Get an MFA while developing your film or television series!
Learn from industry professionals about how to think like an independent filmmaker using the newest formats, technology and distribution systems, and tell stories that the world needs to hear.
How It Works:
After careful review of your portfolio submission, your recommendations and your undergraduate transcript, the review committee will make an admission decision for your acceptance into the MFA in Film and Creative Media.
If you are accepted to the animation program, you will meet with the graduate program director to build a customized plan of study that allows for artistic exploration while developing the technical proficiency to undertake your thesis project—a pilot episode or teaser short film and a complete pitch package for the project to take to the world. With shared classes between Film and Animation students, you will have multiple opportunities to collaborate across disciplines.
Note that the program of study decided between you and the program director will be followed as closely as possible for the duration of your program. Some flexibility will be allowed if certain courses are not available when needed or if your areas of interest change as you experience new aspects of content creation.
What could a program of study in Live Action Film/Televison Production look like for you?
Fall Year 1
FCM 5213 Writers in Development
Starting in the fall semester, you will establish proper screenplay format, character development, character arcs, three act structure, short form storytelling, logline development and setting goals for a story you wish to tell. Writing is the main component to this course and all MFA students (Film and Animation) are required to take this course.
FCM 5033 Film Production I
This required course for all MFA students covers the foundation for shot composition, camera techniques, working with actors, post production and a touch of lighting for two live action projects. The third project will be a choice between a music video or the development of an animation project that will be completed in the spring in FCM 5073 Film Production II.
FCM 5002 Story & Structure OR FCM 5303 Post-Production
Finally, you will take either Story & Structure or Post-Production, depending on what is best for your interests. This will be decided between you and the graduate program director.
Spring Year 1
FCM 5343 Cinematography & Lighting
In the spring, you will build your cinematography and lighting skills. The art of cinematography and lighting is in understanding the technology behind it. You will learn about and practice these concepts with hands-on trials, practice and projects. Even if you don’t desire to become a cinematographer yourself, education is never wasted. This course improves your ability to problem solve and make decisions in whatever role you perform.
FCM 5083 Screenwriting I
You will continue writing this semester, too. In the previous semester, you gained knowledge of screenplay format, developing characters, writing more visually and creating log lines for your stories. This semester you will build on those skills to create a strong short film and begin the process of writing your feature film. Or, this could be your last writing course if you discover that writing is not your forte, and that’s OK! The understanding of story and structure is what every role needs.
FCM 5272 Acting for Directors
Gain real knowledge and understanding of your actors in this course. You will be a better director if you understand the experience and needs of your actors. You will both direct and act in this course.
Summer Year 1
FCM 5263 Producing
This first summer is all about the process of filmmaking that happens before principal photography and after. Skills required in producing enlighten students to the tedious details that, if addressed early, will create a better production set experience for all involved, save money, time and resources, and will bolster insight to the link between story and budget.
FCM 5403 The Adaptation
Adding to your writing portfolio, students can move from Screenwriting I to The Adaptation to learn the art of adapting existing intellectual property to screenplays for film and television. Students who write well but struggle with story structure will find this class to be incredibly insightful and useful in better understanding structure.
FCM 5173 Screenwriting II
Whether taken now or in the fall, this course for writers will exercise your writing muscles, taking you to the next level of critique, problem solving and rewriting. The course is intense and fast paced, but one that will challenge you and reward you.
Other Summer Options
Other summer options available for students include film studies courses and courses that build knowledge of the relationship between directors and composers as well as how a director decides upon the sound for the film and how to communicate that clearly to a composer. Or, there may be a course in production design that helps filmmakers visualize the whole of mise en scene and not just lighting and camera composition.
Fall Year 2
FCM 5022 Media Entrepreneurship
Now it’s getting serious. In Media Entrepreneurship, a collaborative course with the animation students, you will learn how to create a pitch deck or show bible for a live film or animation concept. The beauty of this collaboration is that students may discover a collaboration that leads to higher-level concept in which students involved can participate. These projects may be pitched at the Cannes Film Festival the following May, they may lead to a pitch in Los Angeles or perhaps to a well-executed thesis project that lives on through the film festival circuit. There are so many possibilities for great projects.
FCM 5053 History of Film OR FCM 5193 History of TV
History of Film or History of TV are courses to round out the education of a filmmaker. Understanding the history of storytelling, visual content and its connection to shaping our society is an important academic pursuit to every creator of visual content.
FCM 5312 Film Sound
Sound is too often an afterthought for young filmmakers who spend much of their time writing about and developing the visual design of a project. Film sound will open up another element of excellent storytelling, giving students a greater understanding of recording sound on set, basic mixing skills, recording Foley sound and working with voiceover actors. This course will collaborate with the animation voiceover acting course for a few projects.
FCM 5063 TV Writing
For those still writing, you will now move into TV writing courses. TV Writing I will introduce you to the world of writing for television with slight differences in formatting from writing for film, discovery of your voice and how to identify and write in someone else’s voice. Most jobs in television writing when you first start out, are writing in the voice of the showrunner/executive producer. You will also begin to understand how to write collaboratively.
Spring Year 2
FCM 6962 Thesis Research & Development
This semester also means research and development on your thesis project. This is the first step toward completing the required thesis project. This is the first step toward completing the required thesis project. Keep in mind that at the end of the fall semester of your second year, you will go through a review and may only move forward if you receive approval for your final project and show improved directing, producing or storytelling skills to this point.
Thesis review happens at the end of fall semester. Approval of your thesis project is required to move forward into Visual Development & Pre-Production for your thesis.
FCM 6972 Visual Development & Pre-Production
It’s hard to believe this time has gone by so fast. But look how much you’ve grown. Once your thesis project is approved and you have passed the review, you will be in the midst of finalizing the visual development and production of your thesis project.
FCM 6313 Concepts in Creative Media
You will also have opportunities to learn more about the creation and application of creative media such as AR and VR for visual storytelling, marketing and character design for gaming. This course is a combination of film and animation students who wish to prepare for the technological changes coming to these industries.
FCM 5153 TV Writing II
Continuing in the education of writing for television students, TV Writing II consists of developing your own show, further developing your own voice and writing the pilot and outline for your original show idea. At the end of this course students will pitch their story ideas to the Hollywood writer who will be running the Writers Room Intensive during the summer. Whichever show is chosen, the class acts as a writers room for that show.
Summer Year 2
FCM 6972 Visual Development & Pre-Production
You will continue in the development of your film or television thesis project by finalizing your pre-visualization material, fundraising and working through all of your pre-production details.
Visual Development & Pre-Production must be passed with a B or higher to move forward to the final stage of the thesis project. Students who do not pass will have summer to revise their project and resubmit to move on to final stage.
FCM 5363 Advanced Film Business
Maybe you want to travel to Los Angeles for an internship there, or stay in Nashville for a possible internship. The LA program is for both live action film students and animation students. It’s a summer-long program, and internships may or may not be paid. However, it is a great opportunity to explore Los Angeles if you are considering moving there. And who knows? It could lead to a job, or you may decide to stay in Los Angeles while you complete your animation thesis in the fall. That is certainly an option.
FCM 5A9V Directors & Composers
If you didn’t take it last summer you may want to this summer. Directors & Composers is a critical course before finalizing the thesis film, taught by film composer Ben Blasko from the Lipscomb Music Department. Ben enjoys bringing guest composers into the class throughout the summer for additional exposure to the world of a composer. During this course you will learn how to communicate with a composer, think about the music behind your images and develop solid ideas with Ben’s feedback and guidance for your final film thesis project.
Fall Year 3
FCM 699V MFA Thesis
You finally made it! In this last semester, you will be fully engaged in the completion of your final project. You will also be taking your final Film/Animation studies course.
FCM 5243 Digital Entertainment Law
This may be a challenging course, but it is also one that is very important for content creators. As laws change on a consistent basis due to ever-changing technological advances, it is critical for you to have a base knowledge of the law in the entertainment industry so you ask the right questions when necessary and know enough to protect yourself.
At the end of the semester, you will have participated in the planning of a screening event for final thesis films from live action and animation graduates, inviting professors, students, family and the community. This event is a grand celebration of all the hard work you have put in over the past several years.