Catalogue 2008-09

• The Schools
• USC School of Cinematic Arts
  • Degree Programs
  • General Requirements
  • Critical Studies
  • Film and Television Production
  • Animation and Digital Arts
  • Writing for Screen and Television
  • The Peter Stark Producing Program
  • Interactive Media
  • Interdivisional Program in Media Arts and Practice
  • Minor Programs
  • Courses of Instruction
    • Cinema-Television
    • Animation
    • Critical Studies
    • Interactive Media
    • Production
    • Writing
    • Motion Picture Producing
  PDF reflects print
  version of the catalogue

Writing for Screen and Television

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen and Television is a unique, four-year program for students who seek intensive professional preparation for a career in screen and television writing. This rigorous program emphasizes small, workshop-style classes, and attracts students from all over the world. Students attend a variety of guest speaker presentations, take high level industry internships, are provided with mentors and taught by world-class professors.

Each fall, a class of 26 undergraduate writing students is selected to begin the program. A total of 128 units is required for completion of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; 70 of these units are taken in a prescribed sequential order. There are no spring admissions.

Applicants must submit supplemental application and materials to the program office. For specific instructions, contact Writing for Screen and Television, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211 or telephone (213) 740-3303, or online at cinema.usc.edu

General Education Requirements

The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. See here and here for more information.

Required Production Courses

Undergraduate writing students are required to take CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Cinema Technique and CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication. These introductory production courses are taken concurrently during the sophomore year.

CTPR 241 is an experiential course dealing with the technical and aesthetic principles of directing, cinematography, editing and the development of ideas through a cinematic vocabulary.

In CTPR 290 students are taught the principles of filmmaking through demonstrations, hands-on production and critical analysis. Each student makes five digital video non-dialogue projects using equipment supplied by the school. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

Four-Year Major Requirements for the B.F.A. in Writing for Screen and Television

Year One, First Semester		Units
CTWR 106a	Screenwriting Fundamentals	4
		4

Year One, Second Semester		Units
CTCS 190	Introduction to Cinema	4
CTWR 106b	Screenwriting Fundamentals	4
		8

Year Two, First Semester		Units
CTPR 318	Acting Experience for Writers	2
CTWR 206a	Writing the Screenplay	4
		6

Year Two, Second Semester		Units
CTCS 201	History of the International Cinema II	4
CTPR 241	Fundamentals of Cinema Technique	2
CTPR 290	Cinematic Communication	4
CTWR 206b	Writing the Screenplay	2
CTWR 215	Practicum in Writing Short Films	2
		14

Year Three, First Semester		Units
CTCS 464	Film and/or Television Genres, or
CTCS 469	Film and/or Television Style Analysis	4
CTPR 301	Creating the Non-Fiction Film	4
CTWR 305	Advanced Screenwriting:The Relationship Screenplay	4
CTWR 434	Comedy Writing Genres	2
		14

Year Three, Second Semester		Units
CTPR 319	Directing for Writers: Fundamentals	2
CTWR 306	Advanced Screenwriting: Alternative Narrative	4
		6

Year Four, First Semester		Units
CTPR 419	Directing for Writers: Intermediate, or
CTPR 436	Editing for Writers	2
CTWR 418a	Senior Thesis	4
CTWR 453	Advanced Feature Rewriting	4
CTWR 459a	Entertainment Industry Seminar	2
		12

Year Four, Second Semester		Units
CTWR 418b	Senior Thesis	4
CTWR 421	Writing the Hour-Long Dramatic Series	2
		6

Electives

A minimum of 20 elective units is required.

Suggested electives in Cinema-Television include:

CTWR 430	The Writer in AmericanCinema and Television	2
CTWR 431	Screenwriters and Their Work	2
CTWR 433	Adaptations: Transferring Existing Work to the Screen	2
CTWR 435	Writing for Television Genres	2 or 4, max 8
CTWR 437	Writing the Situation Comedy Pilot	2, max 4
CTWR 439	Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot	4, max 8

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses (a grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement).

Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts, with a major in Writing for Screen and Television, is an intensive two-year degree program which concentrates on writing for narrative film and television. During the course of their studies, students benefit from a wide array of internship and mentorship opportunities available as a result of the university's close links to the Los Angeles film industry's top screenwriters, directors, production companies and studios.

Course work includes practical instruction in everything a working writer needs to learn about the filmmaker's art and craft. Writing is taught in small workshop-style classes. The approach focuses on the visual tools of storytelling, developing stories from characters and then on an Aristotelian three act structure. Fractured narratives, ensemble stories, experiments with time and points of view, as well as other idiosyncratic styles of storytelling, are also addressed. The curriculum covers other professional concerns, including legal issues, agents and the Writer's Guild, as well as the history and analysis of cinema. Classes are taught by working writers with a wide variety of skills, experience and approaches.

Each fall 32 students are selected to begin the Graduate Writing for Screen and Television Program; there are no spring admissions. Applicants must submit a supplemental application and materials to the Graduate Writing for Screen and Television Program. For specific instructions, contact the Graduate Writing for Screen and Television Program, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211, or telephone (213) 740-3303, or online at cinema.usc.edu

A total of 44 units is required. A minimum of 30 units must be 500-level or above. Course work includes hands-on instruction in production, acting and directing.

Graduate Production Preparation Course

CTPR 507 Production I, is taken in the first semester. This course covers the basic aspects of filmmaking through lectures and hands-on production using digital video.

CTPR 507 Production I (4 units), which brings together students from other School of Cinematic Arts divisions, introduces the fundamental principles of motion picture production, emphasizing visual and auditory communication. Each student makes several non-dialogue personal projects, serving as writer, producer, director, cinematographer, sound designer and editor, and takes a crew role on a collaborative project. Projects are shot using digital cameras and edited on non-linear systems. Approximately $1,200 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

Course Requirements

Year One, First Semester		Units
CTPR 507	Production I	4
CTWR 513	Writing the Short Script	2
CTWR 514a	Basic Dramatic Screenwriting	2
CTWR 572	Practicum in Directing Actors for Film	2
		10

Year One, Second Semester		Units
CTPR 536	Editing for Scriptwriters	2
CTWR 421	Writing the Hour-Long Dramatic Series, or
CTWR 434	Comedy Writing Genres	2
CTWR 514b	Basic Dramatic Screenwriting	2
CTWR 516	Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis	2
		8

Year Two, First Semester		Units
CTWR 459a	Entertainment Industry Seminar	2
CTWR 515a	Practicum in Screenwriting, or
CTWR 519a	Thesis in Television Drama	4
		6

Year Two, Second Semester		Units
CTWR 515b	Practicum in Screenwriting, or
CTWR 519b	Thesis in Television Drama	4
		4

Total: 44 units required for the degree. Only two writing courses can be taken per semester.

Electives

Students may choose from the following electives to complete their degree along with the required courses and 6 units from the critical studies list of electives. Electives outside of cinematic arts are available with departmental approval.

Courses listed as writing electives are considered heavy writing classes and are subject to the two writing classes per semester rule.

ELECTIVES		Units
CTAN 436	Writing for Animation	2
CTAN 448	Introduction to Film Graphics — Animation	4
CTIN 458	Business and Management of Games	2
CTIN 483	Programming for Interactivity	4
CTIN 488	Game Design Workshop	4
CTIN 558	Business of Interactive Media	2
CTPR 479	Single Camera Television Dramatic Pilot	2
CTPR 486	Single Camera Television Dramatic Series	4
CTPR 506	Visual Expression	2
CTPR 575ab	Directing for Writers	2-4
CTWR 410L	Character Development and Storytelling for Games	4
CTWR 430	The Writer in American Cinema and Television	2
CTWR 431	Screenwriters and Their Work	2
CTWR 433	Adaptations: Transferring Existing Work to the Screen	2
CTWR 441	Writing Workshop in Creativity and Imagination	2
CTWR 499	Special Topics	2-4
CTWR 518	Introduction to Interactive Writing	2
CTWR 541	Writing from the Unconscious	2
CTWR 574	Advanced Seminar in Directing Actors for Film	2
CTWR 599	Special Topics	2-4

WRITING ELECTIVES		Units
CTWR 435	Writing for Film and Television Genres	2 or 4, max 8
CTWR 437	Writing the Situation Comedy Pilot	2, max 4
CTWR 439	Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot	4, max 8
CTWR 453	Advanced Feature Rewriting	4
CTWR 520	Advanced Scene Writing Workshop	2
CTWR 553	Advanced Screenwriting	4
CTWR 577ab	Intermediate Screenwriting Workshop	2-4, 2-4

CTCS courses (6 units required)		Units
CTCS 464	Film and/or Television Genres	4
CTCS 469	Film and/or Television Style Analysis	4
CTCS 501	History of Global Cinema Before World War II	2
CTCS 502	History of Global Cinema After World War II	2
CTCS 503	Survey History of the United States Sound Film	2
CTCS 504	Survey of Television History	2
CTCS 505	Survey of Interactive Media	2
CTCS 510	Case Studies in National Media and/or Regional Media	4
CTCS 511	Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video	4
CTCS 518	Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video	4
CTCS 564	Seminar in Film and Television Genres	4
CTCS 569	Seminar in Film and Television Authors	4
CTCS 587	Seminar in Television Theory	4

Grade Point Average Requirement

An overall grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) must be maintained in all courses. In addition, an overall grade point average of 3.0 in all units attempted is required to qualify for registration in CTWR 515ab. Courses in which a grade of C- (1.7) or lower is earned will not apply toward a graduate degree.

In lieu of a thesis, the student is required to complete a full-length screenplay which will be developed in CTWR 515ab and must be accepted by the Division of Writing Graduation Committee.

Time Limit

Students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their master's degrees at all times. The time limit to complete all requirements is three years from the first course at USC applied toward the Master of Fine Arts degree. Course work more than seven years old is automatically invalidated and may not be applied toward the degree.

Writing for Screen and Television Certificate

The Writing for Screen and Television Certificate is awarded for one year of study.

Applicants must be recognized writers outside of the field of screenwriting.

The course of study is no less than 16 units total, over two semesters. Writers, both U.S. and international, should appeal directly to the chair for admission in the fall semester.

Admission is granted to only one or two scholars a year, and is of the highest selectivity. Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. Additionally, candidates must show compelling reason for not applying to a formal degree program.

The general course of study is as follows:

first semester		Units
CTWR 513	Writing the Short Script	2
CTWR 514a	Basic Dramatic Screenwriting, or	2
CTWR 515a	Practicum in Screenwriting	4
CTWR 516	Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis	2
CTWR 572	Practicum in Directing Actors for Film	2
		8

Second semester		Units
CTPR 536	Editing for Scriptwriters	2
CTWR 514b	Basic Dramatic Screenwriting, or	2
CTWR 515b	Practicum in Screenwriting	4
CTWR electives		2-6
		8

Send feedback to univpub@usc.edu