Graduate Program

 The School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University offers two different screenwriting MFA degrees.


Feature Film Screenwriting | A Master of Fine Arts degree

The MFA in Feature Film Screenwriting trains students to write and work in long form storytelling. Progressing from the core courses, the feature film writing student must complete a portfolio, which consists of three feature length screenplays and develop a project adapted from another medium. Students can also take courses in television writing as electives.

FIRST YEAR (18 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 510 Producing & Directing for Feature Film Screenwriters
SCWR 540 Elements of Feature Film Screenwriting
Choose one of the following (3 semester hours):
FTVS 611 Seminar in Film Genres
FTVS 612 Seminar in Film Authors
FTVS 613 Seminar in National Film
FTVS 614 Seminar in Television & Video

SPRING
SCWR 541 Intermediate Screenwriting Project 1
SCWR Free Writing Elective
Choose one of the following (3 semester hours):
FTVS 513 Seminar in American Film
FTVS 514 Seminar in International Film
FTVS 515 Seminar in Documentary Film
FTVS 517 Seminar in Television Programming

SECOND YEAR (18 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 640 Rewriting the Feature Screenwriting Project 1
SCWR 650 Intermediate Screenwriting Project 2
SCWR Free Writing Elective (3 semester hours)

SPRING
SCWR 641 Feature Film Adaption
SCWR 651 Rewriting the Feature Screenwriting Project 2
SCWR Free Writing Elective (3 semester hours)		 THIRD YEAR (15 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 690 Advanced Screenplay Project
SCWR 685 Entertainment Business Affairs
SCWR 697 Feature Film Internship

SPRING
SCWR 691 Rewriting Advanced Screenplay Project
SCWR 692 Feature Film Screenwriter’s Workshop

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 51

 

Writing & Producing for Television  | A Master of Fine Arts degree

Enter the professional world of TV writing and producing with a career-starting portfolio. Write an original drama or comedy pilot; executive-produce a production reel from inception to casting, through production and post-production. Develop your unique voice as you complete your course of study. Exit the program with a master's degree and a fully-produced show. Get an insider's look at the business of TV through internships at top Hollywood companies.  Professors with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry mentor and guide you.
 

FIRST YEAR (18 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 511 Introduction to Television Producing
SCWR 550 Elements of Television Writing
FTVS 512 Seminar in Television Genres

SPRING
FTVS 517 Seminar in Television Programming
SCWR/FTVS Free Writing or Film Studies Elective
(3 semester hours)
SFTV Free Elective (3 Semester Hours)

SECOND YEAR (15 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 660 Writing Episodic Drama
SCWR 670 Writing Episodic Comedy
FTVS 614 Seminar in Television & Video

SPRING
SCWR 611 Television Planning, Budgeting & Scheduling
Choose one of the following (3 semester hours):
SCWR 661 Writing the Drama Pilot
SCWR 671 Writing the Comedy Pilot		 THIRD YEAR (18 Semester Hours)

FALL
SCWR 680 Television Producing II
SCWR 685 Entertainment Business Affairs
SCWR 696 Television Internship

SPRING
SCWR 681 Television Producing III (6 semester hours)
SCWR 682 Television Screenwriter’s Workshop

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS: 5


You may contact Mary Abshire, Administrative Assistant for Graduate SFTV programs, at 310.338.5991.