Welcome to the Writer’s Buffet: Picking the Perfect Screenwriting Program
If you’ve ever sat through a movie and thought, I could write something better than that! then, dear reader, it might just be time to put your popcorn where your mouth is. Enter the thrilling world of screenwriting programs, where the blank page is your canvas, and anything from spaceships to spoons can become characters. Choosing the right program to kickstart your writing career is like choosing the right wand at Ollivanders: the wand (or program) chooses the wizard, remember?
The Ivy Leaguers: UCLA and USC
First up, let’s talk about the Hogwarts of screenwriting—UCLA and USC. These are the places you go when you want to Expelliarmus your way into the industry.
UCLA: The Dream Factory
UCLA’s screenwriting program is like that friend who always has the best stories. The UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television offers both an MFA and a Professional Program in Screenwriting. With notable alumni that include Alexander Payne and Dustin Lance Black, it’s pretty much the Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters for screenwriters. Expect rigorous workshops, star-studded networking events, and professors who’ve got enough industry clout to get your scripts into the right hands. The catch? It’s as competitive as a squirrel during nut season.
USC: The Network King
Then comes USC’s John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television. Yes, it’s a mouthful to say, but it’s also a bellyful in terms of content and connections. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USC is like being at the center of a vast spider web; it’s sticky but connected everywhere. This program does a stellar job of embedding in students the narrative mechanics behind both feature films and television. Plus, they might even let you touch the Oscar won by an alum—if you’re nice.
The Offbeat Mavericks: NYU and Austin Film School
Now, if traditional isn’t your cup of tea and you’re looking for something a little less ivy and a bit more offbeat, let’s head over to NYU and Austin Film School.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
At the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, it’s not about who you know—it’s about how deep you can dive into the human experience and come up turning drama into screen gold. Their MFA in Dramatic Writing blends the traditional with a splash of avant-garde. Plus, New York City itself is a pretty decent scriptwriting buddy (if it’s good enough for Spider-Man, it’s good enough for you).
Austin Film School: Indie Film Haven
A little more south, we have the Austin Film School. While not as mainstream, Austin is the cool indie kid of the bunch, known for its eclectic film scene and the SXSW festival. The screenwriting certificate here is for the artist looking to write without needing a blockbuster budget. It’s intimate, a bit quirky, and ideal for someone looking to write something truly out-of-the-box (or out of the blockbuster, in this case).
The Digital Dynamos: Sundance Labs and Celtx
In the digital age, who says you need to step into a classroom to learn to write? Let’s not forget our friends at Sundance Labs and the software sorcerers at Celtx.
Sundance Screenwriters Lab
Sundance Labs offers you the chance to rub elbows with mountain goats and major players in the indie film circuit. It’s a bit like a writer’s retreat met a film festival and they had a beautiful baby named Opportunity. Here, it’s all about refining your script and honing your voice with the help of experienced mentors.
Celtx Script Writing Software
Now, if you’re more of a lone wolf, or perhaps just mildly agoraphobic, Celtx software might just be your alley. It’s kind of the Swiss Army Knife of screenwriting software, where not only can you write your script but also storyboard it, budget it, and schedule your shoots. It’s like having a little director inside your computer. Plus, you can wear pajamas while you write the next big hit soap opera (no judgment here).
Whether you’re looking to be the next Tarantino or the whisperer of the next ‘Tree Whisperer’ film saga (it’s a thing, trust me), there’s a program out there to transform that radiant, wild idea of yours into stunning script format. Get writing, future Spielbergs!
