With growing student and audience interest in documentary films, Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has designed to offer a unique curriculum with a focus on feature-length documentaries, building on interdisciplinary research and content development, knowledge of evolving aesthetic traditions, and critical reflection on the ethical questions inherent to documentary production. In addition, students will study marketing and distribution so that they will be prepared to not create interesting content but bring it to market. Graduates will be “industry-ready” to develop, pitch, produce and market their work.

Highlights of the 2-year Chapman M.F.A. include courses designed to help students build:

  • Production experience through a series of short films leading to the completion of a 25-minute film that will serve as the foundation for a feature-length, theatrical documentary
  • Both research and storytelling skills, based on interdisciplinary methodologies
  • A strong critical foundation based on an understanding of the historical development of the documentary as well as emerging aesthetic forms and a critical appreciation for the ethical questions raised in representing others on film
  • An understanding of the elements of a comprehensive marketing plan that targets distributors as well as theatrical, cable and festival release

Applications are now open, with classes commencing in Fall 2015.

We’ll be holding an online information session about the program on November 6 at 12PM. Please join us to learn more about all the exciting opportunities this new M.F.A. will present! Register to attend the info session here.

For more information, and to apply, visit chapman.edu/mfadoc