CSU MFA Screenwriting Programs

[HeyItsNatalieee]

I live fairly close and it's on my way to work, so it shouldn't be too bad. I'm just nervous because there's a chance they'll reject me in person. That won't be fun!

 

[cahoots]

Just weird they won't tell you anything, but will let you "come in" for some reason or another. You went to UCLA undergrad. Um, yeah.

 

[HeyItsNatalieee]

They didn't tell me to visit the office; I'm doing it on my own. I figure they have to tell me SOMETHING if I'm there.

 

[trucherrygirl]

For those who accepted CSUN's offer of admission, have any of you looked at the class schedule yet? I know we can't enroll yet (my appointment is at the end of June). I noticed in my admissions letter that the class marked "CTVA 512" is called "Graduate Screenwriting Workshop" yet in the online class schedule it seems to be a Film Theory seminar. So I'm wondering if we have to take both the Theory and History of Cinema (labeled CTVA 500) AND the Film Theory one? Seems kinda odd for a Screenwriting degree to have to do 2 history/theory courses, even during the first semester. I would have at least thought it would be 1 history/theory course and 2 screenwriting courses. A bit confused.

 

[trucherrygirl]

Fall 2012 CSUN Classmates: Have people been able to enroll in classes yet? I can only enroll in CTVA 512 (Advanced Scene Writing). When I tried registering for CTVA 500 and CTVA 595E, the system wouldn't let me. I'll e-mail the instructor. Just wondering if anyone else was having these issues, too.

 

[thehamm99]

Trucherrygirl,

Okay, this is my first post. I've barely lurked here throughout the last few years, but I wanted to reply to you.

I am a graduate of CSUN, B.A. in Cinema, emphasis in Screenwriting. I'll give you some pros and cons.

pros: I really enjoyed the campus. I love hot weather so I loved being in the valley. Facilities were decent.

cons: Not very respected within the industry, though the rep seemed to be growing, and is closer to the industry than most state schools.

Teachers to definitely take:
Edson - I never had him and regret it. Heard great things.

Halloran - lecture classes. He takes his work seriously and is very open-minded about form and artistry.

Friedman - She was and still is basically my mentor, but is not full time there. She was teaching the "Episodic Drama course for the grad students, which I was able to take as an undergrad. She wrote for tv for 20+ years and for someone who wants to write for TV she would be great to take a course from. Not sure if she will be there when you are there or not.

Avoid:
Krasilovsky - never in class, has T.A. teaching
Portnoy - lazy, doesn't care, pompous

Without tooting my own horn, I was much more skilled than almost everyone in my screenwriting classes, and seemed to "want it" a lot more.

There were some decent writers in the graduate TV writing class that I took. But there were also many that seemed to be brand new to screenwriting, and also weren't very promising.

I just completed the professional course at UCLA and plan on applying for several MFA programs this fall, but I wouldn't go to CSUN for it (in part because I already went there).

You will get a lot of people talking down CSUN, get used to it, and don't sweat it. It will be what you make of it. When I was there, for reasons I won't go in to, I didn't take advantage of some great internship opportunities.

Some people in my undergrad classes, and a grad assistant T.A. were interning at major studios in development department. Not a bad way to make connections for a CSU student paying bottom of the barrel costs to attend.

If nothing else, you'll graduate with a master's degree, some real solid, resume worthy experience, a couple decent scripts, and less debt than I'm going to have (much much less. Lol).

I also regret not making too many friends while at CSUN. I was busy with other things. The people were generally nice, the ladies were hot, and the atmosphere was cool. It was a fun school to go to. Have a great experience.
I can try to answer any questions you might have.