MFA Producing

PRN 510: Introduction to Cycle Production — Boot Camp
FIRST TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS

This intensive six-week workshop is meant to introduce Fellows to the AFI Conservatory. There is a focus on narrative storytelling. Classes for all first-year Fellows, orientations into production policies and procedures and discipline-specific workshops will prepare Fellows for both the academic and production work ahead. The production component of this course is the Boot Camp Shoot, a digital video exercise shot in four hours that guides first-year Fellows through Conservatory production procedures. The production teams engage in the processes of development, casting, pre-production, shooting and post-production, resulting in a project three to five minutes in length, to be screened the week following the shoot.

PRN 5111: Cycle Production I
FIRST TERM
4 CREDIT HOURS

Narrative Cycle Project 1 is the first of three collaborative narrative projects that each Fellow will complete during the first year. Narrative Cycle Projects are shot digitally, then edited, evaluated and screened in Narrative Workshop. They cannot run longer than 20 minutes in length, including credits.

PRN 5122 and 5123: Cycle Production II and III
SECOND TERM
8 CREDIT HOURS

This course encompasses narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3. Narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3 follow the pattern of Narrative Cycle Project 1. In addition to the above-mentioned required production coursework, other production at the AFI Conservatory may include first-year Cinematography 35mm Visual Essays, as well as other in-class exercises. In all cases, all AFI Conservatory production policies and procedures must be followed. Narrative Cycle Projects 2 and 3 follow the pattern of Narrative Cycle Project 1.

PRN 5211, 5222 and 5223: Narrative Workshop and Analysis I – III
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
6 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

At the end of the production process, all first-year Cycle films are screened and reviewed for all first-year Fellows, key Production faculty members, and staff. Each screening is followed by a critical analysis of the project, specifically for team members, led by a faculty member. Fellows receive feedback from the first-year class, allowing them to broaden their perspective beyond their study discipline. Team members then adjourn for one-on-one analysis with the NW faculty member.

PRN 525: Line Producing/ Dramatic Analysis
FIRST TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This workshop provides a survey of production management and line producing. From script breakdown and production preparation to post-production supervision and delivery, the physical production process is defined. Acting techniques will also be addressed. The basic terminology, tools and techniques of this crucial process are presented with frequent references to the cycle productions. Preparation for the production of the following year’s thesis projects is also a key aspect of the workshop.

PRO 511: Producing Workshop (Development)
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

Using various writing exercises, this workshop focuses on the basics of developing and writing narrative screenplays. The goal of the course is to expand the Producers understanding of the writing process and foster a facility in the arena of story and story development. The course also requires Fellows to actively engage in giving and taking notes on their own and their colleagues’ creative work.

PRO 512: Producing Workshop: Intro to the Business of Producing
SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This is the first part of a two-term course that will introduce Producing Fellows to the business aspect of creating and producing content.  The instruction, which includes modules on securing intellectual property, above-the-line deals and distribution models, will also examine the history, evolution and current state of various business practices that will take the Fellow from project inception through release.

PRO 517: Rush Hour – Weekend Read
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

Producers will look at various forms of narrative material – pitches, pilots, screenplays, with a critical eye to develop the crucial skills so important to collaboration:  written and verbal analysis and communication.  With a heavy emphasis on class participation, Producers will review their reading in class and focus on developing the clearest articulation of their comments.  This class culminates in a cross-discipline session with first year Screenwriters where each Producer will give individual notes on a Screenwriter’s treatment draft.

PRO 524: Story’s Frame – Choice and Consequence
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

Flannery O’Conner said, “Stories are about a character who makes a choice and the consequence of that choice on the character.”  This course focuses on the grammar of stories: how they work, what they mean, what they look like in script form – building tools essential to producing no matter the size of the screen or the form.

PRO 528: How They Do It
SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This is an intensive of three workshops that focus on a particular aspect of filmmaking guided by a working professional aiming to give you a deep dive into technique and craft.  Faculty and subjects announced at the end of the Fall Term.

PRO 541 and 542: The Art and Craft of Producing – Creative Producing I & II
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

This course explores the role of the creative producer in guiding a project from idea to script to screen.  The first term takes that journey through the development process and the second Term follows that process through production and post-production.  Both the Fall and Spring Terms share a focus on the skill set necessary to navigate the collaborative process.

CON 521 and 522: American Approaches to Film
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

An American narrative, live-action screening series of classic and contemporary feature and short films, highlighting the work of each discipline, in order to explore the aesthetic, cultural, historical and social phenomenon of the motion picture arts.

First-Year Fellow Comprehensive Review

A one-on-one evaluation of the Fellow’s First Year. The Fellow will submit a one-page analysis of their own progress in advance of the meeting and identify goals for the Second Year with the Discipline Head and/or faculty.

PRN 610: Thesis Production — Producing
12 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

Building on the first-year production experience, the Producing Fellows must successfully fulfill all pre-production, production and post-production responsibilities on a thesis production — a professionally executed short film or digital video project — which is evaluated by the senior faculty. Producers collaborate with project team members under the guidance of thesis faculty mentors. Thesis production teams participate in special development, pre-production and post-production workshops. In addition, teams visit discipline workshops on a scheduled basis over the course of pre-production, production and post-production in order to gain a thorough understanding of the collaborative interdisciplinary creative process. If a Producing Fellow is approved by faculty to produce more than one thesis production, the additional project(s) will be considered an additional thesis requirement for completion of the degree or certificate.

PRO 605: An In-Depth Look at TV – Pitching and Selling
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

This course is designed to prepare producers for the process of developing and selling a project. From identifying material to matching it with a potential buyer/market, the skills practiced here include the fundamentals of successful pitching.

PRO 615: Advanced Producing Workshop in Marketing
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

An overview of the role of marketing in the motion picture space, Fellows will investigate both domestic and international marketing and learn how positioning, demographics, public relations, traditional and digital media, creative advertising, social media, distribution platforms and cultural differentiation all interact to create the most impactful campaigns.

PRO 618: Building a Movie for the Marketplace
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE

This is a workshop that treats its participants like a production company that is initiating a project(s).  Beginning with a screenplay or IP, Fellows will survey the market at that precise time, identify the elements necessary to attract a buyer and decide on a best-case strategy to secure its sale. Working as a team, the idea here is to understand the process and realities that make marketplace success more predictable for content creators.

PRO 623: Creative Communication – Verbal and Written Notes
FIRST TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This course covers creative development for feature production from idea inception to packaging, with a focus on working with writers, filmmakers and distributors. Weekly reading, active participation in script discussions and case studies simulate development meetings at independent production companies and major studios.

PRO 631: Producing Workshop – Advanced Business of Producing
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

This seminar presents a variety of topics relating to specialized aspects of production financing, international co-financing and production, business practices and other essential components of entrepreneurial producing. The first term focuses on legal and business affairs; aspects of producing and deal negotiating through a series of role-playing exercises. The second term focuses on the selling of projects and the key relationships that are required in this area.

PRO 636: Original Series Development for Global Market
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE

An eight-week, application-only elective workshop designed to give screenwriting and producing teams an opportunity to develop original TV drama series for the current global marketplace. Each team is expected to produce a full bible, series document, or pitch outline refined by the class and regular story notes.

PRO 670: Internship Practicum
ANY TERM
1–3 CREDIT HOUR(S)
ELECTIVE

The objective of this course is to provide working experience in the film/TV industry as it pertains specifically to the Fellow’s degree/certificate requirements. Specific duties and requirements will be outlined and supervised by the faculty mentor. This internship qualifies an international Fellow for Curriculum Practical Training; approval must be obtained by the international advisor, as well as the faculty mentor prior to enrolling in the course.

PRO 682: The Profession
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

This series of seminars provides an overview of the contemporary motion picture professions. In order to aid the transition into a professional career, this course provides current information and insight into the workings of the established and independent motion picture and television professions.

PRO 690: Thesis Portfolio — Producing
8 CREDIT HOURS

With the benefit of classroom instruction and individual meetings with faculty, each Producing Fellow prepares a Producing Portfolio demonstrating his or her ability to identify and present material for at least two projects.   The Portfolio is a requirement for graduation, and should reflect the Fellow’s skill, taste and understanding of the market. It is the culmination of the AFI Conservatory experience and demonstrates the Producer’s ability to work independently, incorporate feedback, refine concepts and assemble a professional presentation.

CON 621 and 622: World Approaches to Film
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

A non-American narrative, live-action screening series of classic and contemporary feature and short films, highlighting the work of each discipline in order to explore the aesthetic, cultural, historical and social phenomenon of the motion picture arts.

CON 631 and 632: HLMS (Harold Lloyd Master Seminar)/ Seminar Series
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

This second-year seminar features a series of screenings and interviews with leading figures from all aspects of the motion picture, television and digital media arts. The seminars provide Fellows with a broad and varied perspective on contemporary stories being told, directly from the artists creating them.

CON 637 and 638: Second Year Development Workshop
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
1 CREDIT HOUR TOTAL PER TERM
ELECTIVE