Created in 1989, the Film School operates its main studios in Tallahassee and its music recording stage and back lot property in Quincy, Florida. Taken together, these facilities are among the largest and best equipped in the world devoted wholely to film education. It is the only school in America that pays for all of its students' production expenses, including their thesis film. Altogether, over 150 complete sound films are made by students each year, of which ten are thesis films. As a state funded institution, FSU pays all production expenses.
The FSU facilities include three sound stages. Post-production studios include a 16-track sound mixing facility, digital audio sweetening, a Foley stage, a Film book/tape/disc library, a screenwriting computer lab, large and small screening theaters, and on-site engineering and management support.
DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS
FSU offers a full-time (Fall, Spring, and Summer), two-year Master program in narrative, dramatic film production in which 90 credit hours of courses are ultimately completed. The Conservatory pays all production expenses, including those of the thesis films, thereby creating a "level playing field" on which equal resources and educational opportunities are provided to all students.
In the first year at the Conservatory, students take a wide range of courses in a variety of specializations, including screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound. During the second year, students continue with classes and workshops in the Fall. During the Spring and Summer semesters, in teams, they concentrate on the production of five 16 mm thesis films.
FSU also offers a Bachelor’s program in Film.
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition for the MFA program is currently $7,601 per semester for out-of-state students (for six consecutive semesters including summers), and $2,190 for in-state students. A limited number of graduate assistantships are available and are awarded on the basis of need and/or achievement.
ADMISSION AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Each Fall, a new class of 24 students is admitted, for a maximum of 48 students in the two-year Master’s program (six consecutive semesters). Admission is highly competitive, requiring a record of high academic achievement. An undergraduate degree in film or television is not required, but experience in any facet of film or television production is extremely helpful in gaining admission. Minimum requirements include:
an undergraduate degree;
a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate course work completed beyond the sophomore year;
a total Graduate Record Examination score of at least 1000 in the verbal and quantitative portions combined.
Note: International applications will be reviewed if the applicant has a TOEFL score of at least 650 or above.
The number of students admitted to the FSU Film Conservatory each year is severely limited by the availability of budget, facilities, faculty, space and time required for for individual instruction. The criteria and factors taken into consideration by the Committee are: grade point averages, test scores, three letters of recommendations, the nature and extent of previous filmmaking studies or experience; and statements by the applicants of their individual goals, interests and talent; and experience in working as a team member.
For information on applying to the Bachelor’s program, see http://www.fsu.edu/prospective/undergraduate/admissions.shtml
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
http://filmschool.fsu.edu