Fall 2020 Courses in Film, TV Writing and Creative Writing

Manhattan Location: 535 8th Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018

Our fall schedule reflects the kind of courses we regularly offer. Program director and faculty are happy to speak to potential students about how to shape a degree from the courses we offer in Writing, TV Writing, Directing and Producing. Classes in Manhattan unless otherwise noted.

Film

FLM 500.S60 - Master Class in Independent Film Production
Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler, and Simone Pero
Tuesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 4 cr.

Master Classes focus on filmmaking as an art form and an industry. Creative and business sectors are at an intersection of unlimited potential, and students will learn how to tap into and exploit the shifting paradigms of filmmaking — or content-making — as practiced today. Students study the craft of script development, directing, and producing, and learn the realities of the independent film business from top industry professionals, including producers, casting agents, cinematographers, designers, actors, distributors, and lawyers, as well as distinguished filmmakers. This class is a core requirement for the MFA in Film.

FLM 501.S60 - Film Tools: Safety, Shooting & Splicing
Jordan Roberts
Thursdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

This introductory course will focus on the fundamentals of production; covering safety, production equipment and editing. You’ll be introduced to the tools that you will have at your disposal to shoot your film projects. We will spend time in the classroom and on set, shooting various exercises. We will cover set safety, proper handling of the gear, the ins and outs of a selection of cameras, sound equipment and lighting. In addition we will cover the basics of cinematography and framing, audio techniques and basic set protocol. This is the first step to help you properly capture the stories you want to tell.

Once we shoot for a few weeks we will move into the edit lab. Whether you are a seasoned editor just looking for a few new tips, or a novice who has never made an edit in your life, this section of the course will provide the instruction that you need. Working with Adobe Premiere Pro, the course will cover the basics of non-linear editing; including: creating new projects, media management, sequence settings, importing, transcoding, sound, JKL cuts, titling, mixed file format editing, export settings and delivery. Not only will we discuss the tools of editing, we will discuss the theory of it, and how each and every cut should have a purpose. Through film examples, articles, books and hands on lessons, we will dive into the craft and explore this often-underappreciated process. You can test out of this class if you possess the skillsets.

FLM 525 - Topics in Film, Screenwriting: The Short
Jennie Allen
Mondays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

Students will study different short forms and dramatic theory but the focus of this class is on practice. The main fuel for each class will be student work. Students write and revise short film scripts, provide and receive peer feedback, and reflect upon the process. Students leave with three scripts, two of which have been through at least one revision. For FLM students, this includes the film they will pitch in the Master Class and shoot in Spring.

FLM 526 - Topics in TV Writing
Instructor TBA
Mondays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

Students learn how to write a spec script or pilot. A “spec” is a script for a TV show that is currently on the air where the writer creates original stories for a show’s existing characters. Students will learn how to brainstorm story ideas, structure an outline and write scenes with dialogue, all in a constructive, supportive workshop atmosphere. The class covers both half-hour comedies and one-hour dramas. In addition, the class will watch, deconstruct and discuss a wide variety of TV shows in order to better understand how a successful episode is built. All the basics of TV writing are covered and the workshop is designed to closely mirror a professional writers room on a prime-time series.

FLM 550.S60 - Teaching Practicum
Karen Offitzer
Thursdays, 2:20-5:10 pm, 3 cr.

Required course for those seeking future employment as an instructor at the undergraduate level. This course plunges into the basics of pedagogy, including designing assignments, sequencing them, grading them, and creating syllabi for writing, directing, film analysis and producing courses. You’ll get hands-on experience creating lesson plans and conducting lectures, seminars and workshops, and will gain a preliminary overview of pedagogy on your way to devising your own. Most importantly, you’ll ask and ask again, “What is teachable about writing/filmmaking, and who am I to teach it?” (You need permission of the director and at least 6 program credits under your belt to take this class.)
Please note that additional class time will be arranged with instructor.

FLM 638.S60 - Directing I: Principles of Directing
Perry Blackshear
Wednesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

How do directors decide where to put the camera? How do shots tell a story, create meaning, and make an audience feel something? Students will study and practice script analysis, shot progression, composition, and staging. There will be several assigned directing exercises shot outside of class and workshopped in class; students must shoot and edit their own exercises. The focus is on narrative storytelling but there will be room for interpretation and experimentation. The final exercise will be a three-minute short film.

FLM 639.S60 - Directing II: Advanced Directing
Perry Blackshear
Tuesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

Students will practice using more complicated staging, camera movement, and working with time in this workshop. They will practice their craft by directing several exercises. Experimentation will be encouraged. Advanced Directing will give students the skills they need for the Spring Advanced Production course, and students may begin working out ideas for the films they will make in that course. Prerequisite: Directing I.

FLM 652.S60 - Advanced Screenwriting
Jennie Allen
Days TBD, 3 cr.

This is an intensive, catchall writing workshop designed to help students as they start, finish, or revise short film scripts and/or feature length screenplays. Classes will be devoted to workshopping student ideas and scripts. Students must come in with clear goals for the semester. These goals must be approved by the instructor. In workshop we will consider emotional impact, visual storytelling force, dramatic structure, character, story arcs, scene construction, pacing, embedded values, the creation of meaning - or “What are we left with at the end?,” and all other aspects of screenwriting. You must present your work in class and be engaged with the work of your classmates. We may read produced screenplays to support and deepen our understanding of how these stories work on us.

FLM 651.S01 - Screenwriting Workshop II
Lenny Crooks
Wednesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

This course will build on introductory screenwriting skills and elements. It will offer a more intensive study of the screenwriting craft especially character, scene construction, scene sequence/juxtaposition and dialogue. Rigorous class sessions will consist of group readings and open critiques. The objective of this course will be to structure and write or rewrite a full-length feature screenplay. Intermediate to Advanced Screenwriters. Prerequisite: Screenwriting I, the first act of a screenplay, or instructor’s permission.

FLM 670.S60 – Directing III
Instructor TBD
Mondays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

To further develop understanding of the grammar and practice of narrative storytelling, with an emphasis on practical means of preparation. This course will focus both on finding useful tools to bring a text to screen as well as communication with a creative team. ***All students bring a filming-ready script to the class, and students work on that script during the semester, shooting scenes from the script as class exercises.

FLM 690.T01 - Professional Internship
Koffler/Brandeis
1-3 cr.

Students work on Killer Films NYC-based production. Administered through Southampton

FLM 691.V01 - Thesis Project
Magdalene Brandeis, 3 cr.

FLM 692.V01 (#93247) - Thesis Paper
Magdalene Brandeis, 3 cr.

Your thesis is both a calling card for your creative work and a practical dry-run for the complicated process of production. This is a safe space to fail and learn from the multitude of changes, compromises and setbacks you will undoubtedly incur. We will develop your story and find the best possible path toward a polished screenplay or production. The semester will be spent designing plan A, but preparing for plan B, C and D.

TV Writing

FIRST YEAR:

CWL 500.S65 - Intro. Grad Studies: The Spec
Alan Kingsberg
Thursdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 4 cr.

Students learn how to write a spec script for a TV show that is currently on the air. A “spec” is a script where the writer creates original stories for a show’s existing characters. A great spec is a key part in learning to create the portfolio needed to get a job as a television writer. Students will learn how to brainstorm story ideas, structure an outline and write scenes with dialogue, all in a constructive, supportive workshop atmosphere. The class covers both half-hour comedies and one-hour dramas. In addition, the class will watch, deconstruct and discuss a wide variety of TV shows in order to better understand how a successful episode is built. All the basics of TV writing are covered and the workshop is designed to closely mirror a professional writers room on a prime-time series. This class is paired with one-on-one advisement every other week.

FLM 536.S66 - Forms of TV: Spec Writing Conference
Alan Kingsberg
Wednesdays, 2:00-4:30 pm, 1 cr.

Students meet individually with the professor to advance their spec scripts, first focusing on story then outline and finally scenes. Assignments due at each conference. Paired with Intro. Grad Studies.

FLM 525.S65 - Topics in Film: TV Guest Series
Alan Kingsberg
Mondays, 7:30-9:30 pm, 1 cr.

A moderated guest series featuring in-depth discussions with TV writers and producers about their scripts, series and careers. Meets six times during the Fall semester.

FLM 526.S65 - Topics in TV Writing: Showrunner
Michael Rauch
Days TBD, 1 cr.

In a writers room environment, students form teams to pitch and break stories under the supervision of a showrunner. Working as a cohesive group, the class builds a complete episode for an ongoing series.

FLM 536.S65 - Forms of TV Writing: Short Form/Sketch Comedy
Ethan T. Berlin
9 Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 pm, 2 cr.

Taught by a veteran comedy writer, this workshop covers the fundamentals of late night and sketch writing in the style of SNL, The Late Show, Full Frontal, and The Daily Show. Structured like a comedy writers' room, students learn to pitch jokes and sketches live in front of other writers. Students also gain experience working on a sketch or late night packet.

SECOND YEAR:

FLM 501.S65 - TV Skills
Jordan Roberts
Tuesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

For second year TV students, in conjunction with TV Directing. This introductory course will focus on the fundamentals of production; covering safety, production equipment and editing. You’ll be introduced to the tools that you will have at your disposal to shoot your film projects. We will spend time in the classroom and on set, shooting various exercises. We will cover set safety, proper handling of the gear, the ins and outs of a selection of cameras, sound equipment and lighting. In addition we will cover the basics of cinematography and framing, audio techniques and basic set protocol. This is the first step to help you properly capture the stories you want to tell.

FLM 651.S65 - Advanced Pilot
Instructor TBD
Wednesdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

Students build on the skills developed in their first year to create a new series concept that has a strong story engine and a powerful emotional or comedic core – a concept that can generate compelling episodes over multiple seasons. Next, students create stories for their pilot episode, outline and write scenes working toward finishing at least one pilot script. Prerequisite classes: Spec and Pilot.

FLM 638.S65 - TV Directing
Perry Blackshear
Mondays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 3 cr.

Students learn the basics of TV directing including how to create shot lists, block scenes and place and move the camera. Exercises include directing scenes from a student’s own script and scenes from scripts written by others. In addition students crew on other students shoots.

FLM 526.S66 - Topics in TV: Limited Series, Business of TV
Adam Yaffe, Stephen Gates
Thursdays, 5:20-8:10 pm, 4 cr.

During the first half of the semester, the class works as a group to plot out a season of a limited series based on a true event. This includes building story and character arcs across a season, breaking individual episodes and writing scenes. Led by Adam Yaffe.

During the second half of the semester, this workshop, taught by professional manager Stephen Gates, covers the business of TV including how pilots are sold and TV series set up. How do you get hired in a writers room? Learn about agents and managers, pitching and pitch documents. Design a strategy to launch your career and manage your brand.

FLM 692.S65 - Thesis for TV
Alan Kingsberg
3 cr.

For TV Writing Students who have fulfilled all core class requirements. Each student polishes one pilot script, preferably their “showpiece” or best script, the one that will be the jewel in their writing portfolio. In addition, each student prepares a pitch for a new series, including series concept, and primary stories. This pitch becomes the project they can develop after graduation. At semesters end, there will be with a thesis review panel to critique and discuss the final work.

FLM 652.S65 - Advanced Revision
Open to students who have completed all pilot classes and Revision This class can be in conjunction with thesis or be offered to those who want to postpone thesis until the Spring semester.