Study option-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria
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 – Cinematography will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
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Artistic and/or design practice
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What is evaluated
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Demonstrations of artistic and/or design work or assignments.
Previous experience in professional field of filmmaking, TV-drama or documentaries or previous education to be able to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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We are intensively looking for applicants who can handle basic technical work, group work, cinematographer's basics of artistic planning and technical management - and all these in different stages of filmmaking process. Yet, it is possible to start in our MA programme even without actual previous BA studies in any film school. But in that case, we are looking for a clear presentation of professional career, portfolio with work examples that need to fulfill also artistic expectations.
Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.
Portfolio is required from all applicants to evaluate applicant’s experience and artistic insight to the cinematographer’s studies or work.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio
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Relevance of previous studies
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What is evaluated
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option specific requirements
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Ability to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.
Basic understanding of different phases of pre-production, filming and post-production. In order to cope in MA level, chosen applicants should have at least basic education or experience of all those fields, since in MA level we are focusing to deepen the skills that applicants have learned already during their BA studies.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Motivation letter to explain your reasons for applying for this major and your particular interest(s) including possible research questions of interest in the field in question. In addition, the plan must specify your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, artistic vision, aspects related to the work and creative goals.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter
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Other areas of competence
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What is evaluated
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Work experience and other required knowledge (achievements
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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CV that explains applicant's accurate status in presented works.
To evaluate the role and experience in the field or during previous studies.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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CV
The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
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Phase II
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Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of group work, filmmaking process and ability to analyse visual arts in general.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Interview
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Evaluation process
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria decided in advance for each study option.
We are looking for applicants who have previous experience in professional field of filmmaking, TV-drama or documentaries or are educated and able to understand and use film- and digital camera equipment, lit scenes, take care of cinematic continuity and to work with camera- and film crews.
Students are taught to work during different phases of pre-production, filming and post-production. Our aim is not only to give technical education but also an artistic insight to the cinematographer’s work. In order to cope in MA level, chosen applicants should have at least basic education or experience of all those fields, since in MA level we are focusing to deepen the skills that applicants have learned already during their BA studies.
We are intensively looking for students who can handle basic technical work, group work, cinematographer's basics of artistic planning and technical management - and all these in different stages of filmmaking process. Yet, it is possible to start in our MA programme even without actual previous BA studies in any film school. But in that case, we are looking for a clear presentation of professional career, portfolio with work examples that needs to fulfill also artistic expectations and a CV that explains applicant's accurate status in presented works.
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of previous studies
- Suitability/motivation letter
- Other areas of competence
Only the applications who are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria:
During the interview phase we are checking the general understanding of group work, filmmaking process and ability to analyse visual arts in general.
Part of the applicants are invited to the second stage. The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
Study-option-specific documents requested
The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
Electronic portfolio that includes three (3) work samples accessible online via hyperlinks and both a written and visual portfolio to present the work. Maximum size for the portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.
The applicant uploads the electronic portfolio to the application system as one PDF file before sending the application. The portfolio should contain work related to your artistic expression, and showcase your prior scientific, professional and/or artistic activity on a broad scale. The list of works must include at least the name and/or theme, method of production, format, size, purpose and year of production, while also specifying where and when the works have been exhibited performed or published.
Motivation letter
The motivation letter should explain your reasons for applying for this major and your particular interest(s) including possible research questions of interest in the field in question. In addition, the plan must specify your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your strengths and interests, artistic vision, aspects related to the work and creative goals.
The maximum length of the motivation is 4000 characters.
CV
Applications must include the applicant’s CV indicating personal data, educational background, work experience, exhibitions, publications and articles, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
Language of the application documents
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.
