MASTER OF FINE ARTS

PRODUCING

OVERVIEW

Producers are confronted with a number visual, dramatic, financial, legal, logistical, managerial, and technical challenges. During the first two months of Year One, students begin to work through these challenges. Students are encouraged and empowered by instructors to artfully work through these challenges while working to complete several film and television projects.

SEMESTER ONE OBJECTIVES

Learning Goals:

• Introduction of the roles, tasks, and obstacles faced by film and television producers: optioning, developing material, film festivals, networks and ratings, pilot season, studio distribution and marketing, independent film financing, pitch.
• Gain understanding of the entire physical process of pre-production: scouting, securing locations, permits, casting, budgets, scheduling.
• Master the concepts of storytelling: elements, conventions, structure, style, forms.
• Understand basic principles of Entertainment Law.
• Understand filmmaking from the perspective of the director and screenwriter.

Production Goals:

1. Begin to develop a feature film project for Year-One Final Project
2. Perform a pitch to an audience of peers.
3. Direct a scene with actors on digital video and edit that same scene for presentation with class.
4. Breakdown a short script into a shooting plan.
5. Prepare a budget and schedule from scratch.

SEMESTER TWO OBJECTIVES

Learning Goals:

1. Continue examining, analyzing, and mastering key elements of the producer’s craft.
2. Study production strategies through execution of production goals.

Production Goals:

1. Produce a reality show pilot.
2. Produce a news segment or short documentary.
3. Line produce a short film
4. Develop a feature film project

In the summer between Semester Two and Semester Three students must choose a Summer Assignment from two options:

Summer Assignment Option One: MFA students may intern on a major motion picture, at a Production Company, or Film Studio. Depending on the student’s goals and desires, they may choose to venture outside these three fields. Students are encouraged to be pro-active and choose their internship wisely based on their interests and strengths honed during their first year in the program. The Faculty Advisor for the MFA in Production for Film and

Television is responsible for approving internships. Any internship considered to enhance and/or enrich the student’s understanding of the film industry or film production may be an option. Examples include, management companies, literary and talent agencies, and new media companies with ties to the film industry. 

Summer Assignment Option Two: Produce a short film in collaboration with a NYFA One-year Filmmaking student.  These projects are usually 20/30 minutes in length.

All Year Two master students must complete a series of highly specialized classes, participate in multiple film productions, deliver a thesis project of their own creation, and complete all

graduation requirements in order to successfully complete the program and graduate with a Master of Fine Arts in Production for Film and Television.

At the beginning of Semester Three, master students must form a thesis committee and determine which Thesis Option they will pursue over the course of Year Two. Students must meet regularly (at least once per week) with thesis committee members in order to ensure compliance with New York Film Academy standards, and to seek assistance in the realization of their respective creative visions.

Semester Three classes are infused with an emphasis on perfecting craft, exposing students to emerging media and technology, and exposing them to the realities of the film industry and the business of filmmaking. The focus of the semester is on “professionalism”. It is designed to prepare MFA students for their thesis projects as well as for a life in the industry after graduation.

SEMESTER THREE OBJECTIVES:

Learning Objectives:

1. In depth analysis of the television sit-com industry.
2. Explore story and storytelling through and in depth study of the elements, conventions, structure, style, and traditional forms of the art.
3. Analyze budgets and schedules of films and television shows.
4. Overview of the contract law and how it impacts the entertainment industry.
5. Identify the techniques used by cinematic innovators.
6. Survey of negotiations and drafting.
7. Explore the evolutions of new media.

Production Objectives:

1. Prepare a sitcom script for production
2. Long Form project development

In Semester Four, master students devote most of their time to their thesis requirements. Faculty meets one-on-one with students in an

extensive series of advisements to assist them and coach them through the successful completion of thesis requirements.

Learning Goals:

1. Learn postproduction workflow.
2. Further study of the strategies of financing, marketing and distribution
3. Historical analysis of entertainment law
4. In depth study of documentary production

Production Goals:

• Produce Thesis Project

Students who choose to complete NYFA Thesis Option C, will stay for a paid fifth semester. During the fifth semester, in continuation of Semester Four, students will produce a feature length film in collaboration with an NYFA MFA in Filmmaking Student.

All students will be expected to guide a production from original concept and development, to pre-production, to physical production, followed by a post production schedule set to a final delivery date.  All Marketing and distribution will commence upon completion of the Feature.

Students will be involved in all aspects of each phase on the film, including, development of script and story, casting, budgeting, scheduling, locations, hiring of crew, payroll, contracts, deal memos, equipment, vendors, talent negotiations, Union Regulations, postproduction, delivery requirements, marketing & distribution agreements, and Final MPAA ratings.

The Graduation Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the full body of work of each candidate prior to the awarding of the Master of Fine Arts in Producing. The Graduation Committee is appointed by the Director of Education and consists of the New York Film Academy Registrar, the Thesis Committee Chairperson, and several instructors specializing in a diverse range of fields of study applicable to the art of Producing. That

committee ensures that each candidate has been adequately prepared for graduation, the standards of the Academy have been upheld, and that the awarding of a degree is warranted. The Registrar ensures that the student has fulfilled all financial obligations to the school and academic requirements for the entire program. Student transcripts showing the awarding of the MFA degree will be withheld until the graduate meets all financial obligations.

In order to graduate, students must successfully complete every course of study with a “Satisfactory” grade or better. Students must also adhere to the Academy’s Attendance Policy and Code of Conduct. Additionally, students must successfully complete and submit all thesis requirements in a timely manner and receive a “Satisfactory” grade or higher for the thesis production requirement.

Satisfactory completion of 78 Semester Credits is required for graduation from the New York Film Academy Master of Fine Art in Producing Degree Program.  A paid fifth semester is optional.

These units satisfy semester contact hour requirements. As this is a post baccalaureate degree program, no general education units are required. Candidates for admission to the MFA program must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education. Candidates who possess a Bachelor’s Degree

from a New York or California State approved school will also be considered for admission. No particular major or minor is required as a prerequisite for admission, but applicants with a strong background in storytelling, and/or the visual arts are preferred. The New York Film Academy Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Producing is an accelerated, four or five semester conservatory-based, full-time study graduate program. The MFA in Producing does not provide for multiple tracks of study. All classes are mandatory. This is a highly specialized program, and there are no majors or minors. The MFA is a full-time study program only. Classes are Lecture, Seminar, and/or Studio based. As is customary in visual arts studies, Lab and Practicum instructional hours are treated as studio hours. The degree may not be obtained in less than four semesters. Students who elect to produce feature length films are required to register for a paid fifth semester of study in order to complete their thesis requirements.