Documentary Film and Video (MFA)

专业详情

University requirements for the M.F.A. are described in the “Graduate Degrees” section of this bulletin.

Admission

The program requires residency for two consecutive years. The admissions committee seeks applicants who have some work experience beyond their undergraduate years and can articulate why they want to learn documentary film production. The committee looks for evidence of the likelihood of success in a rigorous academic program that emphasizes creative work. The conceptual and technical skills required for documentary work are sufficiently different from fictional narrative to make the Stanford program inappropriate for students interested in fiction filmmaking. The program does not allow for deferred admission or a mid-year enrollment.

Portfolio

The department requires a film or video work for which the applicant has had creative control. The sample work must be well labeled and accompanied by a brief synopsis, running time of the clips, the circumstances of production, and the applicant’s role. The admissions committee will view 15 minutes total of work samples, applicants may submit more than project, and should include notes on which portion of their work to view (up to 15 minutes). Work on which the applicant had only a production assistant role is not appropriate for submission. Student work, however, is appropriate for consideration. Applicants who have had only minimal film or video production experience should submit an example of their best creative work in any medium.

Portfolio Specifications—See the department’s Graduate Admission web site for portfolio requirements.

Fields of Study or Degree Options

Fields of study for the M.F.A. degree are offered in Documentary Film.