NYU offers several highly selective degree programs for aspiring filmmakers, producers, and writers. Take a look at the requirements below, procedures for international applicants, and how to request an application fee waiver.
NYU Tisch Kanbar Institute of Film & Television MFA
The most popular three-year graduate program at NYU Tisch offers two optional matriculation semesters and hands-on courses. Graduate Film students write/direct and collaborate in a laboratory environment that redefines the limits of their creativity and inspires innovative thinking.
Filmmakers make four short films in addition to the thesis film. The thesis film can be created at the end of the program or during the matriculation period (year 4). Matriculated students attend tuition-free but must pay departmental lab, matriculation, and registration fees. Most students remain Writers/Directors, but students can specialize in Cinematography, Producing, and Editing.
Year 1
- 3 short films over two semesters
- MOS Project: 1 black and white silent film shot on 16mm celluloid
- Observational Character Study (OCS): 5-minute digital film
- Spring Narrative: 1 sync-sound, 7-minute digital film
The MOS project promotes mastery of writing and directing on a low-budget while going back to basics. NYU Tisch is one of only several graduate film programs in the U.S. that still requires students to shoot on celluloid film. Graduate students pursue individual film projects and focus on frame, location, movement of actor and camera, light, and mise-en-scene (stage design). The four-minute film is black and white and shot without sound.
The OSC project takes place over inter-term break. Filmmakers shift into using digital film, color, sound, and 1-2 person film crews. This documentary exercise explores their subject's character by shooting their mannerisms, features, and interactions with their environment. By filming a non-interrupted series of real-life events, graduate filmmakers learn how to direct emotionally compelling narrative fiction and non-fiction.
The Spring Narrative project is a 7-minute long digital film that incorporates other key filmmaking elements: written dialogue, music, and cinematic lighting, in addition to shooting in color. Each class in the spring semester revolves around preparing for the Spring Narrative film. The scope is limited to three scenes and three-person film crews to help graduate filmmakers learn masterful storytelling.
Projects and coursework conclude with the First Year Marathon. Family members, instructors, and classmates attend your film screening at a NYU Tisch venue.
Year 2
- Primarily elective
- Stay in writing/directing or specialize
- Prepare to design year 3 thesis film
- The Second Year Film: 1 10-minute, sync-sound film (digital or celluloid film)
The Second Year Film project challenges graduate filmmakers to double their total run time. The semester begins with an intensive one-week-long Writing workshop where students write and revise their scripts.
Directing, Cinematography, and Production elective courses streamline pre-production by exploring artistic nuances in film and high-level filmmaking techniques. Point of view, cinematic flow, and using light and shadow are a few techniques graduate filmmakers learn over the first eight weeks. Filmmakers learn to write longer materials, from feature-length scripts to longer shorts.
Beginning in week 9, graduate filmmakers enter a production period from November 2023 through mid-January 2024. Each student receives one week of production time and chooses their film crews; 4-5 film crews go out each week and shoot on 16mm celluloid film or digital cameras. The Project can take place nationwide or worldwide. Additionally, all graduate filmmakers receive a small cash stipend.
Filmmakers edit the Second Year Film project in weekly Master Classes. Group workshops led by Directing instructors help students improve their craft and prepare a fine-cut version by mid-semester.
Year 2 concludes with the 2nd Year Showcase screening, a widely-celebrated off-campus event.
Year 3 (and Year 4)
In years 3-4, graduate film students have greater flexibility with a self-designed, thesis-driven curriculum. The thesis must demonstrate mastery of filmmaking basics and passion for their subject. Many students elect to complete the thesis in an additional year of study; visiting faculty provide high-level guidance and insight into enhancing the project.
Writing and directing students can choose from the following formats to fulfill the thesis:
- Short film
- Short or feature-length documentary
- Web series
- Feature script
- Television pilot
- Micro-budget feature film (less common)
Production, editing, and cinematography students instead take the most advanced courses in their discipline to develop their portfolios.
Graduate film students in all specializations collaborate with award-winning visiting faculty and NYU Tisch students in the Design, Acting, and Dramatic Writing programs to keep growing their collaborative and artistic skills. Electives help students hone skills taught in year 2.
FIlmSchool.org admitted student perspective
@notthatguypal was a first-time applicant to NYU Tisch Kanbar FTV Graduate Film received these interview questions:
- What would you have done differently about your visual sample?
- What would you do with your life if film (and all jobs/hobbies related to it) suddenly ceased to exist? ("I said - assuming I had lots of money - I would travel the world.")
- Tell us a personal story and explain every beat, all your emotions, and how it resolved?
How to apply
1. Set up a free SlideRoom account: Upload all portfolio materials to SlideRoom by the deadline. Applicants can return an unlimited number of times (but remember to save your progress).
2. Creative Portfolio: Upload these materials to SlideRoom:
- Visual Submission: Provide the best samples of your creative work. Co-created materials that feature you as the principal creator are permitted. Choose from either the video or photography category:
- Video – Must be either narrative fiction or documentary and have a total run time of no longer than 15 minutes; upload videos longer than 10 minutes to YouTube or Vimeo with an accessible link. Foreign films must be subtitled in English.
- Photography – Submit 10 photographs (stills) in black and white or color, with or without commentary. All subjects are welcome, but photos must be a minimum of 72 dpi.
- 3 Written Submissions: Respond to ALL of the following prompts:
- Dramatic Story – 1 short narrative writing exercise, up to two pages in length. Format double-spaced, 12-point font, prose style, and save a PDF. Build dramatic tension by ending with one of these lines:
- Dialogue Scene – Write an interesting conversation between two people that reveals something about the characters. Give a one-sentence description of each character, but include only essential details. Format as a screenplay, 12-point font, and save as a PDF. No cover page is necessary.
- Concept – In only one page, write about the concept for a feature-length script, narrative film, or documentary that you would like to develop. Format double-spaced, 12-point font, and save it as a PDF.
3. Photograph: Add your self-portrait to SlideRoom.
4. NYU Tisch Graduate Application (Including Letters of Recommendation, Resume, Statement of Purpose): Fill out the general application for graduate admissions (plus pay the $65 non-refundable application fee).
- The general application requires two Letters of Recommendation from academic, artistic or professional references.
- The Statement of Purpose must be 3 pages or fewer and explain who you are, why you want to attend the Kanbar Graduate division, and how the program can help you in your career trajectory. Explain your academic and professional goals, and describe how your successes and failures shaped your worldview. Finally, explain the types of stories you want to tell. Format double-spaced, 12-point font, and save it as a PDF.
Rita and Burton Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing MFA
The two-year Graduate Dramatic Writing MFA trains students to write their most exemplary work in theater, film, and episodic series and master the art of dramatic storytelling. Participants take classes in writing, text analysis, and the production process, in addition to pre-professional training courses.
Aspiring writers can take advantage of departmental awards, such as the Goldberg Playwriting Award and Goldberg Prize (open to MFA and BFA students). Graduate students are also encouraged to attend the monthly Tisch Alumni Script Script Critique and Networking Group.
Year 1
Dramatic Writing MFA students take introductory writing courses. By the end of year 1, students will have two original, full-length works that reflect two of these core mediums. Additional courses cover text analysis, production, and pre-professional training.
Year 2
Year 2 includes seminars, master classes, and colloquia with prolific guest speakers in film and entertainment that support thesis preparation (one full-length dramatic work). Graduate students can also complete a second full-length dramatic work in a different medium.
High-level electives prepare graduate writing students to experiment with writing comedy, children’s TV shows and films, graphic novels, and more. There is also an optional internship for credit.
FilmSchool.org admitted student perspective
@tylergenet got into the Dramatic Writing program by planning ahead. They said:
“I worked on my TV pilot the summer before and worked on it through early October while making the finishing touches on my personal statements. I also workshopped my pilot to get feedback about what beats landed well and what I could've done without. My personal advice is backtrack from that final [deadline], apply at least 2 weeks beforehand, and give yourself [milestones] to complete the necessary supplements and writing sample.”
How to apply
1. NYU Tisch Graduate Application: Submit the required materials by the deadline (plus pay the $65 non-refundable application fee):
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement: Explain in 750 words or fewer why you want to attend the Dramatic Writing Department, your academic/professional goals, and your interests as a writer
2. Transcripts: Upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts from any applicable undergraduate and graduate schools to SlideRoom.
3. Creative Portfolio via SlideRoom: Identify the medium of your portfolio (not equated to your concentration). Next, provide a single, complete work that reflects your best dramatic writing and tells a complete story. You must also be the sole creator. If your sample falls outside of the following major categories, address how it relates to dramatic writing in a short addendum:
- Full-length screenplay (up to 120 pages)
- Screenplay (90-120 pages)
- Original episodic pilot (25-60 pages
NYU Tisch Kanbar FTV/Stern School of Business MBA/MFA Dual Degree
The three-year MBA in General Management from the Stern School of Business and MFA in Film & Television Production from the Tisch School of the Arts dual degree prepares graduate students to compete for high-level film industry careers. Many graduate film students go on to work for major television and film studios and independent production companies in New York and Los Angeles.
Year 1
In year 1, students are enrolled at Kanbar and use Stern's Ignite program to complete required and optional workshops, panel discussions, mini-courses, Q&A sessions, mock interviews, resume critiques, and functionally-specific strategy groups.
Year 2
In year 2, students are enrolled at Stern and take advantage of on-campus recruiting sessions. MBA/MFA students are not required to complete a summer internship; the program requires two consecutive semesters of summer coursework.
Year 3
In the final year, students split courses equally between both schools and prepare to graduate with career counseling services and online tools.
FilmSchool.org admitted student perspective
@Sw121 had "two years [of] entertainment business experience [but] virtually no set experience." Take a look at their academic profile:
- GPA: 3.58
- GMAT: 700
How to apply
Aspiring Stern/Tisch students must submit the Dual Degree program application (no fee). Applicants must complete one application for each school. Stern MBA students must apply to the dual degree program no later than their first semester.
The application has six components:
- Short Answer: Professional Aspirations – Reply to “What are your short-term career goals?” in 150 words or fewer. Format double-spaced, 12-point font.
- Change: ____ it: Redesign Stern’s call to action in 350 words or fewer by filling in the blank with a word that speaks to you and your creative/professional goals. For example: “Change: dream it” or “Change: empower it.” Format double-spaced, 12-point font.
- Essay 2: Personal Expression (a.k.a. "Pick Six"): Paint a self-portrait in six images; open with a 3-sentence or fewer introduction about your selection. Include a one-sentence caption describing the significance of each image.
- EQ Endorsement: NYU Stern seeks applicants who present exceptional emotional intelligence. 2 EQ endorsements are required for admission; one must come from a current supervisor, and the other can be personal or professional.
- Essay 3: Optional – Provide additional details about your academic and/or professional background in 250 words or fewer. Format double-spaced, 12-point font.
- Official TOEFL/IELTS scores: International students may need to submit test scores. (Read “International Applicant Guidelines” to see if you may qualify for a waiver.)
How to request a graduate application fee waiver
To receive an application fee waiver, send a request via email to the Director of Graduate Admissions, Joe Miserendino (jm7@nyu.edu). Briefly summarize the nature of your request and provide supporting evidence. For additional questions about the admissions process and application waivers, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at admissions.gradfilm@nyu.edu.
NYU Tisch graduate readmission application
If you previously attended NYU Tisch as a graduate student, you can apply for readmission. Most students reapply after their approved leave of absence has lapsed, or if they failed to maintain matriculation. Fill out the application here.
Ready to apply?
Kanbar Institute of Graduate Film & Television requires two separate applications: the NYU Tisch Graduate Admissions Application and SlideRoom. Both applications are due on the same date.
