FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whether you’re a budding filmmaker eager to learn the ropes or a seasoned professional looking to refine your skills, our film school offers a dynamic and enriching environment to pursue your cinematic dreams.
This FAQ page is designed to answer some of the most common questions we receive. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, don’t hesitate to contact us directly. We’re here to help you navigate your filmmaking journey!
FUTURE STUDENTS
Students attend classes on average four days a week (Mon-Thurs). Students are in class on average four hours per day for about sixteen hours per week. Students select one of two cohorts to attend, either day 9 am to 1 pm or evening 6:30 to 10:30 pm.
The school year is made up of three 12-week phases (akin to semester) and one 10-week phase.
Students spend much of their time either writing screenplays, planning their productions, directing their films, editing their films and volunteering to work on classmates’ films. The amount of time varies depending on how long the script is and how many films the student volunteers to work on. A typical production day is eight to twelve hours. A typical short film is one to three days to shoot. Editing a short five-minute film can take five to seven days to edit (figuring an eight-hour day). There are times in each phase where there is a period where all the films go into production. This usually lasts about four weeks and is where the student can expect to spend most of their outside time during the phase.
No. Students who miss class cannot make up the missed class. We do have a Hyflex option for some classes which enables a student to attend an on-campus class online. However, this is only available in extreme medical or personal circumstances approved by the instructor.
Two excused absences are allowed per class. A third results in a lowering of a full letter grade for the class. A fourth absence may result in failure of the course.
Monday, September 23, 2024. The program offers two starts per year, one in September and another in March.
You can, but only for individual assignments that personal gear is approved to be used on. Students will be trained on school equipment that is required to be used for lab assignments. If you use your own gear on your films, the school makes no guarantee it can troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Yes, for students who qualify. Students must fill out a credit application that is submitted to the business office for review. Payment plans with 12-month terms are 0% APR. Plans that are approved for longer than 12 months are subject to interest rates and may require a co-signer.
Yes, see our scholarship page. We offer both competitive and need-based scholarships.
Tuition for the 2024-25 school year is $17,350.00, plus a $150.00 registration fee.
Maybe. If you do not have a computer that is capable of editing video, you must obtain or purchase one that can. You must also purchase a portable hard drive. Outside of that the school provides all the other equipment to make your films. For a complete description of equipment needed, click here.
Yes, (see question 10).
No. The school offers a list of recommended textbooks. However, the school does have a multitude of copies of these textbooks that students may check out. But students may buy their own copies from a third-party online store such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
No. We do not offer housing. However, there are numerous apartments and potential housing within walking distance of the school. Contact our admissions office for a list of resources.
Each film project goes through a greenlight process by the instructional staff which is an approval process. While we do not censor content, we do review scripts for anything that could be dangerous, such as stunts or special effects or compromising such as nudity or anything that might be considered pornographic.
Students own their films. Motion Picture Institute does reserve the right to share the student work on the school website, YouTube channel or other social media platform. However, the school does work with each student to ensure that a shared film does not interfere with possible film festival submission and screenings.
Each student must direct at least two short films with the option to make a third short film as their thesis project. Thesis films are awarded to students who are in good standing, completed the first two films and have gone through the greenlight process.
“How much you got?” Or “it depends.” Any film can be done for peanuts, particularly in film school. The typical costs associated with a film is buying the cast and crew lunch. Other expenses can range wildly from gas, location rentals, props, set dressings, costumes and a variety of other elements that the student writes into their scripts. A feasibility analysis is done during the writing process of each film so students don’t bite off more than they can chew. Crew and equipment are always free in the program.
No. Students must use their classmates for crewing their films. In certain circumstances, they may use school graduates to fill in for positions they are unable to schedule classmates. The school does not authorize anyone other than current students or graduates to handle school film equipment.
Two absences are allowed per class. If the absence is excused it means the student can make up tests and missed assignments. A third absence results in the lowering of the final grade by one complete letter grade. A fourth absence may result in a failure of the course. If a student fails a course, they must repeat the course during the next available cohort and will not graduate on time.
Yes. However, students must complete the program within 150% of the program length in order to access federal student aid. If the student does not return within two years, they will have repeat the entire program.
Yes. It is our goal for each graduate to obtain gainful employment in the film, television or digital media industries. Our career services will help graduates find and apply for work even before they graduate. We have a lifelong relationship with our graduates as they seek to establish their careers. However, we do not guarantee placement or employment and leave it to the individual to close the deal when given opportunities.
Yes. This is proven by our 70% plus placement rate and the vast amount of film credits earned by our graduates over the last twenty-five years.
Yes. We have articulation agreements with Eastern Michigan University and Rochester University. For students who wish to move on to other institutions we do send transcripts to any receiving school the student directs us to. Those schools review transcripts and may award credits accordingly.
Yes. Michigan has a long and established history of both independent and studio films being shot throughout the state, from Beverly Hills Cop to Batman vs Superman. In addition to studio productions, Michigan boasts a vibrant independent filmmaking community, with many of our graduates actively contributing to and thriving within this sector. The state is also known for its commercials and corporate communications, which make up a significant portion of job opportunities for the skills acquired in our film program.
Possibly. But this is true for any job. Typically, students work locally for a year or two before making the decisions to move to another state or region. Michigan is big in commercial and independent film production, but light in episodic television production. So, if a graduate wants to work more in episodic television, they might find that Atlanta, Georgia gives them more opportunity. Motion Picture Institute has graduates working all over the world and help other graduates looking to move into their area.
COUNSELORS/PARENTS
Because we seek students who are dedicated to finding work in the film industry after they graduate or wish to pursue the degree option in film, each student is interviewed during the application process to determine whether they meet these criteria. While we don’t dissuade students from attending, we do not encourage them if they do not intend to pursue either of these goals. Students must also have had a 2.0 GPA in either high school or college and have submitted at least two references. Ultimately, we accept students using the rolling enrollment process. Those who are accepted must commit by signing the enrollment agreement and paying the required deposits and fees to secure their seat in the program. Once seats are filled, students who did not complete the process before others are put on a wait list or may enroll in the next start date.
It depends. Students typically pay the entire tuition prior to starting the program but may meet with the business office to work out a tuition plan. Tuition plans consider financial aid packages, scholarships, private student loans and out-of-pocket resources of the student and then structures when and how tuition payments will be made throughout the year.
Being a one-year vocational training program, our tuition is considerably less than the traditional degree programs. Motion Picture Institute was established to be an affordable training and educational option for students wanting to learn the craft by making films, develop employable skills, and have an entry point into the industry. We designed a one-year, quick start certificate program that will give graduates the training and experience they need to have a significant edge over those with only undergraduate academic film education or no film experience. Being a post-secondary school the curriculum is designed around college level learning. We recommend researching other film schools’ tuitions for a direct comparison of cost.
Yes, both institutional (offered by Motion Picture Institute) and outside scholarships. See our scholarship page for more information.
The student body fluctuates year-to-year; however, we always have a diverse mixture of backgrounds, age ranges (from recent high schools’ grads to adult working professionals). While there are distinct backgrounds, their commonness is a love of movies and being creators. Everyone speaks the same language and shares the same passion for filmmaking. This common ground and having no practical training in film brings them in on the same level. The diverse nature of backgrounds enriches the classroom and the creative process.
Maximum class size is 26 students.
Students are evaluated using a variety of metrics. Grades are based on tests, demonstrations, attendance, participation and projects.
No class is entirely online. Some classes are a blend of online and on campus. There are specific online calendar days for certain classes that are lecture-based days. Screenwriting, Film Editing, Cinematography, Film Directing and some Producing oriented class days may have online days. These are posted in the schedule given to students at the start of each phase. Hands on classes like Production Lab, Lighting for Film, Film-Art & Design etc. do not have online days. The school does offer for some on campus class days with a Hyflex option meaning students who are at home sick but want to attend an on-campus class can watch remotely and interact with the class online. There are limits to how many times a student can Hyflex into a class (see Catalog and/or Student Handbook).