MFA Screenwriting

• Specialized knowledge of character development and inter-personal relationships within a story by strong utilization of core fundamentals of storytelling.
• Understanding of physical production to enhance storytelling.
• Proficient in story analysis and construction with emphasis on the hero's journey and 3-act structure.
• Awareness and application of current trends in the business of entertainment.
• Develop and refine one's creative storytelling and collaborative practices.

• 70% of courses will be in writing original material including screenplays, pilots, scenes, and pitches.
• 20% of coursework will be in production of original material
• 10% of coursework will be in film theory and film analysis
• Capstone thesis in feature length screenplay (90+ pages) to earn diploma

• Creative Video Submission (Required): Applicants must submit a filmed scene or short film with a maximum duration of five (5) minutes, demonstrating their creative and storytelling abilities.

The purpose of the application is help us understand you and your artistic capabilities so we can help you succeed in the program.

Therefore, we are asking you to submit a document with links to a short film (2-5 minutes), a single scene, or other narrative to help the evaluation committee better understand your artistic potential. This can be a film that you made previously, or last year with friends or something you made for this occasion. Once you decide what film we should see, upload it to YouTube, make it unlisted, and then submit it to the dedicated area on the application. We will evaluate it on quality of writing, image, sound and other typical parameters which films are judged by.

Then send us a Word or PDF document with the Unlisted YouTube video link embedded.

Lastly, make sure it is clear what you did on these projects.

If you were the director? Make sure the committee understands that.

If you wrote it? Then great. Make it known.

If you ran the camera? Then tell us about that too.

We look forward to your film.

• Creative Portfolio (Required): Applicants must submit a PDF portfolio showcasing previous creative work (e.g., scripts, storyboards, photography, visual art, or other relevant projects) to further demonstrate their artistic potential.

The portfolio is a great indicator of artistic talent, technical skill, and creative potential for this practice-based degree.

MFA Screenwriting Applicants must submit a PDF with links to a portfolio of written, artistic or produced work (e.g., scripts, photographs, links to short or feature films, or other artistic work created by the candidate) to help the admissions committee understand your artistic potential.If possible, candidates should present materials showing a variety of approaches and genres of art.

The links should take us to:

• Unlisted YouTube videos (if presenting a finished work).
• Word or PDF scripts for films you wrote. (Do not send Final Draft or a Celtx files).
• PowerPoints or Canva presentations (if you gave a pitch at one time or another).
• JPEG formatted Photos.

Make sure it is clear what you did on these projects. Use the written word to put the work into context for the committee. For example: “3 months after this pitch, the feature I wrote was produced by Warner Bros. and aired on Paramount Plus.”

The portfolio is not a substitution for making a film for submission. It is an additional document submitted to accompany your film and application.

Admission requirements, program structures, and program-specific requirements are subject to review and may be updated or changed at any time without prior notice. Applicants are advised to visit the program page at the time of admission for the most current information.

• With creative confidence, you will build analytical skills in character development, world building, and dramatic storytelling by writing feature length screenplays and original pilots in small intensive classes.
• Feature writing skills (three-act structure, character development, scene work, world building)
• Television writing skills (half-hour vs hour-long structure, story engine, and series arc)
• Three act structure analysis and application.
• Creating authentic characters that speak to the human condition.
• Short Film Production (writing, producing, directing, editing)
• Study of film history and appreciation of the art form.
• Marketing of one's storytelling skills and promotion of portfolio.

Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Screenwriter for Film, Television Writer, or Series Creator
• Showrunner, Story Editor, or Writers' Room Staff Writer
• Script Developer, Script Consultant, or Script Doctor
• Development Executive, Creative Executive, or Development Producer
• Content Writer for Streaming Platforms or Digital Series
• Documentary Writer, Adaptation Writer, or Dialogue Writer