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Screenwriting
Screenwriting requires creativity, unyielding discipline and a point of view. The NMFI Screenwriting program faculty offer students an in-depth, immersive curriculum rooted in the advanced theory and craft of writing for the screen. Designed to develop and elevate skills through an intensive hands-on approach with rigorous writing assignments, improvisation workshops, faculty and peer review, and critical examination of professionally produced work, the program stresses both traditional and innovative approaches for creating artistic and commercially viable screenplays.
Spring Semester
During the spring semester, the fundamentals of screenwriting— including character and story development, structure, genre, dramatic action (plot, conflict, pacing) and dialogue— are studied. As part of the process, you will write, pitch, re-write and polish a short screenplay for consideration by fellow producing and directing students for filming during the summer semester. This provides you with a powerful experience to collaborate with producers and directors and to hone your writing skills for production.
Throughout the semester the NMFI brings together students from all three disciplines for professional workshops by guest lecturers working inside the business. These industry experts conduct informal seminars that reveal behind-the-scenes insights and offer instructive and entertaining stories from the trenches. Guests include: screenwriters, casting directors, editors, cinematographers, animators, production designers, directors, producers, agents, studio executives and others.
Summer Semester
Over the summer semester, NMFI screenwriters are fully engaged in the completion of a feature length screenplay in a rigorous one-on-one mentored relationship with screenwriting faculty. Students working with NMFI directors and producers on summer films re-write and polish their scripts for production.
Our Industry Primer exposes students to issues of copyright and intellectual property protections, union membership, agency and career management, writing on spec vs. for hire, collaborative partnerships, and successful approaches to selling your screenplay.
The goal of the NMFI is for students to emerge with a marketable, professional feature-length screenplay and the tools to pursue representation, industry submission and professional screenwriting opportunities in the industry.
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