» Film Production, Emphasis in Directing Graduate Application
How to Apply
This page is out of date as of December 2, 2022. See our new How to Apply page here.
In order to apply to the MFA in Film Production with an emphasis in directing, you must submit all required application materials, including a Creative Supplement. You can click here to create an account and begin the application.
Application Requirements:
- Statement of Intent: Submit an essay expressing your reasons for wanting to join the MFA Film Production, Directing emphasis program. What are your personal and career goals, and how will this particular degree from Chapman University help you reach those goals? Your essay should be double spaced, size 12 font, and 1-2 pages in length.
- Resume
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Creative Supplement
Other Required Materials:
- Official copy of your undergraduate transcript from your degree granting institution
- International Students: Please see "International Applicants" tab below for additional requirements
No additional information should be sent to Dodge College or the Office of Admissions outside of what is required on the application. Any outside work sent to either office will not be reviewed as part of the admission process.
Creative Supplement Requirements
Please note that you may only submit Creative Supplement materials for your 1st choice major selected on the application. No other materials will be reviewed as part of the application process.
The requirements below are for students applying for Fall 2023
Creative Portfolio List
Upload a one (1) to two (2) page list of activities that demonstrates your potential in your area of chosen specialization focusing on creative accomplishments. Include in this list specific items that you could submit, if requested, to Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Each listing should include a brief description of the work and your role in its creation.
Example of Portfolio listing (use this format):
Title: Roger's Car
Position: Writer/Director
16 minutes, Video 2020. Valley College
Log line: Unusual circumstance allows a sixteen-year-old to get his first car. I wrote this story for a creative writing class and produced the film with the help of my friends.
Transformational Moment Essay
Submit a one (1) page essay describing a transformational moment in your life that fundamentally changed you as a person. Explain how you gained wisdom and greater understanding of the human condition as a result of this experience. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
Thesis Film Essay
The MFA Directing program requires students to direct three short films. In no more than one (1) page, tell an original story for a thesis film that would run approximately 15-20 minutes in length. Tell the entire story, beginning, middle and end and go into detail. Describe each turn in the plot and what specifically brings it about. Try and tell an original story, ideally inspired by personal experience. It should be your original story and not adapted from material authored by someone else. Bear in mind your budget and shooting schedule will be limited. Essays should be typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, one-inch margins on all sides.
Narrative Scene
Pick one (1) of the scenarios below and write a compelling dramatic scene. This may be written in no more than two (2) pages as a short story, single spaced, or in no more than five (5) pages as a screenplay. We are looking for the strength in your storytelling ability.
- Two siblings who have not spoken to each other in ten years await the start of their father or mother’s funeral and there is a monumental shift in their relationship.
- A couple whose marriage is on the verge of falling apart gets stuck in the snow bank together without a working mobile phone, and the best and the worst of their relationship comes out.
- Three strangers waiting outside a hospital emergency room, meet by chance, and it changes their lives.
Visual Sample:
Self-introductory Video Essay
Create a self-introductory video essay between two (2) and five (5) minutes in length. Your video should visually highlight something about yourself, your personality, your interests, etc. The only rule is that you may NOT appear in the video in any way (including any photographs of yourself), so be creative. We are primarily looking for your strengths at conveying a story visually and for evidence of your creativity rather than your technical abilities.
Narrative Work-Complete one (1) of the following:
*We prefer candidates to submit original Narrative work, unless they have not directed a narrative film, in which case they should submit the Photo Narrative.*
1.) Original Narrative Film:
You may submit as many of your complete narrative movies (not short reel clips) as you wish. If you have mentioned narrative work in an essay or on the creative resume, please provide those samples by uploading them or providing a direct link. Allo narrative films must include a complete end credit title roll, or a complete credit roll at the beginning of the film.
2.) Photo Narrative:
In no more than twenty (20) still photographs, tell a story based on this prompt: A character is wandering in a city and encounters a situation that drastically changes his/her life. The photos should be uploaded in the order you wish to convey your story. The submission should be photographs only, and cannot have any writing or descriptions included. We are looking for your ability to tell a visual story without the use of dialogue or description.
Deadline
All application and supplemental materials must be submitted electronically by the deadline below. Late applicants will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Graduate Deadline:
December 1, 2022
Please note: We do not accept applicants for the spring semester.
Notification
Decisions will be released by the end of April.
Tuition, Fellowships & Financial Aid
Tuition
All up-to-date information regarding the cost of tuition and lab fees can be found on the Chapman University Business Office website. For MFA Film Production students, tuition is a flat rate charge for all classes taken during the year or over the summer.
Dodge College provides funding for student projects. First year projects do not have budgets as they are not large projects that require outside costs. Second year projects are given $1,500. In the third year, each thesis project receives $15,000 towards the budget. If students want to spend more than the allotted amounts, they will need to provide funding on their own, outside of Dodge College.
Fellowships
Dodge College offers fellowships to a select number of students each year. These fellowships are awarded based on the talent shown in the application materials submitted; there is no separate application process for fellowship consideration. Preference for fellowships is given to students who apply by the December 1st deadline. If you are awarded a fellowship, you will likely be notified at the time of admit. Some fellowships are awarded after the time of admit, and notification will come directly from Dodge College.
Financial Aid
All other financial aid is awarded through the Graduate Financial Aid Office. This funding usually contains mainly student loans. You will receive your “financial aid package” from the Graduate Financial Aid Office after you have been admitted. Please contact their office directly with any questions at gradfinaid@chapman.edu.
Official Copy of Degree Granting Undergraduate Transcript
Official Transcripts can be sent directly from the university to Chapman University via email to admtranscript@chapman.edu or via post to:
Chapman UniversityOffice of Graduate Admission
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
Applicants with transcripts from outside of the United Sates should consult the International Applicants tab below for transcript specifics.