Screenwriting for Film and Television

The application period for Master’s Degree Programmes has ended 15 Feb 2012. Next application period will start at the beginning of 2013.

In the Master's Degree Programme in Film and Television, students can complete a Master's degree programme in the specialisation area Screenwriting.

This opportunity applies to applicants who have previous competence, education and work experience in film and television screenwriting that is considered to correspond to BA studies in the specialisation area of Screenwriting.

The studies comprise an artistic and theoretical thesis, Master’s degree studies in Screenwriting and possible optional studies (see the School of Art and Design Study Guide 2011-2012 into.aalto.fi/en).

Students are selected to the two-year Master’s degree studies on the basis of a thesis project, work samples, a list of work and an interview. Students who graduate from the programme will work in the film and television sector and related fields as, for example, screenwriters, directors, producers and entrepreneurs in the audio-visual field.  The Master’s degree studies emphasise the student’s independent work based on a personal study plan. The studies also prepare students for theoretical postgraduate studies in Finland and abroad.

Selection Process 2012

The selection process includes the following stages: 

Stage I – based on documents (thesis project, list of work, CV, study and career plan)

1. Send the script of your possible thesis project (for example a screenplay for a fictional feature film or a TV show concept and screenplays for two episodes, or some other kind of a screenwriting project – a game, an artistic, industrial or commercial application or an extensive theoretical presentation in the field of film and television screenwriting etc.) for assessment. Attach a short report on the current state of your project, partners (e.g., production company, the commissioning television channel) and the schedule.  The screenplay should be written in the so-called screenplay format and saved either as a PDF or a Movie Magic Screenwriter file. The maximum length of the screenplay is 150 pages and two (2) pages for the report.
2. List of work – your relevant work related to the field of screenwriting. The maximum length is two (2) pages.
3. CV. The maximum length is two (2) pages.
4. Study and career plan. Familiarise yourself with the degree requirements for an MA degree in Screenwriting and write a short preliminary plan for your possible MA studies. Attach also a preliminary career plan for the period 2014-2019. The maximum length of the study plan is one (1) page, and that of the career plan one (1) page.

  

Portfolio
Also see general portfolio instructions. 

Required Application Documents
See Required Application Documents.

How to Apply
Read the application instructions carefully: How to Apply.

Stage II – interview
Based on stage I, some applicants are invited to an interview. The aim of the interview is to find out the applicant's chances of successfully completing his/her studies. During the interview, applicants may be asked to complete separate entrance examination assignments and the applicant’s thesis project and study plan may be examined more closely.