National University’s Master of Fine Arts in Professional Screenwriting program.
This affordable, fully accredited “hybrid” program is 95 percent online with only a two-week residency requirement in Los Angeles. One of the many strengths of this program is its flexibility. Students do not have to move to Los Angeles, give up jobs, or disrupt family life in order to pursue this degree.
Located in the School of Professional Studies the program provides an in-depth study of the art of screenwriting, TV and transmedia writing where students learn to write compelling, well structured stories with memorable characters. Students develop skills in advanced screenwriting, TV and/or Transmedia writing and the ability to critically evaluate scripts for practical and commercial outcomes. Students will also acquire an understanding of how to market themselves and their work in the entertainment industry.
In 2011 the program was highlighted in Script Magazine and you can read the piece at this link: http://www.scriptmag.com/2011/07/13/a-screenwriting-mfa-online-national-university%E2%80%99s-innovative-new-program/
Students complete the program with a minimum of two feature length screenplays and/or TV scripts and/or Transmedia IP’s, an aesthetic statement reflecting their artistic development and a marketing plan intended to introduce the student’s work to the entertainment industry.
Visit the NU MFA SCR homepage for more info and to contact the university about enrolling: www.nu.edu.
Contact an advisor at: www.nu.edu to enroll.
You can also contact lead faculty professor Bettina Moss at bmoss@nu.edu.
The program is geared for emerging writers who want to live their dream and build a career in film, TV and Transmedia. It is also appropriate for those wishing to teach screenwriting at the university level.
Enrollment is year round with student cohorts beginning in July and January. Students can take foundational or elective classes regardless of which cohort they join.
Courses are created and taught by professionals with extensive experience in film, TV and Transmedia (video-gaming, graphic novel, web entertainment, comics, etc.).
Adjunct faculty and guest speakers include executives, agents, and producers who have worked in affiliation with DreamWorks, Jerry Weintraub Productions, Dan Lin Productions, Lawrence Bender Productions, Mirage Enterprises, Cruise/Wagner, HBO, Showtime, Dick Wolf Films, PBS, Sony Pictures, ABC, CBS, NBC, Miramax, Disney, Warner Bros, Harpo Productions, Fox Studios, ICM, APA, BenderSpink, 3-Arts, Resolution, among many others.
Adjunct faculty and guest speakers include screenwriters with credits on such diverse films, as Little Fockers, Red Dawn, Source Code, Apollo 18, Ray, Life As We Know It, Red Eye, Disturbia, Wall Street, W, The Black Stallion, Oblivion, Snow White and the Huntsman, among many others, and Emmy award-winning TV writers on such series as From Earth To The Moon, Band Of Brothers, Deadwood, The District, Grey’s Anatomy, among many others. Transmedia writers and IP developers have credits such as comic book ‘Todd, The Ugliest Kid On Earth,’ web series, ‘Dark Prophet, apps for Sherlock Holmes 2; web games for The Fast And The Furious; trailers, and web games for the Lord Of The Rings film trilogy.
The MFA in Professional Screenwriting: Is a “hybrid” program – 95% online
Courses provide a cutting edge learning experience filled with media enriched elements such as film and internet clips and real time interaction with fellow students. Online courses allow for an extraordinarily flexible approach to education. Due to the significant interactive elements in these online courses, students do not get ‘lost’ in cyberspace - faculty work one-on-one with students and in small classes through synchronous time meetings and consultations.
Includes a 2 week residency in Los Angeles Through enjoyable and intensive workshops with writers, development executives, producers, marketing strategists, agents, managers, and others students will further enhance writing and pitching skills. This vital element of the program fosters relationships with professionals in the Hollywood community. Internships and extra-curricular courses are also available.
Info about National University: National is the second largest private, non-profit university in California (1st is USC) with twenty-eight satellite campuses throughout the West. The university has an exceptional reputation in the fields of K-12 education and business. Looking to expand in 2005, the University began creating programs in digital cinema, strategic communications, and journalism. The Professional Screenwriting Program launched in 2009.
In 2011 National University recieved the highest accreditation (10 yrs) possible from WASC (Western Assoc. of Schools and Colleges) and was noted as an example of a ‘best practices’ university in many ways. It was also included on the list of ‘best colleges to work for’ created by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Contact: Questions or want more information?
You can access the program by going to the National University website at: http://www.nu.edu/OurPrograms/CollegeOfLettersAndSciences/ProfessionalStudies/Programs/MFAScreen.html
Contact an advisor at: www.nu.edu to enroll. You can also contact lead faculty professor Bettina Moss at bmoss@nu.edu.
