MA in Film and Media
The Master of Arts in Film and Media program provides an in-depth curriculum designed to develop the professional and creative skill sets required to succeed in the film, television, and media industries. Students are exposed to the latest technologies and explore a range of storytelling techniques, while being taught key production, business, and distribution strategies. This is a professional program that emphasizes experiential learning, collaboration, thinking outside the box, and the integrity of hard work. All of our courses are taught by successful creators, filmmakers, and executives who are passionate about teaching and mentoring the next wave of filmmakers and storytellers.
Courses and workshops feature current case studies that help expose students to the latest tools, equipment, resources, approaches, and relevant issues in specific fields. The Johns Hopkins MA in Film and Media program brings the industry to Baltimore, as our students grow their professional network while creating a two-way bridge between the local burgeoning film scene and industry hubs in Los Angeles, New York, and abroad. Courses are held at the JHU/MICA Film Center, Baltimore’s film studio and recording center in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.
Students choose at least one concentration from the fields of Business of Film, Sound Design, Writing, and Immersive Storytelling & Emerging Technologies. While each student specializes in at least one of these above tracks, students may take courses across a range of subject areas to acquire hands-on experience in writing, script development, directing, producing, cinematography, lighting, sound mixing/post-audio design, editing, and creative collaboration.
Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the Master of Arts in Film and Media program requires the following:
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose: In 500 words or less, please share with us why you are interested in pursuing the MA in Film and Media degree. Describe your academic and career goals and highlighting how this program will serve those goals.
- A sample of your work as a filmmaker/artist/storyteller: Please send us something that introduces us to who you are as a filmmaker, artist, and storyteller. We want to know about you. Your sample could be:
(1) a screenplay or a short story, or a portion thereof (please send five to ten pages, with ten as the maximum); or
(2) a short film you directed, produced, served as cinematographer for and/or edited; or
(3) a photographic, digital, or audio portfolio; or
(4) a project/paper you did in school that means a great deal to you—something you feel truly represents you.
** If you don't have a sample of your work that you feel is appropriate, or prefer to try something new, we suggest you create something that responds to the following "prompt" in an innovative fashion:
Prompt: Write or create a scene with one to three characters (human or otherwise) that includes a bicycle and iced tea (or cold tea) and ends with the line "That's why I didn't want to tell you."
Program Requirements
- Three required core courses
- Eight electives, from which students will complete four or more courses within one concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses - Required: | ||
| AS.455.640 | Graduate Filmmaking Studio I | 3 |
| AS.455.641 | Graduate Filmmaking Studio II | 3 |
| AS.455.800 | Capstone for Film & Media | 3 |
| Concentration: Immersive Storytelling and Emerging Technologies | ||
| Sample of Courses - Customizable | ||
| AS.455.610 | Foundations of Immersive Storytelling: Theory & Practice | 3 |
| AS.455.643 | The Future of Cinematic Gaming | 3 |
| AS.455.647 | Virtual Production: A New Era of Filmmaking | 3 |
| AS.455.645 | Production for Creative Technology | 3 |
| AS.455.638 | Technology and the Future of Humanity | 3 |
| AS.455.613 | Stories Matter: How immersive experiences and new technologies create social change | 3 |
| Concentration: Writing | ||
| Sample of Courses - Customizable | ||
| AS.455.615 | Episodic Writing Workshop 1 – The Pilot | 3 |
| AS.455.618 | Episodic Writing Workshop II - The Writers' Room | 3 |
| AS.455.611 | Screenwriting Workshop | 3 |
| AS.455.639 | The Art of “The Pitch”: Developing Skills and Mastering Professional Practices | 3 |
| Concentration: The Business of Film | ||
| Sample of Courses - Customizable | ||
| AS.455.648 | Directing Workshop | 3 |
| AS.455.635 | Sales, Acquisitions and Marketing | 3 |
| AS.455.649 | Advanced Documentary Production | 3 |
| AS.455.642 | Advanced Cinematography Workshop | 3 |
| AS.455.666 | Scheduling and Budgeting for Film & TV : Producing with Movie Magic | 3 |
| AS.455.621 | A Filmmaker’s Guide to Protecting Your Work: Intro to Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law | 3 |
| AS.455.625 | Creative Producing & Line Producing | 3 |
| AS.455.644 | Podcasting Fundamentals | 3 |
| AS.455.650 | Script to Screen | 3 |
| AS.455.619 | Business of Non Fiction Film & TV | 3 |
| Concentration: Sound Design | ||
| Sample of Courses - Customizable | ||
| AS.455.626 | Mixing Sound for Picture | 3 |
| AS.455.634 | Designing Sound for Film and Media | 3 |
| AS.455.630 | Recording Sound for Film | 3 |
| AS.455.632 | Sound on Film I | 3 |
| PY.550.524 | Sound Design/Video Games | 3 |