MFA Creative Portfolio & Audition Requirements

3D Animation & VFX Portfolio

NYFA believes that to be successful in the MFA 3D Animation & VFX degree program, an applicant must have an intermediate skill level in 3D Animation and VFX. The portfolio will be used to assess this skill level and determine if the applicant has the prerequisite knowledge to meet the demand of the courses.

Portfolios should include 4-6 works including drawings, paintings, cartoons, comics, conceptual illustrations, graphic renderings, digital images, slides of 3-D models, sculptures, or other visual designs which display the applicant’s creative abilities.

Acting for Film Auditions

The required creative portfolio to apply for NYFA’s Acting for Film MFA must include a selection of filmed monologues that show the breadth and depth of the actor’s abilities. The two contrasting audition pieces must be one dramatic monologue and one comedic monologue that are approximately 60-90 seconds in length each. The monologue requirements should include two contemporary (published after 1960) monologues.

See more on our Audition Requirements page for the Performing Arts.

Cinematography Portfolio

Students applying for the Cinematography MFA program can choose from the following portfolio options:

• Video Submissions: 1-2 live-action, fiction or non-fiction film/video submissions (3 to 10-minutes in length each). Applicants must describe what part they had in creating the project.
• Sample Storyboards: 6-8 sample storyboards or visual designs with a 1-2 page accompanying description.
• Photography Series: A series of 6-12 photographs with a 1-2 page accompanying description.

Documentary Filmmaking Portfolio

When applying for the MFA in documentary filmmaking program, students may choose from one of the following options:

• Video Submissions: 1-2 live-action, fiction or non-fiction film/video submissions (3 to 10-minutes in length each). Applicants must describe what part they had in creating the project.
• Sample Storyboards: 6-8 sample storyboards or visual designs with a 1-2 page accompanying description.
• Photography Series: A series of 6-12 photographs with a 1-2 page accompanying description.

Filmmaking Portfolio

Students applying for the MFA in filmmaking should include a writing sample or a visual sample. Prospective students can select from the options for each below.

Writing Sample (choose from below)

• Excerpt: Excerpt from an original screenplay or prose fiction piece (5-10 pages)
• Original Work: Original short story, article or critical studies essay examining a literary or cinematic work (play, screenplay, television series, film, etc.) (3-7 pages)
• Treatment or Outline: Treatment or outline of a film, webisode or television series concept (3-7 pages)

Visual Sample (choose from below)

• Visual Series: Any visual or studio art, including, but not limited to: paintings, drawings, sculptures, set designs, mixed media arts, photographs (3-10 pieces), with an accompanying description contextualizing the submission
• Short Film: Live-action or animated fiction or non-fiction film/video (3-10 minutes in length). Applicants must describe what part they had in creating the project

Game Design Portfolio

Students submitting a game design portfolio for the MFA program can choose from the following:

• Drawing Series: 5-7 drawings, paintings, cartoons, comics, conceptual illustrations, graphic renderings, storyboards, digital images, slides of 3-D models, sculptures, character designs, storyboards, 2D art and animation, 3D art and animation or other visual designs, which display the applicant’s creative abilities.
• Prototypes: 3-5 Unity prototypes, game modifications, Github profiles, code samples, paper game prototypes, level maps, design documents, skill trees, or system diagrams.
• Business Plan and One Sheet: 1-3 Game business plans and marketing one-sheets.

Photography Portfolio

The required portfolio materials for our photography MFA programs should include 10-15 photographs with an accompanying description contextualizing the submission. In addition to the above, Photography MFA students must meet the following requirements:

• Mac Proficiency: Demonstrate basic proficiency with Mac computers.
• DSLR Proficiency: Understand all aspects of DSLR camera exposure, including equivalent exposures and the balancing of natural / ambient / constant light with strobes.
• Equipment Proficiency: Prepare to demonstrate proficiency in studio and location strobe systems and pass a practical grip equipment safety test.
• Adobe Proficiency: Display a proficiency with Adobe Lightroom 5 (or equivalent software) and Photoshop CC.

Applicants who have not completed a BFA in Photography may be tested via a written and practical test on the above points. Students must be present on the Los Angeles campus to complete the test, which will be given during Orientation week.

Producing Portfolio

Students applying for our MFA in Producing degree may choose one from the following three creative portfolio options:

• Excerpt: Excerpt from an original screenplay or prose fiction piece (5-10 pages).
• Writing Sample: Original short story, article or critical studies essay examining a literary or cinematic work (play, screenplay, television series, film, etc.) (3-7 pages).
• Treatment or Outline: Treatment or outline of a film, webisode or television series concept (3-7 pages).

Screenwriting Portfolio

Applicants for the MFA in Screenwriting program may choose from one of three creative portfolio options:

• Excerpt: Excerpt from an original screenplay or prose fiction piece (5-10 pages).
• Writing Sample: Original short story, article or critical studies essay examining a literary or cinematic work (play, screenplay, television series, film, etc.) (3-7 pages).
• Treatment or Outline: Treatment or outline of a film, webisode or television series concept (3-7 pages).