The Anaheim University Akira Kurosawa School of Film offers a cutting-edge online Master of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking degree program. Experience the following AU advantages:

Benefits

  • Interact with your professor and fellow classmates around the world through live webcam classes
  • Specialize in a specific aspect of filmmaking through your selection of electives
  • Meet face-to-face with industry professionals and gain hands-on experience with professional equipment at a one-week residential session
  • Learn from professors based in Hollywood and other leading film markets without having to relocate during your period of study
  • Earn your Master's degree online in approximately 3 years while working full-time

 

Features:

  • 12 x 9 week Online Courses + thesis
  • Weekly live webcam classes
  • New terms begin every 10 weeks
  • 1 Course = 4 Credit Points
  • MFA in Digital Filmmaking Program = 56 Credit Points
  • One-week hands-on residential session held in Hollywood, California or Tokyo, Japan
  • Total duration = approximately 3 years
Required Courses
MFA 500 The Cinema of Akira Kurosawa in Global Context Language 4 Units
MFA 510 Film Aesthetics 4 Units
MFA 520 Intro to Digital Filmmaking 4 Units
MFA 530 Advanced Digital Filmmaking 4 Units
MFA 540 Advanced Screenwriting 4 Units
MFA 550 History of World Cinema 4 Units
MFA 560 Film Theory 4 Units
MFA 570 The International Film business 4 Units
MFA 580 Concepts of Post Production : Sound and Editing 4 Units
MFA 600 Thesis Project* 8 Units
*Students begin their thesis project after all other course work is completed;
the thesis project can be completed in approximately two terms
Elective Courses - Group A (select 2)
MFA 590 Documentary Film - History and Theory** 4 Units
MFA 591 Documentary Film Production** 4 Units
MFA 592 Animation - History, Theory, Practice 4 Units
MFA 593 Producing for the Web 4 Units
MFA 594 Game Design - Theory and Practice 4 Units
MFA 595 Story Structure 4 Units
**students may take either MFA 591 or MFA 592
Elective Course - Group B (Select 1)
MFA 598 Transnational Film Genre 4 Units
MFA 599 Major World Directors 4 Units
Total number of units
10 core courses (incl. thesis), 3 electives and a one-week residential
56 Units

 

Here is a basic overview of how the MFA courses work.

 

Master of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking Course Structure and Program Learning Method

Online Discussion Forum

Assignment 1

Week 1
Online Class
Week 2
Online Class
Week 3
Online Class
Week 4
Online Class
Week 5
Online Class

Assignment 2

Week 6
Online Class
Week 7
Online Class
Week 8
Online Class
Week 9
Final Assignment Week

Weekly Real-Time Webcam Class + Online Discussion Forum participation(at your convenience)

Weekly reading plus written assignment or film critique

Course film project, screenplay, or research paper

 

Residential Session

Students are required to attend one residential session to successfully complete the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking program. The residential session is a one-week, in-person presence at an appropriate facility in Hollywood, California or Tokyo, Japan, where students will attain hands-on experience and learn from industry professionals. Students will meet M-F from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and receive instruction from an experienced and appropriately-trained faculty member in advanced cinematography, film crew positions, and basic directing, working with an industry-standard camera along with studio equipment. Afternoon sessions will consist of guest speakers from the motion picture industry representing a variety of areas within the overall entertainment environment. Tours of facilities will also take place, with a number of the guest speakers hosting the cohort at their own facility and providing hands-on opportunities for learning. Evenings will be dedicated to more informal activities and student work on post-production of the work shot during the day. The residential session adds a comprehensive, applied layer to the program to complete the final objective: “Acquire the overall intellectual and professional background needed to prepare for both the applied and academic film worlds.”


Study Suggestions

Students are responsible for the information contained in the course syllabus and course grading rubrics. Each course is worth 4 units, or 180 hours of study (approximately 20 hours a week). To help you allocate your time, each course guide contains a weekly program break-down. The course guides are meant as a suggestion only, but one that students are advised to adhere to as closely as possible to keep up with the demanding schedule of the courses. Below is a sample taken from a course that has a film project as its final assignment:


1. Complete the set reading, making notes to prepare for the real-time online class. (2.5 hours)
2. Film viewing assignment; take notes in preparation for the real-time online class. (2.5 hours)
3. Written Assignment (2 hours, selected weeks)
4. Discuss the weekly assigned topic with other students via the online discussion forum. (3 hours)
5. Take part in the weekly real-time online class. (1.5 hours)
6. Review the transcript of the real-time online class and make notes (1.5 hrs)
7. Journal entries throughout the week (1 hour)
8. On-going work on the planning, shooting and editing of the rough cut and final video project (6 hours)

Upon completion of the MFA in Digital Filmmaking program, students might be interested in pursuing the following potential career areas:

  • Post-production
  • Sound recording and engineering
  • Editing
  • Community and four-year college teaching