So You Think You Can Write? The Crème de la Crème of Screenwriting Programs
Alright future Shonda Rhimes and Quentin Tarantinos, it’s time to equip yourself with the sharpest sword in the battle of screenwriting: education! Whether you’re plotting to captivate audiences worldwide or just trying to get that pesky dialogue out of your head and onto some actual paper, top-tier screenwriting programs are your new best friends. Let’s dive deep (yes, think Titanic-deep) into some of the head honchos of screenwriting education.
1. USC School of Cinematic Arts
Calling all film buffs! The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is kinda like the Hogwarts for screenwriters, sans the magic wands—or maybe with, we don’t really know their secrets! From tight-knit workshops to professors who’ve actually won things you’ve heard of (Oscars, Emmys, you name it), USC is the dream factory. They have state-of-the-art facilities where your scripts can come to life, at least in draft form, before you take on Hollywood just down the freeway.
2. NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Hello, East Coast! If you’re more into the New York City hustle and dream of writing your magnum opus in a coffee shop, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts might just hustle with you. Whether it’s stage, screen, or television writing you’re after, Tisch pushes you right into the deep end. Mingle with industry leaders who stop by to give talks or judge your work harshly enough to make you cry (tears of growth, hopefully).
3. UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
Tucked away in the sunny sprawl of LA, UCLA offers a screenwriting program that’s both rigorous and kind of like a lovely pat on the back. You get to work closely with professors who don’t just teach, but do (as in, they’re working in the industry while they teach you—talk about multitasking). Plus, the UCLA network is no joke. It’s more like the whole comedy club.
4. AFI Conservatory
For those who think, Education is great, but what about a conservatory? Well, step right up to AFI Conservatory. Emphasizing hands-on training, AFI is for the brave, the bold, and the slightly berserk. They see screenwriting as an art form that you practice like you’re in a montage sequence of a 1980s sports movie. Here, it’s not just about scripts; it’s about telling stories that stick.
5. The London Film School
Need an Anglophile fix or just yearn for tea and good narrative structure? The London Film School beckons. Perfect for those who’ve outgrown their hometown and want stories with a different accent. Expand your horizons, meet international filmmakers and create scripts that might just jumpstart the next British invasion—of cinema, of course.
Bonus: Online Screenwriting Courses
Feeling a little less adventurous or just overly fond of your PJs? The internet has your back. Online courses from places like Coursera, Udemy, and MasterClass let you learn screenwriting from the ominous glow of your own computer. Study from gurus like Aaron Sorkin, and you don’t even have to brush your hair. Plus, if your script flops, only your cat will know.
Whether you choose the hallowed halls of USC or the digital domain of online classes, each screenwriting program has its unique flavor—like ice cream, but less sticky and more intellectually fulfilling. So, go forth, pick your weapon, and write—your soon-to-be adoring fans await!
