Study options

Film Directing - Film and Television, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Master’s program in Film and Television, major in Film Directing in Elo Film school Finland (ELO) concentrates on scripted fiction formats in audiovisual production. The studies strengthen the student’s capacity to generate and develop cinematic ideas, story building and narration skills in addition to developing the director’s personal cinematic style and directorial identity. Master’s studies in Film Directing deepen the student’s visual and dramaturgical abilities, provides competence in production and directing actors as well as enforces the student’s ability to lead a creative process in collaboration with other artistic leads. The goal of the education is to provide the necessary skills to direct a feature-length film and a fiction TV -series.
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Degree:

Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Application period:

30 Nov 2023 – 2 Jan 2024

Language of instruction:

Finnish
English
Swedish

Duration:

2 years, full-time

Eligibility:

Relevant Bachelor's degree

Field of study:

Art and Design

Credits:

120 ECTS

Organising school:

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Tuition fees:

For non-EU/EEA citizens, €15000/y (Master’s studies) Read more

Applying to master’s programmes

Description

Master’s program in Film and Television, major in Film Directing in Elo Film school Finland (ELO) concentrates on scripted fiction formats in audiovisual production. The studies strengthen the student’s capacity to generate and develop cinematic ideas, story building and narration skills in addition to developing the director’s personal cinematic style and directorial identity.

Master’s studies in Film Directing deepen the student’s visual and dramaturgical abilities, provides competence in production and directing actors as well as enforces the student’s ability to lead a creative process in collaboration with other artistic leads. The goal of the education is to provide the necessary skills to direct a feature-length film and a fiction TV -series.

Language of instruction

The teaching language in Film Directing is mainly Finnish (especially the courses in directing actors). However, part of the courses can be taught in English. The degree can be completed in English, with certain limitations.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Aalto University’s tuition fee for master’s programmes taught in English is 15 000 euros per academic year. Tuition fees apply to citizens of countries other than those of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Aalto University has a scholarship programme to support non-EU/EEA citizens who study in a fee-charging degree programme. The scholarship may cover 100% or 50% of the tuition fee.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

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 role and defines the responsibilities during the whole production.

The student 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).

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 writing own material for finding one’s own voice as a director and some courses are laboratories built around a 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 advanced studies.

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

4. Written Master’s Thesis where the student does research on learnt elements in artistic practices on theoretical bases. An artistic production can be a part of the thesis, but it is not obligatory for the degree. ELO does not fund a graduation film for each master student.

The student can choose to concentrate either in feature film or tv-drama. Thus, the student should choose courses from other majors (screenwriting and/or production for example). The student can also do a voluntary and self-imposed internship in the field, either in film, television, or other professional audiovisual production.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.

Master's Programme in Film and Television

Specialisations

Film Directing is one of the majors in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television.

Each student creates their Personal Study Plan (PSP), which is a practical tool to define a student’s own study path, compiling an optimal selection of courses that are aligned with the student's interests and programme requirements. According to the personal study plan (HOPS / PSP) advised by the professor, the student can additionally deepen their competence in other fields of film such as screenwriting, production, cinematography, production design or sound.

Internationalisation

The student can take part in international studies offered by the department such as short exchange period abroad or do a voluntary, self-imposed international internship. Also subject to application, the student can participate in the department’s international projects and programs, if it suits the student’s study plan. As part of their studies, the student can also participate to international film festivals with their ELO funded short film, if it has been selected to competetion.

Further study opportunities

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers doctoral studies in the fields of architecture, art, design, media, film and scenography. For more information about our research groups visit the following link.

Career opportunities

A student who graduates from master’s studies in Film directing can direct a fiction feature-length film and scripted TV-series. Film directors work mostly as freelancers in film and TV production companies in Finland, directing films or scripted TV, or radio plays for YLE (National Broadcasting Company). They mostly work as individual freelance artists, but can direct commercial films, video productions and non-fiction productions, or work as instructors in the field at universities of applied science and media institutions.

Research focus

Research at the Department of Film creates understanding about the means of expression and the production process. The research orientation (practice based research) is based on the fruitful dialogue of theory and practice. You can find more information about the Department’s research and research groups from: https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-film-elo

Co-operation with other parties

The Department cooperates actively with major stakeholders in the field of film and television in Finland. The studies include meetings with domestic professionals in the field (commissioners, producers, TV companies). The students participate in the activities of SELO ry, the Association of Finnish Film Directors and the Major also collaborates actively with other universities, such as Theater Academy (UniArts).

Applying to master’s programmes

Study-option-specific evaluation criteria in 2024 Master’s admissions

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s Programme in Film and Television - Film Directing will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

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Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.

[email protected]

Admissions Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.

[email protected]

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