California State University Los Angeles MFA in Television, Film and Theatre. Abstract

Transcription

1 California State University Los Angeles MFA in Television, Film and Theatre Abstract The Master of Fine Arts in Television, Film and Theatre is an interdisciplinary program between the departments of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts and Dance, in the College of Arts and Letters at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA). This program will serve students seeking a terminal degree program in performance (acting), in film and television production, and dramatic writing. MFA programs serve as stepping-stones to employment in the entertainment industry as talent in front and behind the camera in production, or in management. Networks and studios have bemoaned the lack of diversity within their talent pools. The MFA at CSULA will produce trained professionals who would provide this diversity. Further, Latino, Asian and African- American media outlets and markets are growing. Students at CSULA would be prime candidates to participate in these developments. Finally, the MFA is a terminal degree, suitable for preparing future faculty in production and performance; this program at CSULA will also be instrumental in preparing a diverse future faculty at both the community college and university levels. With its access to the local theatre and film / television production communities, the unique resources of Los Angeles provide an ideal environment for a MFA in Television, Film and Theatre. We will offer our students and graduates professional advantages not available at even the most prestigious existing programs. Students in the Performance / Acting Option will have the opportunity to perform in five or six different theatrical venues prior to completing their degree and will earn their Actors Equity union cards through their participation in the unique SegWay (Segue) Theatre. Students in the Production Option will benefit from classes, and practicum in all related media through all stages of production. They will benefit from visiting guest artists from the industry, from the Film / Television production faculty who continue to work and interact with the industry, and from regularly scheduled graduate student project one, project two and thesis project screening events -- such

2 as those held at USC and UCLA which attract agents and industry professionals seeking out new talent. Students in the Dramatic Writing Option will have the opportunity to write across the three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing Option will engage the full scope of television, film and stage production as relates to the art and craft of dramatic writing. Also in collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing Option will have the opportunity to see their works produced in professional theatrical/telecast exhibition and stage production quality. The program will feature a unique model of weekend classes and workshops to enable participation by working students. Agreements with community and industry partners, including the Luckman and Vibiana Place Theatre, Cornerstone Theatre, East LA Classic Theatre, Univision, Telemundo, and various others are already in place. The proposed MFA program reflects the needs of the culturally diverse student body at CSULA and that of our service area. It also serves the needs of the State. MFA programs serve as stepping-stones to employment in the entertainment industry as talent in front and behind the camera in production, or in management. Networks and studios have bemoaned the lack of diversity within their talent pools. The MFA at CSULA will produce trained professionals who would provide this diversity. Furthermore Latino, Asian and African-American media outlets and markets are growing; our students would be prime candidates to participate in these developments. The MFA is a terminal degree, suitable for preparing future faculty in production and performance; this program at CSULA will also be instrumental in preparing a diverse future faculty at both the community college and university levels. As an integral component of this MFA program, the contributing departments will actively promote a grow your own program in which particular incentives and opportunities are created for talented undergraduates students in both Television/ Film /Media Studies and Theatre to use entry level courses in the MFA program, to meet senior level requirements and have those same courses contracted to transition their entry into the MFA program. Current university policies related to such strategies will be adhered to and followed. Such a program will capitalize on the racial and cultural diversity that is indicative in the CSULA undergraduate programs within Television/ Film,/Media Studies and Theatre, as well as students from varying majors on the campus interested in pursuing the MFA. This program fulfills an unmet need. In addition to providing clear opportunity to the cultural diverse student population at CSULA additional enrollment is evident. People come to Los Angeles to learn and become entertainment industry professionals. No other CSU campus in the region offers a similar program. The sponsoring Departments are more than well established. The TVF program is one of the highest enrolled programs in the College of Arts and Letters and continues to grow. Members of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and the Television,

3 Film and Media Studies program feel that an MFA program will not adversely affect their undergraduate programs. Indeed, the presence of graduate students will stimulate each program s faculty and provide role models for undergraduate students. Catalog Description Master of Fine Arts Degree in Television, Film and Theatre The MFA is a terminal degree that prepares students for diverse professional and academic programs. In particular the CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will prepare students for careers in production, performance, and dramatic writing in the television, film and theatre industry. Yet as a terminal academic degree, the CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will also prepare students to become teachers and scholars in the diverse educational environments inclusive of but not limited to California s community colleges and universities throughout the CSU. The CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will offer three formal options: Option 1: Performance / Acting: Students in this option will have the opportunity to perform in five or six different theatrical venues prior to completing their degree and will earn their Actors Equity union cards through their participation in the unique SegWay (Segue) Theatre. The Performance /Acting Option will include classes and workshops in performance theory, performance history, theories of acting for the stage, television and film; as well as courses designed to inform students of current industry practices and procedures. Option 2: Production: The option will include classes, and practicum in all related media through all stages of production. Students in the Production Option will benefit from visiting guest artists from the industry, from the Film / Television production faculty who continue to work and interact with the industry, and from regularly scheduled graduate student project one, project two and thesis project screening events -- such as those held at USC and UCLA which attract agents and industry professionals seeking out new talent. Option 3: Dramatic Writing: Students in this option will have the opportunity to write across the three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing option will engage the full scope of television, film and stage production as relates to the art and craft of dramatic writing. Also in collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing option will have the opportunity to see their works

4 produced in professional theatrical/telecast exhibition and stage production quality. All students will complete three projects: produce a theatre, multi-camera studio television and film style production. Between the three projects, students must work in each medium. The MFA in Television, Film and Theatre has the following objectives: To establish and foster a unique, interdisciplinary approach to production, performance and dramatic writing; To prepare students for careers in production, performance and dramatic writing by emphasizing technical proficiency and creative artistry within and across television, film and theatre; To provide students in performance, production and dramatic writing career options with the intellectual and historical backgrounds central to their development as media artists and scholars; To provide the technical and academic expertise essential to preparing future faculty in this terminal degree program; To provide CSULA s uniquely diverse student body with opportunities for advanced coursework in production, performance and dramatic writing. Admission: 1. Admission to the graduate program at California State University, Los Angeles and the MFA program jointly sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance requires admission by the university and admission into the MFA program. Specifically, a student shall at the time of enrollment: a.) have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authorities. b.) be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended.

5 c.) have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted; and d.) satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate campus authorities may prescribe. 2. Satisfactory academic standards for the admission in the MFA program will be a 3.0 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units for unconditional acceptance with an articulated plan of study submitted for consideration along with a department based application form. 3. Students who do not meet these basic requirements may still apply. Students with evaluated potential on the departmental level may be eligible for admission under a conditional academic program that would entail required foundational course work evaluated and designated by a faculty advisor preceding the formal entry in the MFA. 4. To be considered for Admission to the program all applicants to the MFA will be required to Have all the qualifications more extensively stipulated in number one of this section (Inclusive: completed a four-year college course of student and an acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, be in good academic standing at the last educational institution attended, have a minimal of an overall 2.5, satisfactorily meet all requirements for graduate study). have at least a 3.0 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units, submit a portfolio of creative work and performance programs, production stills/film/video clips, a statement of the applicant s academic and professional objectives in the MFA, two letters of recommendation on applicant s potential for success, transcripts from all institutions of higher education or professional schools attended Interviews will be required of all candidates. Students applying for the performance option will be required to audition using two contrasting monologues four minutes in length.

6 5. In order to advance in the program the student must maintain continuing student status, successfully complete all courses with a B or better average in courses attempted with an overall g.p.a of at least 3.0 and complete an advancement to candidacy evaluation process after completing 16 units. Only students who are advanced to candidacy are eligible to enroll in the project units. Students must successfully pass an annual review (at the end of the first two years of their program; roughly set at 35 units and 64 units). The review committee will consist of at least three faculty members, one from each of the three option areas who will evaluate the quality of the student s progress based on a submitted portfolio of work by the student, grades and observations of the student s ongoing work and involvement in the program. Conditional Programs Because it is unlikely that students will enter this MFA program with backgrounds that combine media studies and theatre, unique conditional programs have been developed to address possible deficiencies in both areas. 1. The 20 unit conditional program for prospective MFA students entering the Performance Option without a BA majoring in Theatre Arts or an adequate background in performance. TAD 132: Stagecraft II 3 units TA 142; Acting Fundamentals: Character Study 3 units TA/ENGL 143: Acting Fundamentals: Scene Study 3 units TA 276: Introduction to Play Writing 4 units TA 313: Development of World Theatre III 4 units TA 445: Principles of Directing I 3 units 2. The 20 unit conditional program for MFA students entering the Production Option without a BA majoring in Film / Television or lacking an adequate background in production. TVF 200: Introduction to Single Camera and Editing 4 units TVF 201: Introduction to Television Studio 4 units Production TVF 224: Survey of Film 4 units TVF 301: Intermediate Television Studio Production 4 units TVF 320: Audio Production 4 units 3. The 20 unit conditional program for MFA students entering the Dramatic Writing Option without a BA majoring in Film / Television or lacking an adequate background in dramatic writing. TVF 200: Introduction to Single Camera and Editing 4 units

7 TVF 224: Survey of Film 4 units TVF 265: Introduction to Scriptwriting 4 units TVF 365: Intermediate Scriptwriting 4 units TVF 465: Seminar: Advanced Scriptwriting 4 units Master of Fine Arts in Television, Film, and Theatre (88 units) Requirements for the Degree (88 units) A total of 88 units are required, with a minimum of 44 units of core courses, a minimum of 44 units in a particular option, and at least 60 units in 500-level courses. All students are required to complete three projects (TVFT 546 A & B, and TVFT 599). Applicants holding a MA degree in theatre may apply 30 units of eligible coursework toward the MFA degree with adviser approval. Consultation with a graduate adviser is required for development and approval of a graduate program, which includes the following: Required Core Courses (36 units) TVFT 500 Introduction to MFA 2 units TVFT 502 Directing 4 units TVFT 503A Dramatic Structure I: Theatre 4 units TVFT 503B Dramatic Structure II: Film 4 units TVFT 503C Dramatic Structure III: Television 2 units COMS/TVFT 508 Media Arts, Theatre, and Society 4 units TVFT 510 Studio and Field Operations 4 units TVFT 511 Stage Operations 4 units *TVFT 580 Collaboration Workshop 6 units (2,2,2) TVFT 581: Entertainment Arts Internship 2 units *The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT 550, TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549. Elective Core Courses (8 units): Select two courses from the following COMS 505 Seminar: Critical Approaches 4 units Television and Film COMS 506 Seminar: Television Programming 4 units COMS 507 Seminar: Post World War II Film 4 units and Television History *TA 541 Seminar: Theories of Acting 4 units

8 TA 570 Seminar: Experimental Theatre 4 units *Enrollment in TA 541 requires permission from Director of Graduate Studies Theatre Arts and Dance. Performance/Acting Option (44 units) Students in the Performance/Acting Option will have the opportunity to perform in five or six different theatrical venues prior to completing their degree and will earn their Actors Equity union cards through their participation in the unique SegWay (Segue) Theatre. The option will include classes and workshops in performance theory, performance history, theories of acting for the stage, television and film; as well as courses designed to inform students of current industry practices and procedures. The SegWay Theatre (Segue) is a performance project dedicated to experimental and professional work located on the campus of CSULA in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. It is an ongoing professional project that allows graduating undergraduate and graduate students to transition into the industry by earning their first union contracts and applications in actual productions at Cal State L.A. Students engage this process under the direction of faculty and visiting artists/instructors in the areas of design, direction, management, performance, and the technical disciplines. Required Courses (28 units) *TVFT 517 Acting for the Stage 3 units *TVFT 518 Acting for Television 3 units *TVFT 519 Acting for Film 3 units TVFT 542 Acting Studio 3 units TVFT 543 ABC Voice for Performers 6 units (2,2,2) TVFT 544 ABC Movement for Performers 6 units (2,2,2) TVFT 563 The Business of Acting 4 units *. The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT 550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549. Performance Electives (8 units): Electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective courses in the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM 491 in their first Fall quarter of Assistantship. Project Requirements (8 units)

9 All students are required to complete three projects TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I 2 units TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II 2 units TVFT 599: MFA Culmination Project 4 units Production Option (44 units) This option includes classes and practicum in all related media through all stages of production. Students in the Production Option will benefit from visiting guest artists from the industry, from the Film / Television production faculty who continue to work and interact with the industry, and from regularly scheduled graduate student project one, project two and thesis project screening events. Required Courses (28 units) *TVFT 521 Directing for the Stage 4 units *TVFT 522 Single Camera Directing and Producing 4 units *TVFT 523 Multi-Camera Production 4 units TVFT 531A Motion Picture Pre Production/Production 4 units TVFT 531B Motion Picture Production/ Post Production 4 units TVFT 533: Advanced Problems in Multiple Camera/ 4 units TV Production TVFT 579: The Business of Production 4 units * The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT 550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549. Production Electives (8 units): Electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective courses in the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM 491 in their first Fall quarter of Assistantship. Project Requirements (8 units) All students are required to complete three projects TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I 2 units TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II 2 units TVFT 599: MFA Thesis Project 4 units Dramatic Writing (44 units)

10 Students in the Dramatic Writing Option will have the opportunity to write across the three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, student in Dramatic Writing option will engage the full scope of television, film and stage production as relates to the art and craft of dramatic writing. In collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing option will have the opportunity to see their works produced in professional theatrical/telecast exhibition and stage production quality. Required Courses (28 units) TVFT 545 Scene Writing Lab 2 units TVFT 547 Story Development 4 units TVFT 548 Creating Characters and Writing Dialogue 4 units *TVFT 549 Playwriting 4 units *TVFT 550 Genre Writing 4 units *TVFT 551 TV Sitcom Writing 4 units TVFT 552 The Business of Writing 4 units TVFT 553 Pitching Workshop 2 units *The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT 550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549. Writing Electives (8 units). Electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective courses in the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM 491 in their first Fall quarter of Assistantship. Project Requirements (8 units) All students are required to complete three projects TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I 2 units TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II 2 units TVFT 599: MFA Thesis Project 4 units MFA Project (Culminating Project) MFA students are required to complete three projects under the rubrics of TVFT 546 A, TVFT 546 B and TVFT 599, with TVFT 599 being the MFA culminating project. These three projects must include one in each of the following categories: theatre, multi-camera studio television, and film style production. 1. Option Requirements: The graduate program must include a total of 88 units, with a minimum of 44 units in core courses and at least 44 units in one of the three options.

11 Students must meet the requirements of the designated option. Graduate advisers must be consulted regarding specific option requirements. 2. Progress Reviews: In order to advance in the program the student must maintain continuing student status, successfully complete all courses with a B or better in each course attempted (with an overall g.p.a. of at least 3.0) and complete an advancement to candidacy evaluation process after completing 16 units. Only students who are advanced to candidacy are eligible to enroll in the project units. Students must also successfully pass an annual review at the end of the first two years of their program (roughly set at 35 units and 64 units). The review committee will consist of at least three faculty members, one from each of the three option areas who will evaluate the quality of the student s progress based on a submitted portfolio of work by the student, grades and observations of the student s on-going work and involvement in the program. 3. Exhibition: After Advancement to Candidacy the project is developed under the guidance of the candidate's project chair with the assistance of the project committee (at least a three person committee). Upon the committee approval of the completed work, Performance, Production and Dramatic Writing projects will be appropriately exhibited in accordance with department requirements. 4. Written Proposals: All candidates must submit a written abstract or prospectus of the culminating project following the stipulated university requirements. The abstract includes the project s significance, objectives, methodology, limitations, and conclusions or end goals. Appropriate supporting materials (i.e. treatments, scripts, storyboards, initial film, etc.) necessary based on the project and in consultation with committee chair must be included with the abstract. The project and written abstract/prospectus must be approved by the candidate s project committee and department chair, and filed with the library thesis coordinator according to established deadlines.