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Media, Writing, and Communications Certificate in Writing and Producing for Film & Television

Diploma Description

This certificate, which can be taken fully online, provides you with foundations for success in writing and producing for television and film. Gain the skills to translate great ideas into developing original screenplays, leveraging character-driven narrative and innovative story design to sustain long-term audience engagement. You will also learn how to pitch and sell your work, ensuring that your script stands out in an ever-changing industry landscape. Producing fundamentals include securing intellectual property rights; navigating the market; understanding investor and funding dynamics; casting and packaging; recruiting crew and talent; handling logistics; and managing pre- and post- production, delivery, and distribution.

The certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete three required courses and three elective courses from the list below. Courses from other Media, Writing, and Communications certificates may be applied as substitutions pending advance review and approval by the academic department. The certificate must be completed within three years of taking the first certificate-eligible course. For advisement, please contact the Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts at (212) 998-7289 or sps.pala.ce@nyu.edu.

 

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Program Curriculum

COURSES THAT GIVE YOU THE SKILLS AND TRAINING YOU NEED TO START YOUR NEW CAREER

Program Curriculum

COURSES THAT PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION IN THE FIELD WITH OPTIONS TO SPECIALIZE IN AN AREA RELEVANT TO YOUR NEEDS

REQUIRED COURSES

All Courses Required

Beginning Screenwriting

Learn the basic elements of dramatic writing with an emphasis on theme, dialogue, and characterization.

2024 Fall
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Selling Your Stories: Representation and the Art of the Pitch for Film and TV Writers

Among aspiring film and TV writers there are many misconceptions and myths about Hollywood and what it means to be a working writer. While the...

Film and TV Development as a Producer

Learn the mechanics of developing new film or TV projects by using a work of your own or by optioning and acquiring existing intellectual property.

2024 Fall
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

ELECTIVE COURSES

Complete 3

Writing for the Screen: An Exercise-Based Approach

This complete course in screenwriting teaches you the tools of the trade and gets you writing from the first day.

2024 Fall
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Write and Prepare to Direct a Three-Act Short Film

Learn the fundamentals of screenwriting and preproduction by writing and preparing to direct a five-minute short film.

2025 Spring
1 section

Advanced Screenwriting

Develop new screenwriting material or revise a completed script, and discuss your work during private interview sessions with the instructor.

2024 Fall
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Writing and Developing a TV Series

Learn all you need to fully develop and professionally present your idea for a continuing or limited series for cable, network, or the web.

2025 Spring
1 section

Writing a TV Pilot

Learn tools specific to writing an original pilot, whether a network procedural, a quirky web series, or an edgy comedy for cable or streaming.

2024 Fall
1 section

Writing Great Characters for Film and TV

Through in-class exercises, lectures, television/movie watching, and writing assignments, learn how to create detailed, compelling characters.

Building a Career as a TV or Film Producer

In this hands-on workshop, explore the numerous facets of a producer’s role by producing a real or hypothetical film or TV project of your own.

Writing and Producing for Reality Television

Have a great idea for the next binge-able reality TV obsession? With over 1600 unscripted shows currently airing on the world's three...

2024 Fall
1 section

General Admission Requirements

For those who have completed some college Completion of 32 credits with at least 2 years work experience OR 60 credits with no work experience required