School of Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media BFA
Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media (BFA)
The BFA program in Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media will teach you the skills you need to develop engaging characters and scripts. Our program is designed to offer personalized attention to your ideas, with an emphasis on industry expectations and standards. Study in a rigorous, supportive writing workshop environment. Explore original and adapted feature films, television comedy and drama, short films, and writing for other forms of digital media.
MFABachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree
Available Online
Core Classes
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
|---|---|
| Core | 36 |
| Major | 30 |
| Electives | 9 |
| Liberal Arts | 45 |
| Total | 120 |
Degree Requirements
BFA WRITING FOR FILM, TELEVISION & DIGITAL MEDIA DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or LA 108 Composition for the Artist.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
1 Culture of Entertainment course
1 Written Communication: Composition course
1 Written Communication: Context & Style course
1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking course
1 Cultural Ideas & Influences course
1 Historical Awareness course
1 Quantitative Literacy course
1 Employment Communications and Practices course
After above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Additional Information
Program Learning Outcomes
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Research
- Apply research to create authentic story worlds, characters and dialogue
Story Development Skills
- Generate story ideas that work for feature films, television, short films and web series
- Develop stories that are fresh and imaginative
- Apply essential screenwriting tools to develop stories that are structurally sound
- Create sympathetic or empathetic characters
Critical Thinking
- Identify story/script problems and find creative solutions
Written Presentation Skills
- Effectively present stories in a logline, premise and theme
- Effectively present stories in a beat sheet, synopsis, treatment and outline
Screenwriting Skills
- Demonstrate proficient screenwriting skills in structure, character development, action description, dialogue and subtext
- Apply the proper format for film and television scripts
Collaboration
- Effectively collaborate with other students
Professional Readiness
- Complete polished scripts that are ready for seeking representation and employment in the industry
- Develop a strategy for accessing agents, managers and producers
- Apply the conventions of standard written English to write professionally
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
- Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.
*Semester plans are subject to change at any time. Semester breakdowns displayed are suggested and additional options are available to help customize your educational experience. Speak to an admissions or student services representative for more information. Please see our catalog for more details at: https://catalog.academyart.edu
