Film and Animation (Master of Fine Arts Degree)

Graduates of rit’s film and animation mfa work as artists, filmmakers, and storytellers at the world’s leading animation and live-action studios, including disney animation studios, dreamworks, and nickelodeon. 

Overview

• Study an option in animation (2D or stop-motion), 3D animation, production, or screenwriting
• Access 2D, 3D, stop-motion animation, and virtual reality labs
• 24/7 Access to a dedicated graduate lab with industry-level software.
• Gain career experience as a graduate assistant, faculty research assistant, and more.

Utilize multiple sound stages with post-production editing, sound mixing, and color correction suites.

• The film and animation MFA is supported by highly specialized faculty from RIT's photography, imaging science, computer science, information technology, and design programs. This program is offered by the School of Film and Animation which houses state-of-the-art facilities, including full production facilities.
• While achieving your master's in film and animation, you will join a collaborative environment with highly-trained faculty and state-of-the-art production facilities. The program is connected to MAGIC Spell Studios, which offers you industry and commercial experience as you pursue your degree.

RIT's Film and Animation Master’s Degree
The MFA in film and animation offers four options:

• Animation: Concentrate on both traditional or digital animation as well as stop-motion animation. Courses focus on teaching the fundamentals of animation, 2D mechanics, all aspects of pre-production, and stop-motion fabrication techniques.
• 3D Animation: Learn all aspects of the 3D animation pipeline. Courses focus on 3D animation, modeling, lighting, texturing, and rendering. You may also explore working in VR or with virtual production techniques.
• Production: Develop and refine your creative approach to fictional narrative, documentary, and experimental live-action filmmaking. Courses focus on directing, sound recording, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing.
• Screenwriting: Learn the craft of storytelling in relation to feature, short, and series-length screenplays. Courses focus on short-film production, history, theory, and writing techniques.
• All four options require two years of course work and a third year focused on a thesis film or script. All students create and screen finished films in their first two years.
• Electives: Elective courses are available in animation, film, video, multimedia, screenwriting, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, museum studies, crafts, bookmaking, typography, color photography, new media, studio photography, advertising photography, perception, gaming, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. There are also opportunities for independent studies, internships, and concentrations.
• Thesis: Specific instructions pertaining to the thesis are available in the “MFA Guide for Students and Faculty: Policy Regarding Student Work.” The School of Film and Animation reserves the right to retain copies of student-produced films to be used for educational purposes, to show to prospective students, and as examples of student productions.

Careers and Experiential Learning
Typical Job Titles

• Character Animator
• Director
• Effects Animator
• Producer
• 3D Modeler
• Editor
• 3D Technical Artist
• Production Manager
• Storyboard Artist
• Screenwriter
• Character Designer
• Sound Mixer or Editor
• Fabricator
• Cinematographer

Cooperative Education and Internships

• What makes an RIT education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.
• Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Co-op in the College of Art and Design provides hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.
• Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in film and animation.

Creative Industry Days
Connect with Design Industry Leaders

• RIT’s Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education hosts Creative Industry Days, which connects students majoring in art, design, film and animation, photography, and select computing majors with companies, organizations, creative agencies, design firms, and more. Creative Industry Days are a series of events that allow you to network with company representatives and interview directly for open co-op and full-time employment positions.