Emerging Media (MFA) - Animation and Visual Effects

Program Overview

The Emerging Media MFA in Animation and Visual Effects equips students with advanced industry skills and prepares them for careers in animation, visual effects, and related fields. The program emphasizes entrepreneurialism, storytelling, and professional studio practices through hands-on production and collaboration opportunities. Graduates are highly qualified for various roles, including animation professors, character animators, and visual effects artists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a specialized program housed in the School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at the University of Central Florida. It is designed to emulate the professional and independent studio environment, providing opportunities for students to assume artistic leadership roles. The program emphasizes narrative film structure and the entrepreneurial aspects of animation, preparing students for careers in animation, independent filmmaking, studio employment, and job creation. The program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative function of a commercial studio through first-year production courses. Students also develop their unique style of independent filmmaking during the preproduction and production of their thesis film over the three-year program. They have opportunities to co-direct a team of undergraduate Character Animation students, contributing to the program's canon of award-winning films. The program utilizes industry-standard software and hardware in its labs and studios, providing students with a real-world learning experience. Students are encouraged to develop their visual storytelling skills using a variety of animation and visual effects techniques, including traditional hand-drawn, stop motion, 2D computer, and 3D computer animation.

Outline:

The Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a full-time, three-year program (six full-time semesters excluding summers in most instances). Students must progress through the program by taking required classes in particular semesters. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, including a thesis project. All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Course Schedule:

Year 1

• Fall: 12 Credit Hours
• DIG 5439C - Script and Story Development for Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 5865 - The History of Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 5386C - Animation and Visual Effects Production I (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 5387C - Visual Development and Design for Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 9 Credit Hours
• DIG 5366C - Animation and Visual Effects Production II (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 5378C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects I: Theory and Production (3 Credit Hours)

Year 2

• Fall: 12 Credit Hours
• DIG 6379C - Editing for Animation and Visual Effects II: Practical Editing (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6377C - Visual Effects for Animation and Live Action II (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6388C - Animation and Visual Effects Production III (3 Credit Hours)
• FIL 5800 - Research Methods in Film and Digital Media (3 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 9 Credit Hours
• DIG 6384C - Directing for Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6389C - Animation and Visual Effects Production IV (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6365C - Media and Music for Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)

Year 3

• Fall: 9 Credit Hours
• DIG 6866C - Technical Problem Solving for Animation and Visual Effects (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6971 - Thesis (6 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 9 Credit Hours
• DIG 6575C - Animation and Visual Effects Production V (3 Credit Hours)
• DIG 6971 - Thesis (6 Credit Hours)

Thesis:

The thesis consists of producing a short film and a thesis document. The final oral review before the supervisory thesis committee occurs at the end of the sixth semester, coinciding with the presentation of the short film production. Students are required to submit an electronic version of the thesis to the UCF College of Graduate Studies.

Teaching:

The Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track is a competitive program where students receive instruction from professors with extensive professional industry experience and connections. The program draws on the expertise of the current faculty, preparing graduates for careers in teaching and academic professions.

Careers:

Graduates of the Emerging Media MFA - Animation and Visual Effects track are well-qualified to enter the animation, visual effects, and simulation industries. They have a competitive edge for greater opportunities within these fields. Potential career paths include:

• Animation Professor
• Character Animator
• Layout Artist
• Production Designer
• Story Artist
• Storyboard Artist
• Visual Development Artist
• Visual Effects Animator

Other:

Students in the Emerging Media MFA program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester they are enrolled. Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans.