RIT - School of Film and Animation

FAQ - MFA Program

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My undergraduate degree is not in Animation, Video, or Film. In fact, I have a BS degree. Can I still apply?

Yes. We accept students from a wide range of backgrounds. What we are looking for is someone who shows the potential to communicate visually, thinks in terms of motion, and has a passion for animated filmmaking. Courses are available for graduate students who need to get up to speed in terms of technology and terminology. Check the graduate worksheet for specific degree requirements.

What does the faculty look for when reviewing MFA applicant portfolios?

Students have a wide range of backgrounds from traditional art, computers, video, film, and television, to students coming from undergraduate degrees in engineering, business, and liberal arts. We want students who have to potential to succeed in our program. A combination of visual art skills, computer literacy, and narrative ability contribute to that potential.

I am interested in more traditional animation, do you have a program for me?

Yes. We have the facilities and faculty to support traditional as well as computer animation. Our facilities include one Oxberry and two Acme animation cranes and a stop-motion suite. Several members of our faculty work primarily in non-computer forms, but you will find that most of them use both cameras and computers in their work. All animation students are required to take some traditional and some computer animation classes, but you can choose either as a speciality.

Do you have an undergradutate program in animation?

Yes. There is an animation track in the undergraduate program in School of Film and Animation.

Do you offer graduate assistantships?

Yes. Graduate assistantships for first-year students are assigned the first week of fall quarter. Positions vary from year to year, but most students either work as "labbies" (computer lab montiors) or as an assitant to a particular faculty member. GA's work 10 hours per week and wages range from $10-$15 per hour. If you would like an assistantship, bring a resume with you to the first meeting of the year.

Institute scholarships are available, and other scholarships come from a variety of sources and can be need-based or academic. Be sure to indicate your interest in a institute scholarship on the graduate application for admission. Also, the office of financial aid keeps an extensive file of private scholarships.

How can I get more information about your program?

Simply send an email to animate@rit.edu or call Mary Barnard at 585-475-6175 and request an information packet. Tours of the campus can be arranged through the Admissions department. Tours of the School of Film and Animation are coordinated by Mary Barnard (585-475-6175).

What is the average class size?

Every year, we accept 10-20 new graduate students into the MFA program. That means that there are about 40-50 students (including Thesis students) in the program at any given time. However, the average size for classes varies according to the course. For graduate animation classes, the average size is 10-20. It is rare to have more than 20 in any of our courses. Courses outside the animation department vary in size.

What facilities do you have?

What level of access do students have to equipment? The advantage that we have is that we are housed with the video and photography departments, so our students have access to all their facilities as well as the animation facilities. Computer Animation students can also check out audio, video and photography equipment from an extensive inventory for their use. Our Animation Center houses the three animation stands, the stop-motion suite, 10 Macintosh G3's, 2 SGI, and an Avid MCXpress. The centerpiece, though, is the SGI lab which houses 22 Silicon Graphics Indigo 2 machines.

What level of access do students have to equipment?

As far as access, graduate students have 24 hour key access to the Animation Center. The SGI lab is open seven days a week and has extended hours during finals week. For a full list of the facilities available click here.

What rate of job placement do your grads have?

While placement rate varies from year to year, over 90% of our alumni have jobs in the field. We also keep in close contact with all our alumni, and over 90% of them are still working in the field today.

What types of jobs do your alumni have?

That varies as much as our students do. However, we have had graduates go to work for television networks such as MTV and NBC, for animation and special effects houses such as Digital Domain, Industrial Light & Magic, Rhythm and Hues, Cinesite, and Pixar, and for software companies like Broderbund, Turner Interactive, and Headbone Interactive. Many graduates or continuing thesis students get their first job with Kodak or Xerox, since both their world headquarters are here in Rochester. Finally, we also have students who decide to continue their filmmaking independently and work for themselves.

Do you offer courses in special effects?

Yes. Although we do not have a formal specialization in special effects, we do offer classes in 3D modeling to match real life, 3D character animation, compositing, and adding effects to live action. Students can also take classes in puppet (stop-motion) animation.

How long does the program take?

The coursework for a Master's Degree will take 6 quarters, full-time (2 years). After that, it depends on how much time you devote to your thesis. Generally, most students take 2-4 quarters for thesis, depending on whether they have a full-time job or not. Some students complete work at the end of the fall quarter of their 3rd year, many take a full third year to complete their thesis.

Are there any co-op or internship options?

RIT has the nation's 4th largest co-op program. Many grad students do internships or co-ops during the summer between their 1st and 2nd year.

I am interested more in animation for interactive, games, and multimedia. What do you offer for me?

All graduate students must take a concentration in some form of programming. Classes are taught in cooperation with the College of Applied Science and Technology and the Information Technology or Computer Science Departments. Students can choose classes in interactive multimedia programming, multimedia development, java, and other programming languages.

What is the application procedure?

Check the page for application procedures or go directly to the online graduate application.

What should I include in my portfolio?

For the portfolio, we want your BEST work that demostrates visual art, computer, and narrative skills. If it is borderline, leave it out. We accept submissions on videotape (NTSC: VHS, SVHS, 3/4", Beta, or DVCAM), CD-ROM, or slides. DO NOT send original work. Your body of work can include animation, films, paintings, sculptures, drawing, web pages, etc.

Do you have any more questions? Email us.