The curriculum of the MA in Producing for Film Program focuses on the four crucial areas of producing that are needed to produce feature films: Creative Elements and the Creative Team; Business of Filmmaking (business, financial and legal); Management (pre-production, production, and post-production); and Marketing and Distribution.

MA in Producing for Film Program

The Master of Arts in Producing for Film is a four quarter cohort program.

Note: Students with previous coursework or professional experience may waive out of MAFP—501 and/or MAFP—505.

Required Courses

MAFP—501 Fundamentals of Filmmaking (3)
Fundamentals of Filmmaking provides a practical and comprehensive grounding in film production including lighting, camera, composition and editing.

MAFP—505 Introduction to Screenwriting (3)
Introduction to Screenwriting lays the groundwork for screenplay writing by providing students with a total immersion in script structure and the craft of writing for the screen.

MAFP—509 Language of Film (3)
Language of Film provides an overview of film analysis through a study of basic elements of film structure including cinematography, editing, composition set design, color, and sound, and the ways in which each contributes to a film’s meaning.

MAFP—531 Fundamentals of Producing (3)
Fundamentals of Producing provides an overview of the entire producing process from development to distribution. This course focuses on the four core areas of the producing process: Creative Elements and the Creative Team; Business of Filmmaking; Management; and Marketing and Distribution.

MAFP—541 Creative Elements and the Creative Team—1 (4)
Creative Elements and the Creative Team—1 focuses on the formative stages of project development with specific attention to: Defining and maintaining a creative vision; Finding and developing stories and screenplays; Putting together the creative team; Putting together the cast; Using the creative aspects of the project to support business goals and solve problems.

MAFP—542 Creative Elements and the Creative Team—2 (4)
Creative Elements and the Creative Team—2 continues the development of producing skills introduced in MAFP—541 with a particular focus on organizational techniques and script analysis and breakdown. Students also focus on the hands-on tools needed to produce a production within the program.

MAFP—543 Creative Elements and the Creative Team—3 (4)
Creative Elements and the Creative Team—3 continues the development of producing skills introduced in MAFP—542 with the primary focus of producing a short project within the context of the program. Students select and develop the project, participate in story meetings, choose crew, deal with all elements of pre-production and set the framework for the actual production.

MAFP—551 Business of Filmmaking—I (3)
Business of Filmmaking—I focuses on the key areas of the business of filmmaking that are on the producer’s radar from the very conception of a project: fundraising, the business plan; and the budget and budgeting.

MAFP—552 Business of Filmmaking—2 (3)
Business of Filmmaking—2 provides an in-depth analysis of the financial aspects of the film industry and methods of financing films. Specific attention is paid to financial models and cost recoupment mechanisms models (including licensing) for a variety of project types—studio features, independent films, and projects geared to alternative distribution.

MAFP—553 Business of Filmmaking—3 (3)
Business of Filmmaking—3 offers an overview of entertainment law and focuses on the legal aspects of the producer’s world. Topics include deal memos, contracts, union agreements, distribution agreements, music rights, literary rights, intellectual rights, and copyrights.

MAFP—561 Producing Management—1 (pre-production)
Producing Management—1 provides an introduction to management and managerial skills with a specific emphasis on the elements of pre-production including script breakdown, acquiring locations, hiring crew, negotiations, logistical planning, equipment, and scheduling.

MAFP—562 Producing Management—2 (production)
Producing Management—2 provides an in-depth introduction to the role of the line producer in the key areas of budgets and budget management; management of the day-to-day aspects of the production; set management and craft services; and crew management including conflict resolution and termination.

MAFP—563 Producing Management—3 (post-production)
Producing Management—3 focuses on the managerial and technical expertise the producer brings to the post-production process. This class deals specifically with editing, sound editing, music, score composition, visual and special effects, and laboratory workflow and relations.

MAFP—571 Marketing and Distribution—1
Marketing and Distribution—1 provides the groundwork for a detailed analysis of the distribution process by focusing on traditional distribution, exhibition, and marketing models and an analysis of target audiences and demographics.

MAFP—572 Marketing and Distribution—2
Marketing and Distribution—2 focuses on alternatives to traditional distribution including on demand DVD distribution; internet distribution, video on demand, hybrid models, and platform theatrical release.
The class also examines the role of film markets and film festivals as an integral part of alternative distribution.

MAFP—573 Marketing and Distribution—3
Marketing and Distribution—3 concentrates on the specifics of marketing including the development of the overall marketing plan and its individual components. Specific attention is devoted to the press kit (traditional and web-based), social networking, viral buzz, the web site, trailers, and collateral promotional materials.

MAFP—601 Integration of Producing Skills (2)
Integration of Producing Skills, through an active involvement of industry participants, delineates the relationship of the skill-set of the film producer to other career paths including new and emerging media, internet and digital media production and distribution, documentary production, video games, commercials, as well as business opportunities and start-up and entrepreneurial ventures.

MAFP—701 Master’s Portfolio Seminar—1
Master’s Portfolio Seminar—1 provides the foundation for the portfolio project: A fully-developed film project with a strategy plan that includes how to package and finance the project, a detailed budget, and the marketing and distribution plan and all collateral material required for that plan. Students, with faculty approval, may develop an alternate project to fulfill the portfolio project.

MAFP—702 Master’s Portfolio Seminar—2
Master’s Portfolio Seminar—2 follows MAFP—701 and provides the structure of the completion of the Portfolio Project. In addition to class meetings, students will also meet with faculty for individual consultations, and when appropriate, industry professionals.

Elective Courses

MAFP—502 Tools of Production (3); Prerequisite: MAFP—501
Tools of Production provides the fundamental groundwork for both the practical and creative sides of film and digital video production. The class focuses on the expressive aspects of lighting and camera technique as well as the proper use of equipment and the standardized protocol of crew filmmaking.

MAFP—503 The Production Process (3); Prerequisite: MAFP—502
In the Production Process, students complete a group project on either 16mm or HD. Each group takes full responsibility for their projects as they write the scripts, prepare storyboards, cast actors, scout and secure locations, and finally shoot their project.

MAFP—504 Editing: Introduction to Final Cut Pro (3); (No prerequisites)
Editing: Introduction to Final Cut Pro provides an intensive grounding in operating Final Cut Pro as well as providing a comprehensive framework in editing theory. During the class, students take a project from raw footage through to the final locked-down edit.

MAFP—506 Screenwriting—Structure and Process (3); Prerequisite: MAFP—505
In Structure and Process, students develop the basic storyline for their screenplay. The class focuses on the specific elements of the screenwriting craft including creating story, structuring the plot and subplots, plot points, ingredients to construct effective opening pages, and the structure of dramatic scenes.

MAFP—507 Screenwriting—Creating the First Draft (3); Prerequisite: MAFP—506
In Creating the First Draft, students finish writing their screenplays. This course deals with the overall structure of screenplays from the individual scene to the rhythms of the complete piece. In addition, the class focuses on effective dialogue, humor, and adding suspense and “twists” to the story.

MAFP—508 Rewriting & the Business of Screenwriting (3); Prerequisite: MAFP—507
In Rewriting & the Business of Screenwriting, students engage in the rigorous process of creating a second draft of the screenplay. In addition, students focus on developing an overall strategy for the sale of a screenplay as they develop treatments, beat sheets, proposal letters, and pitch story ideas.

MAFP—513 Art of Directing (3); (No prerequisites)
Art of Directing concentrates on two crucial areas of the directing process—working with actors and the technical aspects of directing. First, students concentrate on the professional and emotional relationship between the actor and director. Next, students focus on set issues including lighting, set design, lens selection, and blocking.

MAFP—901 Professional Internship Program (1-6)
The Professional Internship Program is open to all students who complete the program requirements. Students are encouraged to use the program as a way of focusing and developing their career in the areas of producing that they are specifically interested in pursuing. The Professional Internship Program is managed through Career Services at Seattle Film Institute. Students, with program permission, may register for MAFP—901.