Graduation Reviews

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Note: These are the standard graduation requirements for programs in the School of Film/Video. There may be COVID-related adjustments for students graduating in a given semester, depending on recent pandemic conditions. Consult your program director and/or mentor if you’re unsure if your requirements are allowed COVID adjustments.

BFA Graduation Review

Experimental Animation & Program in Film Video

The BFA Graduation Review will occur before the end of your last semester. Final approval for graduation is based on successful completion of program and Institute requirements and your faculty committee’s review of your work at CalArts. See your mentor for guidance on what to prepare and present at the review.

Character Animation

Character Animation graduation reviews occur in the fall semester of your BFA4 year. In your review, tell the story of your artistic journey at CalArts. Indicate what you have focused on during your time at CalArts (for example: animation, story, visual development, etc.), as well as what you hope to do after you graduate. This isn’t about presenting a “perfect picture,” but rather discussing your artistic evolution to date. Work completed for employment or internships is not applicable for this review.

A summary of your graduation review is uploaded to the Hub, and becomes part of your permanent record at CalArts.

Requirements

You can show your work digitally, or on paper (or a combination of the two). Organize your work. If you present your work digitally, have a backup prepared in case of computer error or malfunction.

Please present the following at your review:

  1. Artwork:
    • Two of your films
    • Several examples of 2D and/or CG animation assignments from your time at CalArts
    • 25-30 samples of your artwork (e.g. life drawing, visual development, storyboards, background design, character design, etc.)
    • One of your sketchbooks
    • Portfolio from last year’s Portfolio Day
  2. BFA4 film:
    • Verbally present the main concept for your BFA4 film, as well as any of the following:
      • Story beats for your BFA4 film
      • Concept art piece, to express the look of your film
      • Time frame for completion
      • Description of your pipeline

If the committee is not satisfied with your review, you may be required to have a re-review.

MFA Graduation Review

The MFA Graduation Review will occur before the end of your last semester. Students present the thesis to their faculty thesis committee for evaluation and feedback. The committee determines if the project meets the expectations for completion and approves or denies the student’s eligibility for graduation.

For all programs, if your thesis is not complete at the scheduled graduation review, you cannot be granted approval for graduation. A second review will not be possible until the thesis is complete and not before the beginning of the next semester.

Program guidelines are below.

Experimental Animation Program

For an Experimental Animation thesis to be considered complete you must have created a finished output from your final edit and mixed soundtrack. In the case of a thesis finished on film, the term complete is defined as a final edit and mixed soundtrack. A silent thesis must be presented either as a film print or a finished output, as defined above. A complete installation or interactive piece is defined as a finished piece that has been exhibited in a gallery or other public setting.

Film Directing Program

For a Film Directing Program thesis to be considered complete you must have created a finished output from your final edit with a mixed soundtrack. Graduating students are required to provide a copy of their thesis project for the CalArts archives.

Program in Film and Video

For a Program in Film and Video thesis to be considered complete you must have created a finished output from your final edit and mixed soundtrack. In the case of a thesis finished on film, the term complete is defined as a final edit and mixed soundtrack. In cases of installation, complete is defined as a finished piece exhibited in a gallery or other public setting. Graduate students are required to leave a copy of their thesis project for the CalArts archives

Review Reports

A note taker or the mentor will submit a summary report of both your preliminary and graduation reviews. These reports document the discussions between you and your committee members and include the committee’s recommendations and decisions. A copy of your review reports will be available via Hub Helper no later than the end of the semester.

Delayed Graduation

Students who are not approved to graduate at their review will have delayed graduate status and will need to present their work at a subsequent review, or submit their work by another method agreed upon by the faculty committee. Upon the committee’s approval of the work, the mentor will approve the student to graduate. 

Delayed graduates do not have access to campus facilities or equipment. 

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