rrr3995
New Member
I'm a screenwriter based in Mumbai (M28) looking to apply for a masters and eventually break into the international tv scene as a writer (think getting staffed on shows like Tehran, Invasion, Foundation etc) - basically stories that don't need you to have grown up in a Western country to be able to write for it. I am currently confused between applying to the top US film schools (AFI, USC, UCLA) and the top UK schools (LFS, NFTS). I wanted to know your two cents on which one is a better bet for an international writer keeping a couple of specific points in mind -
1 - The UK has substantially better post-graduate visa opportunities (2 years without proof of employment) as compared to 1 year in the US (OPT). The additional year can make it easier to get a subsequent visa in the UK (Global Talent Visa) vs the US (O-1, which I've heard is much harder to get as a writer).
2 - A master's in screenwriting is cheaper in the UK. For example - the tuition fees for an MA in Screenwriting at LFS is about £16,000 over 1 year compared to $120,000 over 2 years at AFI or USC without any scholarships. Is the extra cost worth it to try and make it in LA over London? And is the prestige of an AFI or a USC really that much more than an LFS or NFTS? Which brings me to..
3 - Is being in LA really that much advantageous over being in London as an international writer considering staffing opportunities, international agencies, training programs etc? I know the UK/Europe has programs like Serial Eyes in Berlin while the US has older programs like the Warner Bros Access and Disney Talent Pipelines. Another point to factor in is the post-WGA strike crunch as well.
The overall goal is to get a decent alumni network that is international and get opportunities to try and find an agent as well as staff writer positions in global tv series.
Also, another point to add is if I should consider the MFA in Writing for the Stage and Screen at Northwestern University. It is basically tuition-free with a living stipend (even for international students). The two big cons being time wasted in writing a play and being in Chicago for 2 years (which is nothing like LA/London in terms of the networking opportunities).
Thanks!
1 - The UK has substantially better post-graduate visa opportunities (2 years without proof of employment) as compared to 1 year in the US (OPT). The additional year can make it easier to get a subsequent visa in the UK (Global Talent Visa) vs the US (O-1, which I've heard is much harder to get as a writer).
2 - A master's in screenwriting is cheaper in the UK. For example - the tuition fees for an MA in Screenwriting at LFS is about £16,000 over 1 year compared to $120,000 over 2 years at AFI or USC without any scholarships. Is the extra cost worth it to try and make it in LA over London? And is the prestige of an AFI or a USC really that much more than an LFS or NFTS? Which brings me to..
3 - Is being in LA really that much advantageous over being in London as an international writer considering staffing opportunities, international agencies, training programs etc? I know the UK/Europe has programs like Serial Eyes in Berlin while the US has older programs like the Warner Bros Access and Disney Talent Pipelines. Another point to factor in is the post-WGA strike crunch as well.
The overall goal is to get a decent alumni network that is international and get opportunities to try and find an agent as well as staff writer positions in global tv series.
Also, another point to add is if I should consider the MFA in Writing for the Stage and Screen at Northwestern University. It is basically tuition-free with a living stipend (even for international students). The two big cons being time wasted in writing a play and being in Chicago for 2 years (which is nothing like LA/London in terms of the networking opportunities).
Thanks!
