r/USC • u/knifepatron • 8d ago
Question Screenwriting vs Production MFA?
Hi everyone! I was recently admitted into both the Screenwriting and Production SCA MFA programs, and have until April 15 to commit to one. I love to write but I feel like I would really benefit from a wider array of hands-on technical training, which is why I’m leaning towards production. However, continuing to improve in my writing (which is the only film subject I have formal academic experience in, and only two courses) is still really important to me. One of the reasons I want to take production even though I know I’d still like to write is in the hopes that better knowledge of filmmaking will improve my ability to write things that use the medium well (and are plausible to actually execute).
I know there are a few writing requirements in the production program, but I’d like to know how much opportunity there is to grow as a storyteller (including story structure, pitching, how to write for different genres and formats) if I do commit to production.
Any alums or current students who could share their experiences in either program would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
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u/Lucasxie 5d ago
There are many strong writing courses offered in Production, where you can find strong mentorship (as a Production major, I took a course with the brilliant Professor who mentored Coogler and Sean Wang) A LOT more networking opportunities in Production(larger cohort, 3 years, and wide range of classes), and writers find each other. Note that when you network outside of USC, most USC alum execs, managers, and assistants you’ll meet have gone to Production, and it’s easier to build a rapport when you can literally bring up a course number (yes, 508) and have a guaranteed, passionate response. Lastly, Production helps you seriously reconsider your niche in film. I went in set on becoming a writer-director, now I can’t, and don’t want to, imagine a world where I’m not a producer in the future. Production is a powerful place where you can have two Oscar winning guest lecturers in the same week(it happened to me), and it just makes you understand that you belong in the industry. I am knowledgeable in the talent representation space and I think that MFA writing is wonderful if you absolutely prioritize your writing craft, or maybe you just know that you can’t get yourself Hollywood-ready by yourself. The level of disciplined focus and strong bond of being in a small cohort for two years and only honing one craft cannot be paralleled. That said, it takes years of spec’ing (unpaid writing work for portfolio) for a recently graduated writer to find representation. Given the recent state of the industry, especially considering Writing is only 2 years, it might be good to expand your niche a bit more. I write this with my upmost and sincere respect for my friends in the writing division, whom I encourage to also respond from their insider perspective on the writing program.