California State University Los Angeles MFA in Television, Film and ...

California State University Los Angeles
MFA in Television, Film and Theatre
Abstract
The Master of Fine Arts in Television, Film and Theatre is an interdisciplinary program between
the departments of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts and Dance, in the College of Arts
and Letters at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA). This program will serve
students seeking a terminal degree program in performance (acting), in film and television
production, and dramatic writing.
MFA programs serve as stepping-stones to employment in the entertainment industry as talent in
front and behind the camera in production, or in management. Networks and studios have
bemoaned the lack of diversity within their talent pools. The MFA at CSULA will produce
trained professionals who would provide this diversity. Further, Latino, Asian and African-
American media outlets and markets are growing. Students at CSULA would be prime
candidates to participate in these developments. Finally, the MFA is a terminal degree, suitable
for preparing future faculty in production and performance; this program at CSULA will also be
instrumental in preparing a diverse future faculty at both the community college and university
levels.
With its access to the local theatre and film / television production communities, the unique
resources of Los Angeles provide an ideal environment for a MFA in Television, Film and
Theatre. We will offer our students and graduates professional advantages not available at even
the most prestigious existing programs.
• Students in the Performance / Acting Option will have the opportunity to perform
in five or six different theatrical venues prior to completing their degree and will
earn their Actors Equity union cards through their participation in the unique
SegWay (Segue) Theatre.
• Students in the Production Option will benefit from classes, and practicum in all
related media through all stages of production. They will benefit from visiting guest
artists from the industry, from the Film / Television production faculty who
continue to work and interact with the industry, and from regularly scheduled
graduate student project one, project two and thesis project screening events -- such

as those held at USC and UCLA which attract agents and industry professionals
seeking out new talent.
• Students in the Dramatic Writing Option will have the opportunity to write across
the three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration with students in the
Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing Option will
engage the full scope of television, film and stage production as relates to the art
and craft of dramatic writing. Also in collaboration with students in the
Performance and Production Options, students in the Dramatic Writing Option will
have the opportunity to see their works produced in professional theatrical/telecast
exhibition and stage production quality.
• The program will feature a unique model of weekend classes and workshops to
enable participation by working students.
• Agreements with community and industry partners, including the Luckman and
Vibiana Place Theatre, Cornerstone Theatre, East LA Classic Theatre, Univision,
Telemundo, and various others are already in place.
The proposed MFA program reflects the needs of the culturally diverse student body at CSULA
and that of our service area. It also serves the needs of the State. MFA programs serve as
stepping-stones to employment in the entertainment industry as talent in front and behind the
camera in production, or in management. Networks and studios have bemoaned the lack of
diversity within their talent pools. The MFA at CSULA will produce trained professionals who
would provide this diversity. Furthermore Latino, Asian and African-American media outlets
and markets are growing; our students would be prime candidates to participate in these
developments.
The MFA is a terminal degree, suitable for preparing future faculty in production and
performance; this program at CSULA will also be instrumental in preparing a diverse future
faculty at both the community college and university levels. As an integral component of this
MFA program, the contributing departments will actively promote a “grow your own program”
in which particular incentives and opportunities are created for talented undergraduates students
in both Television/ Film /Media Studies and Theatre to use entry level courses in the MFA
program, to meet senior level requirements and have those same courses contracted to transition
their entry into the MFA program. Current university policies related to such strategies will be
adhered to and followed. Such a program will capitalize on the racial and cultural diversity that
is indicative in the CSULA undergraduate programs within Television/ Film,/Media Studies and
Theatre, as well as students from varying majors on the campus interested in pursuing the MFA.
This program fulfills an unmet need. In addition to providing clear opportunity to the cultural
diverse student population at CSULA additional enrollment is evident. People come to Los
Angeles to learn and become entertainment industry professionals. No other CSU campus in the
region offers a similar program. The sponsoring Departments are more than well established.
The TVF program is one of the highest enrolled programs in the College of Arts and Letters and
continues to grow. Members of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance and the Television,

Film and Media Studies program feel that an MFA program will not adversely affect their
undergraduate programs. Indeed, the presence of graduate students will stimulate each
program’s faculty and provide role models for undergraduate students.
Catalog Description
Master of Fine Arts Degree in Television, Film and Theatre
The MFA is a terminal degree that prepares students for diverse professional and
academic programs. In particular the CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will
prepare students for careers in production, performance, and dramatic writing in the
television, film and theatre industry. Yet as a terminal academic degree, the CSULA
MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will also prepare students to become teachers and
scholars in the diverse educational environments inclusive of but not limited to
California’s community colleges and universities throughout the CSU.
The CSULA MFA in Television, Film and Theatre will offer three formal options:
Option 1: Performance / Acting: Students in this option will have the
opportunity to perform in five or six different theatrical venues prior to
completing their degree and will earn their Actors Equity union cards through
their participation in the unique SegWay (Segue) Theatre. The Performance
/Acting Option will include classes and workshops in performance theory,
performance history, theories of acting for the stage, television and film; as well
as courses designed to inform students of current industry practices and
procedures.
Option 2: Production: The option will include classes, and practicum in all
related media through all stages of production. Students in the Production Option
will benefit from visiting guest artists from the industry, from the Film /
Television production faculty who continue to work and interact with the
industry, and from regularly scheduled graduate student project one, project two
and thesis project screening events -- such as those held at USC and UCLA which
attract agents and industry professionals seeking out new talent.
Option 3: Dramatic Writing: Students in this option will have the opportunity
to write across the three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration
with students in the Performance and Production Options, students in the
Dramatic Writing option will engage the full scope of television, film and stage
production as relates to the art and craft of dramatic writing. Also in
collaboration with students in the Performance and Production Options, students
in the Dramatic Writing option will have the opportunity to see their works

produced in professional theatrical/telecast exhibition and stage production
quality.
All students will complete three projects: produce a theatre, multi-camera studio
television and film style production. Between the three projects, students must
work in each medium.
The MFA in Television, Film and Theatre has the following objectives:
• To establish and foster a unique, interdisciplinary approach to production,
performance and dramatic writing;
• To prepare students for careers in production, performance and dramatic writing
by emphasizing technical proficiency and creative artistry within and across
television, film and theatre;
• To provide students in performance, production and dramatic writing career
options with the intellectual and historical backgrounds central to their
development as media artists and scholars;
• To provide the technical and academic expertise essential to preparing future
faculty in this terminal degree program;
• To provide CSULA’s uniquely diverse student body with opportunities for
advanced coursework in production, performance and dramatic writing.
Admission:
1. Admission to the graduate program at California State University, Los Angeles
and the MFA program jointly sponsored by the Department of Communication
Studies and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance requires admission by the
university and admission into the MFA program. Specifically, a student shall at
the time of enrollment:
a.) have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an
acceptable baccalaureate from an institution accredited by a regional
accrediting association, or have completed equivalent academic
preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authorities.
b.) be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended.

c.) have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60
semester (90 quarter) units attempted; and
d.) satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other
standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as
appropriate campus authorities may prescribe.
2. Satisfactory academic standards for the admission in the MFA program will be
a 3.0 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units for unconditional acceptance
with an articulated plan of study submitted for consideration along with a
department based application form.
3. Students who do not meet these basic requirements may still apply. Students
with evaluated potential on the departmental level may be eligible for admission
under a conditional academic program that would entail required foundational
course work evaluated and designated by a faculty advisor preceding the formal
entry in the MFA.
4. To be considered for Admission to the program all applicants to the MFA will
be required to
• Have all the qualifications more extensively stipulated in number one of
this section (Inclusive: completed a four-year college course of student
and an acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, be in good
academic standing at the last educational institution attended, have a
minimal of an overall 2.5, satisfactorily meet all requirements for graduate
study).
• have at least a 3.0 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units,
• submit a portfolio of creative work and performance programs, production
stills/film/video clips,
• a statement of the applicant’s academic and professional objectives in the
MFA,
• two letters of recommendation on applicant’s potential for success,
• transcripts from all institutions of higher education or professional schools
attended
• Interviews will be required of all candidates.
• Students applying for the performance option will be required to audition
using two contrasting monologues – four minutes in length.

5. In order to advance in the program the student must maintain continuing
student status, successfully complete all courses with a B or better average in
courses attempted with an overall g.p.a of at least 3.0 and complete an
advancement to candidacy evaluation process after completing 16 units. Only
students who are advanced to candidacy are eligible to enroll in the project units.
Students must successfully pass an annual review (at the end of the first two years
of their program; roughly set at 35 units and 64 units). The review committee will
consist of at least three faculty members, one from each of the three option areas
who will evaluate the quality of the student’s progress based on a submitted
portfolio of work by the student, grades and observations of the student’s ongoing
work and involvement in the program.
Conditional Programs
Because it is unlikely that students will enter this MFA program with
backgrounds that combine media studies and theatre, unique conditional programs
have been developed to address possible deficiencies in both areas.
1. The 20 unit conditional program for prospective MFA students entering the
Performance Option without a BA majoring in Theatre Arts or an adequate
background in performance.
TAD 132: Stagecraft II 3 units
TA 142; Acting Fundamentals: Character Study 3 units
TA/ENGL 143: Acting Fundamentals: Scene Study 3 units
TA 276: Introduction to Play Writing 4 units
TA 313: Development of World Theatre III 4 units
TA 445: Principles of Directing I 3 units
2. The 20 unit conditional program for MFA students entering the Production
Option without a BA majoring in Film / Television or lacking an adequate
background in production.
TVF 200: Introduction to Single Camera and Editing 4 units
TVF 201: Introduction to Television Studio 4 units
Production
TVF 224: Survey of Film 4 units
TVF 301: Intermediate Television Studio Production 4 units
TVF 320: Audio Production 4 units
3. The 20 unit conditional program for MFA students entering the Dramatic
Writing Option without a BA majoring in Film / Television or lacking an
adequate background in dramatic writing.
TVF 200: Introduction to Single Camera and Editing 4 units

TVF 224: Survey of Film 4 units
TVF 265: Introduction to Scriptwriting 4 units
TVF 365: Intermediate Scriptwriting 4 units
TVF 465: Seminar: Advanced Scriptwriting 4 units
Master of Fine Arts in Television, Film, and Theatre (88 units)
Requirements for the Degree (88 units)
A total of 88 units are required, with a minimum of 44 units of core courses, a minimum
of 44 units in a particular option, and at least 60 units in 500-level courses. All students
are required to complete three projects (TVFT 546 A & B, and TVFT 599). Applicants
holding a MA degree in theatre may apply 30 units of eligible coursework toward the
MFA degree with adviser approval. Consultation with a graduate adviser is required for
development and approval of a graduate program, which includes the following:
Required Core Courses (36 units)
TVFT 500 Introduction to MFA 2 units
TVFT 502 Directing 4 units
TVFT 503A Dramatic Structure I: Theatre 4 units
TVFT 503B Dramatic Structure II: Film 4 units
TVFT 503C Dramatic Structure III: Television 2 units
COMS/TVFT 508 Media Arts, Theatre, and Society 4 units
TVFT 510 Studio and Field Operations 4 units
TVFT 511 Stage Operations 4 units
*TVFT 580 Collaboration Workshop 6 units (2,2,2)
TVFT 581: Entertainment Arts Internship 2 units
*The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three
represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT 550,
TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549.
Elective Core Courses (8 units): Select two courses from the following
COMS 505 Seminar: Critical Approaches 4 units
Television and Film
COMS 506 Seminar: Television Programming 4 units
COMS 507 Seminar: Post World War II Film 4 units
and Television History
*TA 541 Seminar: Theories of Acting 4 units

TA 570 Seminar: Experimental Theatre 4 units
*Enrollment in TA 541 requires permission from Director of Graduate Studies—
Theatre Arts and Dance.
Performance/Acting Option (44 units)
Students in the Performance/Acting Option will have the opportunity to perform in five
or six different theatrical venues prior to completing their degree and will earn their
Actors Equity union cards through their participation in the unique SegWay (Segue)
Theatre. The option will include classes and workshops in performance theory,
performance history, theories of acting for the stage, television and film; as well as
courses designed to inform students of current industry practices and procedures.
The SegWay Theatre (Segue) is a performance project dedicated to experimental and
professional work located on the campus of CSULA in the Department of Theatre Arts
and Dance. It is an ongoing professional project that allows graduating undergraduate
and graduate students to transition into the industry by earning their first union
contracts and applications in actual productions at Cal State L.A. Students engage this
process under the direction of faculty and visiting artists/instructors in the areas of
design, direction, management, performance, and the technical disciplines.
Required Courses (28 units)
*TVFT 517 Acting for the Stage 3 units
*TVFT 518 Acting for Television 3 units
*TVFT 519 Acting for Film 3 units
TVFT 542 Acting Studio 3 units
TVFT 543 ABC Voice for Performers 6 units (2,2,2)
TVFT 544 ABC Movement for Performers 6 units (2,2,2)
TVFT 563 The Business of Acting 4 units
*. The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three
represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT
550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549.
Performance Electives (8 units): Electives should be chosen in consultation with an
advisor from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective
courses in the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM
491 in their first Fall quarter of Assistantship.
Project Requirements (8 units)

All students are required to complete three projects
TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I 2 units
TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II 2 units
TVFT 599: MFA Culmination Project 4 units
Production Option (44 units)
This option includes classes and practicum in all related media through all stages of
production. Students in the Production Option will benefit from visiting guest artists from
the industry, from the Film / Television production faculty who continue to work and
interact with the industry, and from regularly scheduled graduate student project one,
project two and thesis project screening events.
Required Courses (28 units)
*TVFT 521 Directing for the Stage 4 units
*TVFT 522 Single Camera Directing and Producing 4 units
*TVFT 523 Multi-Camera Production 4 units
TVFT 531A Motion Picture Pre Production/Production 4 units
TVFT 531B Motion Picture Production/ Post Production 4 units
TVFT 533: Advanced Problems in Multiple Camera/ 4 units
TV Production
TVFT 579: The Business of Production 4 units
* The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three
represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT
550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549.
Production Electives (8 units): Electives should be chosen in consultation with an
advisor from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective
courses in the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM
491 in their first Fall quarter of Assistantship.
Project Requirements (8 units)
All students are required to complete three projects
TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I
2 units
TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II
2 units
TVFT 599: MFA Thesis Project 4 units
Dramatic Writing (44 units)

Students in the Dramatic Writing Option will have the opportunity to write across the
three venues of television, film, and stage. In collaboration with students in the
Performance and Production Options, student in Dramatic Writing option will engage the
full scope of television, film and stage production as relates to the art and craft of
dramatic writing. In collaboration with students in the Performance and Production
Options, students in the Dramatic Writing option will have the opportunity to see their
works produced in professional theatrical/telecast exhibition and stage production quality.
Required Courses (28 units)
TVFT 545 Scene Writing Lab 2 units
TVFT 547 Story Development 4 units
TVFT 548 Creating Characters and Writing Dialogue 4 units
*TVFT 549 Playwriting 4 units
*TVFT 550 Genre Writing 4 units
*TVFT 551 TV Sitcom Writing 4 units
TVFT 552 The Business of Writing 4 units
TVFT 553 Pitching Workshop 2 units
*The following classes are scheduled to meet jointly. The cluster of three
represents a class from each of the three options TVFT 519, TVFT 522, TVFT
550; TVFT 518, TVFT 523, TVFT 551; TVFT 517, TVFT 521, TVFT 549.
Writing Electives (8 units). Electives should be chosen in consultation with an advisor
from available 500-level courses. Students are also encouraged to take elective courses in
the other options. Graduate Teaching Assistant recipients must take COMM 491 in their
first Fall quarter of Assistantship.
Project Requirements (8 units)
All students are required to complete three projects
TVFT 546 A: MFA Project I
2 units
TVFT 546 B: MFA Project II
2 units
TVFT 599: MFA Thesis Project 4 units
MFA Project (Culminating Project)
MFA students are required to complete three projects under the rubrics of TVFT 546 A,
TVFT 546 B and TVFT 599, with TVFT 599 being the MFA culminating project. These
three projects must include one in each of the following categories: theatre, multi-camera
studio television, and film style production.
1. Option Requirements: The graduate program must include a total of 88 units, with a
minimum of 44 units in core courses and at least 44 units in one of the three options.

Students must meet the requirements of the designated option. Graduate advisers must be
consulted regarding specific option requirements.
2. Progress Reviews: In order to advance in the program the student must maintain
continuing student status, successfully complete all courses with a B or better in each
course attempted (with an overall g.p.a. of at least 3.0) and complete an advancement to
candidacy evaluation process after completing 16 units. Only students who are advanced
to candidacy are eligible to enroll in the project units.
Students must also successfully pass an annual review at the end of the first two years of
their program (roughly set at 35 units and 64 units). The review committee will consist of
at least three faculty members, one from each of the three option areas who will evaluate
the quality of the student’s progress based on a submitted portfolio of work by the
student, grades and observations of the student’s on-going work and involvement in the
program.
3. Exhibition: After Advancement to Candidacy the project is developed under the
guidance of the candidate's project chair with the assistance of the project committee (at
least a three person committee). Upon the committee approval of the completed work,
Performance, Production and Dramatic Writing projects will be appropriately exhibited
in accordance with department requirements.
4. Written Proposals: All candidates must submit a written abstract or prospectus of the
culminating project following the stipulated university requirements. The abstract
includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology, limitations, and conclusions
or end goals. Appropriate supporting materials (i.e. treatments, scripts, storyboards, initial
film, etc.) necessary based on the project and in consultation with committee chair must
be included with the abstract. The project and written abstract/prospectus must be
approved by the candidate’s project committee and department chair, and filed with the
library thesis coordinator according to established deadlines.