What will I learn?
Housed in the School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD), the Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a specialized program designed to emulate the professional and independent studio environment, providing opportunities to assume an artistic leadership role. The principal emphasis is placed on narrative film structure and the entrepreneurial aspects of animation as related to independent filmmaking, studio employment, and job creation. Designed to prepare students for careers in animation, courses provide an understanding of the collaborative function of a commercial studio during the first-year production courses. In addition, students develop their unique style of independent filmmaking during preproduction and production of their thesis film over the duration of the three-year program. Opportunities are available to co-direct a team of undergraduate Character Animation students, adding toward our canon of award-winning films. Labs and studios are equipped with the same industry-standard software and hardware used in professional studios. Students desiring admission to the Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track should be primarily interested in the opportunity to create their own animation and/or visual effects thesis. In this program students are encouraged to develop their visual storytelling skills while using a variety of animation and visual effects techniques, including traditional hand-drawn, stop motion, 2D computer, and 3D computer animation. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in animation, visual effects, emerging media, art, film, theater, computer science, graphic design, illustration, creative writing, mass communications, game design, or related field and must demonstrate, through a portfolio of work and writing, that they are currently proficient and successful in the Animation art form. The Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a competitive program whereby students receive the best instruction from professors who have had extensive professional industry experience and connections. Drawing on the expertise of the current faculty, graduates are well qualified to enter the teaching and academic professions. SVAD graduates have a competitive edge for greater opportunities within the animation, visual effects, and simulation industries.The Animation and Visual Effects track in the Emerging Media MFA program is a full-time three-year program (six full-time semesters excluding summers in most instances) and students must progress through the program by taking required classes in particular semesters. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours including a thesis project. All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. The thesis consists of producing a short film and thesis document Total Credit Hours Required: 60 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree.
Entry requirements
For international students
A bachelors degree in one of the following areas or equivalent:
Animation
Art
Emerging Media
Film
Theatre
Computer Science
Graphic Design
Illustration
Creative Writing
Mass Communications
Game Design
The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
Statement of purpose: In your own words, submit a 500-to-700 word statement of why you are interested in the Emerging Media MFA -Animation and Visual Effects track and what your intended focus might be. Tell us a little about yourself and your professional goals.
Three letters of recommendation preferably from people who have personal knowledge of your abilities and scholarship such as educators/faculty members, employment supervisors, organizational leaders, or industry professionals with whom you have worked.
Resume: Please submit a one to two page resume documenting your educational credentials, relevant professional and internship experience, academic achievements, honors, exhibits, publications, memberships, and interest including volunteer work.
Original Animation/VFX Production Concept for a one to five-minute project:
A full storyboard
A full script treatment written in short story format for that storyboard
Visual Development drawings of characters, setting, and production design reflecting research and technique
Other Creative Work:
A portfolio of ten to twenty pieces of traditional or digital work which demonstrates abilities in life drawing as well as proficiency in the field of animation and/or visual effects.
For each item submitted, include the title, media, date of completion, and size or length of the piece.
Storytelling: Script or fictional narrative writing, sequential art illustration, comic book and graphic novel illustration and writing, book illustrations, and additional storyboards.
Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide one official transcript and official certification of degree, with date awarded.
