media II (3)
Academic Studies (12 hours)
Select four additional courses from:
MST 524 Media Financing and Distribution (3)
MST 525 Media Organization and Management (3)
MST 528 Topics in Media (3)
MST 550 Feature Film Script Analysis (3)
MST 551 Writing the Feature Film I (3)
MST 552 Writing the Feature Film II (3)
MST 553 Advanced Media Writing (3)
MST 559 Doing Visual History (3)
MST 580 Directing for Television (3)
MST 581 Dance on Video (3)
MST 585 Advanced Media Production (3)
MST 587 Animation Production (3)
MST 588 Documentary Production (3)
MST 613 Advanced Media Lighting (3)
MST 614 Advanced Media Sound Production (3)
MST 616 Directing for the Camera (3)
MST 617 Creating Visual Narratives (3)
MST 684 Advanced Media Sound Production (3)
MST 690 Independent Study (3)
MST 691 Advanced Experimentation (3)
MST 695 Client Based Media (3)
MST 696 Graduate Internship (3)
Or additional course from other diciplines, such as
ARH 500 Traditions in Art Criticism (3)
ARH 501 Topics of History of Art (3)
ART 540 Digital Visulalization and Methods (3)
ART 545 Interactive Web Design (3)
ART 685 Photography (6)
MUS 550 Electronic Music (3)
THR 506 Non-Western Theatre and/or Film (3)
THR 534 Acting for the Camera (3)
THR 670 Production Design for Film (3)
Required Sequence of Courses (48 hours)
Courses must be taken in the semesters as listed below for a candidate to remain in the program:
Year One (24 hours)
Fall Semester
MST 610 Introduction to Graduate Study (3)
MST 611 Image and Sound Acquisition for Media (3)
MST 612 Advanced Media Editing (3)
MST 528 Topics in Media (3)
Spring Semester
MST 625 Seminar in Media (3)
MST 618 Writing Short Scripts (3)
MST 698 Graduate Practicum in Film and Video (3)
MST Academic Studies elective one (3)
Year Two (24 hours)
Fall Semester
MST 619 Production Law and Responsibility (3)
MST 515 Film Theory (3)
MST Academic Studies elective two (3)
*MST 699a Master Production in Film and Video (3)
Spring Semester
MST 620 Seminar in Media Analysis (3)
MST Academic Studies elective three (3)
MST Academic Studies elective four (3)
*MST 699b Master Production in Film and Video (3)
*Courses comprise Capstone Experience
Reviews
At the end of each semester, the faculty reviews each candidate for continuance in the program. Reviews assess the candidate’s academic success, artistic development, and professional development. The student who appears to be having academic difficulty or whose creative potential is questionable may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program.
Plan of Study
Prior to completing 24 hours of the program, students must meet with the MST Director of Graduate Study and agree upon a plan of study for completion of the MFA. See “Plan of Study” in the The Graduate School Bulletin.
Degree Candidates
Degree candidates must adhere to the graduate timetable as listed in the University Schedule of Courses for the semester in which they intend to graduate. Additionally, degree candidates must schedule and have a public screening of the Master Production by the deadline for complete clearance of candidates for degrees. Failure to meet these Graduate School deadlines will make a candidate ineligible for graduation that semester.
MST Media Studies Courses
515 Film Theory (3:3)
Study of the principal theories of film through the writings of critics, theorists, and directors.
520 History of Film to 1938 (3:2:3)
Advanced study of world cinema from its prehistory in the late 19th century to the beginning of World War II in Europe, emphasizing significant movements, genres, and filmmakers.
521 History of Film since 1938 (3:2:3)
Advanced study of world cinema from the beginning of World War II in Europe through the present, emphasizing significant movements, genres, and filmmakers.
524 Media Financing and Distribution (3:3)
Processes of raising and budgeting funds and distributing film and videos for theatrical release, direct DVD/video release, or television broadcast.
525 Media Organization and Management (3:3)
Principles and practices of the organization and management of electronic media and motion pictures.
528 Topics in Media (3:2:3)
Study of selected topics in fictive or non-fictive media including genres, works of an individual director, or other emphasis. May be repeated for credit.
550 Feature Film Script Analysis (3:3)
Analysis of the key structural and thematic elements of feature screenplays.
551 Writing the Feature Film I (3:3)
Pr. 350 or graduate standing or permission of instructor
Advanced study of screenwriting with emphasis on the creation of a step outline for a feature length screenplay.
552 Writing the Feature Film II (3:3)
Pr. 551
A writing workshop in which students complete the first draft and a polish of a feature-length screenplay based on the outline from MST 551.
553 Advanced Media Writing (3:3)
Practice in television script-writing with emphasis given to development of concepts and proposals for episodic television. Practice in analyzing and writing for existing television series/development of new programs.
559 Doing Visual History (3:3)
Explores the interstices of history, documentary production, and personal narratives. (Same as HIS 559)
580 Directing for Television (3:2:3)
Pr. 371 or 380 or graduate standing or permission of instructor
Fundamental principles of directing for television. Laboratory directing experience.
581 Dance on Video (3:3)
Pr. MST 271 and 272 or graduate standing or permission of instructor for graduate MST majors; DCE 555 or permission of instructor for DCE majors
Introduction to how dance and video work best together and why, including composing for the camera, recording dancers in action, and editing footage to create original work. (Same as DCE 581)
585 Advanced Media Production (3:2:3)
Pr. 203, 205, 207 or 271 and 272, 301 and admission to appropriate degree program; or permission of instructor
Advanced application of principles and techniques of media production. May be repeated once for credit.
587 Animation Production (3:3)
Pr. 271 and 272 or graduate standing or permission of instructor
Study and practice of techniques of animation.
588 Documentary Production (3:2:3)
Pr. 271 and 272 or graduate standing or permission of instructor
Documentary construction, research, planning, and production techniques. Further development of video production skills in supervised laboratory project.
589 Experimental Course
This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Schedule of Courses for current offerings.
610 Introduction to Graduate Study (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program
Development of research and writing skills, introduction to grant writing, and professional presentations. Consideration of issues in teaching. Required of MFA degree candidates.
611 Image and Sound Acquisition for Media (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Theory and practice of single camera and audio production for media.
612 Advanced Media Editing (3:2:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Study of techniques and aesthetics of media editing.
613 Advanced Media Lighting (3:2:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Physical properties of light, lighting theories, aesthetics of lighting, and advanced practical experience in lighting for media.
614 Advanced Media Sound Production (3:2:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Exploration of equipment and technique of sound design for media.
616 Directing for the Camera (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Development of skills required for directing media.
617 Creating Visual Narratives (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Students are guided through a series of step-by-step innovative methodologies that result in visually dynamic scripts that prepare them to take 618, Writing Short Scripts.
618 Writing Short Scripts (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Theory and practice of writing short scripts for media production.
619 Production Law and Responsibility (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Legal, ethical, and civic responsibilities of media producers with emphasis on creation of independent works in media.
620 Seminar in Media Analysis (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Analysis of media works using existing principles and theories. May be repeated once for credit.
625 Seminar in Media (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor\
Subject matter varies. May be repeated for credit.
684 Advanced Media Production (3:3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program or permission of instructor
Advanced theory and practice of image and sound production for media.
690 Independent Study (1-3)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program, permission of instructor and Director of Graduate Study
691 Advanced Experimentation (3:1:4)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program and permission of instructor and Director of Graduate Study
Practical experimentation in the creative processes of media. Analysis, documentation, and critical evaluation of the specific experience.
695 Client Based Media (3:0:6)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program and permission of instructor and Director of Graduate Study
Complete production of a client sponsored program. Emphasis on client collaboration, application of technical skills and aesthetic abilities in an environment in which students may not have complete creative control.
696 Graduate Internship (3)
Pr. second or third year standing in the graduate program
Field experience in film or video production companies, postproduction houses, or television stations. Academic supervision provided by faculty and directed activity in the field provided by site supervisor.
698 Graduate Practicum in Media (3:0:9)
Pr. admission to appropriate degree program and permission of instructor and Director of Graduate Study
Guided practice in carrying out major responsibilities in sponsored or independent media productions.
699a Master Production in Media I (3)
Pr. second year in MFA film/video degree concentration
Research, development, and execution of a major media work. (Graded on S-U basis)
699b Master Production in Media II (3)
Pr. second year in MFA film/video degree concentration
Research, development, and execution of a major media work. (Graded on S-U basis)
711 Experimental Course
This number reserved for experimental courses. Refer to the Course Schedule for current offerings.
803 Research Extension (1-3)