About the Program
Stony Brook Manhattan’s MFA in TV Writing is the first and most comprehensive program of its kind in the country. Through small, collaborative workshops designed to mirror professional writers’ rooms, intensive one-on-one advisement, and supporting courses taught by industry professionals, the program empowers students to develop TV writing portfolios that can launch their careers. Our motto is "Write yourself into your dream job."
Core TV Writing MFA Curriculum:
YEAR ONE
Writing the Spec Script
Learn the fundamentals by writing a script for a show that is currently on the air.
Writing the Original TV Pilot
Create an original series and write a pilot script.
Showrunner Workshop
Break stories and write scenes with a working showrunner.
Christine Vachon's Masterclass
Explore current Killer Films projects brought to life in the classroom. Meet directors,
producers, studio executives and more—and pitch your own project to Christine Vachon.
Comedy Workshop
Learn to write sketch, late night and monologues in the style of SNL, John Oliver,
The Daily Show, and Jimmy Kimmel.
Guest Series - From the Writers Room
In-depth discussions with working writers and showrunners about the writing process,
writers rooms, and a specific script or episode they’ve written.
Screenwriting
Learn the fundamentals of long form narrative and develop a script for a feature film.
Acting for Writers
Learning to act and to direct actors makes you a better writer. This is the first
workshop in our four-step content creation ladder.
YEAR TWO
Advanced Pilot
Create the second pilot script for your TV Writing portfolio.
Limited Series
Learn how to work collaboratively in a writers room to construct story arcs for a
limited series based on true events.
Camera Skills
Learn how to work camera, sound and editing gear. This workshop is paired with Directing
the Camera and is the second workshop in our four-step content creation ladder.
Directing the Camera
Directing scenes from your script gives you insight into how your writing is translated
to the screen. This is the third workshop in our content creation ladder.
Web Series
Write, produce, direct and edit a micro-pilot for a web series. This is the capstone
class in the content creation ladder and pulls together writing, acting, skills and
directing the camera.
Business of TV
Learn how to work with agents and managers, how to pitch and strategies to break into
the business.
Pilot Three
The capstone writing class where you develop the third pilot script for your TV writing
portfolio.
Revision
Revise and polish the writing portfolio that can launch your career as a television
writer.
YEAR THREE
Thesis
Work with your thesis advisor to get your best script industry-ready and prepare a
pitch for a new series that you can develop after graduation. Can be in-person or
on Zoom.
Internship
Work on a show or at a production company, network or studio to get real world experience.
(Optional)
ELECTIVES
An array of electives from the MFA in Film and the MFA in Creative Writing are available in all three years of study.
Producing with Christine Vachon
Teaching Practicum with Karen Offitzer.
Learn to teach at the college level, design a syllabus and teach the following semester
at Stony Brook undergraduate
Writing in Multiple Genres with Robert Lopez
Humor on the Page with Patty Marx
Poetry, Writing the Short Film, Writing the Crime Drama, Turn Stand Up into Series, European Cinema and more.