WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA & TELEVISION ARTS
MASTERS PROGRAM IN SCREENWRITING

Anybody who thinks less of you for following a dream isn't worth worrying about anyway.
--Callie Khouri

The Department of Cinema & Television Arts offers a unique graduate program of discovery and growth with an intense focus on professional screenwriting, in the heart of the motion picture and television industries.

OVERVIEW / DEGREES OFFERED

The Department of Cinema & Television Arts offers a Master of Arts in Screenwriting.

Emerging screen storytellers from many backgrounds are mentored toward writing scripts that explore new insights into the human condition. In a vigorous workshop environment, working with an exemplary faculty of professional screenwriters, students explore the elements of screen story structure, character, dialogue, scene, setting, texture and tone.

Screen narrative and film analysis are also investigated with top film and TV writers, directors, and producers through the Department of Cinema and Television Arts Cinematheque, in the 130 seat state-of-the-art Armer Screening Room.

Professionalism
The University's proximity to the entertainment industry provides opportunities to enrich classroom writing and theory with real world experience. Many MA courses feature one-on-one relationships with working professionals, and internships are available at studios, networks, and production companies.

Leadership
The program offers a broad perspective on the arts, crafts, and aesthetics of cinema-telecommunications, and the responsibilities essential to prepare for leadership in the entertainment industry. Paid undergraduate teaching positions are also available for those who wish to develop leadership skills as a college instructor.

Creative Thinking
The MA in Screenwriting Program challenges students and fosters the development of imagination, creativity, and analytic narrative thinking. Each student is guided toward developing their own unique voice as a writer.

The MA in Screenwriting Program offers a two-year course of study adaptable to the needs of working adults. Scholarships and financing are available.

 

REQUIREMENTS

The program offers a two-year course of study designed for working adults, with scholarships and paid Teaching Assistant positions available.

The 30-unit MA in Screenwriting degree consists of core concentration classes in script writing, then elective units chosen from such courses as: Screenplay Adaptation; The Working Screenwriter, Understanding Agents, Studios, and Networks; Writing Episodic Television; Comedy Writing; Screenplays in Performance; Documentary Tradition; and one-on-one Independent Screenplay Studies. Studio internships are available for screenwriting students, including placement at Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., Sony, DreamWorks, ABC, CBS, NBC and other companies.

CURRICULUM FOR THE M.A. IN SCREENWRITING

A minimum of 30 units of approved graduate work is required for the degree.At least 18 units of the program shall be in 500 and 600 level courses. Students applying more than 36 units of course work to their graduate program must take at least 70 percent of their courses in 500 and 600 level classes. A candidate for the Masters degree in Screenwriting will complete at least three screenplays.

REQUIRED COURSES (15 units):

• CTVA 500 Theory and History of Cinema (3 units)
• CTVA 525 Seminar in Screenwriting (3)
• CTVA 622 Colloquium in Screenwriting (3) (525 and 622 together make up a single, two semester course wherein students write and polish one feature-length screenplay)
• CTVA 692 Research Practicum (3)
• CTVA 698 Thesis Screenplay (3)

ELECTIVE COURSES (15 units):

• CTVA 501 Theory and Criticism in Cinema (3) (CTVA 500 is a prerequisite for CTVA 501)
• CTVA 512 Intro. to Graduate Screenwriting (3)
• CTVA 420 Screenplay Adaptation (3)
• CTVA 425 Advanced Screenwriting (3)
• CTVA 428 Writing Screenplay Comedy (Sit-com) (3)
• CTVA 416 The Documentary Tradition (3)
• CTVA 415A-Z International Cinema (3)
• CTVA 595D Writing for Episodic Television (One Hour Series) (3)
• CTVA 595F Script Development in the Film Industry (3)
• CTVA 694A-C Internships (1-3)
• CTVA 699C Independent Study (3) (with an approving faculty member)