Carole Fielding was a noted theater personality who featured prominently in many musical comedies in her heydays in the 1940s and ‘50s. She graduated with a theater major and began her early career as a departmental secretary at the University of California, Los Angeles Film School in the 1960s.
Carole’s contribution to the communication and media industry in general, and the University Film and Video Association, in particular, has been outstanding. She died in 1994 working tirelessly for the advancement of the Association and its members. Her priceless contribution to the industry is remembered fondly to this day, the proof of which lies in the University Film and Video Association commemorating their annual scholarship program in her name — the Carole Fielding Student Grant. The scholarship is awarded to students of exceptional merit in the field of research, innovation, and production in the arts and sciences of moving images and aural communication.
The grant aims to support and encourage research and production proposals of both undergraduate and graduate candidates from the film and media section. The categories in which you may choose to work are — documentary, experimental, animation, narrative, new media, and research. There is an additional rider to receive the grant — you need to be sponsored by a faculty member who is also an active member of the University Film and Video Association (UFVA). For the uninitiated, the UFVA is a non-profit, prestigious academic organization that is dedicated to the study of media (film-making and motion pictures). Grants are made to students to encourage the best practices in the industry.
The UFVA members are image-makers, artists, teachers, students, archivists, distributors, college departments, libraries, and manufacturers.
A scholarship amount of $5000 is awarded to five qualifying candidates every year. The scholarship deadline is usually preset and decided for a date in the middle of December each year. Students who are keen to avail the grant amount must submit their applications before the deadline along with other official records (as may be required).
The UFVA reserves the right to publish funded work on its website or in journals without your permission. The final decision to award or refrain from awarding grants completely depends on the judging panel and is binding on the students. 50% of the grant is awarded to the grantees at the completion of their projects, and you may be asked to furnish additional material to the judges before the final call is taken. Evaluations for the grant are made based on academic achievements, creative and technical prowess, power of communication, and range of filmmaking experience.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements
At the time of applying for the grant, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student. You must be sponsored by a faculty member who is also an active member of the UFVA as a teacher or staff. Additionally, you must include UFVA in your project or production credits once you receive the grant. You must present completed work at the UFVA conference. Please note here that as a presenter at the conference, you will have to bear the cost of your travel, hotel stay, and meals. The conference fee may or may not be waived because it is subject to the discretion of the host.
Project Description — Give a one-page description of your project with a statement of purpose; a demonstration of the list of resources at your disposal that will facilitate in completing your project; and a synopsis of the proposed production/research project.
Applicant’s Resume — Give a brief introduction about yourself, contact information, and your work profile outlining past film/video/new media work and/or publications.
Sponsor Letter — A letter (not a recommendation) from a UFVA member stating the feasibility of your project and formally expressing the willingness to serve as your supervisor or consultant.
Budget Estimate — Please present a realistic estimate of the portion of your budget that you expect would be covered by the student grant.
Production Proposal — For a narrative, present a copy of the script that should not exceed 30 minutes; the time limit for a documentary is 45 minutes; present a script with a storyboard for experimental/animation/new media work.
Research Proposal — Include a description of the methodology you would employ to complete your proposal. Send a brief description (of no more than 500 words) of the research proposal. Please throw clarity in not more than 500 words as to how you think your proposal would expand on existing research. What you plan to do with the outcome of your research (not more than 500 words), and state a proposed budget.
How to Apply & Contact
Please follow the application link here to send in your online application. Please remember to send only what is requested on the form. Once submitted, the material is non-returnable. All documents need to be assembled into one PDF file and uploaded to the site.
Submit FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your financial capability and show the panelists how much you could bear for your educational expenses. Should you have any query, you can write to home@ufva.org for help.
