Film and Media, Master of Arts

MA in Film and Media

advanced.jhu.edu/filmandmedia

The Master of Arts in Film and Media provides an in-depth curriculum designed to develop skill sets required to succeed in the film, television, and media industries. Students are exposed to the latest technology, taught the most current financial and distribution strategies, and explore a range of storytelling techniques. The program emphasizes experiential learning and focuses on the latest trends and advances in the entertainment industry. All courses balance practice with theory and are taught by successful creators and executives in the film, television, and media world. The program has been specifically designed to keep up with constant advances in technology, ideas, and trends, both practical and aesthetic.

Courses and workshops feature current case studies that help expose students to the latest tools, equipment, and resources in specific fields. The Johns Hopkins MA in Film and Media 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 the industry hubs in Los Angeles, New York, and abroad. Courses are held at the JHU/MICA Film Center, Baltimore’s new film studio and recording center in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Students can choose two concentrations from the fields of Business of Film & Media, Sound Production & Design, Writing for Film & Television, and Immersive Storytelling & Emerging Technology. While they specialize in one or two of these tracks, students acquire hands-on experience in developing, shooting, editing, and marketing original film, television, and digital short-form content in the Graduate Filmmaking Studio.

Admissions Criteria for all Advanced Academic Programs

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

For course descriptions, please visit advanced.jhu.edu/filmandmedia.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
AS.455.640	Graduate Filmmaking Studio I	3
AS.455.641	Graduate Filmmaking Studio II	3
Immersive Storytelling and Emerging Technologies
AS.455.613	Immersive Storytelling for Social Impact
AS.455.643	The Future of Cinematic Gaming
AS.455.610	Foundations of Immersive Storytelling: Theory & Practice
Immersive Tech: Empathy and Cognition
Social Design: Concept, Story & Interaction
VR Storytelling
Building Augmented and Mixed Reality
Future Tech: AI and Cognitive Technology
Stories Through Conversation
Physical Computing and Installations
Writing for Film and Television Courses
AS.455.611	Screenwriting Workshop 1-The Step Outline	3
AS.455.612	Screenwriting Workshop 2 - The Draft	3
AS.455.614	Acting for Screenwriters	3
AS.455.615	Episodic Writing Workshop 1 – The Pilot	3
AS.455.616	Episodic Writing Workshop 2 – Comedy	3
AS.455.617	Episodic Writing Workshop III – The Limited Series	3
AS.455.618	Episodic Writing Workshop II - The Writers' Room	3
Business of Film and Media Courses
AS.455.619	Business of Non Fiction Film & TV	3
AS.455.620	Fundamentals of Business 1	3
AS.455.621	Entertainment Law for Independent Filmmakers	3
AS.455.623	Fundamentals of Business II	3
AS.455.625	Creative Producing & Line Producing	3
AS.455.644	Podcasting Fundamentals	3
AS.455.650	Script to Screen	3
AS.455.651	Film Financing	3
Sound Production and Design Courses
AS.455.610	Foundations of Immersive Storytelling: Theory & Practice	3
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.455.631	Sound Fundamentals II: The Studio as a Compositional Tool	3
AS.455.632	Sound on Film I	3
PY.550.524	Sound Design/Video Games	3
Total Credits		72

Curriculum

Students take 11 courses, including the two-course Graduate Filmmaking Studio and a capstone within the required course sequence. Students take at least eight elective courses from up to two concentrations within the areas of Writing for Film & Television, Sound Production & Design, Immersive Storytelling & Emerging Technology, and Business of Film & Media.

The Business track revolves around a two-semester seminar taught by veteran development and acquisitions executives. This Fundamentals of Business seminar is structured around presentations by internationally renowned industry leaders, who—together with students—analyze case studies in the film and television industries. Students are required to develop their own business plans, investor decks, and marketing plans, and present them to invited executives, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Students in the Sound concentration acquire hands-on experience in creating and recording sound effects, dialogue, and music as they pertain to film, television, and media projects. Leveraging the experience and resources of The Peabody Institute and featuring a new sound studio co-designed by Thomas Dolby and Scott Metcalfe, the Sound concentration provides students the opportunity to create, edit, and mix soundtracks and soundscapes at the highest level.

Award-winning screenwriters and television writers lead the intensive workshops in the Writing concentration, centered on creating and developing original narratives. Students create and strengthen their writing portfolios as they design, draft, and polish their feature-length screenplays, television spec scripts, original television pilots, and web series. The program is launching a new area of curriculum focused on Immersive Storytelling and Emerging Technologies.

Master classes are offered by guest executives, agents, writers, directors, and executive producers, providing excellent opportunities to network within the industry.

• Two core courses
• Eight electives in two concentrations
• Capstone

Capstone

Students are required to complete a capstone project at the culmination of the program. During the capstone project, students will demonstrate professional expertise in one of their concentrations, completing a project that will be part of a work portfolio to be used to gain a professional position in the industry.