Master of Fine Arts in Professional Screenwriting
Lead Faculty:
Ms. Bettina Moss
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. Depen
Program Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate critical points of view in the analyses and interpretation of films, television shows, screenplays and other entertainment content.
- Using films, television programs and transmedia IP’s analyze the principles of writing in these varied media.
- Demonstrate critical reflection and viewpoint in evaluating the work of peers and others.
- Generate original and/or adapted narrative screenplays, TV Scripts or transmedia IP’s employing the principles of these respective disciplines through various stages from introductory level to mastery.
- Articulate a critical understanding of self in relation to creativity and the influence of cultural and societal issues.
- Analyze and/or design and generate a marketing plan/pitch using the principles of entertainment industry marketing.
- Collaborate with others in achieving writing and/or pitching goals.
Requirements
(18 courses; 69.75 quarter units) To receive a Master of Fine Arts, students in the Professional Screenwriting program must complete at least 69.75 quarter units of graduate work, of which a minimum of 65.25 quarter units must be taken at National University. Students can transfer up to 4.5 quarter units at the graduate level from a regionally accredited institution in the areas of screenwriting, communication, film or media studies, or other appropriate areas of study provided the units have not been used to satisfy the requirements of an awarded degree. Students wishing to transfer credits into the program should contact the program lead faculty advisor. Refer to the section in the graduate admission requirements for additional specific information regarding application and evaluation.
Core Requirements (7 courses; 27 quarter units)
Core Requisite(s):
Advanced Core Requirements (8 courses; 29.25 quarter units)
Graduate Electives Requirement (2 courses; 9 quarter units)
Thesis Sequence (2 courses; 9 quarter units)
Special Electives (extra-curricular) (2 courses; 6.75 quarter units)
