Master's Programme in Film and Television - Screenwriting

Goal of education

The aim of the Master's degree studies in Screenwriting for Film and Television is to strengthen the student's artistic skills, competence and ability to build their individual expression in film narration. The student learns to apply their skills in production-related process work and group work and is also capable of long-term, independent work. They are familiar with the entire process of film and television production, the many possible working roles and tasks of screenwriters and the practices and agreements of the field. The master’s degree student becomes familiar with the central theoretical questions of screenwriting for film and is able to conduct relevant research.

Education content

The Master's degree studies in Screenwriting for Film and Television consist of advanced studies in screenwriting, elective studies, and joint studies in the Master's Programme in Film and Television.

In the advanced studies of the major subject, the student learns screenwriting for different forms and genres of film and television. Reflecting professional practices, gradual progress and feedback is integrated in the work methods of screenwriting courses, which are implemented both as individual projects and as group work. Studies in the theory of screenwriting support writing work and provide broader perspectives into the tradition and future of the field.

The basic idea of the education is to enable the development of the student's individual expression and creative personality. The elective studies included in the student's personal curriculum are planned to support this goal. In addition to the student's major, elective studies can also be selected from other major subjects at Aalto University or from other universities. In the joint studies of Film and Television, the student familiarises themselves with entire field of film and television producing, its various job descriptions and practices from both an artistic and production perspective. Joint studies also include theoretical studies that encourage holistic artistic reflection and that are related to creator-oriented research.

As a master's thesis, the student prepares an artistically high-quality manuscript as an independent project or by working as a screenwriter in a joint thesis film created by a student group in the field of film and design. The thesis work also includes a research section in which the student covers a topic that is relevant personally to the student and to the professional field of screenwriting.

Further information about the contents of the programme can be found in the degree requirements for 2020–22. 

More about the language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Screenwriting is Finnish. However, part of the courses are taught in English. The degree can be completed in English.

Career opportunities

Students who major in Screenwriting specialise and are employed in artistic work in films (screenwriters, screenwriter directors, screenwriter producers), artistic production work in television (TV scriptwriters, script and story editors, producers, assistant producers), as developers in the game industry, entrepreneurs and social actors (production companies, television channels, institutions in the field) and as teachers (universities and universities of applied science).

Programme-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria

What we look for in an applicant?

We value the following skills and competences: an understanding of drama, visual storytelling ability, process work skills, group work skills, understanding details as well as the bigger picture, and a readiness to observe, recognise, and create special and important works in the field of screenwriting for film and television.

Evaluation criteria

• Portfolio
• Motivation letter
• CV

In addition to these, in the second stage the evaluation criteria also includes

• Interview
• Possible additional assignments and work samples

First stage and required application documents

In the first stage of the evaluation the selection committee evaluates the applications based on the application documents. Study Option’s requirements for the application documents are listed below. Please also note requirements for the application documents presented in the general application instructions. Attach each application document to the electronic application form in PDF form.

Portfolio

The portfolio consists of two parts.

• Past artistic activities – max. 2 pages

The applicant describes their former artistic and/or professional activities in the field of screenwriting for film and television. In this section, the applicant may also describe in more detail their key works in the field of screenwriting, related objectives pertaining to their narrative or content, and the experiences or observations related to implementing these objectives. The applicant may also include links to video files (Vimeo, YouTube etc.) in their portfolio.

• Pre-assignment

The applicant submits a screenwriting sample. They can choose one of two options:

1. Screenplay of a full length fiction film (90–120 minutes) Genre not specified.

Execution:

• synopsis of the entire movie, max. 3 pages
• script sample from the beginning of the film (scene 1) / screenplay format / 25–30 pages

2. Television series screenplay

The series must have a minimum of three and a maximum of eight episodes. Length of the episodes is 25–30 minutes. Genre not specified.

Execution:

• a concise synopsis of the events in the series in general, and a description of the key characters / max. 4 pages
• series pilot episode / screenplay format / 25–30 pages

CV

In the CV, the applicant provides the following information:

• personal information
• education
• applicant's works as a screenwriter, including student projects:

name of the piece created using the applicant's screenplay, production year, format (short film, TV series etc.), duration, director, producer, applicant's role in the author group if the work has more than one screenwriters

• possible screenplays currently in production or otherwise in progress
• other work experience in film and other non-film related work experience
• possible publications, articles, prizes and grants, other information considered relevant to the application

Motivation letter

The motivation letter comprises two parts:

• Description of the applicant’s views and objectives

The applicant explains what their special interests are in screenwriting for film and television, and what their objectives and hopes are for the MA studies. The applicant describes their possible career plans after graduation.

• Study plan

The applicant explores the degree requirements of Screenwriting for Film and Television and creates a preliminary plan for their own MA studies.

The maximum length of the motivation letter is 4 000 characters.

Language of application documents

The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.

Second stage

Part of the applicants are invited to the second stage. The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.

The second stage consists of an interview and possible additional assignments and work samples.