Filmmaking is one of the most creative and exciting industries in operation today, but the film industry is also ever-evolving and highly competitive. Every year, packs of aspiring filmmakers strive to enter the field in the hopes of creating transformative pieces of art in the form of film.
If you hope to launch a career as a filmmaker, then you need a competitive edge. One of the most strategic ways to enter the field of film with the unique, sharpened skills needed to succeed is by obtaining a master’s degree that’s rooted in the fine arts.
Let’s explore the future of film and what kind of degree in filmmaking will make you relevant and valuable to the film industry.
What Does the Future of Film Look Like?
The film industry is evolving in myriad ways. New trends continue to emerge that are sure to impact the future of film, including digital transition, augmented and virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
Technology has significantly impacted the way in which films and television are made and how audiences receive them. Digital technology has affected film in the following ways:
- Increased flexibility and affordability in the pre- and post-production stages;
- Provided accessibility in the form of streaming platforms, which allows for higher film distribution;
- Augmented the audience viewing experience with top-tier visual effects;
- Made diversity in filmmaking a priority — leading to more independent filmmakers seeking work in the field.
With so many changes coming to the film landscape, it’s imperative that aspiring filmmakers gain the technical skills needed to remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry. Let’s talk about the value of a Master of Fine Arts in Film and how a degree in filmmaking can prepare you to impact the future of film.
Defining the MFA: A Master’s Degree in Film for Tomorrow’s Storytellers
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree is a terminal degree in fine arts for students who practice visual arts, performing arts, design or media. Many professionals looking to become experts in their art form choose to obtain an MFA.
An MFA in Film is a graduate degree that’s designed to help you master the technical aspects of filmmaking. It’s a rigorous, competitive degree for creative minds who hope to make a future in filmmaking.
Careers in film are diverse and dynamic. Whether you’re interested in working behind the scenes or in front of the camera, there’s a career in film that will match your interests and goals. Here are just a few of the jobs for MFA graduates:
- Writer
- Editor
- Director
- Producer
- Screenwriter
- Sound designer
- Videographer
- Documentarian
How an MFA in Film Will Prepare You for the Film Industry
Countless aspiring filmmakers attempt to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry every single year. And in such an over-saturated, competitive market, it’s imperative that future film professionals set themselves apart with both artistic and technical filmmaking skills.
An MFA in Film will prepare you to make a difference in the future of film — here’s how.
#1. Invaluable Experience with the Latest Filmmaking Equipment
While enrolled in an MFA in Film program, you’ll gain invaluable experience with the latest, most up-to-date filmmaking equipment. Students in an MFA program use the same types of gear you'd see on any Hollywood set: camera systems, rigs and stabilizers, extensive lighting kits, digital cinematography, top-of-the-line audio equipment, pre- and post-production tools and more.
Gaining experience with top-tier film equipment is one of the most effective ways to familiarize yourself with the types of technical software you’ll encounter in diverse filmmaking capacities.
#2. Opportunity to Market Yourself with Specialty Skills and Knowledge
An MFA in Film will also give you the unique opportunity to specialize in a particular area of filmmaking that you’re most passionate about. Here are just a few of the specific concentration areas you could choose as you augment your experience with a master’s degree in film studies:
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Cinematography |
Documentary Studies |
Photography |
Equipped with a specialized skill set along with your MFA degree, you will enter the film landscape as an expert in one or more particular areas — immediately setting you apart from other job seekers in the industry.
#3. Networking and Industry Connections Extending Beyond Graduation
An MFA program also gives you the opportunity to learn with fledgling filmmakers and gain knowledge from industry professionals who all understand the significance of networking throughout your career. Networking enables you to increase your professional circle, find new job opportunities and meet professionals with invaluable on-the-ground experience.
In short, by surrounding yourself with likeminded, driven film professionals through an MFA program, you will expand your professional network and open yourself up to career opportunities that you may have never encountered without a degree in filmmaking.
A Degree in Filmmaking for Creative Minds — Offered Right in Hollywood
At Mount Saint Mary’s University, we offer a Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and New Media, a two-year program designed to provide students with the skills and expertise they need to produce their feature film and share the stories they so passionately want to tell.
Located at Mount’s Hollywood Studio, this MFA program provides students with all of the essential skills to create and produce professional films and build a body of work that demonstrates their abilities in each aspect of the creative and technical process in a professional studio setting.
“The Hollywood Studio is located on the same stretch of road as the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. What better place to be inspired to greatness! If I ever wonder whether my pursuits are important, I need only glance out the window and watch the many visitors snapping photos of the handprints of legends cemented at the TLC (Grauman’s) Chinese Theater. That’s the power of well-done cinematic art.”
—HeavenNezCree, MFA in Film
With opportunities to specialize and augment your academic credentials with certificates, concentrations and dual degree opportunities, the Mount is ready to help you transform your future as the next phenomenal filmmaker. If you’re ready to take the next step, please request more information, schedule an appointment with us or start your online application today.
Download our MFA in Film Guide to learn about
elevating your film career at the Mount:
