Master of Fine Arts in Creative Producing

Program Overview

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Producing is a two-year program designed to prepare students for a career in the entertainment industry as Creative Producers. The program emphasizes the role of Creative Producers in navigating content from concept to distribution, and offers hands-on learning through internships and projects. Led by working industry professionals, graduates have secured positions at prestigious companies such as Netflix, Marvel Studios, and MGM. The program highlights the success of its alumni and focuses on fostering industry connections.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Producing is a two-year program based in Los Angeles, CA. It aims to prepare students for a career in the entertainment industry, specifically focusing on the role of a Creative Producer. The program emphasizes the demand for content from various platforms like networks, studios, and streamers, and positions the Creative Producer as a vital figure in navigating content from initial concept to distribution.

Outline:

Classes for this program are held during evenings, allowing students to pursue internships and job opportunities during the day. The curriculum covers every aspect of the creative producing process in film and television development, encompassing courses in:

• Pre-production: This includes aspects like script development, budgeting, and casting.
• Entertainment Law: This provides students with a legal foundation for working in the entertainment industry.
• Post-production: This covers the stages after filming, such as editing, sound design, and visual effects.
• Distribution: This covers the process of getting the finished film or television show to the audience.

Teaching:

The program is designed and taught by working industry professionals, offering students real-world experience and mentorship. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, with students applying their knowledge through internships and projects.

Careers:

Graduates of the MFA in Creative Producing are well-equipped for a variety of career paths within the entertainment industry, including:

• Talent agents and managers: Representing artists and negotiating contracts.
• Studio executives: Making decisions about which projects to develop and produce.
• Television showrunners: Overseeing all aspects of television production.
• Traditional film and television producing roles: Handling various aspects of production, including budget, scheduling, and crew management.
Graduates have secured positions at prestigious companies such as:
• Netflix
• Marvel Studios
• MGM
• Bold Films
• Universal Studios
• Creative Artists Agency
• The Tonight Show
• Anonymous Entertainment
• Sony Studios
• Warner Bros.
• Oxygen Network
• Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment
• ABC Television Drama
• Funny or Die
• Film Spotlight

Other:

The program highlights the success of its alumni, particularly mentioning the film "Saint Frances" directed by MFA alumnus Alex Thompson ('17) and produced by SCA faculty members James Choi and Raphael Nash. The film received recognition at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival and was included in various "best of" lists. The program also emphasizes the importance of internships and industry connections, with past student internships at companies like:

• Warner Brothers
• DreamWorks Animation
• Sony Studios
• Disney Studios
• William Morris Endeavor
• Producers Guild of America
• HBO
• Logo
• Benderspink
• Jim Henson Company
• Gary Sanchez Productions
• Anonymous Content
• CAA
• Nickelodeon Animation Studios
• Bold Films
• Bad Robot
The program further showcases its faculty's active involvement in the industry, with examples like Stew Lyons, a "Breaking Bad" producer and SCA faculty, incorporating guest speakers from the show into his creative producing course. The program also offers a "Film in Paris" experience where students can study in Paris and intern at the Champs-Élysées Film Festival or a French film production company.