Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media Degrees

Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media MFA

The MFA program in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media will fine-tune your ability to deliver compelling stories, characters, and scripts that grab the reader’s attention. The MFA is an intensive program that concentrates exclusively on writing, pitching, and the business side of being a professional writer. Complete a portfolio of feature and television scripts that can be used to market your skills as a writer.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media

ACT 669

Script Analysis Major/3

Actors, directors, and writers will work together to analyze screenplays collaboratively in a professional context. Focus is on developing a more sophisticated approach to story and subtext. Creatively, students will work together to identify and deliver a range of performance options. (This course is cross-listed with ACT 469 and LA 469.)

MPT 605

Film Language Studio Major/3

Gain visual storytelling skills by shooting and directing short scenes. You'll use the camera as an optical tool to learn bracketing, depth of field, shot size, framing, composition, and more.

MPT 618

Writer-Director Intensive 1 Major/3

Students will generate ideas for a short film. They will acquire the skills necessary to tell stories in a logical and emotionally connective way. Students will develop either original ideas or ideas adapted from existing material, through the outline stage.

MPT 688

Development: Finding Material and Influencing Writers Major/3

Learn how to find, option, and develop material for feature films and television. Practice composing effective script notes to help writers, and learn to evaluate the appropriate marketplace for your developed content. (This course is cross-listed with MPT 288 and MPT 888.)

MPT 705

Breaking through the Noise of Social Media Major/3

No matter what you make-app, fashion line, game, product, film-social media marketing creates an impact. You'll learn to secure funds, and practice building your brand, attracting supporters, and navigating multitudes of social media channels to bring your dream project to life. (This course is cross-listed with MPT 204, LA 204, and GLA 705.)

WRI 610

Creating Character and Backstory Major/3

Characters are the heart of every story. You'll acquire the skills to develop compelling three-dimensional characters and to create strong, believable backstories.

WRI 620

Screenplay Analysis Major/3

View, read and discuss screenplays and films. You will gain the tools to analyze theme, story, structure, plot, characters, and dialogue in screenplays and films that have influenced major screenwriters and the art of filmmaking. (This course is cross-listed with WRI 240.)

WRI 622

Screenwriting: Adaptation Major/3

Working from pre-existing intellectual properties including books songs, plays and games, you'll craft outlines, character biographies, and beat sheets. (This course is cross-listed with WRI 325.)

WRI 634

First Steps in Television Major/3

Create various premises for original series and write a spec episode of an existing series. You'll explore the past and present of episodic dramas and comedies on television, streaming media, and other contemporary platforms.(This course is cross-listed with WRI 200.)

WRI 660

Writing the Feature Film 1 (Fall) Major/3

Gain the skills to generate feature film ideas, develop characters, craft an outline, and begin your screenplay. (This course is cross-listed with MPT 870.)

WRI 665

Writing the Feature Film 1 (Spring) Major/3

Complete the work on your original screenplay that you began in Writing the Feature Film 1 (Fall). (This course is cross-listed with MPT 872.)

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Major Coursework	36
Directed Studies	18
Elective	6
Total	60

MFA WRITING FOR FILM, TELEVISION & DIGITAL MEDIA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of Final Review.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Minimum grade of C in all required 60 units.

Additional Information

Graduate Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Research

Effectively conduct in-depth research and apply results to create authentic story worlds, characters and dialogue

Story Development Skills

Develop compelling stories
Apply essential screenwriting tools to develop stories that are structurally sound

Critical Thinking

Analyze story/script problems and find creative solutions

Written Presentation Skills

Write well-developed treatments or outlines and synopses

Screenwriting Skills

Demonstrate command of character development, dialogue and subtext in work

Collaboration

Effectively collaborate on multiple projects

Professional Readiness

Submit professionally formatted and proofread scripts
Demonstrate ability to receive and apply notes as required in the industry
Demonstrate an awareness in work of what is commercially viable