*specific to FMA projects only, does not apply to other creative proposals.

Film & Media Arts students seeking to fund a film and media arts project will follow the same production cycle as the Creative Opportunity Grant, with some additional requirements.

FMA-specific Requirements

• MUST have completed FMA2500 with a B- or higer!
• MUST have an FMA faculty advisor
• FMA specific budget requirements/restrictions apply (ask your FMA faculty advisor).

FMA projects should follow the following production cycle:

Development (Phase 1 – Pitching): FMA students will use the “Development” stage to secure a faculty mentor. To apply for mentor support for a film and media arts project, students MUST do the following:

• Students must contact the professor they wish to work with as their mentor and arrange a time to pitch their project idea.
• If the professor agrees to listen to the pitch, the students must submit the following items to the potential mentor prior to their pitch meeting:
  • a logline for their project
  • a synopsis (maximum 100 words)
  • a treatment (maximum 400 words)
  • visual reference material that conveys the intended style of the project (e.g., film poster, look book, concept art, etc.) [“Proof-of-Concept” materials such as a short film or trailer can also be used.]
• Students must pitch their project in-person (or through an agreed-upon format) to the professor

Development (Phase 2 – Application): Once an agreement has been made for the student and mentor to work together, the mentor will guide the student and through the process of developing their UROG application until the following materials are prepared by the student:

• The completed UROG application form
• A completed budget proposal
• A detailed treatment and/or first draft of a script
• Visual reference materials that convey the style of the project
• Additional proof-of-concept materials (if appropriate)

Pre-Production: If the student is successful with their application, they will be responsible for gathering their cast and crew and developing the project further. The mentor will help guide the student and their team throughout the completion of the project. In this initial pre-production phase, the student must work with their crew to create:

• A final script
• Storyboards / Shot List
• A viable shooting schedule
• A revised budget plan

Production & Refinement: During these two stages of the production cycle, the student and their team will work to produce and revise their film or media arts project. This will include regular (agreed-upon) check in meetings with the faculty mentor. Students are required to show a “rough cut” of their project to their faculty mentor before “locking” the picture.

Exhibition: Students are expected to present their project at the UAC annual spring symposium. Students are expected to prepare and present the following materials at this event.

UROG will be open for proposals once per year, and will be awarded mid-Fall semester. Students are required to present their production materials and their final film at the symposium the following spring. This will include the following:

• A poster representing their completed project
• A festival / exhibition / distribution plan
• Display of other artifacts related to the project (e.g., script sample, treatment, storyboard samples, film stills, behind-the-scene images)
• THE FILM (at exhibition venue supported by symposium planners)