Writing for Film and Television, M.F.A.

The Department of Visual and Media Arts offers the low-residency Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing for Film and Television, designed to bring together a community of students for focused, rigorous, on-campus residencies; intensive online courses; and workshops engaged in writing for the screen. Studies in history and theory are designed to provide the framework for critical and analytical perspectives that support screenwriting as a creative, artistic, and social endeavor. The program provides a personalized course of study for each student, emphasizing practice in film and television writing as well as innovative writing for other emergent forms of media.

Each semester begins with an on-campus residency followed by online instruction. Residencies are required and alternate between the Emerson College campus in Boston and Emerson Los Angeles.

During the residencies, students will take classes, seminars, and workshops in writing for film and television, accompanied by staged readings, and screenings. Each residency will feature the Semel Chair, a noted guest writer who will conduct master classes or workshops and a presentation of their work.

In the first year, students will be paired with the graduate program director for advising. For the second year, students will work with a thesis chair with whom they will work for the duration of the degree program. Together, they will create a highly individualized program of study. Throughout the program, students will be assigned to peer groups where they will read each other’s work and offer critiques of that work. All writing will be constructively assessed in a safe, nurturing atmosphere by the advisor of the thesis committee and the students in the peer advising groups.

Following are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the Writing for Film and Television program:

Students will develop the ability to write across the platforms of film and television (short and long form).
Students will engage in creative risk-taking, expanding one’s artistic potential and pushing beyond formula.
Students will hone critical skills, participating in intelligent, multifaceted, aesthetic discourse about their own work, as well as material written by others in the group.
Students will explore ethical awareness for the artist in today’s society.
Students will navigate the changing face of the film and television industry.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MFA program is selective. A committee of departmental faculty members will make all admission decisions. The ideal candidate will have a high-quality writing sample and a strong academic record, though not necessarily in writing for media. The candidate needs to show evidence of high motivation and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

The following are required for admission:

Portfolio of writing samples comprising screenwriting; additional material may be requested.
A baccalaureate degree or equivalent for international students; a transcript is required.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
TOEFL scores of at least 90 for those students whose first language is not English.
A statement describing the applicant’s creative process and the expected trajectory of their artistic work.
At least three letters of recommendation; letters should refer to creative and academic abilities and be from individuals whose expertise qualifies them to recommend to a terminal degree program.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Film and Television requires the successful completion of 40 credit hours, 8 of which will be composed of the four residencies; 28 credits for self-study, online courses, and peer workshops; and a 4-credit MFA Thesis Project. Students must matriculate full time and attend all four residencies. Students will complete the degree requirements within two years. Any extensions past two years must be petitioned to the graduate program director. Students may not extend their matriculation in the MFA program past five years.

Program Overview

Year One

Residency I: Focus on introduction to story, story genres, and writing short scripts. Semester requirements include: critical theory paper, three short screenplays with revisions, readings, screenings, and online advisor and peer group meetings.

Residency II: Focus on writing series television. Semester requirements include: one spec script for an existing television show, an original pilot, readings, screenings, and online advisor and peer group meetings.

Year Two

Residency III: Focus on long-form writing (features, cable movies, mini-series). This semester also includes part two of the study of genres. Semester requirements include: first draft of a feature screenplay, writing exercises, readings, screenings, critical theory paper, and online advisor and peer group meetings.