The Professional Program in Screenwriting is the only certificate screenwriting program that has oversight by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and it is the only viable alternative to the UCLA MFA screenwriting program. The Professional Program stresses the theory and craft of professional screenwriting, without the critical studies seminars and related electives that are required to obtain a degree. The goal of this graduate-level program, which takes place over three academic quarters, is for the student to start and complete two original feature length screenplays. The program begins in October 2008 and will come to a close in June 2009. Each student attends two classes per week - a lecture class and a screenwriting workshop. The lecture is held on Monday nights, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, and is taught by UCLA Screenwriting Co-Chair Hal Ackerman, who teaches a similar course in the MFA program. The screenwriting workshop takes place on Tuesday, Wednesday OR Thursday night, depending on which one the student is placed in (schedule conflicts are taken into consideration). Workshops begin at 7:00pm and end at 10:00pm. The workshops are taught by UCLA graduate faculty, as well as professional screenwriters. Highlights of the on-campus program include the annual UCLA Professional Programs Screenplay Competition, an agent/manager panel, and guest speakers from the industry. Previous guest speakers in Hal Ackerman's classes have included Michael Colleary (Face/Off), Fernley Phillips (The Number 23), Felicia Henderson (Gossip Girl), Billy Ray (Breach), Paul Haggis (Crash), Dan Futterman (Capote), Pamela Gray (A Walk on the Moon), Ed Solomon (Men in Black), Nicholas Griffin (Matchstick Men), Scott Kosar (The Machinist), and Sacha Gervasi (The Terminal). Because so few applicants are accepted into the MFA program each year, the UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting was created to bring a greater number of promising screenwriters to UCLA. This is the perfect way to get a respected UCLA screenwriting education, to receive honest feedback on your screenplays, and to work under a regimen that will allow you to come away with two completed feature-length screenplays in only one academic year - all while keeping your day job. Not ready to relocate to Los Angeles? There is an online version of this program. Click here to see what alumni are saying about the Professional Program in Screenwriting. And check out our MySpace page to read about alumni accomplishments. International Students, please note: At this time, the Professional Program in Screenwriting does not qualify International Students for a UCLA I-20. We encourage interested International Students to consider the Online version of the program. To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree in any field. To apply, mail or fax your completed Application Form along with your supporting materials and tuition deposit to the Professional Programs office (see application for mailing address and fax number). Applications may not be emailed. Statement of Purpose (One page; see FAQ's for further info) Writing Sample (5 pages; see FAQ's for further info) Undergraduate Transcript (non-official copy OK) or copy of University Degree Certificate Start Date: September 29, 2008 Application Deadline: July 11, 2008 Tuition: $4500.00 for the year ($1500 deposit due with application, $3000 balance due by October 20, 2008) The Advanced Workshops in Screenwriting are open to students who successfully complete the year-long Professional Program in Screenwriting. In an Advanced Workshop, students meet once per week, from 7-10pm. Workshops take place on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, and are limited to eight students. In order to participate in an Advanced Workshop, you must be committed to the goal of starting and completing an original feature-length screenplay within the ten-week quarter (adaptations and rewrites are not permitted). Students who successfully complete three Advanced Workshops (one per quarter) receive a certificate of completion. Workshops do not have to be taken consecutively in order to earn a certificate. This program is also available online. The Advanced Workshops are open only to students who have successfully completed the year-long Professional Program in Screenwriting. To enroll, send in the completed Enrollment Form with payment by the application deadline. Enrollment forms may not be emailed. IMPORTANT: Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. No more than eight students will be enrolled in each workshop. Start Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008. Class meets every Tuesday, 7-10pm, for 10 weeks. Instructor: Wendall Thomas Tuition: $1100. Due with enrollment form. The Mentorship Program is available to all writers who have a completed screenplay and want an in-depth, one-on-one analysis from a UCLA Professional Programs mentor. Participants need not be enrolled in any other Professional Programs course. Through the Mentorship Program, the writer will receive a thorough analysis of the screenplay. Script problems will be addressed, and solutions to those problems will be offered. Once the student rewrites the screenplay, the mentor will provide a follow-up reading of the revised draft and a final critique of the script. A finished feature screenplay. To apply, send in the completed Enrollment Form, along with payment and a copy of your screenplay. Once you are enrolled, your Mentor will contact you directly. Please expect this to take 3-4 weeks. Start Date: Any time. Application deadline: N/A. Tuition: $750. In the UCLA Summer Workshop in Screenwriting, students meet once per week in a three-hour workshop that stresses the theory and craft of professional screenwriting. Over the course of ten weeks, each student develops a concept, outlines a story, and completes the first act of an original feature screenplay. This workshop is a great introduction to UCLA screenwriting. The Summer Workshop in Screenwriting is also available online. It is not a certificate program. Students who successfully complete the summer workshop and choose to enroll in the year-long program do not need to resubmit supporting materials such as a Writing Sample. Students who continue in the year-long program must begin a new script. To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree in any field. To apply, mail or fax your completed Application Form along with your supporting materials and tuition payment to the Professional Programs office (see application for mailing address and fax number). Applications may not be emailed. Statement of Purpose (One page; see FAQ's for further info) Writing Sample (5 pages; see FAQ's for further info) Undergraduate Transcript (non-official copy OK) or copy of University Degree Certificate Start Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2008. Class meets every Tuesday, 7-10pm, for 10 weeks. Instructor: Firdosi Wharton Application Deadline: May 30, 2008 Tuition: $1100. Due with application.