Screenwriting Courses: Start a Writing Career or a Waste of Money?
Many professional screenwriters today are graduates of screenwriting courses; Especially M.F.A.. Earning a degree in screenwriting has become a common route into the film industry. (See our picks for the best screenwriting courses.)
However, it can also be a very expensive route and does not mean you are guaranteed a career after graduation. Far from it. Many other writers have found their way by going it alone: ​​writing, making connections, and submitting scripts until something progresses.
Both routes have their own Advantages and Disadvantages It all depends on the individual, but for a more in-depth look at the pros and cons of screenwriting courses, read on.
Screenwriting Course: Top 6 Professionals.
1. World-class coaching.
With a top-tier master’s degree in screenwriting, you’ll learn day in and day out from the best screenwriters, filmmakers, and mentors in the world, rather than trying to learn the craft of screenwriting on your own.
take over personal feedback Richard Walter’s plays, for example, are more constructive than just reading his books, Key points in script writing. In fact, being at UCLA and having Alexander Payne come as a guest speaker was far more inspiring than watching a YouTube video of him speaking at UCLA.
Even if the screenwriting course you’re taking doesn’t have access to people of this caliber, you’ll still benefit from being taught by a professional. This brings us to…
2. Mentor.
Many screenwriting courses pair students with an experienced professional writer as a mentor, which can be a valuable experience.
There are countless examples of professional writers and filmmakers who might not have made it into the industry without the help of a mentor. For example, Steven Spielberg, whose mentor was George Lucas.
If you’re lucky, taking an MFA screenwriting program might pair you with a mentor. inspire you In ways you never imagined.
3. Unique opportunities.
In a screenwriting degree, you’ll have the opportunity to experience things and take advantage of opportunities and resources that you might not have access to if you tried to go it alone.
For example, most top screenwriting programs give students the opportunity to have their scripts workshopped, read by actors at a script table and made into a film.
Many screenwriting programs also allow students to take acting classes, pitch to industry professionals, and become familiar and comfortable on set with sound, lighting, and editing.
It’s not that these things can’t be replicated in the “real world,” but taking an MFA screenwriting course force you to participate Be with them instead of putting them off. This brings us to…
4. Structure, focus and motivation.
Studying a screenwriting degree means you’ll be immersed in A stressful writing environment 24/7 based on strict work schedule. This means writing to strict deadlines every day.
Hearing “Your script is due next week” will force you to get used to writing on demand, just like a professional screenwriter. All of this will put you in a good position in the outside world.
Of course, you don’t have to take an MFA screenwriting program to set your own writing and study routine. But you won’t have anyone to inspire you Supervise you to produce goods on time. You’ll be relying entirely on your own willpower and dedication, which can be tough and a bit lonely.
5. Community.
Next, the screenplay writing course will provide you with Ready-made community of writers Being in the exact same position as yourself. Just being around like-minded peers, all of whom share the same passion for writing and want to become professional screenwriters like you, can be incredibly inspiring.
Yes, you can join a writing group or take some part-time screenwriting courses, but the longer, more in-depth experience a screenwriting course provides is unmatched.
6. Connect.
Even if you don’t “make it” immediately after graduating from an MFA screenwriting program, your classmates probably will. Who will they call when they get their next writing gig?
The truth is, the best screenwriting courses are giant social arenas for writers, directors, actors, etc., and you’ll be right in the middle of it.
This is an ideal position to form connections that can last beyond two years of study together. Most good screenwriting courses also have Effective links with the film industry They contact students after they graduate.
Screenwriting courses: Six major drawbacks.
1. Screenwriting courses can be expensive.
Unless you are independently wealthy, screenwriting courses are very expensive. Most of the time, you’ll spend money somewhere in the following areas: $40,000 per year. That’s in addition to all the additional costs of room and board, transportation, food, books, supplies, and other random living expenses.
Some of these extra fees are what you’ll have to pay anyway, but even the most frugal students often end up spending more on an MFA in Screenwriting than they expected.
Many screenwriting courses offer scholarship If you qualify, you should definitely check it out, but these programs are very competitive and many students end up taking out loans, leaving you with thousands of dollars in debt when you graduate.
2. The industry doesn’t care.
Having a piece of paper that says “MFA Screenwriting” on it will have little impact when it comes to actually trying to get hired as a writer or get hired by a manager or agent.
Imagine a development lead meets two writers: The first person said they were currently in an MFA screenwriting program and were writing a film theory paper, a feature screenplay, and producing a student film.
The second told the executive that they were working as assistants at CAA and had three feature specs ready – all written in the evenings and weekends.
The executive will most likely feel that the second writer knows the industry better and is more focused. But even if that’s not the case, what really matters is the quality of your writing.
After graduation, people aren’t really interested in hearing about film school. They’ll be interested in what you’ve written, what else you’re cooking up, and who you are as a person. No one is going to say, “That’s a great script, but I see you don’t have a master’s degree in screenwriting, so I’m afraid we can’t hire you.”
3.DIY factor.
Although many professional screenwriters have received big breakthrough Many people don’t do that after completing a screenwriting degree.
Instead of getting yourself into debt, you can write every day, you can try moving to Los Angeles, get a job in the industry, network, read the best screenwriting books and professional screenplays, find a mentor, etc.
For example, one way you can learn a lot of the stuff taught in screenwriting courses is by volunteering to help.
If you prepare a resume and contact USC, introducing yourself as a personal assistant, there’s a good chance you’ll be hired to handle administrative tasks, load up camera crew equipment, work as a stand-in, and more.
Complete these simple tasks quickly, efficiently, and without complaint, and you’ll find yourself Promoted to a job with more responsibility. All the while, making friends with people in the MFA Screenwriting Program on set gives you the opportunity to learn a lot without paying a dime.
While the structure, focus and motivation outlined in the previous section may be difficult to replicate, there’s nothing stopping you from getting out there, working in the industry, filming your own short film script, writing every free moment and making it happen.
4. No guarantee.
Once you walk out the door for the last time, you’re unlikely to be whisked straight into a limo and whisked off to Universal Studios to sign your writing contract. You have to keep writing, improving your craft, networking, and trying to get your foot in the door It’s like you never went to grad school.
There are absolutely no guarantees in this business. Especially since studios seem to be cutting back on spending on spec scripts and entry-level staff positions every year.
However, as opportunities in the film industry shrink, the number of writers applying to screenwriting courses increases every year.
New screenwriting projects are popping up all the time, but that brings with it another set of questions…
5. The quality varies.
When reading about various screenwriting degrees online, it’s easy to get carried away hearing about all the amazing career opportunities they offer graduates. Many people give the impression that they send writers directly to a lucrative career, like some kind of factory, every year.
However, not all screenwriting courses are created equally. While there are some very high-quality master’s degrees in screenwriting that will definitely improve your chances of getting hired, there are also More of poor quality This is probably best avoided.
Spending thousands of dollars to take a screenwriting course without any real structure or insight while listening to a Mr. Nobody instructor is obviously not what you want to happen.
Therefore, you need to be very careful when applying to a screenwriting course that you have already taken. studied them thoroughly and narrow the scope to only academic institutions that offer products.
6. Variable focal length.
Not all screenwriting courses focus solely on screenwriting. Depending on where you get in, you may need to spend a good portion of your time writing what you have I have no particular desire to write.
Let’s say you want to become a feature writer. However, if you sign up for NYU’s screenwriting program, you’ll also have to write TV scripts and stage plays.
Having a diverse portfolio can be a good idea, but some writers are forced to write in a medium they don’t like, sometimes get stuck, and sometimes end up being abandoned.
So, are screenwriting courses worth it?
Some professional writers believe that getting an MFA in screenwriting is the best decision they have ever made, given the connections made, the level of mentorship, opportunities, and more. Lots of scripts, filming movies, the internet, etc.
Now it’s up to you to decide which route you think is best for you and your personal circumstances. We hope this understanding of the pros and cons of screenwriting courses has been helpful.
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If you’re thinking about applying for an MFA in screenwriting, how’s that going? Which graduate school do you want to enter? Or do you already have a degree in screenwriting? Would you recommend that our readers check out a screenwriting course as a way to advance professionally? Let us know in the comments section below.
Like this article? Read more about screenwriting courses and how to become a screenwriter…
Best Screenwriting Courses in the U.S., Canada, and Worldwide
How to become a screenwriter: A professional guide to launching your career
5 Proven Screenwriting Career Paths That Will Inspire You Today
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