PRODUCTION/DIRECTING ADMISSIONS
Film and Television MFA Program
Page 1 revised 09/2023
About the Program
The MFA in Production/Directing is a three-year program designed to develop artists in
film, television and digital media. For more than half a century we have trained students
in the art and technique of media production while expanding their understanding of the
critical, theoretical and historical components of these art forms. Our goal is to infuse the
highest standards of craftsmanship, coupled with imaginative freedom and a sense of
social responsibility.
All MFA programs in Film, Television, & Digital Media are FULL-TIME programs. The
Department admits new students only once each year for the Fall Quarter.
We do not accept Films, DVDs, or Links.
Applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission.
ONLINE AND MAILED APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Important Information
The information and supplemental materials must be uploaded and mailed by Wednesday,
November 1, 2023 (11:59pm PST).
Make sure you review all categories before you submit your UCLA Graduate Division Online
Application. You may log in/log out of the system as many times as needed during the filing period,
but once the application is submitted, you will not be able to make ANY corrections or additions.
Payment and final submission of the online application are required for a COMPLETE application.
MFA Applicants
By the time of entrance, MUST:
Have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Satisfy the University of California’s Graduate Admission Requirements.
Complete equivalent to a 4 year US Bachelor’s Degree.
**Please do not contact the department to check on your application, as we cannot update you on its status or materials.
PRODUCTION/DIRECTING APPLICATION WORKSHEET
Film and Television MFA Program
Page 2 revised 09/2023
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Use this checklist to help prepare your materials. This information MUST be electronically submitted
online AND sent by mail as indicated. More detailed information on these materials will be included
in the following pages of this document. This is NOT an application, it is only to be used as a
checklist.
ONLINE
The following materials must be completed online.
Check Once Completed:
Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
Complete all required information.
Indicate MFA, FILM AND TEVEVISION, and PRODUCTION/DIRECTING as
your program.
Indicate either DOCUMENTARY or NARRATIVE within PRODUCTION.
Upload UNOFFICAL Transcripts.
Submit Three LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders.
Upload the STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
Upload the PERSONAL STATEMENT.
Upload a SHORT FILM TREATMENT.
Pay the APPLICATION FEE and then complete the FINAL SUBMISSION on
the application.
MAIL
The following hard-copy materials MUST be sent by mail. This is in addition to the
online materials. (Transcripts and Test Scores can arrive separately if needed.)
Check Once Completed:
Mail OFFICIAL copies of TRANSCRIPTS.
Mail OFFICIAL TEST SCORES. (Not required for all applicants)
ONLINE AND MAILED APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1, 2023
Applicants MUST complete BOTH the Online and Mail portions of the application to be considered.
If you have any additional information, call 310-206-8441, or email [email protected].
**Please do not contact the department to check on your application, as we cannot update you on its status or materials.
PRODUCTION/DIRECTING APPLICATION WORKSHEET
Film and Television MFA Program
Page 3 revised 09/2023
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS GUIDELINES
Step 1: Online
Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
o MUST be paid and completed ONLINE BY NOVEMBER 1, 2023.
o Indicate MFA as the Degree,
o FILM AND TELEVISION as the Major
o PRODUCTION/DIRECTING as the Area.
AREA selection will be on the FILM & TELEVISION page of the UCLA
Graduate Division Online Application.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS.
All written Supplemental Materials must be uploaded in PDF Format, 12 point font, double-
spaced, use 8 ½ by 11 page size, and not exceed the indicated page maximum. If you do not
follow these guidelines, your application will not be considered. Also include your name,
title of the piece, and page number on each page.
o Upload the STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
Submit a 1-2 page document.
Give the faculty a sense of who you are. What do you hope to achieve by
participating in the program? What are your professional goals? How do you
plan to achieve them?
o Upload a PERSONAL STATEMENT.
Submit a 1-2 page document.
Find more specific information on this document within the online application.
o Upload a SHORT FILM TREATMENT.
Submit a 1-3 page document describing a short film (10 min max), Narrative
or Documentary, that might be produced during graduate residence at UCLA.
If you are applying to the documentary track, please submit a documentary
treatment.
For more info on WRITING A TREATMENT, Click Here.
NO ADAPTATIONS or FEATURE FILM treatments will be accepted.
Material should follow the above guidelines to be considered. Please do not
combine the statement of purpose and treatment; submit them as two
separate documents.
Please do not submit films or full length screenplays.
o Upload UNOFFICIAL copies of all TRANSCRIPTS.
Upload PDF copies of all Undergraduate and Graduate institutions attended.
Many institutions allow access to records online, where students can print or
save unofficial copies.
If you have hard copies of transcripts, you can scan and save the documents
as PDF files.
NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework
will be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
PRODUCTION/DIRECTING APPLICATION WORKSHEET
Film and Television MFA Program
Page 4 revised 09/2023
o Submit Three LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders.
Recommenders will be sent an automated email with instructions on
submitting letters once submitted.
Letters should be from individuals who know you well: a teacher, an employer, or
someone in a position of leadership or responsibility with substantial knowledge
of your personal qualities and capabilities. Avoid asking family friends and/or
prominent public figures who may not know you as well as a teacher or
employer. You want to find those who can honestly tell us what is unique,
remarkable, and admirable about you and your abilities, based upon their
personal experience. Do not submit more than three letters of
recommendation.
Step 2: Mail
Mail an OFFICIAL PAPER copy of all TRANSCRIPTS from each Undergraduate
and Graduate institutions attended.
o NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework will
be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
o Please have transcripts sent to the address below or include them in sealed
envelopes with the supplemental application packet.
Request that all TEST SCORES be sent directly to UCLA.
o Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted.
o The GRE UCLA Code is 4837 and the Department Code is 2409.
o NOTE: THE GRE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MFA APPLICANTS.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Please SEND all applicable materials to:
Graduate Film Admissions: Production/Directing
UCLA Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media
103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
ONLINE AND MAILED APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1, 2023
If you have any additional questions, call 310-206-8441, or email [email protected]a.edu. **
**Please do not contact the department to check on your application, as we cannot update you on its status or materials.
Privacy Notice:
1. The principal purpose of requesting the enclosed information is to consider your application for admission to the UCLA
Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media.
2. This information is solicited in accordance with University policy, adopted pursuant to Article IX, Section 9 of the California
Constitution.
3. Failure to furnish each item of information will delay or may prevent completion of the purpose for which this questionnaire is
intended.
4. Information furnished in this questionnaire may be used by various University departments and may be transmitted to State and
Federal government agencies if required by law.
5. This questionnaire is maintained by the Student Services Office for the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
PRODUCTION/DIRECTING APPLICATION WORKSHEET
Film and Television MFA Program
Page 5 revised 09/2023
Additional Information & Resources
International Students
For more information on requirements and applying to UCLA as an International Student, visit
http://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/INTLREQT.HTM .
English Proficiency: Any international applicant whose first language is not English must
certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such
applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The
UCLA Code is 4837 and the Department Code is 2409. Only test scores taken by December
31, 2023 will be accepted. For more information, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-
requirements/. International applicants who have received a Bachelor’s degree from an
American institution are not required to take the TOEFL.
Academic Records: Although the UCLA Graduate Division Application enables applicants to
upload an unofficial copy of their academic records, all applicants are required to submit official
records from each academic institution attended. For more information, visit:
https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records/.
Undergraduate Degree Requirement: Applicants must complete equivalent to a 4 year US
Bachelor’s Degree. International students who hold three-year ordinary pass degrees, or who
hold professional diplomas in accounting, business, librarianship, social work, physical
education, health education and so on, or four-year degrees, diplomas or higher certificates
from technical, vocational or post-secondary specialized schools are NOT eligible for graduate
admission. For Academic Requirements by Country or Educational System, visit:
https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records/.
Proof of Funding for Visa: U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if
admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees,
transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their studies at UCLA. This
must be proven before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued. For
more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/visa-
procedures/.
FAFSA
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents interested in receiving financial aid in the 2024-
2025 year, note that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for UCLA is
March 2, 2024. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by this date if they want to be eligible for
all awards, work-study, and scholarships that UCLA offers. If applying after March 2, please
check with the Financial Aid Office for available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
DREAM Act
For non-US Citizens or non-Permanent Residents who are approved to pay in-state tuition
because they graduated from a high school in California; they will need to complete the
California DREAM application by the March 2, 2024 deadline. The DREAM application can be
accessed at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. If applying after March 2, please check with the
Financial Aid Office for available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
