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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.
Degree:
Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Application period:
28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 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, €20000/y (Master’s studies)
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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.
In addition to the teamwork skills essential to the job description, studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance.
Major's intended learning outcomes:
A student who graduates from the major in Film Directing
- Independently operate in the professional role of a director in both feature films and TV drama series.
- Understand the artistic process of feature film making in its entirety and can lead and build the process in a content-driven and inclusive manner.
- Independently and collaboratively ideate, develop, and construct artistically high-quality cinematic stories for long formats (film and TV series).
- Develop and enhance their unique artistic quality as film directors by: Identifying their artistic starting points and creating a distinctive artistic interpretation from a screenplay and effectively communicating it. Deepening their artistic expression and vision throughout the production process. Applying cinematic techniques comprehensively in the creation of feature films.
- Solution-oriented adaptation of the artistic plan to fit given resources and other constraints.
- Mastery of socially sustainable and inclusive methods in directing actors.
- Identification and application of their own personal actor directing methods in an actor-centered manner
- Understanding of the film and television industry environment, practices, financing mechanisms, and processes.
- Recognizing the significance of resource allocation in relation to the artistic process and being familiar with the starting points for international co-productions in film and TV production.
Language of instruction
The teaching language in the major 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
The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
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, 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- Elective studies, which can be composed of studies within ELO, all of Aalto or any Finnish University.
- 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 here.
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 Master’s Admissions 2025
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
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic work in audiovisual and written formats. |
|
What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Strong artistic quality and unique audiovisual works. Bold vision and dramatic storytelling skills. The ability to observe the world, represent characters and interpret them in scripted format. Experience in directing actors and in the processes of fiction film and scripted TV. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Portfolio |
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, their motivation and ability to enrich the field. High quality in written communication and analytical thinking. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Bold visual and dramatic thinking, ability to use one’s personal experiences and insights in artistic processes. Motivation and willingness to study and to complete studies in target time. The need for and commitment to studies as a director and/or researcher. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Degree related to film, theatre or (audio)visual arts is beneficial. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Academic performance | |
| What is evaluated | Grades of the previous degree(s), artistic quality of the degree(s), duration of previous studies/degree |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Degree related to film, theatre or (audio)visual arts is beneficial. The selection group will take into account those who don’t have a BA degree, but sufficient amount of experience in the field of film as well as those who have a degree in other fields than film and audiovisual arts. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. directed films, experience in directing actors, publications, non-formal education, competitions. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | 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. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Curriculum vitae The committee does not assess or consider letters of recommendations. |
Phase II
| Suitability | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, communication skills, motivation, and commitment for studies. The need for studies as a director and/or researcher (academic background). The ability to analyze and reflect the assignment required for the second phase. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | 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. Knowledge of film history, the Finnish and international field of film and scripted television, theatre and literature are considered an advantage. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview |
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic work |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Visionary and dramatic storytelling skills, strong visual potential and a sense of rhythm. The ability to direct actors/performers and to create emotional impact. Capacity to observe and interpret the surrounding world in a cinematic form. Skills in written expression, to produce and analyse fictional text. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Assignment for second phase |
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 are considered an advantage. The applicant is expected to have directed actors or performers and directed at least one film (short and documentary films are considered) and/or episodes in scripted television series. We also expect the applicant to be familiar with the field of film and television and especially its financing mechanisms.
The selection group will take into account those who don’t have a BA degree, but sufficient amount of experience in the field of film as well as those who have a degree in other fields than film and audiovisual arts.
Evaluation criteria
Bold visual and dramatic thinking, ability to utilize their own personal experiences and insights in the artistic process, need for studies and willingness to study full time.
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 consist of communication and social skills, ability for empathy and variety of point of views, stress tolerance and ability to receive feedback.
The talented students who are selected for the major in Film Directing want to develop their directing skills and deepen their understanding in film and scripted TV as an artform as well as learn about the history and theory of the various genres of fiction film and the narrative audiovisual field in general.
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 will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for applicants 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 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 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 practice / Assignment
In Phase II, the evaluation criteria consist of assessing artistic vision, communication and social skills, the ability to tolerate stress and the ability to finish studies in target time. The ability to empathize and to come up with new ideas, as well as the ability to receive feedback are also assessed.
The invitation to Phase II will be send to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance. Selected applicants will need to accomplish an assignment to be returned by a given date before the phase II interview. This assignment consists of 2 parts: a written and an audiovisual part which are both evaluated and discussed in 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.
The documents required 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 required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
The applicant is required to have directed fiction films. Documentary films, short films or episodes of scripted TV will also be considered. The portfolio should include a link to at least one, maximum two films directed and selected to the portfolio by the applicant. Length of selected film(s) should not exceed 20 min in total. The entire film(s) or excerpts from them should be selected to best show the applicant’s abilities and skills as a director. A showreel does not count for a film. A video recording excerpt of a theatrical play can be considered as one of the films.
Please submit your film(s) as password protected screening links, ensure the links work and can be watched on the most common Macs and PCs. In addition, include a description of each film (why you have selected it, a synopsis and a description of the artistic intentions of the work). The maximum total length of the descriptions is two (2) A4 sheets.
Submit the portfolio as a pdf file. 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 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, workshops, positions of trust and other background information relevant to the application. Please upload your CV as one single PDF file into the application form before the deadline.
The committee does not assess or consider letters of recommendations.
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 and justify how film directing studies in ELO Film School Finland could support your intentions mentioned above. As part of your artistic orientation, you should also describe your potential (national and/or international) career plans after the graduation.
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 4000 characters. Submit the motivation letter to the application form by the deadline.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.
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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.
Admissions Services
For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services.