May 08, 2024  
2016-2017 University Catalog 
    
2016-2017 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Writing for Film + Television, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Contacts     Description     Program Objectives     Program Requirements

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Contacts

Diane Walsh \ dwalsh@uarts.edu \ 215.717.6562
Program Director

Description

Writing for Film and Television is an undergraduate program that teaches future screenwriters, filmmakers, television writers, story-development executives, and producers the art of writing narrative scripts for the big and small screens. Students write feature-length screenplays, television pilots, hour-long teleplays; gain a sophisticated knowledge of story development; and create, write, and produce episodic drama series for the Web. The core of this experience is writing and revising in a workshop environment with close guidance and support from industry-experienced faculty.

Program Objectives

  • To solve story problems creatively and through experimentation;
  • To generate or find story ideas to develop for movies, television, or web series;
  • To apply the techniques of dramatic structure to a variety of works, both one’s own and those of other writers;
  • To develop a more sophisticated and evocative use of language;
  • To revise written work in light of knowledge learned about dramatic structure and skills honed as a writer;
  • To develop competency in written and oral critical analysis of scripted work;
  • To demonstrate professional scriptwriting practices;
  • To understand the collaborative nature of film and television development, and production practices;
  • To refine public speaking and verbal story pitching skills;
  • To recognize historical and cultural influences on film, television, and web writing and production.

Program Requirements (121.5 credits)

University Common Curriculum (4.5 credits)


Additional information available on the University Common Curriculum  page.

Liberal Arts Distribution (33 credits)


Humanities Seminar (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject HUMS

Period Interpretation (6 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject PIPT
  • Select 1 course from subject PITC

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject SIFT

Liberal Arts Electives (15 credits)


  • Select courses from subjects:
    • AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • ARAB (Arabic), FRCH (French), ITAL (Italian), LITT (Literature)
    • PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
    • MATH (Math), SCIE (Science)
    • ANTH (Anthropology), PHIL (Philosophy), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
    • STCU (Cultural Studies), STDA (Dance Studies), STGS (Gender & Sexuality Studies),
      STMU (Music Studies), STPF (Performance Studies)   
  • Select courses from  : Art History or LA Elective.

Electives (15 credits)


  • Complete 15 credits of free electives. This requirement is satisfied by any undergraduate course that isn’t required by the program.