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The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Film is low-residency and offers concentrations in producing, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing.

Welcome to the MFA in Film program

Low residency by design since 2018

The low-residency MFA in Film at FDU offers online courses during the semester, and two 9-day on-campus residencies each year, held in the summer and winter. It has all the rewards of a full-time experience and all the flexibility of a low-residency program. The program’s innovative structure allows students to learn all phases of filmmaking, from screenwriting and scheduling, through production, editing, and distribution – without re-locating or losing their day job.

The fall semester focuses on the ‘portfolio project’, usually a feature-length screenplay or business plan for a film or streaming series which the student will develop throughout their entire program.

Winter residencies are devoted to developing scripts, including table readings with actors, scene blocking for dramatic action and camera coverage, and selecting films for production during the upcoming summer residency. During the spring semester, all pre-production preparations get underway.

Summer residencies are dedicated to an intense production experience and setting up the post-production workflow and scheduling. 

“I gained invaluable experience through this residency, which truly helped tie together all the lectures and assignments. The staff, fellow classmates, and undergraduates were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, making it a seamless production experience [with very few hiccups].”

-Christopher Branch, MFA 2026

 

To earn their degree, students attend four residencies and eight online courses; the program can be completed in two years.

Upcoming residency dates

  • 2025 Winter: January 12-17
  • 2025 Summer: June 13-21
Contact Information
Are you interested? Do you have questions? Call or email.
gradfilm@fdu.edu
973-443-8646
Film Brochure (PDF)
Learn more about the Master of Fine Art in Film
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Program Learning Outcomes

  • Screen Language: Understand the difference between shooting action and creating screen language.
  • Screenwriting: Understand how to use the screenwriting format to communicate action, internal thought, and conflict.
  • Producing: Understand standard industry practices of organizing, financing, planning, and exploiting filmed material.
  • Directing: Understand the preparation and execution of film so as to capture all of the action, conflict, and emotional content required using all tools available to them, including but not limited to actors, props, locations, and how to hire and work with talented collaborators.
  • Cinematography: Understand how to use visual references to support the story, including but not limited to historical accuracy, wardrobe design, production design, light, and movement.
  • Post Production: Understand how to use filmed material, and make best use of intended and unintended possibilities to create meaning to realize the full potential of the material.
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Admissions

Application Deadlines
  • Fall semester – Apply by August 1
  • Winter residency – Apply by November 15
  • Spring semester – Apply by December 1
  • Summer residency – Apply by May 15

Students can begin the program with a residency on our Florham Campus held in summer or winter or with the fall or spring semester online courses.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Upcoming residency dates
  • 2024 Winter: January 14-19
  • 2024 Summer: June 7-15

Admissions Requirements

Students holding undergraduate degrees from an accredited four-year institution in the U.S. or abroad may apply. Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale.

To Apply

  • Choose a start date of fall, winter, spring, or summer. Complete the FDU Application online.
  • Choose your concentration: screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, or editing.
  • Official transcripts verifying your undergraduate degree should be sent by your college to the Graduate Admissions Office.

Once you complete and submit the application form, the system will prompt you to upload other required documents.

  • Upload a statement of purpose to your application. Please tell us more about yourself and why you wish to pursue an MFA in Film
  • Upload your portfolio or a link to your portfolio. If your portfolio is too large, email gradfilm@fdu.edu for details. We will direct you to our server.
    • You can submit a film work (.mov or QT file), a screenplay, stage play, or creative writing document (Use PDF or MS Word format. Please paginate and put your name on every page). Portfolios may contain live-action film material, screenplays, or other written narrative work. Work from other disciplines can be submitted — be it animation, playwriting, photography, graphic design, or fine arts.
  • Letters of recommendation are welcome, but not required. They can be uploaded to the application or sent to gradfilm@fdu.edu
  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)  online asap if you require financial aid. You don’t have to accept any funds unless you choose to. Many graduate students are eligible for State and/or Federal loans and aid. Our Financial Aid Office (974-443-8704) can assist with this.

In making admissions decisions, the greatest weight is given to screenwriting samples, completed film projects, festivals, professional recognition, and employer recommendations. The work-related experience will also be taken into consideration. While admission will not require the undergraduate major to have been in a film-related field, creativity demonstrated while an undergraduate, or in professional work environments, will be considered.

Prospective students may also arrange a meeting with the program director to discuss program options and tour the film facilities.

MFA in Film Curriculum

The degree takes a minimum of two years to complete. Students have up to five years to finish. Four on-campus residencies, eight online courses, and a completed thesis are required for the degree. A total of 60 credits are required to graduate.

Room and board are included in your residency fee. Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the residency. For information on tuition, please see the Graduate tuition and fees page. The MFA in Film tuition is located under the “Per Credit” heading. If you have any questions, feel free to email gradfilm@fdu.edu.

Course Requirements

Over the course of their studies, students complete four nine-day residencies held on the Florham Campus, Madison, NJ campus. The residencies are held twice a year in the summer and winter sessions. All courses (including residencies) are 5 credits each.

  • FILM5000 MFA in Film Residency.

Two 8-week online courses are run consecutively each semester. In the first semester, students take the foundation course, FILM7015 – Story, Cinema & Screen Language, and the first of 4 courses in their concentration. Students choose their concentration when they apply.

Each semester, students choose one of the following “Essentials” courses from the list below for a total of 3 essential courses. The Editing/Post Production Essentials course is required:

  • FILM6000 Screenwriting Essentials
  • FILM6001 Producing Essentials
  • FILM6002 Directing Essentials
  • FILM6003 Cinematography Essentials
  • FILM6004 Editing/Post Production Essentials (required)

Below is an example of a two-year sequence for a student beginning with a summer residency. Students can begin the program in summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Year one, 30 credits

Summer on-campus residency

Fall term:

  • Story, Cinema, and Screen Language (foundation course)
  • Course in concentration

Winter on-campus residency

Spring term:

  • Course in Concentration
  • Essentials course (Editing/Post Production or choose one)

Year two, 30 credits

Summer on-campus residency

Fall term:

  • Course in Concentration
  • Essentials course (Editing/Post Production or choose one)

Winter on-campus residency

Spring term:

  • Course in Concentration
  • Essentials course (Editing/Post Production or choose one)

Professional workshops and internships are available at:

Course Descriptions

  • FILM5000 Students attend 9-day required residencies to complete the MFA in Film degree. During the residencies, students will work directly with their mentors, attend workshops, screenings, and lectures, film and edit projects, and engage with other film students.

  • FILM6000 Screenwriters are tasked with translating the story into the structure demanded by a teleplay or screenplay. Whether it be selecting what story elements to keep-and which to throw away- or how to structure a story so it is told in the most dramatic way possible, screenwriters use the opportunities provided in their chosen medium- film, tv, etc. to create the blueprint of the production.

  • FILM6001 Producers play a vital role in the selection of material, business development, legal filings, and creative execution of content produced for theatrical, streaming, or broadcast: lead to that position. The producer has a role that is part business person and part creative executive. This course will present an overview of the expectations placed on the producer, and a career path, which can lead to that position.

  • FILM6002 Directors don't merely interpret the screenplay, they must understand how best to exploit its' cinematic potential. Whether it be in the casting, the locations, in the performances, or in the design of the production and camerawork to be used, the director must accept the creative responsibility of anchoring the production for the entirety of its' development and execution.

  • FILM6003 Armed with the script, supported by production designers and cast, the cinematographer must lead the talented crew on the set, to visualize and photograph the story. A creative cinematographer is not just a talented photographer, but a key collaborator in how the story is told. The role demands a knowledge of the ever-changing technology of film, and the skills to obtain the best work from a large crew. There are a lot of moving parts the cinematographer must lead, in order to best serve the production, and allow it to move toward fruition.

  • FILM6004 The editor is the anchor of the film project. Relied upon and trusted by directors and producers to provide another set of 'eyes', the editor not only assists in selecting the best material to use but often decides where it should be used. Decisions about cutting scenes, moving them around as the story demands and otherwise structuring the story in ways not previously seen, often fail to the editor. Artists such as Orson Welles said, "Editing isn't just a part of film making. Editing is film making."