Curriculum

The first year at Columbia is devoted to the Core Curriculum – a unique and integrated group of classes in which all MFA students learn the fundamental components of Directing, Screenwriting and Producing.

FIRST YEAR CORE CURRICULUM – FALL

Directing I
Screenwriting I
Directing Actors I
Fundamentals of Directing
The Role of the Producer
Elements of Dramatic Narrative

FIRST YEAR CORE CURRICULUM – SPRING

Directing II
Screenwriting II
Directing Actors II
From Script to Screen
Producing the Short Film
Editing Project (in August after 8-12 production)

FIRST YEAR ELECTIVE COURSES

The Business of Film  (required of all Creative Producing Students)
Cinematography


HISTORY-THEORY-CRITICISM (HTC) REQUIREMENT

Screenwriting and Directing students must take a minimum of two courses in Film Studies (generally referred to within the School as “HTC,” an abbreviation for History-Theory-Criticism) to complete their degree requirements.  The recommended introductory film studies class is FILM R 4010 Intro to Grad Film Studies, which provides an overview of the discipline.  However students can elect not to take this class and fulfill the requirement with any two HTC courses.  A partial list of HTC courses includes the following:

In the Second Year, Creative Producers, Directors and Screenwriters take required courses in their respective disciplines and supplement these courses with a wide range of electives.

SCREENWRITERS – SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES

Screenwriting III
Screenwriting IV

Screenwriters may take Second Year Directing Courses as Electives

DIRECTORS – SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES

Directing III
Directing IV
Directing Actors III or IV

Directors may take Second Year Screenwriting Courses as Electives

CREATIVE PRODUCERS – SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES

Case Studies in Producing
Feature Film Development
Feature Film Financing
Pre-Production of a Motion Picture

Producers may take Second Year Screenwriting Courses as Electives

SECOND YEAR ELECTIVE WORKSHOP CLASSES

The Third Year and beyond is devoted to Thesis work and to special classes contributing to the completion of the thesis. There are also several advanced Workshops that are open exclusively to students in their Research Arts years.

DIRECTORS – THIRD YEAR REQUIRED CLASSES

Directing Thesis Seminar

SCREENWRITERS – THIRD YEAR REQUIRED CLASSES

Script Revision*
Screenwriting Thesis Advisement

* Required of all Screenwriting Research Arts students. Directing and Producing Research Arts students may also enroll.

CREATIVE PRODUCING

Producing Thesis Advisement

WORKSHOPS – RESEARCH ARTS

Advanced Feature Writing*
Revision for Television

* Open only to Screenwriting and Directing students