Semester in L.A.
Semester in L.A.
Adapting your novel to the big screen or interested in scriptwriting for the movies?
Learn the business of film making for writers with five intensive weeks on-site
in the heart of the movie industry.
Spring 2010: January 25 - February 27
The Adaptation-Screenwriting program is available to Fiction Writing students for Fiction Writing credit. The Semester in L.A. is a five-week immersion program in which the student maintains full-time status (12-16 hours for undergrad, 9 hours for grad) through an intensive educational experience. Financial aid will apply to this program. The program facilities are located at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles. This is the only program of higher learning permanently located on a studio lot. Contact Elizabeth Yokas or Gary Johnson in the Fiction Writing Department office for more information.
Screenwriting Workshops: Coverage of Adapted Screenplays in
55-4325-01 (undergrad) 3 Credits
55-5325-01 (grad) 3 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the
Students will read and analyze a variety of novels that have been
adapted into films. They will also read the scripts based on these works of
prose and learn how to do coverage, a
55-4326-01 (undergrad) 3 Credits
55-5326-01 (grad) 3 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the
Students in the program will take part in a lecture series, which
will include authors, screenwriters, and producers who have either sold their
published works to
Adaptation in
55-4326-01 (undergrad) 3 Credits
55-5326-01 (grad) 3 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the
Acquiring Intellectual Properties for Adaptation in
55-4328-01 (undergrad) 3 Credits
55-5328-01 (grad) 3 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the
Download Interest/Application Form
FAQ's
What are the requirements for acceptance into the program?
Any student in the Fiction Writing program who has completed Fiction I may apply to the program; however, it is best suited for students who are at junior or senior levels who have more “gen ed” and writing classes under their belts, and who are nearing graduation. All students and classes require department permission. Once accepted, you can expect to attend in-depth orientations, which will cover a variety of issues in great detail. Attending these sessions is strongly recommended.
Is there a part-time option for taking Semester in LA classes?
No. The program is full-time only for both undergraduates and graduates.
How do I apply?
Please fill-out an information sheet, available on the table by the elevators or in the Fiction Writing Department Office, Suite 1200, 624 S. Michigan building, and return it to the Fiction Writing Department.
Then what?
If you are accepted you will be contacted in time for early registration. It is your responsibility to register during this time, and to clear any restrictions prior to registration.
How will the classes run?
There will be a morning orientation lecture and tour the first day, and a review of any independent projects. After that, you hit the ground running. The typical day starts with coffee and reading of industry trades, such as Variety. Then you will have a couple of hours of guest speakers and questions, lunch, more speakers and questions, and then a few hours of working on your independent projects. You will also go to screenings and tours. Some site visits include: Sony Studios, Warner Bros. Studio, Central Casting, American Film Market, Panavision, and Writers Guild.
Throughout the five-week semester, there will be anywhere from 30-50 industry professionals visiting the sessions to impart invaluable knowledge and expertise to the students via lecture and workshops. These professionals include acquisition executives, development producers, production executives, story editors, creative producers, entertainment attorneys, executive producers, assistant directors, screenwriters and many more. Because of the caliber of visiting professionals and the demand of the workload, students will be expected to conduct themselves professionally during all sessions.
Cost and Financial Aid
Full-time tuition for spring is $9,245 for undergraduates (12-16 credit hours) and $5,849 for graduates (9 credit hours). This does NOT include travel or accommodations. All opportunities and rules for financial aid apply to the Semester in LA program.
Bob Enrietto Scholarship
$1500 merit-based scholarship for full-time students who have been accepted to the Semester in L.A. program. Awarded the semester the student attends the Semester in L.A. program. To qualify:
• 80 credit hours by the end of the Spring semester (at least 24 of which must have been completed at Columbia College Chicago)
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Deadline: November 15, 2009 (for the Spring 2010 semester)
• Contact: Office of Enrollment Management, Maureen Herlehy - 312-369-7135
Download application:
www.colum.edu/Admissions/scholarship/Scholarships/Bob_Enrietto_Scholarship.php
What about transportation?
Participants in the program are responsible for getting to and from the Studio Lot. Some students go in on car rentals, others drive to LA and share the car. LA is a car-centric city, so public transportation takes forever and is generally not recommended. The best way is to buddy up with someone who has a car, or go in on shared rental expenses. If you find a place close by (a couple of the apartment complexes that work with Columbia students are about 5-6 miles away from Studio City) you may rent a bike or even a scooter for getting around.
Where do we stay while in LA?
Students are responsible for their own living arrangements. Sites like www.shorterrentalsla.com, www.metroroomates.com, and www.craigslist.org have information about temporary housing opportunities. Once accepted into the program, our contacts in LA will assist you with finding available housing. One of the places Columbia recommends is Oakwood Apartments, Toluca Hills. It has lots of amenities and is about a 10-minute drive to the studio. Columbia students get special rates here. Check out the “LA Resources” link on the Film Department Web site (http://www.filmatcolumbia.com/LA.html) for other information. Approximate costs of accommodations vary depending on the arrangement. To give you an idea of the lower end, a single room to share close to the Studio can run about $1000. Sharing a two-bedroom apartment at Oakwood Terrace can run close to $3,000.
What will the total cost be?*
Day to day expenses ($30/day to eat, play): $1,350
Housing (2 BR split @ Oakwood): $2,856
Transportation ($500 airfare + $40/week gas): $ 700
Tuition (ungrad full-time): $9,245
Tuition (grad): $5,849
Total Estimated Cost: $14,151
$10,755 (with grad tuition)
*Please note that these are approximate costs based on last-year’s program.
What You’ll Get in Return
The experience, exposure, and marketable skills you’ll get from this program are worth it. Plus, you have done a whole semester’s work in five weeks, leaving you valuable time to network for jobs, finish your projects, or devote to an internship.
For more information, please contact: Gary Johnson (gjohnson@colum.edu, ext. 7537), or Elizabeth Yokas (eyokas@colum.edu, ext. 7611).