Chapman University’s Dodge College Film and Media Arts Announces New M.F.A. in Television Writing and Producing Beginning Fall 2018 Two-year Course Focuses on Storytelling as well as Marketing and Distribution

Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, recognized as one of the premiere film schools in the United States, is responding to rapidly expanding growth in the television industry with a distinctive Master of Fine Arts in in Television Writing and Production beginning in fall 2018. Ranked #6 in the country by The Hollywood Reporter, Dodge College adds the program to its impressive list of courses already offered.

In this first-of-its-kind M.F.A. program, students will learn to develop their own artistic voice, though a unique curriculum as they learn a broad spectrum of skills needed to pursue a career as a television writer and producer in the industry, by writing “spec” scripts, creating and writing original pilots, shooting scenes from their writing, and collaborating in writing room environments. The two-year M.F.A. is designed to prepare students for future careers such as staff writers, executive story editors, producers, showrunners, and development executives at a network, studio, or agency.

Another unique advantage for M.F.A. Television students is the access they will enjoy to Dodge College’s world-class facilities, the opportunity to travel the world through existing Dodge College travel programs, and the practical experience they will gain under the direct supervision of industry-experienced faculty.

What distinguishes this new M.F.A. program from others is the approach. “Our uniquely collaborative program takes students every step of the way – from staff-writer to showrunner,” says James Gardner, Professor and Director of Television Studies. “When they graduate students will have a portfolio of scripts and the expertise to propel them from the classroom straight to the writers’ room,” adds professor Bill Rosenthal.

More information on the courses, objectives and application can be found on the program webpage here or in a blogpost here.

The Dodge M.F.A. In Television Writing and Producing Faculty

• Anne Beatts
• Victor Bumbalo
• Frank Chindamo
• James Deck
• Rona Edwards
• Kelly Fullerton
• James Gardner
• Steve Hirsen
• Jim Hope
• Lee Marshall
• Chris Moore
• Bill Rosenthal
• Ellen Sandler
• Arnie Sirlin

Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts:

Recognized as one of the top ten film schools in the world and ranked #6 by The Hollywood Reporter among American film schools, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University offers students an array of undergraduate, graduate, and joint-program degrees that address the rapidly changing entertainment business including what it takes to pitch, produce, finance, market and distribute content. Open to students 24/7, Dodge College is housed on the film school campus comprised of the Digital Media Arts Center, Chapman Studios West, and the heart of the film school, the 76,000-square-foot Marion Knott Studios built from the ground up to replicate a working studio.  Dodge College students have garnered numerous awards including Student Academy and College Television Awards. Notable alumni include Matt and Ross Duffer ’07 (Netflix series Stranger Things) and Justin Simien (feature film/Netflix series Dear White People). With an award-winning full-time faculty with a combined filmography of more than 500 feature films, Dodge College is where students learn the entertainment business from the inside out.

About Chapman University:

As an academically distinguished center of learning, Chapman University attracts extraordinary students and faculty from around the globe. Its ten schools and colleges foster a vibrant intellectual community, and provide extensive opportunities for students to learn, grow and discover alongside remarkable faculty. The University is home to some 8,000 students pursuing bachelor, master and doctoral degrees, and is alma mater to more than 40,000 alumni found throughout the United States and the world. Now celebrating its 156th year, Chapman is known for its distinguishing strengths in leadership and civic engagement, in the arts and entertainment disciplines, and in specialized sectors of technology and science. The University is comprised of its main campus in Orange, California, and the Rinker Health Science campus for graduate health science programs in Irvine, California. Visit us at www.chapman.edu.

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