Master of Fine Arts Creative Producing

The School of Cinematic Arts Master of Fine Arts in Creative Producing is based in Los Angeles, CA.

Set your sights on one of the most exciting careers in the entertainment industry: Creative Producing. The demand for content by networks, studios, and streamers has never been greater and the Creative Producer is uniquely positioned to fill this need by finding content to shepherd from initial concept through development, production, and, ultimately, distribution.

Classes for this two-year MFA program are held during evenings, enabling students to benefit from internships and job opportunities during the day. Students will learn every step of the creative producing process in film and television development with courses in pre-production, budgeting, entertainment law, post-production, and distribution. These courses, designed and taught by working industry professionals, will prepare graduates for successful careers as studio executives, television showrunners, talent agents and managers, and more.

Degree Requirements

Careers

Graduates of the MFA in Creative Producing will be well-equipped for a number of careers, including talent agents and managers, studio executives, television showrunners, and traditional film and TV producing roles.

Our graduates have worked for:

  • 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

 

Directed by MFA alumnus Alex Thompson ('17) and produced by SCA faculty James Choi and Raphael Nash, Saint Frances received both the Audience and Special Jury Recognition awards at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. The film has been included on several "best of" lists, including Variety, IndieWire, USA Today, and Washington Post. Saint Frances is distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories and is available On Demand.

  • Erin Rodman

    Erin has worked in production on films and television shows for Paramount, Nickelodeon and A&E; as a script reader for Paramount, Netflix, Focus Features, Dark Trick, and Material Pictures; and in feature film development at DreamWorks Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Parkes MacDonald Image Nation.

  • Timothy Peternel

    Tim has been an independent film producer for 20 years on such acclaimed films as Love Liza and Buffalo 66. Most recently, he produced the feature film Dog Eat Dog, directed by Paul Schrader and starring Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe.

  • Stewart Lyons

    Stewart is an Executive Producer, Line Producer, Unit Production Manager and Production Executive. He has credits on over 600 episodes of television including 33 series and 29 pilots. His projects include Roswell NM, Snowfall, Better Call Saul, and Breaking Bad. Stewart has received two Emmys, a Golden Globe, and awards from the Directors Guild and the Producers Guild.

Faculty Creative Activity

movie posters

Learn from award-winning filmmakers with extensive industry experience who bring their expertise to the classroom.

young lady on set  

Internships

Internships are a key step in gaining experience and contacts in the film and television industry. Students are required to take two internships during the program each spring. The first-year students intern at entertainment companies with a focus on development and pre-production for film and television. In the second year, students concentrate on post-production with internships at companies involved in distribution and marketing. Past student internships include: 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, and Bad Robot.

  

Film in Paris

Spend spring in Paris and get a chance to visit the world famous Cannes Film Festival! This program is located in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cities. While studying at the Alliance Française and the CEA Paris Center, you will not only have the opportunity to improve your French but also to experience the rich cultural life of Paris, while earning 18 hours of credit. You will earn 6 hours of credit as an intern at the world-renowned Champs-Élysées Film Festival or a French film production company. In addition, you will enroll in 4 credits of French language (at your level) and take two area studies courses in English, one of which is French Art History and includes study trips to many galleries and museums. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

3 men and a lady dressed up posing for a pic  

Industry Connections

School of Cinematic Arts students have several opportunities to connect with industry pros through faculty who still work in film and television, LA-based entertainment companies and studios, and their classes. Breaking Bad producer and SCA faculty Stew Lyons' recent creative producing course featured multiple guest speakers from the show, including creator Vince Gilligan, lead actor Bryan Cranston & other actors, directors, executive producers & wardrobe designers.

Application Deadlines

Enrollment QuarterDomestic Student DeadlineInternational Student Deadline
Fall (Priority Deadline)December 15December 15
Fall (Final Deadline)May 15May 15

Admission Process

This program is not yet eligible to issue an I-20 for F1 students.

The graduate application process involves completing an online application, sending in your transcripts and submitting any supplemental material (e.g., letters of recommendation, certifications, etc.). To learn more about your program specific requirements, visit our Graduate Admission page

Admission Requirements

Contact Graduate Admission

Students in this program are required to pay an annual program fee.

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