Screenwriting, MFA

Program Description

The David Lynch MFA in Screenwriting is structured so that students can complete the requirements of a high-quality master’s degree program while balancing life/work commitments at home. This four-semester program is offered in a low residency format.

Each semester begins with an intensive, 10-day on-campus residency during which students attend lectures, panel discussions, master classes, staged readings, and workshops led by a combination of university faculty members and internationally recognized entertainment industry leaders.

At the conclusion of each residency, students return home to complete one online course in storytelling, creative process, script analysis, or the business of screenwriting, then continue their creative development as screenwriters with the guidance of a dedicated industry-professional/educator mentor who will encourage them to delve deeper into the craft of writing for the screen with the goal of developing their own projects. Each semester will include writing assignments that immerse students in narrative principles, advanced techniques of storytelling focused on scene development, and alternative philosophies of story structure and sequence design.

Over the course of this 4-semester mentored writing workshop, each student produces up to four polished writing projects, including two feature screenplays. For their final thesis submission, students must deliver a polished project in the form of a feature-length theatrical screenplay or a professional television series proposal. While traditional formatting is valued and encouraged by the program, new approaches to story and formatting are welcomed.

During or upon completion of the required four semesters of study, students may opt to complete up to 18 credits in supplemental courses, such as completing an internship, creating an independent directed study in a focused area of screenwriting, or enrolling an additional course devoted to completing their thesis projects.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successfully completing the MFA in Screenwriting from the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts, students will demonstrate proficiency through:

1. Growth in the Creative Process: Enhancement of the creative process through meditation and the Science of Creative Intelligence.
2. Storytelling Skills: Mastery of storytelling elements, including character development, plot structure, dialogue, and thematic coherence.
3. Industry Collaboration: Collaboration with peers, mentors, and industry experts in the process of giving and receiving constructive feedback on creative works.
4. Writing at Deeper Levels of the Self: a portfolio of original screenplays and ancillary materials reflecting a deep understanding of one’s own experiences, perspectives, and emotions.
5. Industry Standards: Evaluation of methods of formatting, composing, pitching, and delivering screenplays based on industry standards and trends.

Entrance Requirements

To apply to the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts, applicants must:

• Submit transcript(s) showing an earned bachelor’s degree in any discipline OR an exceptional portfolio that merits consideration independent of the degree.
• Submit a current resumé that lists their degrees and relevant coursework, professional work experience, awards, and accomplishments.
• Submit an original, fictional screenwriting sample with a one-page script synopsis that the applicant believes best represents their talent.
• Submit a Statement of Purpose (one page minimum, no maximum) explaining why they are interested in joining the David Lynch MFA in Screenwriting.
• Learn the Transcendental Meditation technique prior to the start of classes. Students not yet practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique will receive instruction in the technique as part of their first course.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with an MFA in Screenwriting from the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts, students must complete a total of 48 credits, including four 2-credit on-campus residencies, four 4-credit academic courses in cinematic arts, and four 6-credit mentored advanced writing workshop courses.

Prior to graduating, each student must deliver a Thesis Project consisting of a feature-length theatrical screenplay or a professional television series proposal, including pitch decks, bibles, pilot scripts, expanded episode outlines, and season arcs.