About the Stony Brook MFA in Film
Get it Made. Make it Right. Get it Seen.
The Stony Brook MFA in Film is the only graduate program in the SUNY system fiercely dedicated to independent filmmaking. Our philosophy is simple: roll up your sleeves and dive in. We don't just study film; we make it.
The Killer Advantage Led by Killer Films founders Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler (Boys Don't Cry, Carol, Past Lives), our faculty is comprised entirely of working professionals. We mentor students through the real-world ecosystem of independent film, TV writing, and digital content. You won't just learn to write a script; you will learn to budget, cast, navigate legal waters, market and distribute.
Your Creative Hub in Manhattan Located at the Stony Brook Manhattan Center (535 Eighth Avenue), you are an easy commute from the heart of the industry. Our facility operates as a production office and studio, featuring:
- Cameras: RED Epic-W Helium, Canon C200, and Cinema Prime lenses.
- Lighting & Grip: Aputure LED/ARRI Fresnel systems and 1-Ton grip packages.
- Post-Production: A top-tier suite with Adobe Creative Cloud and DaVinci Resolve.
Choose Your Track
- Directing
- Screenwriting
- Producing
IP: You own what you make. If you create it here, the Intellectual Property belongs to you.
(646) 472-2025
The Stony Brook Manhattan Center for Creative Writing and Film
535 Eighth Avenue
5th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Christine Vachon
Artistic Director
Magdalene Brandeis
Executive Director, Programs in Film and Television
magdalene.brandeis@stonybrook.edu
Alan Kingsberg
Director, MFA in Television Writing
alan.kingsberg@stonybrook.edu
Jennie Allen
Associate Director, MFA in Film
Fourteen indie feature films have been produced within the Stony Brook MFA, including
public/private partnerships with production companies, international co-productions,
and distributed and streaming films. Students have received top notch industry scholarships,
awards including the National Board of Review Student Grant, Sundance Institute / Sloan Commissioning Grant, the New York Women in Film & Television Scholarship, The Turner research Grant, and NYWIFT’s "From Script to Pre-production" internships. Plus their work has showcased at film festivals across the world including
the Atlanta Film Festival, DOC NYC, Loft Film Fest, Miami International Film Festival,
New York Short Film Festival, NewFilmmakers New York, Cannes Market, Nottingham International Film Festival, the Zero Film Festival and the Jeonju International Film Festival in Korea.
Each one of our faculty are active working professionals in the field and understand
first hand what it takes to make a living as creatives and content-makers. Check out our Faculty page.
Dramatic changes in the film and television industries have opened a unique opportunity
for Stony Brook to create a high-profile, innovative, MFAs. An MFA in Film, built
around an association with Christine Vachon and her production company, Killer Films, and an MFA in Television Writing, built by legendary television writing instructor,
Alan Kingsberg.
Before Film and Television Writing, the MFA in Creative Writing and Literature offered
screenwriting courses since its formation at Stony Brook in 2006.
In 2008, Screenwriter/Producer Annette Handley-Chandler launched the Southampton Screenwriting
Conference, a cluster of intensive, 3-credit, graduate-level writing workshops held
every July, bringing to campus such luminaries as Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer, Bonnie and Clyde), Frank Pugliese (House of Cards, Copper, Borgia), Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count On Me), film critic Molly Haskell, Gene Saks, actor Alec Baldwin, Peter Hedges (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape), Alexander Payne (The Descendants, About Schmidt, Sideways), and Chris Weitz (About a Boy, New Moon—The Twilight Saga).
In 2012 we brought Christine Vachon’s Master Class in Independent Filmmaking to campus, and seized the opportunity to work with her to develop a stand-alone film
program.
During its first iteration in Southampton in the summer of 2013, visiting guests included James Schamus, Tom Kalin, Rahmin Bahrani, Jane Berliner, Effie Brown, John
Sloss, Doug McGrath, Ellen Kuras, Edward Burns, Tony Gerber, Mary Harron, Ilene Landress,
Dylan Leiner, Ashley Havey, and more. The yield of this experiment in filmmaking was extremely high, with the resulting
short films garnering awards at various film festivals around the country.
In Fall 2015, we admitted our first MFA candidates in Film at 385 Park Avenue South.
In Spring 2017, we moved to our new building at 535 8th Avenue.
In Fall 2018, we launched our dedicated, fully-immersive track in Television Writing with Alan Kingsberg. In 2020, the SED approved the standalone MFA, which gives us the first singularly
focused graduate Television Writing program on the East Coast.
The exorbitant cost of higher education is now drawing national attention. Those costs
have always been a concern to students pursuing the arts. We're proud that at Stony
Brook Southampton we can offer the kind of education that is typically available only
to the one percent, at a price that the 99 percent can afford.
The Stony Brook Manhattan Center for Creative Writing & Film was established in Fall
2018. A loft-like commercial space in the Garment District, it has six classrooms
and an open lecture hall. Students learn in small to medium-sized conference rooms,
in which discussion is paramount. An extensive array of camera and staging equipment
and the latest editing software is on hand for experiential instruction. The focus
is hands-on creative production. By combining this urban creative experience with
occasional coursework on the uniquely bucolic Stony Brook Southampton campus, the
graduate students at the Center receive an unrivaled academic experience.
To find out about matriculating into the MFA Program in Film, visit our admissions page or CONTACT magdalene.brandeis@stonybrook.edu
(646) 472-2025
The Stony Brook Manhattan Center for Creative Writing and Film
535 Eighth Avenue
5th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Christine Vachon
Artistic Director
Magdalene Brandeis
Executive Director, Programs in Film and Television
magdalene.brandeis@stonybrook.edu
Alan Kingsberg
Director, MFA in Television Writing
alan.kingsberg@stonybrook.edu
Jennie Allen
Associate Director, MFA in Film
Fourteen indie feature films have been produced within the Stony Brook MFA, including
public/private partnerships with production companies, international co-productions,
and distributed and streaming films. Students have received top notch industry scholarships,
awards including the National Board of Review Student Grant, Sundance Institute / Sloan Commissioning Grant, the New York Women in Film & Television Scholarship, The Turner research Grant, and NYWIFT’s "From Script to Pre-production" internships. Plus their work has showcased at film festivals across the world including
the Atlanta Film Festival, DOC NYC, Loft Film Fest, Miami International Film Festival,
New York Short Film Festival, NewFilmmakers New York, Cannes Market, Nottingham International Film Festival, the Zero Film Festival and the Jeonju International Film Festival in Korea.
Each one of our faculty are active working professionals in the field and understand
first hand what it takes to make a living as creatives and content-makers. Check out our Faculty page.
Dramatic changes in the film and television industries have opened a unique opportunity for Stony Brook to create a high-profile, innovative, MFAs. An MFA in Film, built around an association with Christine Vachon and her production company, Killer Films, and an MFA in Television Writing, built by legendary television writing instructor, Alan Kingsberg.
Before Film and Television Writing, the MFA in Creative Writing and Literature offered screenwriting courses since its formation at Stony Brook in 2006.
In 2008, Screenwriter/Producer Annette Handley-Chandler launched the Southampton Screenwriting Conference, a cluster of intensive, 3-credit, graduate-level writing workshops held every July, bringing to campus such luminaries as Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer, Bonnie and Clyde), Frank Pugliese (House of Cards, Copper, Borgia), Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count On Me), film critic Molly Haskell, Gene Saks, actor Alec Baldwin, Peter Hedges (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape), Alexander Payne (The Descendants, About Schmidt, Sideways), and Chris Weitz (About a Boy, New Moon—The Twilight Saga).
In 2012 we brought Christine Vachon’s Master Class in Independent Filmmaking to campus, and seized the opportunity to work with her to develop a stand-alone film program.
During its first iteration in Southampton in the summer of 2013, visiting guests included James Schamus, Tom Kalin, Rahmin Bahrani, Jane Berliner, Effie Brown, John Sloss, Doug McGrath, Ellen Kuras, Edward Burns, Tony Gerber, Mary Harron, Ilene Landress, Dylan Leiner, Ashley Havey, and more. The yield of this experiment in filmmaking was extremely high, with the resulting short films garnering awards at various film festivals around the country.
In Fall 2015, we admitted our first MFA candidates in Film at 385 Park Avenue South.
In Spring 2017, we moved to our new building at 535 8th Avenue.
In Fall 2018, we launched our dedicated, fully-immersive track in Television Writing with Alan Kingsberg. In 2020, the SED approved the standalone MFA, which gives us the first singularly focused graduate Television Writing program on the East Coast.
The exorbitant cost of higher education is now drawing national attention. Those costs have always been a concern to students pursuing the arts. We're proud that at Stony Brook Southampton we can offer the kind of education that is typically available only to the one percent, at a price that the 99 percent can afford.
The Stony Brook Manhattan Center for Creative Writing & Film was established in Fall 2018. A loft-like commercial space in the Garment District, it has six classrooms and an open lecture hall. Students learn in small to medium-sized conference rooms, in which discussion is paramount. An extensive array of camera and staging equipment and the latest editing software is on hand for experiential instruction. The focus is hands-on creative production. By combining this urban creative experience with occasional coursework on the uniquely bucolic Stony Brook Southampton campus, the graduate students at the Center receive an unrivaled academic experience.
To find out about matriculating into the MFA Program in Film, visit our admissions page or CONTACT magdalene.brandeis@stonybrook.edu
Testimonials
Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen is unbelievably skilled at unlocking your inner voice and helping your
work to become more distinct, more nuanced, and more personal. She is a supportive
and guiding hand, while also having a surgical understanding of story and character,
and giving script notes that will blow your mind over and over again. She is incredible
at meeting students where they are - all levels of experience, genre preferences,
and aesthetics, and bringing their work to a higher standard. She gave me confidence
that making work that was distinct to my taste could find a broader audience. She
is incredibly supportive and kind, all while constantly pushing you to become a better
writer.
Thesis Student, Liza Renzulli
You are striving to manifest creativity and you are walking through a metaphorical
desert. You happen to stumble upon Jennie Allen, and I say to you congratulations!
You just hit the damn JACKPOT! Jennie is the absolute best! She guides you to The
Well and allows you to think you've found it – like all great mentors. Being technically
and emotionally knowledgeable is typically a mirage.
Graduate, Aaron Lehmann
Jennie Allen is one of the most engaged and supportive instructors I’ve ever had the
pleasure to work with. From her helpful hand-holding in Directing I to her incisive
critiques–and well-chosen rebukes–in Advanced Production, she has helped guide our
class as we have developed and honed our skills over the course of two years. Jennie’s
support does not end when we leave the classroom. She is always glad to offer feedback
and advice on projects, endeavors, or any matter, and is genuinely committed to the
success of her students. I honestly could not ask for a better mentor as I’ve begun
my career in filmmaking .
Graduate, David Brett
I loved taking Writing the Short and Production classes with Jennie; she challenges
you, and encourages you to work on your scripts and short films until they're in the
best possible shape they can be. Her comments and criticisms are always spot on and
helpful for improving your storytelling. I learned so much from her because she herself
is a talented filmmaker with a really interesting sense of humor and point of view.
Graduate, Eugina Gelbleman
SIMONE PERO
Simone Pero is simply a wiz at what she does. The Intensive Producer Lab with her
was a full semester of going "I never thought of it that way!"
Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya
Simone Pero brought in fascinating, accomplished, unique and insightful guests for
the Introductory Master Class with Christine Vachon and it was a pleasure to help
her as a graduate assistant. She is deeply encouraging and supportive as an instructor
and cares about your success both in the program and in the film industry outside
the classroom. She is generous with her time and always happy to share with you her
extensive insight as a filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Graduate, Eugina Gelbelman
Simone Pero’s Marketing and Distribution class delivered on its stated promise: to
prepare students to think like an entrepreneur and to equip them with a critical piece
of collateral for selling their projects. Her knowledge, instruction and support was
indispensable to me in achieving that goal. Now I have the website to show for it.
Graduate, Susan Reib
ALAN KINGSBERG
Alan's industry and teaching experience drew me to the program, and both are evident
in everything he does. You couldn't ask for a more dedicated program director, as
he clearly cares deeply about his students and does everything he can to create the
most helpful and practical curriculum. He has incredible access to top industry talent
who are more than happy to share their wisdom with us. And as a professor, Alan has
a gift for pinpointing what's not working in a script or story and pushing you to
do your best work, all while encouraging individual voices and visions to shine.
Second Year Student, Carolyn Bergier
Being a great writer doesn’t always translate to being a great teacher, but Alan has
been refining his process for teaching spec and pilot scriptwriting at Columbia and
Sarah Lawrence, and it works. His enthusiasm is contagious. He expects professionalism,
but his workshop classes are fun. He knows what works and what doesn’t, and he will
steer your script in the right direction. The class operates like a writer’s room,
with students doing a table read of each script and commenting on each other’s work.
His goal is for every student to leave the course with a solid script for their writing
portfolio. Everyone who took his first class in spec writing came back the next term
to write a pilot .
Graduate, Cathy Zimermann
Alan Kingsberg is a fantastic teacher. He works closely with you to develop your TV
series ideas into successful structures and stories. He pays attention to your details,
helps problem solve and gives thoughtful creative advice no matter what style or genre.
Great.
Graduate, Kathleen Harty
LENNY CROOKS
Lenny’s perspective has consistently enriched both my passion for cinema and my abilities
as a writer. Lenny deserves respect for his very accomplished career, but he deserves
even more respect for being one of the most open minded and thoughtful instructors
I know.
Thesis Student, Christopher Rosica
I became a groupie the first time I heard Lenny talk. I'd written a screenplay about
a brother and sister shortly after their father’s death, and Lenny suggested I think
of the camera as their father watching over them. When I told him how amazingly helpful
his advice was—keep in mind I’m a fiction writer trying to translate narrative voice
into film—he shrugged it off, saying he could do what he did because “luckily,” he
wasn’t “burdened by talent.” Which is hilarious: He is insanely talented in a hundred
ways, a genius at collaboration, and the most inspiring teacher I’ve ever had. I
feel incredibly lucky and grateful to work with him.
Faculty, Melissa Bank
I thought I knew a thing or two about filmmaking (I taught screenwriting at Princeton
and sold scripts to Hollywood) but it wasn’t until I met the stupdendously smart and
delightful Lenny Crooks that I understood how little I understood. Now that I am
somewhat enlightened, I hereby apologize to my former students and to Sony and Paramount.
Faculty, Patty Marx
NIAV CONTY
Niav Conty is one of those teachers who changes your brain. Her commitment to her
student's work is unparalleled. No matter how many drafts or cuts, she will read,
watch, and put enormous energy into making your work the best it can possibly be.
She will push you to be better at your craft than you ever imagined was possible.
She is a cheerleader when you need one, she is a drill sergeant when you need one,
and she is an intensely supportive presence in the challenging and joyful process
of making art. I didn't understand what being a director really meant until I studied
with her.
Thesis student, Liza Renzulli
SUMMER SHELTON
The Producing track at SBU x Killer's MFA in Film has been challenging me every single
day since I joined the program. I have changed and changed again as a filmmaker, exponentially
improved as a producer and found a community of filmmakers I never expected to find.
Summer Shelton has been an incredible mentor to me, her experience and resilience
is unparalleled, and having her guide me through the producing process has been a
mini workshop in itself.
Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya
Frankly, I cannot imagine making my first feature without taking Summer’s class.
Thesis student, Christopher Rosica
JORDAN ROBERTS
If you need someone to patiently guide you on how to use the complex camera system,
sound equipment, lighting, and other gears, Jordan is the best one. He's not just
a technical expert, he is also a master of visual storytelling, and he can help you
develop your own unique style. That's why I'm always eager to learn from him.
Second Year Student, Yunjie Zhou
PERRY BLACKSHEAR
Perry Blackshear is one of my favorite teachers at SBU. He gives great notes on improving
our work, and does it in an uplifting way. He is invested in making all of us do the
best work we can while supporting our own individual styles and tastes, and he is
always so excited about seeing our stories come to life. I can't wait to take more
classes with him.
Third Year Student, Lina Sarello
The Stony Brook Film program is equally challenging and gratifying. I agree with one
of the school's philosophies: The best way to learn filmmaking is by getting your
hands on the equipment and making movies. So I enjoy the bootcamp style of learning
the technical rudiments of filmmaking (especially as a writer) then quickly testing
my knowledge by writing, shooting and editing the classroom projects. (Not to mention
writing, shooting and editing my own short films each year!)
I especially appreciate the teaching styles of Jennie Allen, Scott Burkhardt and Perry
Blackshear. They are encouraging, inspiring working professionals and stellar professors!
They effectively scaffold their lessons, front loading them with the elements one
will need to write and shoot a cohesive, compelling story. They've already given me
tools I will use for a lifetime.
Second year student, Vickie Tanner
The Stony Brook/Killer Films MFA has been a fantastic place to grow as a filmmaker.
It offers such unique benefits and I cannot imagine having studied anywhere else.
To be in a cohort of 10 people where each professor gets to know you and your work
on a deeply personal level has been a life-changing educational opportunity. I will
be graduating from Stony Brook with cherished collaborators, three completed shorts
films, a feature film in the can, and three semesters of teaching undergraduate students
under my belt. No other film MFA program can offer what Stony Brook does.
Thesis student, Liza Renzulli
The SBU film program has been an incredible experience for me. I absolutely love the
hands-on approach, which has really helped me grow as a filmmaker. Plus, the teachers
are genuinely caring and supportive, always there to guide you every step of the way.
It's been a fantastic journey!
Second Year Student, Joe Hier
Stony Brook/Killer’s MFA in Film offers an immersive program that combines creative
practice with practical guidance in film production. The partnership with Killer Films
guarantees an unparalleled instruction by top industry professionals. Powerhouse duo
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler take a matter-of-fact approach to the ‘business
we call show’ as it evolves right before our eyes.
Their approach to academia reflects the longevity of their thriving careers; the aim
is to protect the artistic integrity under strict financial guidelines. The access
to these professionals is invaluable as we get an insider look at in-development Killer
projects as they evolve from script to screen.
Better yet, the program is a collaborative effort that gathers artists with different
backgrounds. The learning experience is tailored towards hands-on opportunities. Students
have the chance to conceive ideas and work together to bring each vision into reality.
It becomes a close-knit network of storytellers that I for one am proud to be a part
of. From the picturesque grounds of Southampton to the hub of the world art market,
New York City, these settings themselves are prone to ignite creative thought.
It’s a unique and truly ‘Killer’ experience.
Graduate, Dejan Pavlovic
The MFA in Film program delivered on its promises -- advanced training in all aspects of filmmaking, hands-on instruction from working/award
winning professionals ¾all at an affordable SUNY tuition rate.
The forward-thinking/innovative team at Stony Brook University and Killer Films provided
invaluable insight, not only pertaining to the nature of effective visual storytelling,
but also into the murky waters of the industry’s future. I had such an enlightening,
transformative experience, that I chose to come back for more.
Graduate, Aaron Lehman
Jennie Allen
Jennie Allen is unbelievably skilled at unlocking your inner voice and helping your
work to become more distinct, more nuanced, and more personal. She is a supportive
and guiding hand, while also having a surgical understanding of story and character,
and giving script notes that will blow your mind over and over again. She is incredible
at meeting students where they are - all levels of experience, genre preferences,
and aesthetics, and bringing their work to a higher standard. She gave me confidence
that making work that was distinct to my taste could find a broader audience. She
is incredibly supportive and kind, all while constantly pushing you to become a better
writer.
Thesis Student, Liza Renzulli
You are striving to manifest creativity and you are walking through a metaphorical desert. You happen to stumble upon Jennie Allen, and I say to you congratulations! You just hit the damn JACKPOT! Jennie is the absolute best! She guides you to The Well and allows you to think you've found it – like all great mentors. Being technically and emotionally knowledgeable is typically a mirage.
Graduate, Aaron Lehmann
Jennie Allen is one of the most engaged and supportive instructors I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. From her helpful hand-holding in Directing I to her incisive critiques–and well-chosen rebukes–in Advanced Production, she has helped guide our class as we have developed and honed our skills over the course of two years. Jennie’s support does not end when we leave the classroom. She is always glad to offer feedback and advice on projects, endeavors, or any matter, and is genuinely committed to the success of her students. I honestly could not ask for a better mentor as I’ve begun my career in filmmaking .
Graduate, David Brett
I loved taking Writing the Short and Production classes with Jennie; she challenges you, and encourages you to work on your scripts and short films until they're in the best possible shape they can be. Her comments and criticisms are always spot on and helpful for improving your storytelling. I learned so much from her because she herself is a talented filmmaker with a really interesting sense of humor and point of view.
Graduate, Eugina Gelbleman
SIMONE PERO
Simone Pero is simply a wiz at what she does. The Intensive Producer Lab with her was a full semester of going "I never thought of it that way!"
Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya
Simone Pero brought in fascinating, accomplished, unique and insightful guests for the Introductory Master Class with Christine Vachon and it was a pleasure to help her as a graduate assistant. She is deeply encouraging and supportive as an instructor and cares about your success both in the program and in the film industry outside the classroom. She is generous with her time and always happy to share with you her extensive insight as a filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Graduate, Eugina Gelbelman
Simone Pero’s Marketing and Distribution class delivered on its stated promise: to prepare students to think like an entrepreneur and to equip them with a critical piece of collateral for selling their projects. Her knowledge, instruction and support was indispensable to me in achieving that goal. Now I have the website to show for it.
Graduate, Susan Reib
ALAN KINGSBERG
Alan's industry and teaching experience drew me to the program, and both are evident in everything he does. You couldn't ask for a more dedicated program director, as he clearly cares deeply about his students and does everything he can to create the most helpful and practical curriculum. He has incredible access to top industry talent who are more than happy to share their wisdom with us. And as a professor, Alan has a gift for pinpointing what's not working in a script or story and pushing you to do your best work, all while encouraging individual voices and visions to shine.
Second Year Student, Carolyn Bergier
Being a great writer doesn’t always translate to being a great teacher, but Alan has been refining his process for teaching spec and pilot scriptwriting at Columbia and Sarah Lawrence, and it works. His enthusiasm is contagious. He expects professionalism, but his workshop classes are fun. He knows what works and what doesn’t, and he will steer your script in the right direction. The class operates like a writer’s room, with students doing a table read of each script and commenting on each other’s work. His goal is for every student to leave the course with a solid script for their writing portfolio. Everyone who took his first class in spec writing came back the next term to write a pilot .
Graduate, Cathy Zimermann
Alan Kingsberg is a fantastic teacher. He works closely with you to develop your TV series ideas into successful structures and stories. He pays attention to your details, helps problem solve and gives thoughtful creative advice no matter what style or genre. Great.
Graduate, Kathleen Harty
LENNY CROOKS
Lenny’s perspective has consistently enriched both my passion for cinema and my abilities as a writer. Lenny deserves respect for his very accomplished career, but he deserves even more respect for being one of the most open minded and thoughtful instructors I know.
Thesis Student, Christopher Rosica
I became a groupie the first time I heard Lenny talk. I'd written a screenplay about a brother and sister shortly after their father’s death, and Lenny suggested I think of the camera as their father watching over them. When I told him how amazingly helpful his advice was—keep in mind I’m a fiction writer trying to translate narrative voice into film—he shrugged it off, saying he could do what he did because “luckily,” he wasn’t “burdened by talent.” Which is hilarious: He is insanely talented in a hundred ways, a genius at collaboration, and the most inspiring teacher I’ve ever had. I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to work with him.
Faculty, Melissa Bank
I thought I knew a thing or two about filmmaking (I taught screenwriting at Princeton and sold scripts to Hollywood) but it wasn’t until I met the stupdendously smart and delightful Lenny Crooks that I understood how little I understood. Now that I am somewhat enlightened, I hereby apologize to my former students and to Sony and Paramount.
Faculty, Patty Marx
NIAV CONTY
Niav Conty is one of those teachers who changes your brain. Her commitment to her student's work is unparalleled. No matter how many drafts or cuts, she will read, watch, and put enormous energy into making your work the best it can possibly be. She will push you to be better at your craft than you ever imagined was possible. She is a cheerleader when you need one, she is a drill sergeant when you need one, and she is an intensely supportive presence in the challenging and joyful process of making art. I didn't understand what being a director really meant until I studied with her.
Thesis student, Liza Renzulli
SUMMER SHELTON
The Producing track at SBU x Killer's MFA in Film has been challenging me every single day since I joined the program. I have changed and changed again as a filmmaker, exponentially improved as a producer and found a community of filmmakers I never expected to find. Summer Shelton has been an incredible mentor to me, her experience and resilience is unparalleled, and having her guide me through the producing process has been a mini workshop in itself.
Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya
Frankly, I cannot imagine making my first feature without taking Summer’s class.
Thesis student, Christopher Rosica
JORDAN ROBERTS
If you need someone to patiently guide you on how to use the complex camera system, sound equipment, lighting, and other gears, Jordan is the best one. He's not just a technical expert, he is also a master of visual storytelling, and he can help you develop your own unique style. That's why I'm always eager to learn from him.
Second Year Student, Yunjie Zhou
PERRY BLACKSHEAR
Perry Blackshear is one of my favorite teachers at SBU. He gives great notes on improving our work, and does it in an uplifting way. He is invested in making all of us do the best work we can while supporting our own individual styles and tastes, and he is always so excited about seeing our stories come to life. I can't wait to take more classes with him.
Third Year Student, Lina Sarello
The Stony Brook Film program is equally challenging and gratifying. I agree with one of the school's philosophies: The best way to learn filmmaking is by getting your hands on the equipment and making movies. So I enjoy the bootcamp style of learning the technical rudiments of filmmaking (especially as a writer) then quickly testing my knowledge by writing, shooting and editing the classroom projects. (Not to mention writing, shooting and editing my own short films each year!)
I especially appreciate the teaching styles of Jennie Allen, Scott Burkhardt and Perry Blackshear. They are encouraging, inspiring working professionals and stellar professors! They effectively scaffold their lessons, front loading them with the elements one will need to write and shoot a cohesive, compelling story. They've already given me tools I will use for a lifetime.
Second year student, Vickie Tanner
The Stony Brook/Killer Films MFA has been a fantastic place to grow as a filmmaker. It offers such unique benefits and I cannot imagine having studied anywhere else. To be in a cohort of 10 people where each professor gets to know you and your work on a deeply personal level has been a life-changing educational opportunity. I will be graduating from Stony Brook with cherished collaborators, three completed shorts films, a feature film in the can, and three semesters of teaching undergraduate students under my belt. No other film MFA program can offer what Stony Brook does.
Thesis student, Liza Renzulli
The SBU film program has been an incredible experience for me. I absolutely love the hands-on approach, which has really helped me grow as a filmmaker. Plus, the teachers are genuinely caring and supportive, always there to guide you every step of the way. It's been a fantastic journey!
Second Year Student, Joe Hier
Stony Brook/Killer’s MFA in Film offers an immersive program that combines creative
practice with practical guidance in film production. The partnership with Killer Films
guarantees an unparalleled instruction by top industry professionals. Powerhouse duo
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler take a matter-of-fact approach to the ‘business
we call show’ as it evolves right before our eyes.
Their approach to academia reflects the longevity of their thriving careers; the aim is to protect the artistic integrity under strict financial guidelines. The access to these professionals is invaluable as we get an insider look at in-development Killer projects as they evolve from script to screen.
Better yet, the program is a collaborative effort that gathers artists with different backgrounds. The learning experience is tailored towards hands-on opportunities. Students have the chance to conceive ideas and work together to bring each vision into reality. It becomes a close-knit network of storytellers that I for one am proud to be a part of. From the picturesque grounds of Southampton to the hub of the world art market, New York City, these settings themselves are prone to ignite creative thought.
It’s a unique and truly ‘Killer’ experience.
Graduate, Dejan Pavlovic
The MFA in Film program delivered on its promises -- advanced training in all aspects of filmmaking, hands-on instruction from working/award winning professionals ¾all at an affordable SUNY tuition rate.
The forward-thinking/innovative team at Stony Brook University and Killer Films provided invaluable insight, not only pertaining to the nature of effective visual storytelling, but also into the murky waters of the industry’s future. I had such an enlightening, transformative experience, that I chose to come back for more.
Graduate, Aaron Lehman
Intellectual Property
A primary goal of the Stony Brook MFA in Film and Television Writing is to provide an opportunity for students to bring and develop original ideas in a collaborative fashion.
The MFA program recognizes the value of creativity and entrepreneurship as a crucial feature of every student’s educational experience.
If creative work is conceived and/or completed within the Stony Brook MFA program in Film and Television Writing, then the Intellectual Property (IP) represented by that creative work is owned by the student.
Stony Brook University waives any ownership in such IP, and students retain ownership of all films and writing projects created while enrolled in the MFA in Film. However, filmed projects created by enrolled students shall include the University logo, and films and writing projects may be used by the University to promote the program.