Fashion Film and Photography
Master of Arts
in Fashion Film & Photography
The Master of Arts (MA) in Fashion Film and Photography is a one-year program in Photography, with a specific accent on fashion, dedicated to emerging photographers who wish to specialize in creating still and moving images for the fashion industry.
Professional practice of fashion photographers today increasingly includes film, so moving image will be taught alongside still. This program meets the demands of an expanding market for fashion advertising through storytelling in photography and film, using social media and capitalizing on the ability to reach large audiences at a reduced cost through online marketing. Many young fashion brands rely entirely on films distributed online, and festivals devoted to fashion films, like the one pioneered in Paris by Diane Pernet, and this phenomenon is doubtlessly growing. Students with an undergraduate background in photography and demonstrated technical skills (black & white and color photography, light, common software programs for editing) will be considered for admission.
The program combines technical knowledge and principles of photography/film research and theory. Studio classes and workshops conducted by professionals emphasize the mastery of contemporary techniques and professional practices, while theory-based and methodology courses help students develop their personal creative visions. Thanks to internships during the fashion weeks held in Paris several times a year, students will be well prepared to enter the job market and will have started to create a professional network.
Students specialize in photography/film, choosing to produce a final portfolio of either still or moving images, while at the same time continuing to broaden their knowledge and skills through supportive art & design courses and electives. Since graduates are expected to join the job market upon graduation, the focus of the program is on studio and research, rather than on scholarship and preparation for teaching.
The structure of this degree is comprised of 3 types of classes: Studio: Creativity & Inquiry (core and elective courses) Research: Investigation (core and elective courses) Professional skills (core and elective courses).
Faculty
MA Curriculum
One-year program
fall
Fashion Film & Photography Studio I
In this year-long studio course, students capture (still and moving) images and edit them. Time is spent in the photo studio for shooting, with a focus on advanced lighting techniques. Students perfect their knowledge of lighting scenarios in a studio and also in an outdoor environment using multiple light sources while mixing electronic studio flash with outdoor light. Emphasis is placed on understanding light and on mastering the technical aspects of the lighting equipment for both photo and video. Students work on different shooting projects with models, in the studio and on location in Paris. Individual projects are designed to coincide with the Paris Fashion weeks held in September and January of each year.
Seminar I: Portfolio Development
This year-long course serves as a critical and technical exploration of the language and theory of fashion photography and film. Students develop their own individual identities as professionals working with still and moving images, placing their work within conceptual and historical contexts. Independent and personalized readings and research projects accompany the work done in the studio, which in the second semester is focused on developing the final degree portfolio. The final portfolio can focus on still or moving images, or contain a combination of the two. At least one project in each medium (photography and video) is required. The outcome is an original and coherent set of images.
Digital Lab I: Video
A hands-on step-by-step technical lab class, where editing video will take students beyond the basics to a professional workflow for digital video editing. Students will learn how to produce a professional looking video including – storyboarding, pre-production essentials, shooting scripts, camera movement (theory and practice), sound recording and editing, use of music, titles and credits. Premiere Pro will be the main software for moving images, and all essential tools and plug-ins (like Magic Bullet or After Effects) their options and use, the character of each menu or tool option critical for video editing will be covered at a practical level.
Digital Lab II: Photo
A hands-on step-by-step technical lab class where inputting images, editing, and printing will take students beyond the basics to a professional workflow for digital photography. A range of tools will be presented, including advanced film scanning, working with RAW files, masks, compositing and grayscale and color inkjet printing. Students will work with Photoshop for still images. All essential tools and plug-ins (e.g., Portraiture), their options and use, the character of each menu or tool option critical for photographic editing will be covered at a practical level. Students will master advanced color and B&W editing methods, scanning, masks, selections, and layers to establish an efficient non-destructive workflow.
The Fashion Editorial
In this semester-long interdisciplinary course students research and study the greatest fashion art directors, from Brodovich to Rankin, along with the most significant fashion photographers, from Avedon to Testino. Students will critically examine the work of art directors and fashion photographers, and explore the pivotal role of the art director in the conception of fashion shoots and magazine publications. Through practical exercises, they will also consider the roles and responsibilities of all the team members involved in editorial fashion shoots and magazines (writers, editors, graphic designers, model, stylist, make-up artist, etc.), and enhance their team working skills.
The course will further address fashion media, the contemporary fashion magazine culture and their significance in the fashion industry in the digital era. Students will discover in practice the process of creating and art directing a fashion magazine.
History of Fashion Photography
In this course students will review the history of fashion photography in the 20th and 21st centuries, leading up to the development of fashion film. The Maciet archives at PCA partner institution Bibliothèque du Musée des Arts Décoratifs will be an invaluable resource for student research, along with the collections at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie [European Photography Institute], and the ASVOFF fashion film festival. The focus will be on Europe in the past two centuries because the scope needs to be limited to make a survey possible, and because we want to draw advantage of the resources offered in Paris.
Concept Development: Storytelling
The era of mass media is over. A new era of personal and participatory media is emerging, changing the way we create and share our work. Although creative endeavors and technology have always evolved hand-in-hand, the current tech revolution is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. As we struggle to understand this new terrain, one key element is emerging: behind every idea, every initiative, every team, and every individual, there is a story.
What role does storytelling play in the creative fields today? How can practitioners from diverse backgrounds—designers, artists, coders, filmmakers, photographers, writers, artists, scientists, philosophers, educators, and others—harness the power of storytelling to enrich their collaborations and their work? And how can each of us learn to tell better stories about our own creative process?
This course explores these questions through case studies, lectures, journaling, practical work, and presentations. You should think of this class as part seminar and part lab, where you’ll work on concept design and storytelling and receive peer feedback, as well as individual coaching from me. Below you’ll find an outline of the schedule. However, in an effort to make sure this class is pertinent to you, I will design the exact content of each session as we go, focusing on the needs I see arising in class. Assignments will be practical and will help you improve your use of storytelling both in your work and when presenting yourself professionally. Be prepared for weekly assignments in class as well as outside of class. Bring your curiosity, your creativity, and your willingness to experiment and have fun.
spring
Fashion Film & Photography Studio II
In this year-long studio course, students capture (still and moving) images and edit them. Time is spent in the photo studio for shooting, with a focus on advanced lighting techniques. Students perfect their knowledge of lighting scenarios in a studio and also in an outdoor environment using multiple light sources while mixing electronic studio flash with outdoor light. Emphasis is placed on understanding light and on mastering the technical aspects of the lighting equipment for both photo and video. Students work on different shooting projects with models, in the studio and on location in Paris. Individual projects are designed to coincide with the Paris Fashion weeks held in September and January of each year.
Seminar II: Portfolio Development
This year-long course serves as a critical and technical exploration of the language and theory of fashion photography and film. Students develop their own individual identities as professionals working with still and moving images, placing their work within conceptual and historical contexts. Independent and personalized readings and research projects accompany the work done in the studio, which in the second semester is focused on developing the final degree portfolio. The final portfolio can focus on still or moving images, or contain a combination of the two. At least one project in each medium (photography and video) is required. The outcome is an original and coherent set of images.
Advanced Printing Techniques
In this course, students will learn about various digital printing techniques and their unique aesthetics and use for the production of contemporary works of art and fashion photography. They will develop an in-depth understanding of all aspects of making pigment inkjet prints for portfolios and exhibitions. The fundamentals of color management and color profiles will be taught and students will learn how to properly optimize and prepare their digital files for printing with a large format inkjet printer (e.g., resolution, margins, scaling, color balance, contrast, etc.). Scanning will also be covered. Through various tutorials and hands-on use, students will be given the necessary knowledge to solve common inkjet printing problems, including color reproduction issues.
The creative decisions that contemporary artists and photographers should address before printing, including print technology and paper choice, is at the heart of this class. Students will be asked to articulate their conceptual ideas and formulate the best or most interesting methods of its production. Although inkjet printing is the concentration of the course due to the machines at hand, students will gather practical information about other labs in Paris where other types of digital prints can be produced and will be encouraged to try other printing studios when warranted. Students will visit various labs in Paris and will see work in various galleries and institutions that pertain to the course’s scope. Preservation issues surrounding various types of digital prints will also be touched upon.
Professional Networking Series
Professionals from the Parisian art and design world will come in to introduce students to their professional practice and engage them in practical exercises preparing them for the job market. Instructors will be drawn from a broad range of fields: photographers and videographers; designer and architects; galleries, museums, auction houses and private collections; art fairs and international exhibitions; art dealers; curators; historians; journalists and iconographers; artists; magazine editors; I.P. and licensing lawyers, etc. This class brings together students from all the graduate programs.
Masters Electives
You may select an elective from the many course offerings in your department or in other departments with the approval of your department chair.
- French
- Drawing Technology and Perception
- Advanced Printmaking*
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Concept Development Storytelling
- Photography as Installation*
- Photography in the Expanded Field*
- History of New Media*
- Designer’s Ethical and Social Responsibility
- Educational Principles
- Alternative Processes Image-Making*
- Digital Fabrication Design
- The Art of Code I & II
- 4D Studio I & II*
- The Fashion Editorial
- Design Thinking
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Project Management*
* Undergraduate level courses
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this program cutting edge in contrast to other masters programs?
The cutting edge curriculum emphasizes practice-based learning and focuses on personal and professional development. The program combines technical knowledge and principles of photography & film research and theory. Studio classes and workshops conducted by active and prestigious professionals emphasize the mastery of contemporary techniques and professional practices, while theory-based and methodology courses help students develop their personal creative visions. Thanks to internships during the fashion weeks held in Paris several times a year, students will be well prepared to enter the job market and will have started to create a professional worldwide network.
What is the range of disciplines from which the students will be pooled?
We seek to have a highly diverse student group. Candidates from backgrounds including art, editorial, photography and film are all encouraged to apply.
How do you know if the program is right for you?
This one-year program is for students and emerging professionals who want to specialize in fashion and moving image. The proposed MA meets the demand of an expanding market for fashion advertising through storytelling in photography and film, using social media and capitalizing on the ability to reach large audiences for a reduced cost through online marketing. If you’re interested in new communication channels in the fashion industry and learning and working in the capital of fashion that is Paris, this is a program for you.
What are the prerequisites?
The program is open to any applicant who has successfully completed an undergraduate degree (BFA, BA, BSc, BID, BArch, etc.) with a studio component, or acquired basic technical skills (photography, video, editorial, editing software, printing, lighting, etc.) through other educational or professional experiences. Your previously acquired technical skills and creative potential will be evaluated through your portfolio.
What is the advantage of enrolling in this program in its first year?
The boldest ideas are generally implemented first. Fashion film & photography evolve and its codes constantly change over time, and waiting for the program to mature means you are missing the opportunity to get involved now. Faculty will work all the harder to mold the program to the needs of individual students in the first year. The faculty in the program are well-established fashion photographers in Paris, and have substantial teaching experience.
Are there other graduate students at PCA?
PCA offers several graduate programs and all graduate students share elective courses, so there is opportunity for interaction across disciplines both inside and outside the classroom.
What are the advantages of studying in Paris?
Paris, like Milan and London, is doubtlessly a fashion capital that plays a key role in the world of fashion, as suggested by the many fashion photography agencies, magazines, fashion designers brand, fashion weeks, etc. It’s a vibrant international market for fashion photographers. Furthermore, the international dimension of both the city and Paris College of Art provide a unique platform for students who would aspire to experience an internship or work abroad.
What are concrete projects students can expect to complete?
This program focuses on technical skills and cognitive needs that arise from the continuous development of the fashion industry. Students will be able to:
> Create fashion films and advertising campaigns, look books, catalogues and window displays;
> Conceive and produce fashion shoots and films (model direction, lighting techniques, editing, concept and storytelling);
> Coordinate the creation of photo editorials, both printed and online;
> Manage a team, discussing and integrating the work of other professionals such as fashion stylists, make-up artists and art directors for the creation of work charged with aesthetic content;
> Create blogs and the magazines in order to use social media and capitalizing on the ability to reach large audiences for a reduced cost through online marketing.
> Respond to professional commissions.
How do faculty facilitate the collaborative work?
Our PCA faculty, all active professionals, is best suited to impart the skills and knowledge required to prepare students to enter a rapidly changing professional world. They facilitate much the way a project manager would-by having a weekly meeting to make sure everyone is working towards a commonly defined goal. Then they break down to smaller teams/individuals to define milestones and address any difficulties.
What are the faculty’s credentials?
Their expertise lies in Fashion and Film Photography, Still Life Photography, Intellectual Property, Professional Business Practices, Film Production, Fashion Editorial, Advanced Printing Techniques, Concept and Storytelling, Art Direction and Marketing.
What are the expected outcomes in terms of employability?
Students graduating from the Master in Fashion Film and Photography will be prepared to enter the international job market with specific knowledge and skills in photography and film, but also with a greater understanding of the fashion market and its associated professions. The combination of studio work, research, and professional practice preparation will enable graduates to work as freelancers or as salaried photographers and videographers, art directors, creative directors, or editors in communications and advertising bureaus.
What types of projects and companies will alumni be prepared for?
PCA has closely established links with industry and other partners through past industry sponsorship agreements with companies such as Les Compagnons du Devoir, L’Oréal, Shiseido, Promod, Galeries Lafayette, Hermès , and more. Our career services office assists students with securing internships. New links are sought and explored, to provide fashion film and photography students with a pertinent professional network. If freelancing/entrepreneurship is not your cup of tea, alumni will be able to work in a whole slew of fields like creative direction (e.g., Vogue, Marie Claire, Dazed, The Independent, Cosmopolitan), fashion editorial (e.g., Elle, A Magazine Curated By, Harper’s Bazaar, Large, Style Magazine), and communications and advertising bureaus (e.g., Publicis Worldwide, Aquent). The MA also provides an excellent preparation for higher level research degrees, with an increasing number of graduates undertaking research in fashion and photography related subjects, in practice or theory or entering education as lecturers.
What will students have in terms of a portfolio by the end of the program? Is a portfolio even the right way to look at the end result?
Upon graduation, students are expected to have achieved demonstrable skills in fashion film and photography image capturing and editing, an understanding of applied research methodologies, and increased teamwork and management skills. They will have practiced talking about their skills and competencies with professional employers and clients. The final portfolio is an original and coherent set of images that focus on still or moving images, or contain a combination of the two. At least one project in each medium (photography and video) is required. Students will also have a list of projects, generally visible online, likely talked about in blogs and journals.
What are some of the past thesis research topics students have chosen to explore?
A selection of past topics include:
- Where Clothes Meet Cause: The Uniform Of The Black Panther Party And The Role Of Clothing In Political And Social Movements Today;
- Swipe or Stare: The War for Attention in Instagram Advertising and the Effects on Fashion Film;
- S(He): Gender Fluidity In Fashion Photography;
- #me Fashioning the Self through Instagram;
- Image and Identity: Issues of the female boy and the gaze;
- Envisioning Higher Dimensions in Photography;
- Seeing Through Her Lens: How Female Fashion Film Directors Feel Responsibility to Explore the Female Gaze;
- Fashion as Genre: The Evolution of Fashion Film;
- Reshaping Bodies, Reshaping Beauty: Issues of female beauty in the era of digital manipulation.
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