UCLA Professional Program in Screenwriting - Online

[canusaycarpaltunnel]

I am considering enrolling in the UCLA PPS program (on line) and was wondering if any of you have taken this course before. When completed you get a certificate not a degree. The first year's course costs $4,000, the second year is less.
Is this course worthwhile or is it just a glorified and very expensive script analysis service???

[mammamaia]

i'm sure you'll get good info there, as many of its posters are serious screenwriters in the la area, and 'boss' chris lockhart, is chief story exec at icm...

[cleoauthor]

I think the screenwriting program at UCLA is exceptionally good and well structured. The instructors must have fairly impressive credits to be on their staff. Nobody who teaches there is going to be parroting theory out of some textbook. At least I hope they won't! They've been in the business and they know first-hand the realities of writing for screen/TV.

Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I am fairly biased as I was an instructor in their extension screenwriting program. I am not, however, familiar with the on-line program. I would assume it it structured like their on-site screenwriting program.

I'm anxious to hear what else you learn about the program!

Linda

[MrJayVee]

The first year of the course is four grand?? I personally think that kind of money could be better spent.

[DevoGrrl]

I went through that program prior to going to grad school. It wasn't online, so I am not sure how good that is. But the regular program was pretty solid. We had a lecture and a workshop every week. Workshop instructors tend to be professional screenwriters not really affiliated with UCLA's MFA. They have credits, although they are not stellar. But it is a good experience because they teach you how to write commercial and how to write well. But again, that's not the on-line version. You can't read each other's scripts out loud - a big part of the workshop that makes you view your material in a whole new way...So that makes me wonder... Otherwise, they are definitely not a scam or flaky...