Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 University Catalog 
    
2018-2019 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

BFA in Writing for Film + Television


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Diane Walsh, Program Director
dwalsh@uarts.edu
215.717.6562

C O N T E N T S

Description

Writing for Film and Television is an undergraduate program that teaches future screenwriters, television and web-series writers, story-development executives, and producers the art of writing narrative scripts for the big, small, and smaller screens. Students write feature-length screenplays, television pilots, teleplays of various lengths; gain a sophisticated knowledge of story development; work in their industry through an internship experience; 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.

Academic Plan

Academic plans provide a semester by semester suggested course sequence. Plans can be customized through discussions with academic advisors.

Program Requirements (120 credits)

Critical Studies (33 credits)


First Year Writing (6 credits)


Students will complete a writing placement exam to determine their composition sequence. Students who do not complete the exam may be placed based on standardized tests scores (if available) or high school GPA. Some students may be required to complete additional developmental coursework.

Students will complete one of the following sequences:

Developmental


ESL


Critical Approaches to the Arts and Culture (9 credits)


  • Select 3 courses from subject CRIT

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject SIFT

Critical Studies Electives (15 credits)


  • Select courses from subjects:
    • AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • 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 Critical Studies 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.

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