Program Overview
The NYU MBA/MFA Dual Degree in Producing program partners two world-class schools to offer a unique graduate education: NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at the Tisch School of the Arts. Students have New York City, one of the premier film capitals in the world, as a laboratory and canvas for work.
Learning takes place in the classroom, on the set, and through interaction with other talented students. Typically, students enhance their portfolios through hands-on internships at companies such as Focus Features, FilmNation Entertainment, Starz/Liberty and HBO.
In the first year of the program, students build their business foundation and courses are focused at Stern. One of the highlights at Stern is a course that includes a trip to the Cannes Film Festival (additional fee required). Students witness firsthand the inner workings of one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Students also take one course at Tisch - Introduction to Producing - where they produce one Tisch classmate’s 1st year film. Throughout the year, students are welcome to continue collaborating on MFA classmates’ projects while at Stern.
In the summer between the first and second year, Dual Degree in Producing students take two intensive courses at Tisch. In Writing the Short Screenplay, students learn the basic principles of writing for film and write a short screenplay suitable for production during their second year at Tisch. In Sight and Sound, students work in teams with classmates to each produce, write, and direct five short films.
In the second year of the program, Dual Degree in Producing students study full-time at Tisch and are immersed in the filmmaking process. They take courses in producing, directing, writing, cinematography, editing, sound recording, aesthetics, and directing actors. The Dual Degree in Producing students produce multiple short films directed by their MFA classmates and have the option to direct a short film of their own.
In the third year, students take electives at both Tisch and Stern. At Tisch, they take advanced courses in Producing such as Producing the Independent Feature, Structure and Management of an Independent Film Company, Marketing and Creative Advertising, Film from an International Perspective, Packaging, and Development for Television and Digital. Dual Degree students can also take advanced courses in feature writing, directing, cinematography, and a master class with Professor Spike Lee.
As part of entry to the Dual Degree program, students commit to the MFA Producing track and continue to build a body of work as a Producer in their third year while progressing toward completing their thesis requirements. Many Dual Degree students have completed the MFA program at the end of their 3rd year.
Throughout their time at New York University, Dual Degree students have access to many opportunities to exercise their creative talents, meet top tier industry professionals, produce non-curricular projects, and forge strong relationships with a gifted group of emerging content creators.