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New MFA Social Documentary Film Program at SVA

PROGRAM MISSION

Documentary films have helped shape our history and, more importantly, the stories we tell about ourselves.

This program guides and supports emerging artists to explore fully the social documentary film form and, in so doing, to find innovative ways to examine and communicate the core experiences and events that define us.

With the advent of digital filmmaking, the Internet and social networking, as well as the technologies available in camera, sound and editing--the potential to make films, and share them with an audience, has become accessible to almost everyone. However, the artistry of storytelling and the trained ability to make successful creative decisions can be elusive. Our MFA in Social Documentary Film gives students the opportunity to learn how to find and capture important stories that speak to varied audiences on subjects of public concern, within a social, political and cultural consciousness that can change how we view our world.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The program is a hands-on and highly innovative pursuit designed to foster a vibrant agora of creative media that generates both social and aesthetic influence.

Working directly with some of the most relevant and inventive nonfiction storytellers and visual journalists--as faculty, mentors and collaborators-- students will gain the creative and technical experience to work in the film and broadcast industries. Upon completion of their studies students will be equipped with the tools that both enable and support individual expression, while fostering filmmakerswho are fluent artistically, technologically, socially and critically.

The program in Social Documentary Film provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of non-fiction filmmaking, as well as an immersion into the critical and analytical processes necessary to conceptualize and develop film projects with content of significant social relevance. This program represents the convergence of journalism, social activism and the art of filmmaking.

The first year of study offers a core curriculum devoted to mastering tools and techniques while studying the history of filmic practice as it relates to documentary. Each student will complete five- and ten-minute short documentary films. The second-year focuses on the thesis project and courses address various filmmaking concentrations such as directing, producing and editing. Each student will direct his or her thesis film and serve as a key crewmember on at least one other thesis project.

Degree candidates must successfully complete 60 credits, including all required courses, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A residency of two academic years is required. In the final semester, each student is required to complete a thesis project, which must be reviewed and approved by the thesis committee and the department chair in order for the student to be eligible for degree conferral.

Find out everything you need to know about applying to this program by visiting http://www.mfasocdoc.sva.edu/apply.html.

For more information, contact Department Chair Maro Chermayeff at 212-247-3057 or mchermayeff@sva.edu.

Starts	10/15/2008
Ends	01/15/2009
Issues	Criminal Justice, Economic Justice, Environment, Family & Society, Gay/Lesbian, Gender/Women, Health/Health Advocacy, Human Rights, Immigration, International, Media, Politics/Government, Racial Justice, Religious Freedom, Youth
Homepage	www.mfasocdoc.sva.edu
Contact	mbhattacharya@sva.edu