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NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY

New York , New York ,United States

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screenwriting

The New York Film Academy recognizes the critical role writers play in the creation of every film and television show. Yet writing talent alone is not enough to create successful work in these mediums; screenwriting is a learned craft. A writer must write every day to train for the demands of this field, and to truly understand the elements that make a screenplay or teleplay functional as well as engaging.

In addition to learning the conventions of the writing craft, students are given the support and structure to write and meet deadlines. Students write intensively throughout the course and complete several projects with the assistance of constructive critique from instructors as well as peers. To that end, BFA in Screenwriting students learn how to create great stories, and to tell them with a confidence and clarity that befits a professional.

The core screenwriting courses of the BFA in Screenwriting are supported by a full complement of courses in the liberal arts and sciences. These are designed to broaden the writers' education, feed their inquisitiveness, and give them the critical, analytical, and communication tools needed not just to be great writers, but also more fulfilled human beings.

The BFA in Screenwriting offers a well-rounded collegiate education in the arts and humanities and social and natural sciences, with a comprehensive study of, and practice in, the art and craft of screenwriting and related filmmaking disciplines.

Overall, the screenwriting courses concentrate on developing the tools required to create believable characters and stories in several major fields of screenwriting (film, television, web series, playwriting, and elective choices including comic books and games). The program builds to a final thesis project, either a television series pilot script or a feature film screenplay. This is plotted, written, and rewritten, with guidance and feedback from a thesis committee in a manner designed to reflect the development processes in the entertainment industry.

In the liberal arts and sciences, students complete the majority of the required Foundation Studies in the first two semesters. Courses taught in the area of Foundation Studies focus on communications, analysis, and deductive reasoning. Students practice critical thinking, scholarly research, writing, and reading. These courses build a foundation for more specialized subjects requiring advanced written and oral communication skills in later semesters. The skills mastered will prepare students for the advanced coursework of constructing an authentic voice in their writing projects. Coursework in physical and mental wellness provides focus on the theory and practice of lifelong wellness in a stressful industry.

Subsequent courses in the liberal arts and sciences bolster students' understanding of world history, political science, art history, social and natural sciences, mathematics, English composition, and literature.

Campus Information

Los Angeles

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

NYFA Employees thrive on creativity and diversity. NYFA also brings the following perks along!

  • Competitive Pay
  • Vacation Time
  • Sick Time
  • Paid Holidays
  • Health, Vision, Dental
  • Long-term Disability
  • Short-term Disability
  • Voluntary Term Life
  • Commuters Benefit
  • 401k
  • Flexible Schedules
  • Work Life Balance
  • Fun Company Events
  • Check Out Equipment for Personal Projects
  • Attend Screenings and Q&As
  • Network and Build Professional Relationships
  • Professional Development Grants
  • Flexible Savings Account (FSA) - Health and Dependent

 

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor of Fine Arts

All students pursuing an undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from The New York Film Academy must be proficient in English and have earned a high school diploma (at a minimum) or an acceptable equivalent. In addition to the Supporting Materials required, each applicant must submit a Creative Portfolio that illustrates the applicant's ability to take on undergraduate level study, and shows a potential for success within the profession.

Upon submitting an initial application, applicants will be contacted by a NYFA admissions representative. The admissions representative will provide instructions on how to submit application materials.

Bachelor of Arts

All students pursuing an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from The New York Film Academy must be proficient in English and have earned a high school diploma (at a minimum) or an acceptable equivalent. In addition to the Supporting Materials required, each applicant must submit a Creative Portfolio, to demonstrate the applicant's ability to take on undergraduate level study, and shows a potential for success within the profession.

Upon submitting an initial application, applicants will be contacted by a NYFA admissions representative. The admissions representative will provide instructions on how to submit application materials.

To achieve this goal of training visual storytellers from around the world, NYFA requires that students submit scores from one of the below English exams. NYFA’s preferred English proficiency scores are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree: TOEFL = 68 or above / IELTS = 6.0 or above / Duolingo = 90 or above

Master’s Degree: TOEFL = 79 or above / IELTS = 6.5 or above / Duolingo = 101 or above

However, NYFA encourages all students to apply for their degree program even if they do not have the preferred English exam score. Students with scores lower then these targets will be connected with a NYFA language professional who can offer support and guidance to help the student gain admission to their program of choice. Students who would benefit from extra English language support will have the option to elevate their language skills through the Pathway Track, a two-semester curriculum designed to support English language growth while enrolled in their degree program.