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Arts LC

GET TO KNOW THE OTHER CVPA STUDENTS

The Arts Learning Community (LC) is a unique residential opportunity for freshmxn who want to live with students majoring or are interested in the visual and performing arts.

Applying is a Two-Step Process

Students working in post-production
Film at Mason encourages collaboration across classes and concentrations. Here, our students work together in post-production to make their project come to life.

Applying to the Film and Video Studies major is a two-step process. Students must be admitted to George Mason University and also pass a Portfolio review to be admitted to the Film and Video Studies major. 

*This process is competitive and not all applicants will be accepted.

How to Apply

Prospective students are encouraged to attend a Mason Admissions event or schedule a tour and information session with our Admissions Coordinator.  We also offer virtual information sessions.  Current Mason students can make an appointment with our Academic Advisor to discuss the program.

Your Mason Application will update with a Portfolio status after our faculty have reviewed your Portfolio and rendered a decision. When you receive a confirmation email from SlideRoom, you can consider your Portfolio submitted and received. 

Notifications of Portfolio decisions are sent via email approximately one month after each application deadline.

Please reach out to film@gmu.edu with any questions or concerns during the application process.

Application Instructions

Step One

Incoming Freshmxn and Transfers: 

Apply to Mason through the Common Application, or directly through Mason's online application. You do not need to wait for a response from Admissions before moving to Step Two.

 

Current Mason students:

Skip Step One

Step Two

Submit a digital portfolio via SlideRoom that will be evaluated by our faculty. Your digital portfolio includes one short essay and creative work samples (described in detail below). Incomplete portfolios will not be considered.

Part 1: 

Film at Mason is a community that fosters creativity, analysis, diverse perspectives, professional practice, and socially-conscious filmmaking. Your essay should indicate your individual interests and what you want to say as a storyteller.

In 500 words, describe your interest in independently produced cinematic arts (television, film, or interactive media, etc.) and your goals as a filmmaker. You may refer to films, series, or other artworks that inspire you. Experience in filmmaking is not required, but if you have it, please talk about it. Please proofread your essay.

Part 2: 

Submit 1) a sample or samples of your recent (past three years) creative work, and 2) a descriptive statement. These should demonstrate your original vision or reflect your artmaking and learning experiences, including collaborations with others. 

  1. Sample(s):

Provide one or two links to videos or upload up to 6 still images. The samples might be short videos, a demo reel, photographs, website screen grabs, animation, drawing, collage, graphic novel excerpts, comic book cells, poetry, or screenplays.

  1. Descriptive Statement (100 words):

Describe your samples and discuss why you’ve chosen to submit them. If your work is collaborative, identify your creative and technical roles. Credit copyrighted media for which you do not have the rights in the statement or in the credits for video work.

Portfolio Deadlines

Incoming Freshmxn

  • Early Action Fall: November 7
  • Regular Fall: February 7
  • Spring: October 1

Incoming Transfers

  • Spring: October 1
  • Fall: March 1

Current Mason Students

  • Change your major for Spring: October 1
  • Change your major for Fall: March 1
Film student with boom

Film at Mason students test out the equipment before their production.

Contact Us

Email us or call us: 703-993-3287. Visit us in College Hall, C113 George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.