The Master of Science in Film and Television emphasizes technical and creative proficiency in the areas of cinematography, editing, sound and visual effects. This intensive program is designed for students looking to acquire and further professional career skills in film and television. The degree is well-suited for career-changers as well as experienced professionals who want to add new technologies and creative workflows to their expertise.

 click to showDegree Requirements

Daniel Willis (MS ‘12)

Daniel Willis is a director, writer and photographer who draws on his experience growing up on Chicago’s south side. Daniel began his production career as a writer’s assistant on the ABC drama, Grey’s Anatomy. He was a 2017-2018 Sony Diverse Directors Fellow and 2018 Film Independent Project Involve Directing Fellow. Willis' short films and television projects have screened at festivals around the world including The Chicago International Television Festival, SeriesFest (Best Writing - Public Housing Unit), The New York Television Festival, ITVFest (Best of Fest - Public Housing Unit) and the Cannes Short Film Corner. Willis is currently directing network television (Grey's Anatomy, The Blacklist) and writing for the shows Boomerang and Twenties. He is also developing on his first feature film.

"DePaul was so instrumental to my growth as a writer and director because they provided the space and resources for students to not only study, but practice the craft of filmmaking. Being a part of the inaugural LA Quarter also had a huge impact because that was my introduction to the business of Hollywood and it provided a seamless transition from education to vocation.

Curriculum Requirements

No Introductory Course may be substituted for any other course at any level.

First Year

• Fall Quarter
  •  FILM 401 Fundamentals of Cinema Production (Formerly DC 414)
  •  FILM 455 Lighting I
• Winter Quarter
  •  FILM 450 Cinematography
  •  FILM 479 Visual Design (Formerly DC 476)
• Spring Quarter
  •  FILM 425 Experimental Filmmaking I (Formerly DC 447)
  •  FILM 456 Lighting for Cinema II (Formerly DC 484)

Second Year

• Fall Quarter
  •  DOC 452 Documentary Cinematography
  •  FILM 457 Cinematic Space (Formerly DC 433)
• Winter Quarter
  •  FILM 458 Advanced Camera Technologies
  •  FILM 464 Advanced Cinematography
  •  POST 400 Editing
• Spring Quarter
  •  POST 440 Color Correction
  • One Major Elective

*See information about Optional Los Angeles quarter below.

Major Electives

Major Electives may be chosen from any 400-level or higher ANI, CP, DOC, FILM, GD, POST, SCWR, or VFX courses.

Optional Los Angeles Quarter

Students may apply to participate in the Los Angeles Quarter Program for the spring of their second year; they will spend twelve weeks in Hollywood doing industry internships, living with their fellow DePaul classmates, and having twice-weekly classes on an industry lot where they will have intimate question and answer sessions with industry professionals in all aspects of the film, TV, and videogame world. If selected to participate in the LA program, MS in Film and Television - Cinematography students would take  SCWR 446 Filmmakers Seminar (Formerly DC 488) and  FILM 499 Internships in Media and Design in Los Angeles.

MS in Film and Television - Cinematography students who are not selected to participate in the LA program, would take  FILM 499 Internships in Media and Design in Chicago and  POST 444 Advanced Color Correction (Formerly DC 426) or  FILM 425 Experimental Filmmaking I (Formerly DC 447).

 

Degree Requirements

Students in this degree program must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours in the designated degree program.
• Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
• Earn a grade of C- or better in all courses in the designated degree program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Students pursuing a second (or more) graduate degree may not double count or retake any course that applied toward the completion of a prior graduate degree. If a required course in the second degree was already completed and applied toward a previous degree, the student must meet with a faculty advisor to discuss a new course to be completed and substituted in the new degree. This rule also applies to cross-listed courses, which are considered to be the same course but offered under different subjects.
• Students pursuing a second master's degree must complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours beyond their first designated degree program in addition to any required introductory courses in their second designated degree program.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate with distinction.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.