Dave Tolchinsky, Director
From the Program Director
What does it mean to be "at the center of writing"? It means defining yourself not as a playwright, screenwriter, or television writer, but as an artist who seeks to tell the best story possible, to fit that story to the most appropriate form, and to pursue writing opportunities wherever they present themselves. Today more than ever, an ability to demonstrate versatility in all mediums is invaluable, as now screenplays are written by playwrights, TV shows are developed by screenwriters, and theatre is created by TV writers.
Being at the center means being associated with Northwestern University: From indie films to hit sitcoms and dramas to Tony Award winners and Oscar nominees, from John Logan (The Aviator) to Tony Kushner (Angels in America) to Greg Berlanti (Everwood) to Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts (Pepper Dennis) to Zach Braff (Garden State) to Janae Bakken (Scrubs), Northwestern writing alumnae, faculty, and visiting artists are at the forefront of stage, film, and television. This is a particularly exciting time to become part of the NU community, as we're in the middle of an interdisciplinary renaissance. With programs like this MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage, as well as the undergraduate Creative Writing for the Media Program, The PhD in Screen Cultures, the Center for Art and Technology, the Program in Sound Design, the American Music Theatre Project, and the Minor in Animate Arts, NU offers a deep commitment to breaking down boundaries and allowing students to explore subjects from all directions.
Being at the center of writing also means being in a city devoted to the art of writing: our Chicago location offers a unique melting pot of activity, connected to but somehow different from Los Angeles or New York, with opportunities to experience not only film and TV, but theatre, improv, cutting edge installations, experimental performances, and every form in between.
We've designed our MFA Program around six core courses, which introduce you to a set of "transportable" media writing concepts, as well as specific idioms/genres. You'll build a significant portfolio -- at least a short screenplay, play, TV episode, and full-length thesis project of your choosing. You'll understand not just the art and craft of media writing, but also the business of media writing as we'll practice pitching, taking meetings, writing query letters, and understanding contracts. You'll choose from a range of topics courses, such as developing the pilot, writing the teen film, experimental adaptation, and interactive narrative. Along the way, you'll meet artists and executives from TV, stage, film, and new media.
We've also included amazing production opportunities, from Radio-TV-Film mediamaking courses to a $5000 grant to help you bring to life your play, screenplay, or teleplay. You'll have access to our first-class facilities including cameras, lighting, sound, and computer labs, as well as a blackbox studio that can be used for filming or staging works. Some of you will have an opportunity to work with the actors of Remy Bumppo, an innovative and award-winning Chicago theatre company, as they perform a directed reading of one of your pieces. All of you will get the chance to apply for internships earmarked to writing in LA, NY, or Chicago, to get a firsthand look at the "real world" by participating in an internship at a film, stage, or TV production company.
Finally, each of you will TA a writing course, as we believe teaching others helps you to better understand your own work.
And when you finish, whether you pursue writing for Film, Stage, TV, or some emerging form that you help define, you'll be eligible to join the Northwestern University Entertainment Alliance, an organization devoted to promoting the careers of recent grads. It's becoming well known throughout the country: Northwestern fosters a profound sense of artistic community and professional camaraderie.
We're excited to receive your application. In the meantime, get to know the program via this web site. Whether you're looking for an MFA in screenwriting or an MFA in playwriting, I think you'll find that our program combines the best of both worlds. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Best,
Dave Tolchinsky
Director, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
