MFA Film Production: Frequently Asked Questions


TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Applications / Admissions
Requirements
Financial
Curriculum
Thesis Work
Equipment / Facilities
Contact


Applications / Admissions

When is the application deadline? Do you accept applications after this deadline?
The application deadline is January 20th, 2009 for September entry. This is the only application deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

How many students apply to the Graduate Film Production program and how many get in?
Our acceptance process is very competitive. We therefore give preference to the most advanced students. In recent years, we have accepted approximately 1 out of every 8 applicants from well over 50 applications per year.

Who reviews my application?
An admissions committee made up of full time Film Production faculty and one graduate student representative.

What is the application committee especially looking for in prospective students?
This course of study is ideal for filmmakers committed to the notion of an independent art practice. In Film Production, our Admissions Committee bases acceptance primarily on strength of portfolio, with past academic record and research proposal important considerations. Applicants for the M.F.A degree must have a B.F.A. or B.A. degree, preferably with a concentration in Film/Video Production, from a recognized institution, or an equivalent body of studio work.

If I send you a copy of my resume, can you tell me what the chances are of acceptance?
No, we are unable to pre-screen prospective applicants.

Are there tours for the MFA/Film Production program? Can I visit the school and talk to current students and professors?
Tours can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Graduate Program Director to schedule an appointment.

Where do I send my application?
Application forms may be obtained online. Once completed, please return to the following address:

Graduate Admissions Application Centre
Concordia University
P.O. Box 2002, Station H
Montréal (Québec) H3G 2V4

When will I know my results?
By mid-May, most applicants should have received a letter from the Office of the Registrar. Under no circumstances are any decisions given over the telephone.

I wasn’t accepted last year, but I’d like to reapply? What do I do?
To reapply you must re-submit your entire portfolio.

If I am accepted, when do classes begin?
Classes generally begin on the first Tuesday after Labour Day. For more information, please consult the important dates listed in the Graduate Student Calendar: http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/prospective/importantdates.shtml

Can I defer my admission?
Deferrals are granted only in exceptional cases.

Why wasn’t I accepted?
Because of the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual assessments. Reasons for denial may include:



Requirements


What are the requirements? Must I submit a film or videotape as part of my application?
We must see time-based audiovisual work (film, video, and where relevant, documentation of installation work), up to a maximum of 30 minutes. Work should be cued and submitted on either VHS or DVD (NTSC preferred). An undergraduate degree or equivalent production experience is also required.

Must I have studied film production as an undergraduate?
A film production background is preferable for admission to the graduate film program. While academic background is important, our Admissions Committee focuses on the quality of the visual portfolio and Thesis Project abstract.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement for the program?
Quality of portfolio is given significantly more weight in admissions committees than GPA, which is expected to be adequate.

I’m not sure if I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). What should I do?
Applicants whose mother tongue is other than English or French are required to pass the TOEFL test as a condition of acceptance. Exceptions are students who have completed both Secondary V and the Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in Québec, or who have studied for at least three years in an educational institution where the sole language of instruction is English.

If I’m having trouble getting a recommendation or transcript to you on time, can I fax it?
Yes, recommendations and/or transcripts can be faxed to the MFA/Studio Arts office by the application deadline. The fax number is (514) 848-4532. However, official mailed versions are still required. All application materials must be received by the February 1st deadline, because application committees meet in the middle of February.

Do the three letters of recommendation have to be from academics, or can they also be from professionals in the field?
It is recommended that at least two letters come from academic assessors.

What should my visual portfolio include? What formats do you accept?
A maximum of 30 minutes of work on film or digital video, and where relevant, documentation of installation work. We encourage prospective applicants to send us their strongest work; entire pieces, rather than clip reels, are preferred. On a separate sheet include a list of portfolio items with description, creative role, medium, length, and date of each production. Work should be cued and submitted on either VHS or DVD (Region 1); NTSC DVD is the preferred format.

I have some published work. Can I send you the originals?
We prefer that you send copies rather than originals. We can’t be held responsible for lost or damaged materials.

Do I need to be proficient or certificated in French?
We consider French proficiency a desirable asset, but it is not a requirement.

What is the language of instruction?
The language of instruction is English. Students have the right to write their assignments and examinations in French

What are your requirements for the Thesis Proposal? What topics are acceptable and how many words should it be?
Our focus is on experimental approaches to existing genres of cinema as well as to new “expanded” forms of cinema. Thesis proposals should delineate an area of research while providing a good idea of what the student is planning to do. Proposals may include a creative treatment, as well as an outline of its scheduling and budgetary feasibility. There is no set word length, but proposals should clear and succinct.

Do I have to propose a single project, or can I develop multiple projects over the course of my study?
Graduate candidates are required to develop a coherent body of work over the course of their study. Research programs can be either a single film/major piece, or a series of shorter pieces.

Can I write the documents needed for the portfolio in French?
Yes.



Financial

What are the tuition costs? What are the additional costs?
Master’s/Magesteriate program students are charged tuition and other fees on the basis of the total number of academic credits required (60 credits) to obtain the degree. The total tuition is pro-rated and charged over eight (8) Tuition Billing Cycle Terms. Students who have been awarded a Fee Remission, will be charged at a different per-term rate and over a different number of terms; but the same total amount of tuition for the degree program.

ESTIMATED TUITION AND FEES FOR 2002-2003:

Canadian, Quebec, Residents:

Tuition Fees (3 terms – Fall, Winter & Summer) $ 1,251.22 / year
Other Fees $ 453.38 / term
Registration Fee $ 60.00 / year
Student Association Fee $ 57.58 / year
Student Health Plan Fee $ 184.80 / year
New Student Program Fee $ 35.00 / year
Total Fees Payable (3 Terms / year) $ 2,041.98 / year

Canadian, Quebec Residents:

Tuition Fees (3 terms – Fall, Winter & Summer) $ 1,251.22 / year
Other Fees $ 453.38 / term
Registration Fee $ 60.00 / year
Student Association Fee $ 57.58 / year
Student Health Plan Fee $ 184.80 / year
New Student Program Fee $ 35.00 / year
Total Fees Payable (3 Terms / year) $ 2,041.98 / year

Other Canadian Provinces (Non-Quebec Residents):

Tuition Fees (3 terms – Fall, Winter & Summer) $ 3009.38 / year
Other Fees $ 453.38 / term
Registration Fee $ 60.00 / year
Student Association Fee $ 57.58 / year
Student Health Plan Fee $ 184.80 / year
New Student Program Fee $ 35.00 / year
Total Fees Payable (3 Terms / year) $ 3,800.13 / year

International Students:

Tuition Fees (3 terms – Fall, Winter & Summer) $ 6,876.23 / year
Other Fees $ 453.38 / term
Registration Fee $ 60.00 / year
Student Association Fee $ 57.58 / year
Student Health Plan Fee $ 480.00 / year
New Student Program Fee $ 35.00 / year
Total Fees Payable (3 Terms / year) $ 7,962.18 / year

Fees will be charged each term including summer for the first 8 terms of study regardless of the number of credits enrolled in.

Estimated Cost of a 60-credit MFA Degree

Normally, it takes 8 academic terms of full-time studies to complete a 60-credit Master’s in Fine Arts degree at a total cost of:

Canadian, Quebec Residents: $5,467.74
Canadian, Non-Quebec Residents: $10,156.14
International Students: $21,353.34

If the degree requirements are not met after all tuition and other fees have been billed, then each additional term will cost between $420 (Continuation & Registration Fees) and $1025 (Continuation, Registration, International Health Insurance & CGSA Fees) per term.

The fees quoted above are based on the 2002/2003 fees at time of printing. The university reserves the right to change or increase fees at any time without prior notice. Tuition and other fees are likely to increase for 2004/2005.

Is there financial aid available?
Financial support is available to qualified candidates in the form of University Fellowships and Scholarships. These awards are competitive and based on recommendations by the faculty. Students who have not received significant funding from fellowships or awards are eligible for a paid Teaching or Lab Assistantship. Production and Research Grants are also available.

How do I apply for teaching assistantships?
Students who have not received significant funding from fellowships or awards are eligible for a paid assistantship. These amounts are modest and depend on the number of students eligible for this funding during a given year. Assistantships provide training and experience in teaching and a variety of art-related practices. Students who are not eligible for assistantship funding may elect to volunteer for an unpaid position.

How do I pay my application fee? Is it possible to pay online?
The non-refundable Admission Application Fee for the MFA Film Production Program is CDN $50.00, payable to Concordia University by certified cheque, Money Order or credit card. The application fee may also be paid online with a credit card. Applicants from outside Canada may send an International Money Order.

Can you give me information about housing?
Montreal offers safe, convenient and affordable housing, so most Concordia students live off-campus. The Concordia Student Union (CSU) also maintains an off-campus housing bank: http://hojo.csu.qc.ca

You can also contact them via email at or check in with our International Student Office at

However, you may prefer to check out Concordia’s Residence, Hingston Hall: http://residence.concordia.ca



Curriculum

How long is the program?
The program consists of two years of full-time residency, which includes studio work and art theory/critical seminars. This includes a summer course, taken between the first and second years, which involves students from all disciplines in a studio format. After completion of the residency, graduate candidates prepare for a final studio project that culminates in an exhibition or film, and an oral defence. The studio project must be completed in a minimum of six months and maximum of two years following the residency.

Studio Courses:
FMPR (Film Production) 610, 611, 612, 613 (6 cr. each): 24 credits

All students are also required to enrol in the following interdisciplinary studio course, which is to be taken in the summer following the first academic year:

DISP 615 Directed Studio Practice: 3 credits

TOTAL STUDIO CREDITS: 27

Seminars:
The seminars are a core component of the MFA Studio Arts Program. They provide a rigourous and conceptual framework for the development of ideas in relation to creative practice. The seminars are interdiscipinary and taught by a dynamic and changing faculty. Seminar topics vary regularly to reflect the shifting nature of contemporary art and culture.
TOTAL SEMINAR CREDITS: 21

Internship and Independent Study:
Candidates in their second year of residency may substitute up to 6 credits of seminar courses from the following:

INTP 660 Professional Internship 6 credits
INTP 661 Professional Internship I 3 credits
INTP 662 Professional Internship II (Prerequisite: INTP 661) 3 credits
INDS 670 Independent Study 6 credits
INDS 671 Independent Study I 3 credits
INDS 672 Independent Study II 3 credits

Studio Project and Exhibition or Film Project:
Following the second year of residency, students will enroll in the Studio Project and Exhibition/Film Project. Candidates must wait 6 months from the completion of studio and seminar course work before making a presentation to the jury.

PROJ 691 Studio Project 9 credits
PROJ 692 Exhibition or Film Project 3 credits
TOTAL PROJECT CREDITS: 12

Will projects be shot on film or video?
Either/or, or both.

Do I pay my own production expenses?
The financing of major projects is the responsibility of the student. We have been happy to provide seed money in the past, but we encourage low-budget work. Research and production grants are also available. Regardless of the sponsorship, artistic control of the project must be retained by the student and by the School of Cinema.

Can I do an internship or independent study as part of the curriculum?
Candidates in their second year of residency may substitute up to 6 credits of seminar courses. Students may also substitute six seminar credits from outside of the graduate seminar offerings with approval by the Graduate Program Director.

Do you offer summer programs?
No. However, between the first and second years MFA candidates are required to complete a Directed Studio Project.

Are there production classes (i.e. digital editing, directing) I can take to supplement my filmmaking experience before I enroll in your program?
No. The School of Cinema does not offer them, but we encourage prospective students seeking to gain technical experience to consult local filmmaking cooperatives and training facilities.

Is there a course option for this Master?
No. The MFA is the terminal degree in the visual arts. Students in Cinema begin their program of research during their first term, which constitutes their thesis project.

Is it possible to specialize in a technical area?
Our MFA in Film Production is general, with no specialization in the courses. It is possible, however, to have a program of research that focuses on a specialized domain (i.e. sound, cinematography), so long as there is a studio outcome.



Thesis Work

Is the thesis a production or a written document, or both?
Studio research may take the form of a single, major thesis film/video or a body of shorter works that, taken together, represent a coherent research program (a principle component). Normally, a candidate’s body of work should fall in the 20-30 minute range. As opposed to the other MFA/Studio Arts disciplines, a substantial written component, providing context for the research, is also required. Thesis development begins in first term, at which time advisors are chosen to counsel on directions, strategies, methodologies and techniques.

Is each student required to complete a thesis project?
Yes.

When you talk about studio research, what does it mean?
The Graduate Film Production program promotes an expanded notion of cinema, encouraging all formats of moving image support and exhibition. Aesthetic innovation, reflection on cinema in its contemporary forms, and experimentation across subject and genre – including abstract cinema, documentary, fiction, installation and hybrid interfaces – are strongly emphasized.

Can I do my thesis project in French?
Yes.

Is it possible to see examples of student work?
Images of recent MFA work can be viewed on this website. Additional images are available at: http://mfa.concordia.ca/site/stu.htm. We also have examples of recent work on hand for prospective applicants who come to visit.



Equipment / Facilities

What equipment does the School of Cinema have (cameras, editing facilities, etc) and sort of access will I have?
The Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema features one of the largest equipment bases in North America. Specific equipment and facilities are reserved for MFA students; other resources are shared with undergraduate students. Filmmakers will find a complete line of Super 16 and 16mm cameras, flatbeds, optical printers, sound transfer equipment, and a Pro-Tools sound mixing suite; as well as a range of 35mm postproduction equipment, including flatbeds, splicers, synchronizers and contact printers. Video equipment includes various DV-Cam and Mini-DV cameras, Macintosh-based off-line and on-line Avid editing systems, multiple format playback decks and film-to-tape transfer, plus access to other University facilities to further complement post-production. Seminar rooms contain editing and student office facilities as well as computer workstations.

The technical facility is augmented by the School of Cinema’s impressive collection of classic and contemporary films. MFA students also have access to Sound Studios, computer labs and other audio-visual services offered by the Centre for Digital Arts and IITS (Instruction and Information Technology Services). It is possible to rent specific equipment (e.g. special lenses, mounts, filters) when necessary.

Camera equipment is available to Graduate Students only during the first two years (6 terms) of their program. Editing facilities are available throughout the summer following the second year, and later with special arrangement.



Contact Information

For further information about the M.F.A. in Film Production program, contact:
Marielle Nitoslawska, Graduate Program Director of Film Production
E-mail:
Telephone: (514) 848-2424 ex.4665
Fax: (514) 848-4255

To apply online, visit this website:
https://welcome.concordia.ca/concordia

Once completed, please return to the following address:

Graduate Admissions Application Centre
Concordia University
P.O. Box 2002, Station H
Montréal (Québec) H3G 2V4

For further Information about MFA-Studio Arts:
Telephone: (514) 848-4607
Fax: (514) 848-4532
E-mail: