M.F.A. in Science and Natural History Filmmaking
The Master of Fine Arts Program in Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University is considered one of the best programs in the world dedicated to this unique and rewarding field of filmmaking. Our mission is to train aspiring filmmakers with an interest and background in scientific disciplines to develop the creative, technical, and critical skills needed to create work that will contribute to the public understanding of science.The pandemic, concern for the climate, and other policy issues relying on science have made this goal even more central to the way we all live.
Graduates have pursued successful careers as award-winning independent filmmakers, staff creators at major agencies and organizations, and production leaders at major channels and streaming platforms. They have contributed to the stellar reputations of National Geographic, PBS, Netflix, and the BBC among many others. Other alumni are communications executives with foundations, NGOS and government agencies. Several hold tenure-track and tenured professorial appointments at major universities.
While still completing their degrees, our students have produced films for the National Park Service, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Agriculture, NOAA, NASA, Discovery, and such non-profit organizations as the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, and the Field Museum and the Boston Museum of Science. Students and alumni have received several student Emmys and multiple National Emmy Awards along with numerous honors at festivals and juried competitions.
Our students have also been awarded Fulbright scholarships, a Fred Rogers Scholarship from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Webby awards, and many other honors. They have documented the work of explorers and scientists in almost every field from astrophysics to zoology and on every continent in the world including Antarctica.
Candidates for the MFA take courses that include film and video production, the history and theory of science and natural history communication, cinematography, sound, production management, editing and writing. All students must also complete one or more production internships during their time as MFA students. Our students are in great demand even before graduation and most leave the program with their first professional credits as well as their MFA degree.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The curriculum consists of a minimum of sixty semester credit hours of study, written thesis, and thesis film taken over three years. To graduate, a student should complete the course of study in good academic standing and produce and defend a written thesis and thesis film.
| FILM 504 | Film and Documentary Theory | 4 |
| FILM 510 | Fundamentals of Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 513 | Advanced Cinematography | 3 |
| FILM 515 | Science and Natural History Film Production | 4 |
| FILM 517 | Production Management | 3 |
| FILM 505 | Critical Approaches to Science and Natural History Filmmaking | 4 |
| FILM 518 | Writing for Documentary and Non-Fiction Film | 3 |
| FILM 519 | Post Production Workflow | 3 |
| FILM 523 | Second Year Film Prep | 2 |
| FILM 525 | Second Year Film Prod | 3 |
| FILM 526 | Alternative Nonfiction | 3 |
| FILM 560 | Advanced Post Production: Info Design | 3 |
| FILM 581 | Special Professional Proj | 1-3, max 12 credits, may be repeated |
| FILM 590 | Master's Thesis | 1-15, max 15 credits, may be repeated |
| FILM 591 | Special Topics | 1-3, max 12 credits, may be repeated |
| FILM 592 | Independent Study | 1-3, max 3 credits, may be repeated |
| FILM 598 | Professional Internship | 1-6, max 6 credits, may be repeated |