Lead Faculty: Ms. Bettina Moss
The MFA in Professional Screenwriting program provides an in-depth study of the art of film, TV and transmedia writing wherein students learn to create compelling, well structured stories with memorable characters. Students will also acquire a foundational understanding of how to market themselves and their work in the entertainment industry.
This program is hybrid, with the majority of classes delivered online. There is a two week required on-site residency in Los Angeles.
Graduate candidates develop skills in advanced film, television and/or transmedia writing, the ability to critically evaluate film, television and/or transmedia scripts for practical and commercial outcomes, and critical acumen in the area of media studies. Students may choose one of three tracks: screenwriting, television writing or transmedia writing. While they may take courses within the three disciplines and produce thesis projects in more than one discipline students must identify one track for focus. Graduate candidates will complete the program with a minimum of two feature length screenplays and/or teleplays and/or transmedia projects, an aesthetic statement reflecting their artistic development and a marketing plan and pitch.
The program prepares graduates to work in a variety of capacities in the following fields: commercial, industrial or independent film, TV and transmedia writing and/or development, digital entertainment media and communication, and educational or instructional media programs. Course work covers screenwriting, television writing, transmedia writing (videogames, graphic novels, comics, web narratives, etc.), script analysis, script development, pitching and marketing as well as business aspects of entertainment programming. Internships and special extra-curricular electives are also available.
Instructors bring the benefit of professional film and television experience to their teaching. Faculty, content creators and guest speakers include executives, agents, and producers who have worked in affiliation with DreamWorks (Transformers, Up In The Air, Cowboys and Aliens), Jerry Weintraub Productions (Oceans franchise, Karate Kid), Dan Lin Productions (Sherlock Holmes, Terminator Salvation), Lawrence Bender Productions (Inglorious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth), Mirage Enterprises (Sabrina, Random Hearts, The Talented Mr. Ripley), Tony Scott (The Last Boy Scout, Crimson Tide), Cruise/Wagner Productions (Mission Impossible franchise), Forward Pass (Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, Miami Vice), HBO, Showtime, PBS, Sony Pictures, ABC, CBS, NBC, Miramax, Disney, Warner Bros, Harpo Productions, and Fox Studios, among many others.
Faculty, content creators and guest speakers include screenwriters who have worked on such diverse films, as Ray, Life As We Know It, Red Eye, Disturbia, Wall Street, W, The Black Stallion, The Journey of Natty Gann, and Emmy and Humanitas award-winning TV writers on such series as From Earth To The Moon, Band Of Brothers, Deadwood, The District, Nip/Tuck, Picket Fences, Law And Order, and Camarena Drug Wars, among many others. Transmedia writers and IP developers include those with credits such as, The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design, The Chronicles of Riddick, Sin City, Transformers: War for Cybertron, and Rage of Angels.
Upon completion of the Master of Fine Arts in Professional Screenwriting program, students will possess the knowledge and skills needed to write professional level scripts, to participate in the ongoing scholarly and critical discussions of issues in the field of film, TV and Transmedia writing and to present their work to the entertainment industry.
Program Delivery
The program is offered as a Hybrid, online/on-site low-residency program. The core courses, the electives and advanced courses with “studio practica” are delivered online. Depending upon their creative and professional interests, students select three electives to be completed prior to taking the 2-course thesis sequence.
The low-residency component of the program consists of two advanced courses which are taken during the two week on-site low-residency at National University’s Los Angeles campus and run concurrently.
· SCR 670P - Development-Production Practicum
· SCR 675 The Business of Screenwriting
Pre-requisite courses are taken online.
The residency courses provide students with the opportunity to learn in person in a collaborative environment that introduces them to working professionals and to synthesize crucial elements of film, TV and transmedia writing, pitch presentations and how business is conducted in the entertainment community. The two residency courses are educational opportunities to create relationships with professors and industry professionals and learn about the entertainment industry by direct experience. They are not designed to serve as venues for sale of creative material, for obtaining agent or manager representation or to procure employment.
Program Fees
All fees are financial aid eligible.
Residency Fees:
SCR675: $750
SCR670P: $250
Additional fees may apply to residency workshops including purchase of film or tour tickets, expendables, supplies and some meals. These can vary and are determined at time of each on-site residency. Costs for accommodation and transportation are not included in the tuition or fees. Students are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation as well as any meals not provided. For more information contact the program lead faculty advisor.
Thesis Fees:
SCR690: $350
SCR691: $350
Thesis Sequence
To qualify for the Master of Fine Arts in Professional Screenwriting the successful MFA candidate must demonstrate her/his ability to work under the guidance of a thesis advisor(s) and to;
a) independently develop, write and revise a minimum of two feature length screenplays and/or teleplays and/or transmedia projects.
b) independently develop and write an aesthetic statement documenting the artistic choices that resulted in the student’s thesis projects and reflect how their artistic choices exist within a larger cultural and social context and;
c) create a marketing plan and pitch to introduce the student’s work to the entertainment community.
These must be contained in the MFA Thesis Portfolio.
In order to proceed to thesis, candidates must apply in writing to the program lead faculty for “advancement to candidacy.” On the basis of the application, the MFA candidate is assigned to a thesis advisor. To be eligible for advancement to thesis candidacy, prospective candidates must have successfully completed all core courses by maintaining a “B” average AND have completed all advanced courses with a minimum grade of “B.” Candidates who do not meet these criteria will be required to successfully repeat a course and/or complete an approved “guided study” or “professional internship.”
The Professional Screenwriting thesis portfolio is developed during a two-course sequence that may last from 4-12 months. The courses are SCR 690 Screenwriting Thesis and SCR 691 Thesis Qualification & Review. During the Screenwriting Thesis course, a candidate works with a thesis advisor and/or committee to develop a Portfolio by polishing and/or revising two scripts and/or projects previously developed in Advanced Writing classes and/or developing and writing new material. In addition, an aesthetic statement is crafted along with a marketing plan and pitch.
After demonstrating successful progress of these components as determined by the thesis advisor and/or committee, the graduate candidate is cleared to take the SCR 691 Thesis Qualification & Review. The candidate submits the writing projects, aesthetic statement and marketing plan for evaluation. Based upon this review the candidate may be required to revise the portfolio and meet the standards for qualification review. The thesis advisor and/or thesis committee determines whether the student has met or exceeded the qualification requirements for the Professional Screenwriting Master of Fine Arts. Both Thesis courses are IP (In Progress) grade eligible.
A candidate must satisfactorily complete each thesis course within the maximum specified time period. A candidate who is unable to satisfactorily complete each course during the specified time period must retake the course. Any thesis course that receives an unsatisfactory evaluation must be repeated.
Application Requirements and Program Prerequisites
To be considered for admission, prospective students must meet the University graduate admission requirements listed in the catalog under general information for graduate degrees. There is no separate application process for this program.
Students are expected to possess or have reliable access to a high- speed Internet connection including an email account outside of National University for course projects and assignments. Students need to have access to a DVD rental service or other reliable source for obtaining access to films, television shows and transmedia.
Students must have personal access to a computer that meets the system requirements for viewing films and film clips online and other relevant media. The following software (at a minimum) is required: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer) or comparable software capable of outputting PDF documents, and a variety of standard browser plug-ins (i.e. JavaScript, Flash, Shockwave, QuickTime, Real player etc.). Students must also have reliable access to a headset and microphone capable of supporting online course technological requirements.
Students must also acquire and use approved softwares specific to the creation of film, television and transmedia scripts.
Additional fees apply to residency workshops including workshop expenses, expendables, materials, supplies and meals. Expenses for accommodation and transportation related to the residency are not included in the tuition or fees, and students are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation during the onsite residency. For more information on any of the above requirements contact the program lead faculty advisor.
Students enrolling in the program are expected to have written and spoken proficiency in English at the graduate level. If in doubt about your English language skills please contact the faculty advisor for the program.
Program Prerequisites
The Professional Screenwriting MFA is a rigorous, graduate level program. Prior to entry it is expected that students have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to write, evaluate and engage in critical thought at the graduate level. Students who do not have such experience or skills should take appropriate courses before entering the program.
It is recommended (although not absolutely required) that students have had undergraduate courses or experience in one or more of the following areas: communication, film, television, English, literary or media studies, history, philosophy, psychology or sociology or other relevant areas. For more information contact the program lead faculty advisor.
This program is available online.