Programme-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria
What we look for in an applicant?
We expect our Master's students in Film Directing to have originality, bold visual and dramatic storytelling skills, readiness for analytical thinking and openness to learning. Knowledge of film history, Finnish and international film and television field as well as theatre and literature is considered an advantage. The applicant is expected to have directed actors or performers and directed at least one film (short and documentary films are also taken into account) and/or episodes in narrative television series. We also expect the applicant to be familiar with the field of film and television and especially its financing mechanisms.
Evaluation criteria
Bold visual and dramatic thinking, ability to utilise their own personal experiences and insights in the artistic process, eedn for studies and willingness to study
The overall assessment also emphasizes possible research interests, written expression skills and the suitability to be a director.
In the second stage, the evaluation criteria consists of communication and social skills, ability for empathy and alienation, stress tolerance and ability to accept feedback
The talented students who are selected for the major in Film Directing want to develop their directing skills and deepen their understanding of the means of expression and the history and theory of the various genres of fictional film and the narrative audiovisual field.
First stage and required application documents
In the first stage of the evaluation the selection committee evaluates the applications based on the application documents. Study Option’s requirements for the application documents are listed below. Please also note requirements for the application documents presented in the general application instructions. Attach each application document to the electronic application form in PDF form.
Portfolio
The applicant is required to have directed films. Documentary films, short films or episodes of TV drama will also be taken into account. Your portfolio should include one or two films (or other works as mentioned above) which have been publicly screened at a festival or broadcast on television. A video recording of a theatre play will also be approved as a part of the portfolio.
Please submit your films either as password protected Vimeo links or QuickTime files and ensure the video files work in the common Mac or PC user interfaces. In addition, please submit a description (e.g. a synopsis or artistic intention of the work) of each film fitting altogether onto a single A4 sheet.
Curriculum vitae (CV)
The application must include a CV with your personal details, education, work experience, completed films (with your professional roles specified), festivals and any other artistic work, awards, grants, study tours, positions of trust and any other background information relevant to the application.
Before sending the application, please upload your CV as a single PDF file into the application system.
Motivation letter
The motivation letter comprises of two parts:
1. Professional and artistic orientation
In the motivation letter, you should specify the strengths of your directorial skills, areas of interest and your views and artistic visions as a film director. Also, you should explain how film directing studies at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture could support your intentions mentioned above. As part of artistic orientation, you should also describe your potential career plans after the graduation.
2. Study plan
After studying the degree requirements of film directing please write out a tentative study plan of your MA studies based on the requirements.
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 4000 characters. The motivation letter is part of the online application form.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.
Second stage
On the basis of the submitted material, less than ten applicants are selected for a personal interview. The interview is preceded by an orienting assignment which consists of two parts: a written and a visual assignment. The applicants will be informed about the assignment when they are invited to the interview and the completed assignment must be delivered to the specified person by the given date before the interview.
In the interview, the selection committee and the applicant will discuss the applicant’s study and work history, current situation, future prospects, need for studies and the selection committee will ask more detailed questions about the application, orienting assignment and the applicant's motivation.
The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.