Best MFA for TV writing?

[caruss]

Hey everyone!

I'm a college senior graduating this December with a degree in film. I'm excited by the idea of writing features, but my interest is mainly television. Since the application period coincides with the tail-end of my thesis (and I don't have much money), I'm trying to be conservative with the number of programs I apply to. It seemed at first that of the top schools, USC might be my best bet for building a TV portfolio, but UCLA's site says you can opt for a body of work that includes two pilots, a spec, and three features -- which I love.

Does anyone have thoughts as to which screenwriting MFAs are strongest for someone looking to specialize in TV?

Thanks.

 

[Kira]

Hi,

I strongly recommend UCLA's MFA in Screenwriting to pursue TV writing. I did -- and came out with many scripts because of it. UCLA's curriculum is very flexible so it can be as rigorous as you want. I wanted to write a lot, so I did. I came out writing 3 features, 1 comedy, and 6 drama pilots (not to mention TA'ing and/or interning every quarter as well). Yup -- six drama pilots is one a quarter - so yes I did double up a lot, often writing a feature and drama pilot in 10 weeks. It was a lot, but taught me to become efficient and fast. Feel free to browse my past posts about life at UCLA -- I covered it a LOT haha.

 

[TVProf]

Look at Stony Brook Manhattan. Most comprehensive tv curriculum in country. Chritine Vachon and Killer Films involved and their students are winning awards (two first place prizes at Austin this year) and placing alum in writers rooms. And its so REASONABLY PRICED!! Stonybook.ed/tv

 

[kingofsweaters]

Depending on your financial situation I’d also look at AFI. The minimum you will finish with is three features, a spec episode, and a pilot. You do have the option of swapping one of those features for an additional pilot, but if you’re disciplined you can also definitely write more than that. They have a lot of staff writers and showrunners on faculty to learn from and try to bring guests from that world as well.

The downside is it’s extremely expensive and the administration (not faculty) is messy sometimes, but I feel that’s the case many places. I would warn you that TV used to be a booming writers paradise, but it’s slowed significantly. I’ve had one on ones with instructors who have only worked TV and they’re now transitioning into features because there’s not much tv work to be had. We hope that changes, but wanted to share as someone coming up on the end of their time at AFI and who’s anxiously eying the industry hoping to find a way in.

Happy to answer any questions if you have them.