Applications Now Open – Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting for Fall 2020

We’re excited to have opened the window for applications to our Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting’s Fall 2020 cohort.

This gives potential students a chance to submit their materials on time to be in contention for our Jan Marino Scholarship (for a woman writer 55 or older) and for being next year’s Graduate Assistant. 

Inquire for more information on the program
or
Apply Now

Being a low residency program means you travel to Hollywood for 10 days at the beginning of each semester (once in August/once in January) for a workshop experience worth 3 units.

We hold workshops at the historic Jim Henson Studios (originally the Charlie Chaplin Studios) in Hollywood, California.

Workshop Session in the Soundstage
A Workshop Exercise

Each semester students will take 3 courses after the workshop. They have one mentor for a television script and one mentor for a screenplay. The television mentors change each semester because in fall you write a spec script/in spring a pilot; the screenplay mentor is onboard for the whole year, as the fall semester is all about developing an outline and writing Act One of the screenplay, and then the spring semester is completing and revising the script. Our instructors are all chosen because they are working writers and members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA). 

In year two, there’s a second screenplay written (with a different mentor) and a thesis project, which can be anything from a web series to a limited series pilot and bible to a group of short films to an actual written thesis.

Dr. Rosanne Welch

Taught with a female gaze, students do selected readings and view films each week that feature female-focused stories, and then they post responses to the material. At the end of each semester, students turn in a profile of a screenwriter.

In 2017, 22 of these profiles written by MFA students were compiled into the book WHEN WOMEN WROTE HOLLYWOOD, published by McFarland Press.

Throughout the two years, we have the History of Screenwriting course, which I teach, so that I stay in touch with all students across their two years in the program.

If you are a writer looking to move your material to the next level so it will secure you a spot in the industry – or a college educator who wants a graduate degree to move up in the academic world – then our program is perfect for you. 

Join us Fall 2020 in Hollywood!

When Women Called the Shots: The Forgotten Story of Early Hollywood’s Female Filmmakers

The KCET documentary Lost LA is designed to cover the hidden stories of our city. This clip comes from Season 2, episode four “The Dream Factory” and covers the lost history of Hollywood’s early female screenwriters and directors. Most of them appear in our upcoming collection of essays When Women Wrote Hollywood. This segment is similarly titled “When Women Called the Shots.”

Rosanne Welch

When Women Called the Shots: The Forgotten Story of Early Hollywood’s Female Filmmakers

When Women Write Hollywood Cover

Available for Print Pre-Order Now. Electronic Editions Coming Soon!


Use “When Women Wrote Hollywood” in your classroom!

Contact McFarland directly for instructor copies, library and bookstore purchases. 


 

Subscribe to the “When Women Wrote Hollywood” Mailing List!



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On stage at #TEDxCPP #TEDx #speaking #education

On stage at #TEDxCPP #TEDx #speaking #education  

The TEDxCPP stage is set! #TEDx #tedxcpp #tedxcpp2016 #speaking #education

  

The TEDxCPP stage is set! #TEDx #tedxcpp #tedxcpp2016 #speaking #education

Minutes away from TEDxCPP

  
Just minutes away from TEDxCPP at #calpolypomona ! We have a wonderful line up of speakers today including yours truly! So proud to be part of this #TEDx #tedxcpp #speaking #education

Out to see “An Act of God” at the Ahmanson tonight as Doug’s bday present and V-Day gift to both of us #Ahmansontheatre #losangeles #california #theater #comedy #birthdaygift #rmwblog

  
Out to see “An Act of God” at the Ahmanson tonight as Doug’s bday present and V-Day gift to both of us #Ahmansontheatre #losangeles #california #theater #comedy #birthdaygift #rmwblog

Tickets to The Monkees 50th Anniversary Concert tour went on sale today so I had to buy myself a pair since they’ll be coming to my town (at the Pantages Theatre) on September 16 #monkees #music #tickets #show #rmwblog

  
Tickets to The Monkees 50th Anniversary Concert tour went on sale today so I had to buy myself a pair since they’ll be coming to my town (at the Pantages Theatre) on September 16 #monkees #music #tickets #show #rmwblog

Top 30 Network Programs by household ratings

Random fun from my research – where were you (or were you) for the 1966-67 Television Season? Which shows did you watch then and which in reruns years later?)

Top 30 Network Programs by household ratings
(Households with TVs – 55.15 million)

Bonanza (NBC) – 29.1
The Red Skelton Hour (CBS) – 28.2
The Andy Griffith Show (CBS) – 27.4
The Lucy Show (CBS) – 26.2
The Jackie Gleason Show (CBS) – 25.3
Green Acres (CBS) – 24.6
Daktari (CBS) – 23.4
Bewitched (ABC) – 23.4
The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS) – 23.4
Gomer Pyle USMC (CBS) – 22.8
The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS) – 22.8
The Virginian (NBC) – 22.8
The Lawrence Welk Show (ABC) – 22.8
A Family Affair (CBS) – 22.6
The Dean Martin Show (NBC) – 22.6
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (CBS) – 22.2
Hogan’s Heroes (CBS) – 21.8
CBS Friday Night Movies (CBS) – 21.8
The Wonderful World of Disney (NBC) – 21.5
NBC Saturday Night Movies (NBC) – 21.4
Dragnet 1967 (NBC) – 21.2
Get Smart (NBC) – 21.0
Rat Patrol (ABC) – 20.9
Petticoat Junction (CBS) – 20.9
That Girl (ABC) – 20.8
Bob Hope (NBC) – 20.7
Tarzan (NBC) – 20.5
ABC Sunday Night Movie (ABC) – 20.4
The FBI (ABC) – 20.2
I Spy (NBC) – 20.2
My Three Sons (CBS) – 20.2
CBS Thursday Night Movies (CBS) – 20.2

Event: “Heads Are Turning, Children Are Learning” Event – May 23, 2015

literacy_day_052315

Heads Are Turning, Children Are Learning – California African-American Museum Celebrates Children’s Literacy

Since 2004, in celebration of National Children’s Book Week, we present local Los Angelels authors and celebrity readers in CAAM’s galleries. The activities of the day also include an arts and crafts workshop, literacy workshops, face-painting, and book giveaways for families in attendance.

Saturday, May 23, 2015
11am – 4 pm

Free and open to the public. Parking: $10.

The California African American Museum is easily accessible from the Metro Expo line using the Exposition Park/USC Station. (See map below)

RSVP preferred: 213.744.2024

California African American Museum
600 State Drive Exposition Park
Los Angeles, CA 90037

[MAP]

Essay coming up in “Doctor Who and Race: An Anthology”

An essay I wrote called “When White Writers Write Black” is being published in a book called “Doctor Who and Race: An Anthology” edited by Dr. Lindy Orthia, lecturer at the Australian National University. Published by Intellect the collection is scheduled sometime in late 2012 or early 2013. It’s quite fun since I sat down one Saturday morning to write the 1,000 words and sent it off and she accepted it two days later!