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Senior Teaching Artist Rick Hawkins Highlights Distinctiveness of Screenwriting Program


The B.F.A. in screenwriting program emphasize a balance of hands-on work in the development of scripts along with the study and theory of storytelling for a wide platform of outlets. Students will explore and write short screenplays, feature screenplays, television scripts and more. Writers participate in workshop settings, providing and receiving feedback from peers and instructors. This degree requires all students to meet strict deadlines, communicate in class through critiques and discussions, and share artistic work in a public setting through readings, presentations and screenings.

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Collaboration and Integration

A photo of the writer's room. Submitted photo.The writer’s room is where screenwriting students can workshop their screenplays in a professional setting.

The screenwriting program provides opportunities for collaboration with other writers, filmmakers and animators. Writers will see their ideas brought to life on a variety of mediums and gain intimate knowledge of the industry and its structure. Writers will also have the opportunity to make films, and, by directing actors and composing shots, they can more fully realize the possibilities of visual storytelling.

Inside the Writer's Room

  • Two 60” Full HD Smart LED TV
  • HD Webcam Capabilities for Skype Sessions
  • Power-Outlets at Table for Laptops

Student-Produced Video by Cinema Production Major Ryan Peters '23

Point Park University - Screenwriting Program from Point Park Cinema Arts on Vimeo.

 

Faculty bring industry experience to the classroom

Point Park faculty members bring academic and work experience into the classroom.

Meet the faculty
Pictured is Rick Hawkins.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Rick Hawkins
Hawkins is an Emmy-winning screenwriter whose career in Hollywood includes successes as a producer, studio executive and international media consultant.

Course Offerings

You will receive a well-rounded education through Point Park's core curriculum and classes in the screenwriting major. Some of the courses in the screenwriting program include:

  • Acting and Directing for Writers and Filmmakers
  • TV Animation Writing
  • Classical and Modern Drama
  • Intermediate and Advanced Screenwriting
  • Rewriting the Feature Screenplay
  • Story Analysis
  • Writing the Adaptation
  • Writing the Hour Drama
  • Writing for Multimedia/Web Series
  • Writing the Situation Comedy
  • Video Game Writing

News & Features

A Q&A With Rick Hawkins, Senior Teaching Artist and Emmy-Winning Screenwriter
Friday, June 19, 2020 "As an Emmy-winning screenwriter with three decades of writing and executive producing successful TV series, I helped to create a screenwriting program at Point Park that included all the practical and artistic opportunities that I wish had been available to me when I was a student. I consider it a joy and a privilege to be able to mentor and share with young writers their artistic journeys toward professionalism," said Hawkins.
Cinema Arts Program Partners with the Sarah Jones Film Student Safety Program
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Point Park University is just the fourth institution of higher education in the United States to qualify for the Sarah Jones Film Student Safety Program. The program is an initiative from the nonprofit Sarah Jones Film Foundation, which advocates for safe conditions on film sets.
Rania Draklellis '20
Friday, March 22, 2019 Meet Rania Draklellis, B.F.A. in screenwriting major and an artistic intern for production at the Pittsburgh CLO.