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Applying to the Media Arts Program

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The Media Arts Program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts Studies as well as a minor in Media Arts Studies. The application process is nearly the same for the Major and Minor with the exception of a few elements. The application process is an indication of the program itself; it requires time, critical analysis, creativity and outstanding performance in the Media Arts Prerequisite classes.

Due to department resources, a limited number of students are accepted into the Media Arts program each year. Because of the University’s policy on high credit hours, students are allowed only two opportunities to apply to the Media Arts Program. This includes Major and Minor applicants.

NOTE:
Second majors (exclusive of some language second majors) are rare and must be approved by the college advisement center supervisors involved and the dean of the college responsible for the primary major. The second major proposal and approval process requires an evaluation of all University Core and major requirements and a time-to-graduation analysis. Petitions for a double major must be submitted prior to earning 75 BYU hours (excluding language exam credits).

The Department of Theatre and Media Arts will not support a double major with two limited enrollment programs.

Applications will be evaluated by:

  • The student’s abilities, interests, expectations, preparation and the Media Arts Program criteria/qualifications (see below);
  • The student’s ability to meet the pre-application and application deadlines; follow procedures/guidelines as outlined; and quality and thoroughness of the completed application; and
  • The student’s performance in the MA Prerequisite classes

What Type of Students Are We Looking For?

The Media Arts Program is seeking students who embody the following qualities:

  • Analytical: solid thinking, conceptualizing and writing skills; ability to think, speak, and write critically and analytically.
  • Collaborative: work amenably with other students, faculty, and staff. A Media Arts Student demonstrates willingness to compromise, strives to support others, does not flee from difficulties but acknowledges differences of opinion and productively works to resolve them. The student responds positively and civilly to others in disagreements, knows how to listen and relate to others with Christ-like qualities, and gives feedback honestly and tactfully to team members.
  • Creative: a potential for formulating story through cinematic/graphic/written expressions.
  • Teachable: a strong interest in and capacity to learn; prepared to view, listen, and comprehend. A Media Arts Student follow instructions; and grasps fundamentals which lead to sophisticated concepts. Eager to receive a well-rounded media arts education, regarding the fundamentals as the foundation for application and experimentation, and willing to hear criticism and to learn from mistakes.
  • Responsible: willingly assumes responsibility for creative and intellectual work (strengths, weaknesses, and omissions), and is open to feedback from other students and faculty.

Media Arts Application Deadlines:

APPLICATION DUE BY: APPLICATION INTERVIEW START THE PROGRAM IN:
 Monday, March 13, 2023 by 11:59pm March 23&24, 2023 Spring/Fall 2023
October 2023 November 2023 Winter 2024

How To Apply:

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3

Be accepted by BYU as a continuing day student: agree to uphold the ideals outlined in The Mission Statement of Brigham Young University, Church Educational System Honor Code, and The Aims of a BYU Education and accept them as a guide to all aspects of your academic and practical experience.

– Register as a Pre-Media Arts Major (Major Applicants only): in the Fine Arts and Communications Advisement Center in D-444 HFAC or by phone (801) 422-3777. After registering, visit the TMA Front Desk in D-581 HFAC to receive a TMA Discount Card that entitles you to one discounted ticket to certain theatre performances.

– Complete or be enrolled in the following Pre-requisite classes:

  • TMA 102: Introduction to Film (It is strongly recommended that transfer students register or audit TMA 102, as it is an introduction to the skills necessary for the Media Arts Program and Application)
  • TMA 187: Beginning Production Management

Applicants should complete TMA 102 and TMA 187 with a grade of B or better. Students can apply to the program the same semester they are enrolled in TMA 102 and TMA 187; final acceptance is dependent upon successful completion of these courses.

BEGIN THE ONLINE APPLICATION

To begin the online application visit byutma.slideroom.com. You will need to create a Slideroom Account to access the application. Note: The application requires a $5 processing fee. You will be prompted for payment when you submit your finished application.

Start Online Application 

The online application consists of the following elements:

  • Applicant Information
  • A Letter of Introduction: Use this letter to introduce yourself to the Media Arts Faculty. Please include a biographical introduction, your family and cultural background, what you have learned from life and work experiences, and how they have steered you as an artist to apply to the Media Arts Program. The faculty are interested in your aspirations and in your intellectual and aesthetic experiences.
  • Eight Most Significant List: Please list eight films, television programs, books, websites, music, plays, video games or other media/art you have read/viewed/experienced that has influenced you as an artist (please do not include the scriptures or a film viewed in TMA 102). These significant works should reflect a range of inquiry and experience, and should demonstrate a substantive engagement with the history of film, media, and the arts in its various forms
  • Critical Analysis Essays: You are required to watch a pre-selected film and write a critical analysis essay where you will identify a theme and explain how one particular element supports that theme. Cite concrete examples from the film. Do NOT consult secondary sources (i.e. reviews, books, internet sites, TMA 102 text) when writing your essays. These are not simply plot summaries, but analyses that demonstrate critical skills learned in TMA 102. The title of the selected film are located within the critical analysis section of the online application. The film is on reserve at the HBLL Media Center.
  • Creative Sample Video (Major Applicants Only): As part of this year’s Major application, you are required to create and submit a short non-fiction (documentary) film. This film must be no longer than 3 minutes total running time. This sample should be a new project made specifically for this application (i.e. do not use a film created with your friends in high school or done for a ward activity or as part of professional work). You, and only you, must write, direct, shoot, and edit your film. The subject of your film cannot be yourself.
  • Analysis of your Creative Sample (Major Applicants Only): Using the critical skills developed in TMA 102, analyze (not summarize) your creative sample video by explaining its theme. What creative decisions did you make to communicate that theme? We are especially interested in you recognizing the gap between the intentions behind your sample, the creative decisions you made, and the final result.

– Meeting with your faculty advisor. You are required to meet with your faculty advisor at least once before submitting your application. Faculty advisors are assigned by student’s last name. See the table below to find your faculty advisor and their contact information. Use this visit to ask any questions about the program and the application, as well as discuss areas of interest and skill sets and the selection of possible electives. At the end of your meeting, have your advisor sign off that you met on your Media Arts Graduation Plan Packet. The way to meet with your advisor is during their office hours or to set up an appointment. To make an appointment, please send an email request.

– Create a graduation plan packet. Referring to the Media Arts Major or Minor Academic Plan, the Media Arts Course Frequencies List and the Media Arts Major or Minor Flowchart, create a graduation plan on the packet provided here: (Major Graduation Packet or Minor Graduation Packet). Hard copies may also be picked up at the TMA office (D581 HFAC). These links can also be found at the bottom of this page.

Include all of your GE requirements, major/minor requirements, and Media Arts electives each semester until you graduate. Remember to take note of the semester each class is offered as well as prerequisites. (You are encouraged to discuss possible electives in your first meeting with your faculty advisor.)

– When your graduation plan is completed, they must be reviewed and signed by the CFAC Advisement Center (D444 HFAC)

Scan and upload documents: After you obtain all the needed signatures, digitize your graduation plan into a PDF and attach it to your online application. (There are scanners available in the HBLL or you can have our front office digitize it and email it to you. NOTE: To avoid a rush, the TMA office will only digitize documents up to a week before the submission deadline)

Submit the Application: Finish the remaining application elements online, pay the $5 processing fee, and submit the application before the deadline.

Interview with the faculty: An important part of the Media Arts Program Application is the interview with the faculty. Interviews are held the week after the application due date. Prior to the interview, applicants are required to select and watch one of the approved films from the Media Arts Application Interview Instructions and Films Page. In the interview, applicants will be asked to identify the theme of the film they viewed and explain what creative choices the filmmaker used to communicate that theme. The interview will last only 4-5 minutes, so answers will need to be brief. Interview signups begin the day after the application due date. Referencing notes on a 3×5 notecard during your interview is acceptable as long as you do not read your response from the card.

– Notification of Acceptance: Students are notified about the faculty’s decision about 4 weeks after applying.

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Pre-Major Academic Advisement
  • College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • 1190 WCCB
  • 801-422-3777
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Media Arts Program Questions
  • Department of Theatre & Media Arts
  • 157 WCO
  • 801-422-6645
  • tma@byu.edu
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Media Arts Program Coordinator
  • Department of Theatre & Media Arts
  • 156 WCO
  • 801-422-4576