Study-option-specific evaluation criteria
Intake 2021 emphasizes narrative TV drama and favours applicants who are interested in deepening their skills in it: the development procedures and processes as well as the different forms and ways of making drama for TV.
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.
Phase I
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Artistic and/or design practice
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Assessed area
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Demonstrations of artistic work or assignments
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Admission requirements
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The artistic quality, vision and uniqueness of audiovisual works, and bold and strong visual and dramatic storytelling skills. The ability to think analytically, recognise and communicate one’s personal processes. Experience in directing actors and in the processes of fiction.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio
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Suitability
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Assessed area
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies and communication skills.
The need for studies as a director and/or researcher (academic background).
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Admission requirements
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Bold visual and dramatic thinking, ability to use one’s personal experiences and insights in an artistic process. Motivation and willingness to study and to complete studies in target time.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter
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Relevance of previous studies
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Assessed area
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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Admission requirements
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Degree related to film, theatre or (audio)visual arts
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Academic performance
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Assessed area
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Grades of the previous degree(s), artistic quality of the degree(s), the scope of previous studies
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Admission requirements
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Degree related to film, theatre or (audio)visual arts
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Other areas of competence
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Assessed area
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Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions.
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Admission requirements
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Experience as a director: the ability to direct actors and tell stories using audiovisual means. Broader experience in the film and television sector, its funding mechanisms in particular.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Curriculum vitae
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Phase II
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Suitability
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Assessed area
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
The need for studies as a director and/or researcher (academic background).
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Admission requirements
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Verbal expression of one’s artistic ambitions and dramaturgical thinking. Group work skills, the ability to accept feedback and work under pressure, group leadership skills. A knowledge of film history, the Finnish and international field of film and television drama, theatre and literature is considered an advantage.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Interview
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Artistic and/or design practice
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Assessed area
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Demonstrations of artistic work or assignments
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Admission requirements
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Visionary and dramatic storytelling skills, written expression, strong visual skills and a sense of rhythm. The ability to direct and verbalise the emotions of the actors/performers. The ability to observe one’s surroundings and interpret them in a cinematic form, the ability to produce and analyse text, uniqueness.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Second-phase assignments
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Evaluation process
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases.
Phase I
In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice/Portfolio
- Suitability/Motivation letter
- Relevance of previous studies
- Academic performance
- Other areas of competence
Bold visual and dramatic thinking and the ability to use one’s personal experiences and insights in an artistic process are emphasized in the major of Film directing alongside the applicant’s motivation and willingness to study. The overall assessment also takes account of the applicant’s possible research interests, written expression skills and suitability to be a director.
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/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
- Suitability/Interview
- Artistic and/or design practice
In Phase II, the evaluation criteria consist of communication and social skills, the ability to tolerate stress, artistic vision, the ability to finish studies in target time, the ability to empathise and to come up with novel ideas, and the ability to receive feedback.
Some applicants are invited to Phase II. The invitation to Phase II will be send to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance. Selected applicants will be invited for a face to face interview and they will need to accomplish a pre-assignment handed in by a given date before phase II. This pre-assignment consists of a written and an audiovisual part and it will be discussed and evaluated during the interview.
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
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 theatrical play will also be approved as part of the portfolio.
Please submit your films either as password protected Vimeo links or QuickTime files and ensure that the video files can be played on the most common Macs and PCs. In addition, please send in a description of each film (e.g. a synopsis or a description of the artistic intentions of the work). The maximum total length of the descriptions is one A4 sheet.
The maximum size of the file is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf. If your portfolio contains password protected video links, include the password(s) in your portfolio. If a portfolio is not uploaded to the online application form by the deadline, the application will be rejected.
CV
The application must include a CV with your personal details, education, work experience, completed films (with your professional roles specified), festivals and other artistic work, awards, grants, study trips, positions of trust and other background information relevant to the application. Before sending in your application, please upload your CV as a single PDF file into the application system.
Motivation letter
In the motivation letter, describe why you are applying to the major and specify what are your special interests including areas of research in the specific educational field. Also, you should specify the strengths of your directorial skills, areas of interest and your views and artistic visions as a film director. Additionally, 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.
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
