Mar 28, 2024  
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 
    
Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Writing for the Screen, M.F.A.


Objectives


  • Students will prepare for specific careers in film, television, and new and emerging media through a highly professional and challenging graduate curriculum.
  • Students will demonstrate the application of the theoretical, aesthetic, and practical elements of film, television, and emerging new media, story development, and script writing at a professional level suitable for pursuing a career in academia and/or the entertainment industry.

Learning Outcomes


  • Students will demonstrate, through a portfolio of screenplays and teleplays, mastery of story development, character development, storytelling structure, and cinematic style.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to pitch stories and scripts to producers, managers, agents, studios, cable outlets, and networks.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in writing for screens of all sizes. Students will value diverse stories that explore social justice issues and ethical and humanistic themes.
  • Students will develop entrepreneurial skills by creating relationships with outside organizations through internships, mentorships, and designated courses and workshops.
  • Students will demonstrate the fundamental business skills required for working effectively with producers, managers, agents, and the Writers Guild of America.
  • Students will demonstrate proficiency in analyzing the influences of film, television, and emerging media on our culture, and vice versa.

M.F.A. Writing for the Screen


The goal of the MFA program in Writing for the Screen is to train students for a career in screenwriting–to develop mastery in writing for screens of all sizes. Using long-form storytelling as a basis for teaching screenwriting, students will progress from the elements class to the creation of a portfolio of work, which will include three feature length screenplays, one episodic teleplay, and at least one original pilot for television. Students can also take writing electives such as transmedia, video-game writing, or playwriting. Proper sequencing of major requirements is indicated by prerequisites of individual courses and as noted in the outline below. Please consult an academic advisor.

Students must maintain a “B” (3.0) average to remain in good academic standing. Students who fall below a “B” average will be placed on academic probation and will have one semester to bring their grade average up to a “B.”

At the end of the first and third semesters, students are required to attend an MFA Performance Review with the department faculty to discuss his/her overall cumulative progress in the program. Letters will be sent to each student following this meeting to say he/she is either performing in an exceptional way, a satisfactory way, or an unsatisfactory way. In the last case the student will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation will require another meeting at the end of the following semester. If the student does not meet the required standards, he/she will be dismissed from the program.

M.F.A. in Writing for the Screen Requirements


Major Requirement 45 semester hours
Thesis Requirements 6 semester hours
Overall Total 51 semester hours

First Year


Fall Semester


Spring Semester


Second Year


Fall Semester


Spring Semester


Third Year


Fall Semester