Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television

A Three-Year Program

Tisch School of the Arts Asia Graduate Film students have shot this year in:

Cambodia, China, Cuba, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United States, and United Arab Emirates

Student Showcase

---

Curriculum

The Department of Film, Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, New York University Tisch School of the Arts Asia, offers an intensive three-year conservatory that trains students in the art of cinematic storytelling. We focus on helping writer/directors develop a narrative voice and the technical virtuosity to express that voice in cinema. Our students learn by doing – writing scripts, directing and producing films and exercises, shooting and crewing on each other's projects. At the completion of the program, students earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in film.

The Film program at Tisch School of the Arts Asia encompasses both fiction and documentary filmmaking. Each semester, courses in screenwriting, directing, aesthetics, acting, cinematography, editing, producing, and sound design compliment specific filmmaking projects that provide hands-on training.

The M.F.A. program features award-winning international faculty and outstanding production facilities, all situated against the backdrop of Singapore, one of the most exciting and dynamic regions in Asia. Admission to the program is highly selective, enrolling only 36 new students per year.

A Three-Year Program

First-year students are immersed in all aspects of film, attending classes that explore aesthetic principles as well as technical applications. In addition to their course work, students write and direct three short productions, working on each other’s projects by rotating crew positions. The projects focus on visual storytelling, dramatic structure, cinematic technique, and working with actors.

During the second year, students are introduced to more advanced aspects of film, both inside and outside the classroom. Each student creates a 10-minute film that builds on the principles established during the first year. Every aspect of this project, from the writing of the script through preproduction, production, and editing, is executed with the highest level of craft and creativity. In addition, students begin work on a feature-length script to be completed by the end of the third year.

The third year of the program is more self-designed. From a wide range of classes, students look to expand their work in areas of particular interest. Advanced courses are offered in cinematography, producing, postproduction, directing actors, and feature script writing. In the third year and beyond, the program offers support for students who seek help in entering the industry.  Most students complete the requirements for their M.F.A. by directing a thesis film.  Each thesis film is reviewed by a faculty board, which then recommends the student for graduation.  Students may also satisfy their thesis requirement by achieving a level of proficiency in producing, cinematography, or editing and by functioning in that capacity on a number of thesis projects.