Director of the Master's Programme: Professor Rauno Ronkainen

The MA Programme in Film and Television  is comprised of nine majors:

• Documentary Film
• Screenwriting
• Film Editing
• Cinematography
• Film Directing
• Film and Television Producing
• Film Sound Design
• Production Design
• Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film.

The aim of the degree is to provide students with:

1. good theoretical and general knowledge of as well as artistic and practical expertise in their field of study as well as a general knowledge of the field of arts;
2. knowledge and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work and for multidisciplinary collaboration as well as knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods;
3. knowledge and skills to perform, both independently and collaboratively, demanding expert, development and management duties of the field, and to cooperate internationally;
4. knowledge and skills needed for education leading to a Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) degree and for lifelong learning;
5. good language and communication skills for work in the field of arts and for international operations and cooperation.

The education shall be based on scientific research and artistic activity and professional practices in the field.

Learning Outcomes of the Master's Programme in Film and Television

A student graduating from the Master's Programme in Film:

1. Is able to act as the Head of Department (HoD) in their field of expertise in feature films, feature length documentaries or TV productions
2. Is able to use traditional as well as new cinematic narrative techniques and the tools of film dramaturgy
3. Knows how to manage large artistic projects and productions
4. Knows the practices, conventions and culture of film production, and has the ability to evaluate and develop them
5. Can apply their skills to new areas and platforms of audiovisual storytelling
6. Can identify and develop their own artistic strengths and qualities and build their identity as an artist
7. Is able to broaden their professional skills by further developing personal skills and thinking
8. Is able to work both independently and as part of a team
9. Has a knowledge of the history of film and television and an understanding of the cultural and social significance of the art form
10. Is able to work in an international team
11. Knows the main theoretical and research approaches of the field is ready continue to doctoral studies

Code: ARTS3018
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Professor Arturo Delgado Pereira

Major description

The goal of the MA in Documentary Film is to form innovative, critical, and analytical documentary filmmakers for both the national and international arenas. The students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and conventions documentary filmmaking. Moreover, the program will encourage students to engage future perspectives of documentary filmmaking as a storytelling, art and research form. 

Students will be able to develop their artistic and research skills through creative enquiry, practice and collaboration. They will be able to combine practical mastery and conceptual thinking, increasing their professional competence and situating them at the forefront of the documentary filmmaking field. 

Developers of the field. The goal of the Master’s Programme in Documentary Film is to train visionary documentary film directors and creative professionals who will contribute to the development of the field and its possibilities. Our MA students achieve excellence in professional practice, a deeper engagement with scholarly research, and groundbreaking research methodologies through artistic practice.

Theory and Practice. In our MA program, students will deepen their powers of observation, storytelling, and artistic expression. They will develop their own style as documentary film directors through workshop courses and filmmaking exercises. Students will also gain a comprehensive understanding of scholarly and artistic research in documentary film. They will experiment with contemporary expressions in the genre and engage with the history, theory and ethics of documentary film. The possibility of directing a MA diploma film provides an important framework for students to enhance their professional skills and take part in developing documentary conventions. 

Multiple viewpoints. The Documentary Film major invites numerous visiting lectures and artists, both from Finland and abroad, who offer multiple viewpoints to our students and enrich their learning experiences. Students have frequent interactions with film professionals, artists and companies throughout their studies, which help them to build knowledge of the film landscape and networks, both nationally and internationally. Through their filmmaking exercises, students develop their collaboration skills and their capacities to work in teams.

Students have also the possibility of producing graduation films along established production companies as well as getting mentorship from industry professionals. These meaningful interactions with professionals prepare our students for entering the professional field after, and even during, their studies.

Major's intended learning outcomes

Students graduating from the major in Documentary Film will:

• be able to perform all the tasks required of a documentary filmmaker from idea conception, development, production and postproduction of short film documentary works.  
• deepen their powers of observation and expression while developing their own style as documentary directors through numerous practical film exercises. 
• dents will master film collaboration skills, best work practices and ethics of documentary filmmaking to be able to perform as leading members of artistic crews. 
• be able to work on a variety of platforms and environments such as theatrical documentary, documentary series, educational and commissioned film, journalistic, science and institutional documentary, etc. 
• develop professional film skills to confidently perform in the constantly changing field of documentary film. 
• understand the tradition, main forms, and conventions of documentary filmmaking through the study of documentary authors, movements, trends, approaches, histories and theories. 
• develop creative and critical skills through the successful combination of theory and practice in our teaching program. 
• be able to apply innovative artistic methodologies that will situate them at the fore of the documentary field. 
• be able to apply for further film studies and to work as documentary film teachers and instructors. 

Code: ARTS3024
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Professor Pietari Koskinen

Major description

Master's studies in the major in Film Sound Design train artists and professionals to work as sound designers and sound recordists in all areas of film production. The master's studies aim to improve the student's skills, especially in films sound design and film sound theories. In addition, the student gains a greater understanding and mastery of their professional area's artistic, production, and technical content by utilising courses and exercises that steadily increase in their level of difficulty.

A sound designer and sound recordist gains a comprehensive knowledge of their field's practices, means of artistic expression, technical equipment, and theoretical concepts. A vital goal of the education is to develop the student's talents and personality further, impart additional technical, working life and artistic skills, advanced knowledge of the field and its history, and develop management and research skills.

Essential skills to be learned are dramaturgical and content thinking in cinematic expression, the ability to perceive sound and space, management, working life, communication and cooperation skills, managing sound design and the dramaturgical concept and technical realisation process of a feature-length film, a more profound knowledge of the traditions and modern trends of their field, and the ability to think critically and analytically.

After graduating from the master's programme, a sound designer has a mastery of sound design's overall artistic and technical process – from pre-production to post-production and the finished film. During the studies, the student deepens their knowledge in all phases of sound recording, sound post-production and sound design in film and artistic and production cooperation in film and television productions.

The goal of education is to impart the capacity to pursue doctoral studies.

Major's intended learning outcomes

The Major of Film Sound Design concentrates on the student's personal development in artistic practice through creative enquiry and collaboration, theoretical and critical thinking. In addition, it aims at the students' professional competence as film sound designer in feature films, documentaries and tv-series.

A student who graduates from the major in Film Sound Design can:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of Film Sound Design in feature films, documentaries and tv-series
• Explore their creative potential and develop a personal artistic vision in film sound design
• Take an active role as a film sound designer in artistic productions
• Experiment on new concepts for the creation of film sound and create and propose new artistic ideas for film sound design
• Reflect on earlier learning and develop new working methods
• Work as a creative team member in artistic productions
• Master different artistic and technical processes and technologies in film sound design
• Lead and motivate the team that collaborates in the creation of a film's soundtrack
• Study existing traditions and provide critical and creative input that extends the limits of traditional film sound design
• Reach a level of skill where student can begin doctoral studies in film sound design

Code: ARTS3019
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Professor Raija Talvio

Major description

In the advanced studies of the major subject, the student learns screenwriting for different forms and genres of film and television. As is the practice in the field, gradual progress and feedback are integrated into the working methods of screenwriting courses, which are organised both as individual projects and group work. Studies in the theory of screenwriting support the writing work and provide broader perspectives into the tradition and future of the field.

The cornerstone of the education is to enable the development of the student’s individual expression and creative personality. The elective studies included in the student’s personal study plan are selected in a way that supports this goal. In addition to the student’s major, elective studies can also be selected from other major subjects at Aalto University or other universities. In the general studies of Film and Television, students familiarise themselves with entire field of film and television producing, and its various job descriptions and practices from both an artistic and production perspective. General studies also include theoretical studies that encourage holistic artistic reflection and that are related to creator-oriented research.

For the master’s thesis, the student prepares an artistically high-quality screenplay either as an independent project or by working as a screenwriter in a joint thesis film created by a student group in the field of film and design. The thesis work also includes a research section in which students address a topic that they find relevant both to themselves personally and to the field of screenwriting.

Major's intended learning outcomes

A student who graduates from the major in Screenwriting

• can conceive, build and develop quality film and television scripts
• is able to create personal and original artistic works
• knows the craft and tradition of film dramaturgy and is able to create new working methods and techniques
• can work in a long term projects, both independently and as part of a team, including in specialist, consulting and leadership positions
• knows the different professional roles of screenwriters and the legal issues and practices of the profession
• knows the artistic and production processes of film and television from a screenwriter's point of view and can develop them
• knows the main theoretical issues of screenwriting and has the ability to carry out research activities and third cycle studies

Code: ARTS3020
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Professor Miia Haavisto

Learning Outcomes

The goal of the master’s level studies in Film and Television Producing is to deepen the student’s skills towards independent audiovisual entrepreneurship, film and televion producing, working in research or development projects in producing or acting in demanding leading and expertise posions in the audiovisual field.

At the end of their studies, students will have the vision, management skills and specialized skills required to complete high-quality film and television productions. These skills combined will allow them to work in a changing profession and develop visionary approaches in the field.

During the studies students will deepen their understanding of the narrative and genres of film and television productions as well as their production methods, audiences and distribution both domestically and internationally. Students gain the ability to act internationally and credibly as a producer in terms of funding, production and distribution.

Major's intended learning outcomes

A student who graduates from the major in Film and Television Producing

• can conceive, develop and lead the creation of high-quality film and television scripts
• is able to identify personal expression and original artistic works and help develop them into project form 
• knows the means and tradition of film narration and is able to create new working methods 
• can work in a long term projects, both independently and as part of a team, including in leadership and specialist positions
• is able to prepare and implement a funding and distribution strategy for a production in cooperation with other actors 
• knows the different professional roles of the producers and the agreements and practices of the profession
• is familiar with the artistic and production processes and operating culture of film, television and other moving images and can develop them 
• knows the principles of operating in international co-productions 
• is familiar with the main theoretical issues of the field and has the ability to carry out research activities

Code: ARTS3025
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: Professor Kaisa Mäkinen

Major description

The Production Design major of the Master’s Degree Programme in Design for Film and Television, focuses training artistic designers who are responsible for the visual, operational and productional entity of a film and TV productions.

The aim of the Production Design major, is to develop the student into an expert of viewing and seeing, a storyteller and artist. Major of Production design concentrates the student’s personal development in artistic practice through creative enquiry and collaboration, theoretical and critical thinking, and aims at their professional competence as production designers on the field of Film and Television.

The major subject studies enhance the student's ability to respond to extensive, demanding professional productions
The studies are continuously enriched and updated by new design practices, new technologies and cutting-edge new research in the field.

Major's intended learning outcomes

A student who graduates from the Master’s Degree Programme in Production Design is able to:

• work and take an active role as a production designer (Head of Department) in extensive, demanding professional production and manage broad artistic entities in a feature length fictional or documentary film on the field of film and television
• lead and motivate the team that collaborates in the realisation of Production Design and work as a creative team member in artistic explorations and productions.
• expand his/her competence according to development and new requirements in the field, develop new work methods by means of experimental and research-based work.
• to respond to extensive, demanding professional productions and manage broad artistic entities in a feature length fictional or documentary film or television
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the art and craft of production design within contemporary creative practice on live as well as expand their competence according to development and new requirements on the field and extend the boundaries of production design beyond traditional roles in contemporary culture and practice.
• continue their studies in a programme leading to a doctoral degree

Code: ARTS3021
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Associate Professor Harri Ylönen

Major description

The major in Film Editing aims to develop the student into an expert of viewing and seeing, a storyteller and an artist in post-production. Film Editing students specialise in mastering cinematic narration and visual entities. They become acquainted with both the aesthetic tradition of their own area and the possibilities offered by the latest technology.

Students edit an artistically high-quality film as part of their master's thesis, which can be fictional or documentary. The thesis work can be an independent project or a thesis film as groupwork shared with other film students.  The thesis also includes a theoretical part, in which the student explores a personally or professionally relevant topic in film editing.

Major's intended learning outcomes

A student who graduates from the major in Film Editing 

• can evaluate the functionality of the script 
• is able to create the final form from the filmed material and convey the intended emotional impact of the film to the viewer through editing skills
• is able to control and organize large amounts of material and master various dramaturgical structures 
• can work in artistic productions as a creative and empathetic team member who understands interactions between people 
• has an in-depth understanding of the means and functions of narration  
• knows their personal artistic strengths and can develop their artistic vision and critical thinking 
• is familiar with the tradition and current trends in the field 
• has expertise in viewing and seeing and is a creative storyteller and artist 
• masters the artistic, production and technical entity of their professional field
• reaches a level of proficiency where postgraduate studies can be undertaken

Code: ARTS3022
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Senior University Lecturer Hanna Maylett

Major description

Master’s programme in Film and Television, major in Film Directing in Elo Film school Finland strengthens the student’s capacity to generate and develop cinematic ideas, storybuilding and narration skills in addition to developing the director’s personal cinematic style and directorial identity.

In master’s studies in the major in Film Directing, the student develops their artistic thinking and cinematic vision.

The studies consist of four elements (30 ETC each)

1. Joint compulsory content for all majors in film, which develops the student’s skills in research and working life. It includes courses in entrepreneurial and working life skills, analytical and research skills.

2. Advanced studies only for majors in Film directing, which combine theory, individual research, and practical workshops. Some courses concentrate on working with actors for better understanding the different acting and directing methods. Some concentrate in producing own written material for finding one’s own voice as a director. Some courses include laboratories built around a single central theme and realized in collaboration with one or more majors within ELO. The courses jointly organized by Theater Academy are also part of the major’s own studies.

3. Elective studies, which can be composed of studies within Aalto or any Finnish University.

4. Written Master’s Thesis combining artistic and research elements.

During the MA courses in film directing, the student challenges their artistic thinking, studies the conventions and new forms of film and TV drama, studies dramaturgical structures and examines the starting points of their personal artistic work in more detail. The studies enforce the director’s holistic role and defines their responsibilities during the whole production. The student also learns to understand the importance of resourcing when planning and realizing a film and becomes familiar with the professional field of film and television in Finland (production companies, financing, and distribution).

According to the personal study plan (HOPS / PSP) drawn up together with the professor, the student can additionally deepen their competence in other fields of film such as screenwriting, production, cinematography, or sound. The student can choose to concentrate either in feature film or tv-drama. Thus, the student can choose courses from other majors (screenwriting and/or production) to back up this orientation.

Major's intended learning outcomes

• A student who graduates from the major in Film Directing 
• Is able to work independently and direct a feature film or and/or TV series professionally 
• Has the professional ability to construct and lead a long-form artistic process supporting diversity and creativity 
• Is able to create, develop and build quality long-form (feature film and tv-series) cinematic narratives and concepts independently and in collaboration with other HoDs 
• Can form a director’s artistic interpretation and a visionary workplan from a feature script 
• Masters long-form dramaturgical conventions and is able to create personal interpretations of them 
• Recognizes their own artistic premise, is able to form their own vision and communicate it to other artistic team members 
• Masters sustainable principles of directing actors, knows how to create characters and identifies their own personal acting directing methods 
• Understands the practices in the field of film and television, the funding mechanisms and processes from a director’s perspective 
• Understands the importance of resourcing and its connection to the artistic process as well as knows the principles of international co-productions in feature film and TV-series 

Code: ARTS3023
Credits: 90 ECTS cr
Responsible teacher: Professor Rauno Ronkainen

Major description

During the education, the student’s personal vision is strengthened with a focus on artistic-technical cinematography competence and co-operation skills.

The job description of a cinematographer is reinforced and deepened in extensive master’s study modules and workshop exercises, both in Finland and internationally and by means of courses on vocational technology and artistic expression. The education is mainly based on practical learning by doing, work in small groups, personal guidance and dialogue-based interaction. During the studies, the student is introduced to all phases of preliminary planning in cinematography and artistic and production cooperation in film and television productions.

Major's intended learning outcomes

A student who graduates from the major in in Cinematography 

• can conceive, build and develop high-quality film and television scripts 
• is able to create personal and original artistic works
• knows the craft and tradition of cinematography and film dramaturgy and is able to apply these in their own work and create new methods of working  can work in a long term projects, both independently and as part of a team, including in leadership and specialist positions
• knows the different professional roles of cinematographers and the agreements and practices of the profession
• knows the artistic and production processes as well as the operating culture of cinematography, film, television and other moving images and has the ability to apply and develop them
• is able to apply their professional skills in the design, production and post-production of a feature film
• is familiar with the main theoretical issues in the field and has the ability to carry out research activities

Code: ARTS3027
Credits: 90 ECTS credits
Head of major: ProfessorSofia Pantouvaki

Major description

Master studies in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film enhance the development of the students' artistic expression and conceptual thinking, and expand their creative, professional and technical skills and competency as visionary costume designers. The students have the possibility to experiment on advanced concepts for costume design in special areas of live performance, film, and media, and to reflect and respond to artistically demanding productions through the design and creative processes of costume design.

The studies include entrepreneurial aspects, time and budget management skills, training in collaborative artistic work and in communicating ideas to a technical team. If interested, the students can focus on the history, theory and research of costume, and enrich their research skills. The learning is based on a practice-led research approach, where the students’ personal strengths and interests are taken into consideration in planning the content of the studies.

The studies are organised in collaboration with the Degree Programme in Film and Television and with the University of the Arts/Theatre Academy, as well as with external institutions, individual artists and professional companies. The studies are continuously enriched and updated by new design practices, new technologies and cutting-edge research in the field.

Major's intended learning outcomes

The Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film major of the Master’s Programme in Film and Television focuses on the students’ personal development in artistic practice through creative enquiry and collaboration, theoretical and critical thinking. It aims at the students’ professional competence as costume designers in projects for screen and the performing arts. Students who graduate from the major in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film (MA) are able to:

- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of costume within contemporary creative practice in live performance, film and media.

- Explore their artistic potential and develop a personal artistic vision in costume design.

- Take an active role as costume designers in artistic productions in diverse fields of the performing arts, in film, television and other media-based creative projects involving costume.

- Experiment on new concepts for the creation of costumes, initiate and propose new artistic ideas for costume design in various time and space contexts.

- Reflect on prior learning and develop new working methods by returning to the core issues of costume design through a research-centred approach.

- Work as creative team members in artistic explorations and productions.

- Master diverse artistic processes and technologies for live performance, film and media productions, applying expanded artistic/design skills and specialist knowledge in costume design.

- Lead and motivate the team that collaborates in the realisation of the costume designs.

- Investigate existing traditions in their field and provide critical and creative input that extends the boundaries of costume beyond traditional roles in contemporary culture and practice.

- Reach a level of proficiency where further external or doctoral studies in costume design can be undertaken.

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

• Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;
• Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;
• Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evalu-ated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.

For more information on completing your thesis see: Completing your master's thesis

The Master's degree includes 30 credits of elective studies. As elective studies, you can for example: 

• Take extra courses from your own major or courses from another major of the Master's programme
• Take elective courses offered by your own programme
  • For list of courses, see title "Elective studies offered by Master's Programme in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Architecture" on this page
• ARTS elective art and theory studies
  • For list of courses, see title "Elective art and theory studies" on this page
• Elective language studies
• Complete a minor or take individual courses from a minor
  Minors offered by Aalto university
• Take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University
• Take individual courses from other Finnish universities
• Participate in an international student exchange programme
• Do an internship in Finland or abroad.

Students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take elective courses offered by student’s own programme.

Students can complete a minor as part of their elective studies. Please see all the minors under Minor studies 2024-2026.

^{* ) Students have the right to be credited with components of courses from courses over 12 ECTS.}